Mary Ella Gillespie departed this life on Sunday, October 29, 2023. She was born on January 4, 1952, to Robert and Senna Ella Duff in Bristol, Virginia.

Mary graduated from Virginia High School in Bristol, Virginia, and earned her degree from Hunter College in New York, New York. Mary attended Lee Street Baptist Church, where she loved to praise the Lord. She was a member of the Sanctuary Choir and the Gospel Choir.

Mary was known for her loving and thoughtful demeanor, exhibiting kindness and generosity to all she encountered. Some of her favorite verses were Romans 8:31, If God is for us, who can be against us? Proverbs 3:5, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. And Joshua 24:15, As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Senna Ella Duff; grandparents, Loftus and Maude Ervin; brother, Fred Duff; and sister, Daryl Jean Duff.

To cherish her memory, Mary leaves her children, Shamail McKenzie, Charles McKenzie Jr., and Alex McCoy; grandchildren, Israel (Brooke) McKenzie, Devine McCoy, Harmony McCoy, and Solomon McCoy; siblings, Brian Duff, Edwin Duff, James Duff, Perry Duff, and Robert Duff Jr.; and many other family members, friends, and loved ones.