Mary Ann Wilson was born on March 27, 1957 in Gary, Indiana to John and Thelma Wilson. She was the baby girl of 8 children.
She was a proud graduate of Gary Roosevelt High School class of 1975. She went on to attend Ball State University and received her degree at Davenport University.
Mary accepted Christ at an early age. She moved to South Bend where she united with Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church. Her employment history consisted of working with the public (her favorites were working at Bernardo’s Men’s Clothing and Tuxedo shop and as a photographer’s assistant at Notre Dame).
Mary was preceded in death by parents, John and Thelma Wilson; one son, Ki’ Juan Wilson; three brothers: Lester, Derrick and Harold Wilson; and one sister, Alta Madry.
She leaves behind the loves her of life, three granddaughters: Kaiya Wilson of Texas, LaKayla Wilson of Indianapolis, and Allure Wilson of Florida; one sister, Beverly Guider of Gary; two brothers: Ronald and Dwayne Wilson; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, and cousins. She will be sorely missed by her best friend and cousin, Brenda Pickett; and closest friends: Sherry Kinner, and Lee and Roz McKinley.
Having no family in South Bend, she adopted Mother Sanders and her family as her own. She was very fond of Mother Taylor and spoke constantly of her church members and friends.
Throughout her life Mary had many passions: skating, watching football, and playing cards, but one stood out from the rest: cooking. She not only cooked but cooked to serve. On any day you could find her in the kitchen cooking and calling friends to come over to eat.
Mary was known to have many nicknames: Marann, Choc, Black, Chip, and Mebree. In her later years, she made it her mission to re-connect to family and friends through Facebook. She also enjoyed watching CNN and was a self-proclaimed politician.
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