Mary loved the Lord, and accepted Jesus Christ as her savior as a teenager. She attended Grade, Junior and Senior High Schools in Roanoke VA, and was a member of Lucy Addison High School’s graduating class of 1969. Mary attended the Community Hospital School of Nursing and served the United States Army Reserve for 5 years. She earned an honorable discharge, with rank SP 5. She retired from Verizon Communications after 30 years of dedicated service and was previously employed at Walmart and Mountain Valley Transportation.

Mary was preceded in death by: her husband L. Jerome Stewart; parents Mary Ann Monroe, and William C. Brandon; foster parents – Thurman and Margaret Foy; sisters—Tina Marie Monroe, Betty (Ruffin) Harrison, Ernestine (William) DeBerry; brothers – William Cecil Brandon Jr, Markette Brandon, Thurman Foy Jr., Terry Lee Monroe, and grandson Markel T. Girty.

Those left to cherish her memory are: daughter Amy Lynn “ Boo” Girty ; grandchildren- Miesha and Maurice Girty; great-grandchildren – Trevyon, Anyiaha and Messiah Girty; siblings- Virginia Brown, North Carolina, Jessie (Kat) Monroe, Roanoke VA, Michael Brandon, Bedford VA, Don (Joli) Brandon, Lynchburg VA, Ernest Brandon, Baltimore MD, Countess (Ron) Robinson, Baltimore MD, Countesa Lewis, Baltimore MD, Juan (Silvia)Brandon, Concord VA, Marquette (Michell) Brandon, Rustburg, VA, Empress (Bryan) Preston, Lynchburg VA, Paula (Ernest) Wray, Roanoke VA, and Yolanda McAllister of North Carolina; nieces- Tonya (Vaughan) Gibson, North Carolina, Jessica Monroe, Roanoke VA, Monique (Michael) Worrell, Roanoke VA, nephew- Dominick Dunkley, Lynchburg VA; special grandson Corey Barber ; Best Friends- Geraldine and Jessica Meeks, Chesterfield VA, June Landers, Roanoke VA; All of her bowling teammates; and a host of other relatives and friends.

For those who knew Mary, she was happy to be active, and not one to keep still. She enjoyed life and looked for ways to serve others. An avid bowler of well over 30 years- she never missed an opportunity to participate in her favorite sport. She was an active member of Shiloh Baptist Church and loved honoring God by serving in various capacities. She enjoyed helping in the kitchen, vacation Bible school, and the food bank ministry.

Mary will be truly missed by all who had the honor of knowing her. She had a way of making us laugh when we were sad and reminding us to be grateful for each waking moment.

The family would like to thank each one of you for your prayers and many acts of kindness during this difficult time.