Mary Beth Ferary passed peacefully on Sunday, March 22, 2026.  Those who knew her well—and even those who did not— would all agree that she sought joy her entire life…though that same life did not always deliver it.  She held a heartfelt wish that all who she encountered would experience joy. She was known for her sense of refinement in all that she did; she possessed a deep curiosity and a genuine desire for understanding.
Mary Beth was born to John "Jack" and Bette Bierman, the eldest of three siblings, in Grinnell, Iowa on March 18, 1943. She met her first husband Kip Myers in a whirlwind and on the tail of a comet. It carried them to Roswell, GA and Stonebridge Drive.  There they raised their son, Hiram "Bif", and daughter, Elizabeth "Brandy", amongst their extended friends (Babcocks and Youngs) that were more like family…and remain so more than fifty years later. This colorful time was filled with life, laughter and fermented beverages, all shared with her neighbors and her sister Suzy Winters and husband Dick, along with brother Rick and wife Audrey, and in-laws Frank and Kate Pacoe.
Tragedy took both her son and her husband, a loss that profoundly shaped the course of Mary Beth's life and the life she shared with Brandy.
Many years later, providence and Johnny's Hideaway brought her and Joseph "Joe" Ferary together. They were married for over twenty years. Their union brought them from Alpharetta, Georgia to Frederick, MD, Panama City Beach, FL and back to Georgia. During this time there was travel, wine and many family celebrations.  Additionally, that union brought Joseph "Joby"and Gia and the bevy of grandchildren to be mentioned.
Mary Beth is survived by her daughter, Brandy Haiman (nee Myers) and son-in-law, Darren, their children Jacob (wife Madison) and Sarah Brandt, son Joby Ferary and wife Lisa and their children Angel, Isabella Joseph, Giovanni and Siena and daughter Gia (nee Ferary) Benner and her husband Scott and their sons Ryan and Boston.  Nine grandchildren whose lives she was blessed to see flourish. Additionally, she is survived by her beloved sister Suzy (nee Bierman) and Richard "Dick" Winters, their daughters Kate and Nan as well as her beloved brother Rick, his wife Audrey, and their two children Alexis and John.
She is preceded in death by Hiram Abif "Kip" Myers, Hiram Abif "Bif" Myers, Joe Ferary, Jack Bierman and Bette Bierman.
A memorial will be held at Collins Funeral Home, Acworth, Georgia on Monday, April 27, 2026 at 10:00 am.  A celebration of life will be held at the banks of the Toe River in Yancey County, North Carolina at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Hospice Care of Georgia.