Mary Catherine Badskey

Mary “May May” Catherine Vallely Badskey (68) of Montgomery was surrounded by the love of her family as we celebrated her peaceful passing into our Savior’s loving arms on Thursday, June 22, 2023. 

Mary was born on November 15, 1954, and was the fifth of nine children of the late Winifred Vincent Allen Vallely and the late Bernard Xavier Vallely. The Vallely family moved from Birmingham to Opelika, AL when Mary was young.  Mary thrived in Opelika where she was a cheerleader and state champion swimmer and diver.  Mary graduated from Opelika High School in 1973.  After High School she attended LaGrange College where she studied nursing. She volunteered as a teenager during the summer months drawing blood for lab work at the Tuskegee Hospital.  She also worked as a lab tech at Brookwood Hospital in Birmingham. 

Early in her career Mary served as a nurse but she most cherished her time as a homemaker as her family moved to several Air Force bases throughout our nation and Capital while raising her young children. 

Mary was a dedicated mother first and foremost.  She treasured her children and grandchildren and embraced every moment with them.  She had a vivacious personality and always made people around her laugh.  She easily made friends everywhere she went. 

While in Montgomery Mary served as a teacher at the Taylor Road Academy, The Covenant Academy, The Nolan Challenge Center, Recruiting and Donor Services Manager at the Lifesouth Community Blood Center and Music Teacher at the Aldersgate Weekday Children’s Ministry and at the Providence Presbyterian Preschool. 

Mary was known to most everyone as May May (a nickname given to her by her first granddaughter Chassity).  May May was one of the kindest, easy going, most forgiving persons you’ll ever meet. Her favorite day of the year was Dec 24th known as May May’s Cray Cray Christmas. She loved having all of her family and friends together. May May was famous for her honey glazed ham, green beans and macaroni and cheese.  She never met an event she’d be on time for.  She had the biggest heart and would stop at the drop of a dime to help if you needed her. 

Mary married the love of her life Rev. Steve Badskey in 2010.  Mary and Steve greatly enjoyed taking numerous beach and lake trips together as well as lots of time celebrating birthday and holidays with family and friends.   Mary greatly appreciated meeting and joining with other Minister spouses throughout our Alabama West Florida Conference.  She sang and served in the Worship Team and Congregational Care Team at Aldersgate, the Celebrate Recovery Team at Frazer and loved to support and teach the women in her Sonshine Circle Group at Aldersgate.  

Mary is now reunited with her late family members: her parents, "Winnie" Winifred Vincent Allen Vallely and Bernard Xavier Vallely; sisters, Loretta Ann Vallely and Carol Ann Shoemaker; and brothers, Bernard Luke Vallely, Timothy Michael Vallely, and Hugh Joseph Vallely. Remaining siblings include: a sister, Jerry (Chuck) Barber of Opelika;  brothers, Joe (Lynne) Vallely of Huntsville, and Dan (Leah) Vallely of Huntsville; and two beloved sister-in-laws, Glenda Black Vallely of Perry, Georgia, and Anne Vallely of Opelika.  Remaining mother-in-laws and brother-in-laws include Julia Badskey of North Webster, Indiana; Kent (Michele) Badskey of North Webster, Indiana; and Scott (Chris) Badskey of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Mary is survived by her husband, Rev. Steve Badskey, and by her children: Bethany (Judd) Davis of Pike Road; Kristy (Drew) Martin of Prattville; Matthew Jordan of Nashville; AnnMarie (Nicolos) Fletcher of Wetumpka; Amber Badskey of Pike Road; and "daughter in law" Ashley Bell of Montgomery. Beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren are: Bailey (Dusty) Hayes; Luke Woodcock; Hunter Davis; Chassity Rhodes; William Wales; Rhylee Rhodes; Joshua Wales; Evalyn Harley; Hudson Davis; Raegan Fletcher; Annslei Fletcher; Audrey Martin; Jaxson Jordan; Koah Chitwood; Kai'lani Williams.

To say that Mary fiercely loved them all would be to understate the depths of her devotion to her family and friends. Never has there been a more generous or caring soul.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, June 30 at 2:00 p.m. with visitation prior to the service beginning at 12:00 at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church.  The service will be officiated by Rev. Dr. Brian Miller and Rev. Misty Barrett. 

Contributions in her memory may be made to the Aldersgate Permanent Endowment Fund at the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 6610 Vaughn Road, Montgomery, AL 36116.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Catherine Badskey, please visit our floral store.