Bereavement and Homegoing

If you have recently lost a loved one, we want to extend our CARE and celebrate their life with you! Email any details you may have to Dr. Jesse L. Wood here (jwood@metropolitanbaptist.org). Find out more about our Bereavement Ministry Here. Details regarding funeral procedures are here. Please submit information about your departed on the Bereavement Notification Form here. Shortly after this information has been received, it will appear on this page and you will be able to add your notes of love and more.

Mary Martin McGinnis

06/26/1915 – 05/27/2023

Text:

Obituary For Mary Martin McGinnis

Greetings Metropolitan Family,

Please keep Mrs. Charlotte Brookins Hudson and Family lifted in your prayers in the passing of her 107 year old aunt, Mrs. Mary Martin McGinnis.

A vigilant woman who loved the Lord. A virtuous woman who loved her family. A valiant woman who loved her friend. A vivacious woman who positively handled the vicissitudes of life. This is a Proverbs 31 description of Mary Martin McGinnis who made her heavenly entrance on May 6, 2023; thus culminating a beautiful, sweet and peaceful centennial journey that began on June 25, 1915. During her earthly sojourn, she personified Christian qualities such as kindness, compassion and goodness.

Mary Martin McGinnis was born on June 26, 1915 in Humphreys County, Mississippi. Her parents were Nathanial and Blanche Martin. She was reared on the farm and received her formal education in the area one-room schoolhouse. She was scholarly and earned an eighth-grade diploma. During that era, Mississippi did not fund rural high schools for African Americans. Mary took her exemplary education to heart, further developed self-learning traits, focused on vocational, commercial and industrial skills, and exhibited a desire to be of service—civically and spiritually.

In 1932, at the age of 17, she married the love of her life, Kenzie McGinnis. They exhibited a bond of love and goodwill. From this union, eleven children were born. She was pre-deceased by Mr. McGinnis, three siblings, and three of her children: Nathaniel, William and Sam McGinnis. The bond of Kenzie and Mary’s family encompasses six generations: twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, six great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. She was a very inspirational figure in and provided guidance and motivation. During their union, Mary and Kenzie purchased and cultivated forty acres of land and its produce. They maintained the rich heritage of entrepreneurship.

Mary and Kenzie supported and encouraged their children to pursue excellence: academically, athletically, artistically and professionally. She was a profound believer in education. For many years, she served as a bus driver for the Head Start Program. She loved the children, and strongly felt that everyone needed a “head start” in order to succeed.

Mary was a pillar at New Foundation Baptist Church where she served as choir president, Sunday School teacher, and mother of the church. The Bible was her favorite book of which she read three hours each day. She was a Biblicist who often quoted many of her favorite scriptures.

Mary had a great sense of humor, took pride in gardening, enjoyed bingo, arts and crafts, and was involved with the Clara Reed Adult Daycare Center. At her home, she was engaged in planting collards, turnip greens and her array of pecan trees. She watched NBA games and previously attended many NBA All-Star tournaments with her son-in-law, Ernie Jones, who is a former Harlem Globetrotter.

Roman 8 references that ”You face many challenges throughout life”. Mary witnessed two worldwide pandemics (1918 and 2020), nineteen U.S. Presidents, the depression, many wars and the era of civil rights. She had a wonderful insight on many issues. She attributed her longevity to eating greens, regularly drinking a bit of garlic water with apple cider vinegar and maintaining her strong faith in God.

As a “Semi-supercentenarian”, Mary McGinnis received congressional and presidential citations, a “Trailblazer Award” from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and was featured in the print and mass media. She was held in the highest esteem.

The Lord’s Prayer states: “Thy kingdom come – Thy will be done”. From a blessed life and with outstretched hands, Mary Martin McGinnis joined her maker. Cherishing special memories are her children: Kenzie Richard; Irma Jones; Evelyn McGinnis; Hazel Overton; Yvonne McGinnis; Blanche Reed; Maurice McGinnis; and Willie McGinnis. She has a host of other relatives and friends.

Final Arrangements for Mrs. Mary Martin McGinnis

Homegoing Service:

Saturday May 27, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM

Peter Rock Church of God in Christ

8100 Highway 16 West

Holy Bluff, MS 39194

Services Entrusted to:

Scott Memorial Funeral Home

1401 East Broadway

Yazoo City, MS 39194

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