Mary Lauree Fountain

Mary Lauree Fountain, 64, passed away on Friday, December 8, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida from prolonged health issues. 

Mary was born on October 4, 1959 to Eugene and Lauree Kicklighter of Glennville, GA.  Mary attended Glennville High School and graduated third in her class in 1977.  During that time she worked as a Radio Operator for WKIG Radio where she became one of the youngest individuals to obtain a Class 3 Radio License. During Mary’s senior year of high school she worked for Rotary Corporation in their data processing department.  After graduating, Mary continued her employment at Rotary Corporation becoming certified as a Computer Programmer. Shortly thereafter, Mary decided to attend Georgia Southern University to study education – a passion she maintained throughout her life and until her death.  At Georgia Southern, she obtained a B.S. in Elementary and Middle Grades Education, and eventually a Masters of Education and an Education Specialist Degree.  

Mary believed deeply that all people were deserving of the ability to pursue their dreams and that education was one means by which that could be made possible. Consequently, Mary spent 25 years in the Tattnall County School System as an instructor and was named Teacher of the Year in 1987.  Mary spent an additional five years in the school system as the director of Title I, a supplemental funding program administered by the state to improve the academic achievement of economically and educationally disadvantaged students. She served as the District Coordinator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, an organization focused on educational quality via school transparency and accountability.  Mary was also an Adjunct Faculty Instructor for Brewton-Parker College teaching courses in both English and Mathematics. 

In addition to her work in the Tattnall County School System, Mary loved teaching swimming lessons and tutoring local children.  She was a member of First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School to preschoolers for many years.  Mary loved movies, music, history, reading, and writing.  She felt most at home near the water and adored the beach.  

Mary married Donald Fountain on August 13, 1977 and together they had two children, Evan and Emily. Mary excelled at fostering a home that nurtured intellectual curiosity and learning.  With Donald's support, Mary moved to Florida four years ago to seek her own healing. She and Donald remained life-long partners and best friends until her passing.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene and Lauree Kicklighter. She is survived by Donald Fountain and their children, Evan Fountain (Victoria) and granddaughter Carlyle Fountain of Saint Simons Island, GA and Emily Fountain (Richard Andrews) of Nashville, TN and her sister, Carol (Henry) Strickland as well as many nieces and nephews.  

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Promise of Hope Tattnall, P O Box 485, Glennville, GA  30427 or Glennville 24 Hour AA Group, 112 West Pecan Rd. Glennville, GA. 30427.  You can also donate to one of the national organizations below that are working to end addiction or find ways to address mental health issues. Mary struggled throughout her life with addiction and related issues, and it is the hope of Donald, Evan, Emily, and Carol that her death might help aid others in their healing on this side of the world.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at the Glennville Funeral Home at 2:00 P.M., Friday, December 22, 2023 with a visitation occurring at 1:00 P.M.  There will be reserved seating for the Glennville High School Class of 1977 Graduates.

Donations: 

Partnership to End Addiction

711 Third Avenue
5th Floor, Suite 500
New York, NY 10017

Mental Health America

c/o Gift Office
500 Montgomery Street, Suite 820
Alexandria, VA 22314

Glennville Funeral Home has the honor to serve the Fountain family.