Mary M. Turner

Mary Turner, also known as “Ms. T”, was born the ninth of nine children on November 13, 1942, to her father William Gravely, and her mother Bertha Gravely in Martinsville, Virginia.

In her adulthood after graduating and migrating to the north for better opportunities, Mary wore many professional hats while also going to study in college. Later she eventually retired as a geriatric caseworker after years of commitment. Over the years she had dedicated involvement with the community kitchen to feed the homeless, the community street club, the St Martin De Porres Center, and The Order of the Eastern Star.

Mary had a reputation for her green thumb, nurturing hospitality, and her delicious homemade soul food. She was very loyal, generous, flattering, friendly, dependable, encouraging, and most of all an attentive listening ear in times of need. Due to her sweet and self-sacrificing personality not only did she feed anyone who was hungry in her presence, but she eventually gained a reputation for allowing others to live with her while suffering personal hardships. This is due to the fact that she truly believed that no one she knew or loved should be homeless if she had space in her home. She had a devoted selflessness quality that always made her quick to give, oftentimes before receiving.

Mary leaves behind four of her five children, William, Sylvia, James, JoeAnn, and Anthony. Her grandchildren... Reba, Nichelle, Anthony, Shanice, D’angelo, Precious, Jarem, and Monisha. Also, her great-grandchildren, Jon, Alicia, Jaden, JaNiyia, Jolon, Anthony, Jahari, Jordan, D’angelo, Skye, McKenzie, DeAndre, and Camiah. In addition to her sweet fur baby “Fuzzy”.

Mary died on May 30, 2020, due to a long battle with a terminal illness. She has lived a fulfilled life surrounded by love and admiration. She will be eternally remembered as a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister, friend, and neighbor. Her legacy, warm nurturing energy, illuminating infectious smile, and attractive alluring spirit has not only made an impressionable impact on her family but her close community as well. Her resilience as a strong beautiful black woman is forever inherited in her lineage. For this, we are forever grateful to her. Rest in Heaven, Grandma. We love you!