VIEWING: Friday, December 27, 2024/ Time: 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM
SERVICE: Saturday, December 28, 2024/ Time: 11:00 AM/ Feggins Chapel, 409 South Hill Avenue, South Hill, VA 23970/ Rev. Curtis McRae, Officiating
INTERMENT: Chavis Family Cemetery
MRS. MARY MARTIN CHAVIS GORDON, daughter of the late Clarence and Nannie Talley Martin, was born April 22, 1931 in Mecklenburg County, VA and transitioned on December 20, 2024 in Southside Regional Medical Center, Petersburg, VA. She was preceded in death by her siblings- Maggie, Nannie Kate, Robert, Charlie, Herbert and Perry Martin and step-son, Dennis Gordon, Jr.
At an early age she was baptized and joined Roanoke Chapel United Church of Christ, Palmer Springs, VA. She attended the Mecklenburg County Public Schools.
Mary was married to the late George Chavis on July 11, 1953 and to this union two children were born. They later moved to Teaneck, NJ where they reared their family. From 1969-1979 she opened and operated her own business, known to many as “Sounds Unlimited Record Shop.”
In 1979 they moved back to Virginia and joined St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Union Level, VA. She served as Lay Reader, Financial Secretary and President of then ECW (Episcopal Church Women.)
In 1991 Mary joined the cast of “Fences” for the Clarksville Community Players, where she portrayed the leading man’s wife. The play was held in June and it was directed by Margaret “Margo” Walker; former faculty member of Virginia State University. The play was shown in several of the surrounding communities.
In the year of 1996 George preceded her in death. Mary later joined Roanoke Chapel United Church of Christ, Palmer Springs, VA. She worked for many years as a Substitute Teacher for the Mecklenburg, Brunswick, and Greenville Counties.
On April 22, 2000, Mary married the late Dennis Gordon, Sr. and relocated to Emporia, VA. She assisted in rearing her step-daughter, Jazma Gordon until graduation. She also attended St. Paul Church of God in Christ, Emporia, VA.
In her spare time, she enjoyed bowling and visiting family and friends.
Mary leaves to cherish her memory: her two children- George Desi (Dolores) Chavis, Teaneck, NJ and Deborah (Raymond) Joyce, Franklinton, NC; four step-children, Douglas (Joyce) Hicks, Aaron Nock, Antoinette and Jazma (Roosevelt) Allen; two grandchildren- Desmond and Danielle Chavis; one great-grand-child, Tashaun Matheny; step-grandchildren- Ja'Laiyah Gordon, Koning and Autumn Allen, Nicole Gordon, Antoine (Jade) Gordon; step-great-grandchildren- Janelle and Joelle Gordon; one brother- Marvin Martin, Patterson, NJ; two sisters-in-law, Pearl Burns and Ruth Kearney, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.