McMinnville resident and Davidson County native Mary Gayden Phifer, 82, was born Sept. 27, 1931 and died Aug. 2 at NHC Healthcare in McMinnville following a brief illness.A retired time keeper with Oster and member of Westwood Church of Christ, she was the daughter of the late George T. and Elizabeth Denby Martin. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughter, Kathy Phifer Close and brother, Joe Burks Martin.Mrs. Phifer was married March 27, 1948 to Harold C. Phifer of McMinnville. In addition to her husband, she is survived by son, Steve Phifer of San Leandro, Calif.; two granddaughters, Dr. Elizabeth Denby “Betsy” (Tim) Jackson of Signal Mountain and Virginia Mathis (Josh) Witt of Chattanooga; great-grandson, Charles Bryan Jackson and numerous other family members and friends.Funeral service was held Monday, Aug. 4, in High’s Chapel with Coy Hathcock and Jim Welch officiating.