Mary Keyes Groos Hubner

Nashville - Born February 15, 1940, Harlan, Kentucky

Died January 22, 2025, Nashville, Tennessee

Mary Keyes Groos Hubner "Missy" passed away on January 22, 2025. Missy was preceded in death by her mother, Frances Gayle Groos (Whitfield), father, Werner Groos; and twin siblings Werner Whitfield "Bubba" Groos and Ameranth Gayle "Gretel" Groos.

Born in Harlan, Kentucky, Missy had fond memories of her Ivy Hill home, her sister Gretel's dancing and managing the bank, Bubba's time traveling the world and working at the coal mines, and brother Erich's affectionate teasing and advice. She was at Harlan HS for two years where she played clarinet and was a majorette before attending Stuart Hall School for Girls in Staunton, Virginia. She earned a Liberal Arts degree at Vanderbilt University as a Kappa Alpha Theta and was the "snapshot editor" for the 1962 'Commodore' yearbook. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia and married Robert Whitney "Bob" Hubner Jr., then moved to San Mateo, California for many wonderful years. After California, Missy and Bob moved to Atlanta, then to Chattanooga, Tennessee before parting ways and moving to Nashville where she and her children settled. There she was close to brother Erich, his wife Peggy, and their children Margaret, Erich Jr., Katie, and Michael.

She worked as an English teacher in Atlanta, and after moving to Nashville decided to pursue a career in Public Relations. Missy was a writer, photographer, editor, and media spokesperson with the Association for State and Local History, Vanderbilt, Saint Thomas Hospital, and Nashville Memorial Hospital. She did ticketing for the Nashville Symphony, marketing for the YMCA, and rounded off her career with a retirement job as the "book lady" at Goodwill.

Missy received several awards over the years for her work. She was president of and active in professional organizations throughout her career. As a single mother she had the drive to further her education at Western Kentucky University, completing a Master's Degree in Mass Communications. She was always moving forward and eager to stay active.

Missy loved to read, cook, knit, play solitaire, solve puzzles, correct everyone's grammar, ski with friends and family, proudly support her granddaughters, and enjoy music ranging from Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony to Marty Robbins (even participating in a ukulele band with coworkers from the Hall.) She looked forward to trips with friends and family, and was particularly fond of later trips abroad despite the lack of personal space and ice cubes. She had a May cruise to Alaska planned with dear friends Connie, Linda, and Sue. Missy reunited annually with her kindergarten classmates. She was a safe space for any and all. She had funk, she had soul, she was mischievous, and she was determined! She shuffled off this mortal coil in peace, loved by family and friends. She will be missed.

She is survived by Dr. Erich Bryan Groos Sr., (Brother), Whit Hubner, (son), Erich Hubner (son), Beth Hubner (daughter), their half-sister Mary Martha (Hubner) Woodell, Rose Hubner, and Hayden Hubner (granddaughters.)

A celebration of her birthday and life will take place at Skyking Pizza (385 N Main St, Kingston Springs, TN 37082) on February 15th from 12-4pm. Friends and family are invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Friends of Warner Parks. warnerparks.org