Debbie Snapp
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Church has been a part of Mary Hartsfield's life ever since she was a young child; she can recall attending different churches of several different denominations with her family members and friends.
Her church affiliations include the churches of her childhood friends and college campus Christian groups.
She says that she has always had respect for God, church and family, it was instilled in her, but it wasn't until her marriage to William “Bill” N. Hartsfield that she became a member of his family church, Elizabeth Baptist Church (EBC). Bill had attended this church for his whole life and after the two married, Mary joined her husband's church.
During her years at EBC, Mary has been involved in several of the church's ministries. She made herself available to help where she was needed and to help those who needed her. After all, church members have responsibilities. A member should be faithful in attendance, tithing and to the church's mission programs.
So after joining EBC as a member, Mary fell right into helping with Sunday School and Vacation Bible School. She was a member of the choir and she taught the College and Career Class.
Professionally, Mary was a science teacher at Aucilla Christian Academy for a time, so teaching Sunday School to middle and high school students was nothing new to her. “I loved it,” she adds with excitement.
“Walking through those church doors, and knowing that God's presence is there, gives me a warm and welcoming feeling,” she shares. “Church is the people too. Sharing God's Word with others is just the best feeling one could ask for.”
Mary has had a few life-changes since her earlier church days. She has moved from her country home, near Elizabeth Baptist Church, into town to be closer to her children, Kathleen and Will, and she has been affiliated with Christ Episcopal Church since early 2019. She hopes to become more involved in the missions at Christ Church.
After high school, Mary continued her education at Tallahassee Community College, then studied for a career in law enforcement and double majored in chemistry at Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, Va.
Mary says she loved learning about collecting evidence and how to test it; a forensic career was a dream-come-true for her, as she had always been interested in Forensic Science.
After her education, Mary began working for the Tallahassee Capital Police after returning home to Florida, and the Tallahassee area, where she was born and raised.
Mary and Bill met through their individual careers in Tallahassee and they were married in July 1978.
Her other love is horses, and always has been she says. She used to show horses, training them and teaching others for competitions. This “love” has been with her since she was a very young child.
Of late though, she's been landscaping her new yard area and making regular visits with Bill who now resides at Madison Health & Rehabilitation Center.
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