Mary Sue Bradham Black's Obituary
Mary Sue Bradham Black, 84, of Albemarle, formerly of Lexington, SC, entered her heavenly home on Thursday, September 25, 2025.
Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Second Street Presbyterian Church with her son, Rev. John C. Black, officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the church sanctuary. A graveside service will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg, SC on Monday, September 29, 2025 at 1:00 PM.
Born on February 9, 1941, in Manning, SC, Mary Sue was the daughter of the late Peter Thomas Bradham and Sara Brooke Jones Bradham, both whom she dearly loved. She devoted her life to teaching and retired after many years as an elementary and Junior High school teacher, primarily in Chester and Orangeburg, SC. She was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. She touched countless young lives with her kindness, humor, and encouragement, and she cherished staying connected with her former students, often through social media.
Mary Sue will be remembered by her family and friends as gregarious, sociable, and fun-loving—a woman who brought laughter and joy wherever she went. She adored her various cats and dogs throughout her years as well as chocolate mochas and Cheez-Its. She loved music, and especially found joy in singing in her church choirs over the years. Above all, she treasured her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who were the light of her life.
Her faith was central to who she was. A devoted follower of Christ, her favorite verse was Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” She often expressed her desire that at her funeral it be said: “This is just a shell, the nut has departed.” Mary Sue was a longtime member of Lexington Baptist Church in Lexington, SC, where she found fellowship, worship, and joy in song.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Roy Black, in 1999. She missed him greatly and is surely rejoicing now in his presence.
She is survived by her son, Rev. John C. Black and wife Amy of Oakboro, NC; her daughter, Tammy Lynn Ray of Lexington, SC; her sister, Frances May Smith and husband Ray of Greenville, SC; her cousin, Anne Boyd of Greenville, SC; five beloved grandchildren, Michael Lewis LaFrance, Snezhanna Baziluk Black, Ian Thomas Black, Chandler Evan Black, and Mary Lillian “Lilli” Ray; and nine precious great-grandchildren.
Mary Sue’s legacy of love, faith, and joy will live on in all who were blessed to know her. If you knew her, you were touched by her compassion and vibrant sense-of-humor.
The family wishes to express their since thanks to and to the Staff and residents of the Taylor House of Albemarle and Tillery Compassionate Care for their loving care of “Miss Mary”.
In lieu of flowers you may send a memorial to either Second Street Presbyterian Church, 105 Hearne St., Albemarle, NC, 28001 or to Taylor House Assisted Living, 319 Palmer St., Albemarle, NC, 28001.
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