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Dr. Mary Pate Soper, 85, recently of Peachtree City passed away on May 2 after a short battle with cancer. Mary was born on October 2, 1931, in Tela, Honduras. Her father was employed by United Fruit Company and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which prompted moves by the family to several cities, including Lincoln, Neb., and the Washington D.C. area.
In 1955, Mary graduated from the University of Maryland’s Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, where she was the only woman in her dental school class of 104 students. Following an internship with the U.S. Public Health Service in San Francisco, Mary established a private dental practice in Hyattsville, Md. Soon after, she met and married Howard Kent Soper. In 1962, the couple moved to New Orleans, where they raised four children. Mary maintained a private dental practice in New Orleans for nearly 35 years, while also working for the local public health service for some time.
Upon retirement in 1998, Mary moved to Bigfork, Montana, where she enjoyed 13 years in the mountains. She moved to Peachtree City in 2011.
Mary will be remembered as fiercely independent and a pioneer for women in dentistry. She was an avid reader, who devoured not only books but multiple daily newspapers. She believed in family, letter-writing and staying abreast of current events for good conversation. Mary was a lifelong Methodist.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, William Wesley Pate and Mary Norman Pate; her eldest daughter, Lauren Claire Soper; her sister, Peggy Pate Sunshine; and her nephew, Joel Sunshine. She is survived by three children: Matthew Howard Soper (Angela), William Paul Soper (Donna), and Molly Soper Yates (Josh); eight grandchildren: Morgan Soper, Alexandra Goemmer (Kyle), Austin Soper, Corey Soper, Ellen Yates, Benjamin Yates, John Becket Yates and Meredith Yates; her niece, Patty Sunshine; her brother-in-law, Norman Sunshine; and her former husband, Howard Kent Soper.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The Soper family is being assisted by Georgia Cremation, 1086 Highway 54 West, Fayetteville.
Tinamarie Billings says
Please accept our condolences on the loss of your loved one. As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. Philippians 4: 6-7.
Terry Nolan says
So grateful Don was able to speak with Mary last week. She was a great, intelligent, strong woman and we’ll miss her terribly
We were blessed having her as a friend and colleague.
Don Nolan says
Matthew, William, and Molly, your Mom was such a dear friend and wonderful person. It was a privilege to work with her in our chosen dental profession for over 30 years. She was a true trail blazer for so many women who followed her in dentistry. She also showed us her amazing independence in the way she lived her life in retirement. I will miss her so much. Warmest regards to all of you and your families.
Phyllis Orvis says
To Mary’s family. I met Mary in Montana, she started going to a Sewing group in Bigfork. Cynthia Yates was in the group and brought her. Mary did try to sewing and knit everything we did and she did it with a good attitude. We missed her when she moved but heard from her once in a while. She will be missed by all her Bigfork, Montana sewing group. M y hearty goes out to her family.
Bill Cotton says
Mary was part of my life since 1951 when we entered dental school. As only woman in our class of about 100 male students she was loved by all, yet maintained her independence. We kept in contact over the past 66 years with Christmas cards, visits and phone calls. I even traced her to Big Fork, MT. There are many fond memories. I will remember Mary with love. Even though I met all the family in New Orleans, I can only recall a few names, forgive me. However, to all family and those grieving may may the peace of Christ be with you.
Kate says
So hard to lose a parent – glad you had some time with her in Georgia – enjoyed learning a bit about her remarkable life.
Chuck Hubbard says
To the family and friends of my friend and sister in Christ, I extend my deepest sympathy. “Dr. Mary” is a treasured part of my church life. We cannot adequately express how much we loved and enjoyed her presence in our community and our family at the Community United Methodist Church here in Bigfork, Montana. She is a joy in memory as much as she was in life while she lived amongst us in these valleys, mountains, lakes and woods. Godspeed, Mary. We’ll meet again……
Lynn Jarvis says
Sister in Christ, and in our Sewing Group, such a special and wonderful person, she has been missed and now gone, what a blessing she was, she is now be in a much better place……
Rama Bommaraju says
BEAUTIFUL PERSON! We became friends during my short stay at apartment complex in Peachtree City. She needed someone to walk TAFFY. She came for dinner a couple of times. Whats most impressive was her clear thinking, independent living, love for her children and care for her little dog! Will never forget her. We feel especially sorry for William for loss of his mother.
Daniel Miner, DDS. Kalamazoo MI says
It was my pleasure to intern with Mary 1955-6 at the Marine Hospital in San Francisco. We kept
in contact over the years and visited her in New Orleans and Bigfork. I didn’t realize Mary was the
only female in her dental class—my class had the same problem. How times have changed!
She was always interested in family and friends, even ones distant geographically like me. Bless
you, sweet Mary.
Ginnie and Tom Huckabay says
Mary was my dear friend when we both lived in New Orleans. Our families with our children enjoyed many happy times together. Mary was a wonderful “girl friend” with whom we played bridge, exchanged recipes, and lunches together. She was a helper in the classroom activities at the local church where her children attended. She will always remain in my memory as one of my close friends.
MARLENE FURGASON says
I was so very sorry to hear about the passing of my dearest friend. I have so many fond memories of our friendship. I met Mary soon after my divorce, and she truly was my ROCK. I would always stop by her house after work and we would visit. She was such a good listener, and so supportive. After she left New Orleans I missed her so very much, BUT, we kept in contact by phone –especially on our birthdays! While in New Orleans we would make it a point to have cocktails and dinner on our birthdays, and I still missthese precious events. My love and prayers are with her loved ones, and my continued prayers for my dear friend, MARY!!!
Celeste Terry says
My sincere condolences to the family. I worked with Dr. Soper while she was with the New Orleans Health Department. I am praying for all loved ones and family members during this time and in days and weeks to come.
Edward o Olson jr says
My condolences to the family. Mary was quite an influence in my life as a friend,while she worked in the San Francisco area as a dentist..