Mary Ida Brownlee was born January 8, 1949, in Birmingham, Alabama to the late Mr. Roosevelt and Mrs. Annie Myers Hardy. Two siblings preceded her in death, Patrice Hardy Williams and Lois Hardy Griggs. Mary accepted Christ at a young age and joined Christian Valley Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend A.L. Lawson. She received her early academic training in the Birmingham Public School System where she attended Lewis Elementary, and Calloway Elementary, graduating from George Washington Carver High School. She received her Associate Degree from Booker T. Washington Business College. She leaves to cherish her memories: her loving daughter Keisha C. Hudgins and grandson Bryce, brother, Jerome Hardy; aunts, Doris Hardy (Birmingham, Alabama), Rose Myers (Detroit, Michigan), Dorothy Ann Myles (Milwaukee, Minnesota) and Mildred Myles (Rochester, New York); devoted sister-in-law, Alfrestine Brownlee; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.