Saturday, July 25, 2015 Mary Alice Gardner departed this life on Friday, July 24, 2015, at the Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York. A home going service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, August 2, 2015 at St. Jude United Holines Church by Rev. Willie Bryant officiating. Burial will follow in the Sandhill cemetery in Clinton, N.C. Mary was born February 14, 1935 in Warsaw, North Carolina, to the late Vander and Hattie Burnette and was the fifth of seven siblings. She was educated in the Sampson County, North Carolina Public School System. A continuous learner, Mary attended Westchester Community College. Mary and Lynn married on August 22, 1953, and were proud parents of three children, Ava, Lynn and James. She was a "Proud Mary." They lived in Washington, D.C. for six years and moved to Mount Vernon, New York over 50 years ago. Mary joined Grace Baptist Church and was a member of the Women's Ministry. One of her favorite scriptures was Psalm 121. For many years, Mary worked as a Butcher for the Pathmark Grocery Chain, and was a member of the Union, Food Handlers Association. She later studied and became an Assistant Radiologist for the White Plains Hospital, White Plains, New York. Mary had a passion for baseball. The New York Yankees was her team; she was one of their biggest fans. She also enjoyed cooking, reading, shopping, gardening and getting her hair and nails done. Mary was meticulous about her appearance, coordinating her attire from head to toe. She leaves to cherish her memories: Husband of 61 years, Lynn H. Gardner, Sr.; Daughter, Ava (Alfred) Riley of Hyde Park, NY; Sons, Lynn (Wenda) Gardner, Jr., of Hyde Park, NY and James (Marie) Gardner of Knightdale, NC; Sister, Sallie Mae (Rev. Willie) Bryant of Clinton, NC; Brother, James (Tina) Burnett of White Plains, NY; Grandchildren, Anthony, Ife, Alfred, Jazmin, Corey, Courtland, Brittany, LaToya and James; Great-Grandchildren, Nyomi, Aubrie, Tilaya, Canarsie, Bricyn, Kareem, Shea and Ray; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and the Grace Baptist Church family. Public viewing from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm with family present from 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at Hope Valley Funeral Service & Cremation, 1246 Hobbton Hwy. Clinton, NC 28328.