Mary Brockington

Mary C. Brockington, affectionately called “Mom” and “Sis. B” by family and friends, was born in Greenwood, South Carolina on March 21, 1934, to the union of the late Thomas and Jessie Mae Carter. Mary was the youngest of 4 siblings, Willie Henry Carter, Thomas Clyde Carter, and Rosa Mae LaGroon. Mary accepted Christ into her life at an early age and united with the Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Greenwood, South Carolina where she was active on the Junior Usher Board, Junior Choir, and a Sunday School teacher. As a child, she enjoyed helping her grandmother around the house, going to church, and playing with her best friend, Mary Alfred, aka “Shag”.

Mary married Carl Baylor in 1951 and of this union three children were born, Gerri, Linda Dianne, and Carlyne.

Education was very important to Mary. After moving to Denver, she enrolled at Emily Griffith Opportunity School and later attended Denver Community College where she studied business, math, and computer courses. Mary was one of the first black female store managers at Three Sisters Department Store in downtown Denver. A special bond of friendship was established with the late Bessie Adams and the late Martha Peagler (the three sisters of Three Sisters). In 1968, Mary worked at Samsonite Corporation as a Material Inspector until 1979. In 1979, Mary started her government career at the Veterans Administration (VA) as a File Clerk and excelled in her position. She transferred to CHAMP VA Campus and was promoted to a Contact Representative position. Mary took so much pride in her work and provided exemplary care in helping the veterans and beneficiaries resolve benefit claims. In 1996, she retired from the Federal government.

In 1957, Mary united with the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church in Denver, Colorado where she served faithfully for 44 years. Teaching was one of her passions. She was a Sunday School and Baptist Training Union (BTU) teacher for many years. She sang in several choirs and held several leadership positions in the church. She received an Evangelical Training Association (ETA) certificate from Wheaton, Illinois and taught at the St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church's Leadership School for several years. She was very active in the Minister’s Wives and Widows Association for several years and enjoyed attending the Minister's Wives and Widows Conferences held throughout the country both nationally and internationally.

On August 19, 1977, Mary married Fred L. Brockington. They shared a full and loving life together. To this union, a son, Chad was blended into the family. In June 2001, Rev. Fred L. Brockington was called to be the pastor of Progressive Missionary Baptist Church in Aurora, Colorado. In support of her husband, Mary united with Progressive Missionary Baptist Church. She served as First Lady (until her health declined). She was a Sunday School Teacher, worked with the Senior Mission Auxiliary, and Director of the Baptist Training Union (BTU). Mary was a good and faithful servant and she put her total trust in God. She loved the Lord with all her heart and soul. Throughout her illness, she continued to praise the Lord and called His name daily. A few of Mary’s favorite scriptures: 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Psalm 121:1-2; Matthew 25:23

Mary was a loving, caring person who never met a stranger. If she met you, you were a friend for life.

Family was Mary’s greatest joy. She was the matriarch of the family who enjoyed spending quality and memorable time with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other family members. She was a fun-loving woman who loved establishing relationships with the extended sons and daughters that she inherited over the years. Mary was a strong and wise woman who made everyone feel special and loved unconditionally. One of her favorite outings was a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park with her girls. She enjoyed family holiday gatherings with her family and friends. Everyone enjoyed going to Grandma's house for Thanksgiving dinner and devouring her infamous yeast rolls and sweet potato pies. Mary loved baking. She would bake pies from the apple and cherry trees in her own back yard. She also loved gardening and had one of the most beautiful flower gardens on her block and continued to plant her vegetable garden as long as she could. She also loved canning and making jelly and fruit preserves that she shared with everyone! If you were sick or shut in, you would receive a jar of Dr. Mary's jelly or preserves and a loaf of banana or zucchini bread. In her spare time, she enjoyed sewing, creating greeting cards, watching sports on TV, playing cards, board games, and charades with the family. In her younger days, she loved bowling and fishing with her sister-in-law, Willie Pearl. Mary loved traveling throughout the country with her family and friends.

Her trademark saying,

“If you can't do it right the first time,

then don't do it at all.”

Everything she did was decent and in order.

She has left a legacy of faithfulness and humility.

She will be missed, but not forgotten.

We will see you on the other side......

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Jessie Mae Carter; as well as her brothers, Willie Henry Carter and Thomas Clyde Carter; her sister, Rosa Mae LaGroon; her nephew, Dennis Carter; and aunt, Eleanor Andrews.

Mary C. Brockington departed this life and transitioned into the Lord’s opened arms on Sunday, January 27, 2019 at Franklin Park Community Health Center Memory Loss Ward with her family at her bed side. Left to cherish her memory are: her husband, Rev. Fred L. Brockington of Denver, CO; her children, Gerri (Marion, Sr.) Purvis of Aurora, CO; Linda (Dave) Cole of Aurora, CO; Carlyne (James) Marshall of Denver, CO; son, Chad Brockington of Pittsburg, PA; grandchildren, Marion “BJ” (Suzette) Purvis of Denver, CO; Eric Baylor of Aurora, CO; Marques Purvis of Aurora, CO; Franklin Baylor of Denver, CO; Kellee (Marcus) Boatner of Aurora, CO; Andre McGee of Aurora, CO; great-grandchildren, Rayonna Purvis of Texarkana, TX; DeCoven Purvis of Aurora, CO; Deja and Tyson Baylor of Denver, CO; Javon and Jailah Purvis of Denver, CO; devoted nephews, Clifton Carter; Allen (Kathryn) Carter; Thomas Arness (Delores) Carter; and niece, Darlene Carter; devoted cousins, Joanne (Elijah) Johnson of Lancaster, CA and Dorthy Mae (Charles) Stevens of Greenwood, SC; and her special friends, Martha Williams of Aurora, CO, Juanita Blue of Denver, CO, Marceline Cutler of Denver, CO, Pastor Earnest & Sis. Edna Jones, and a host of other extended sons and daughters, family and friends.

Visitation : February 8, 2019 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace
6601 Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80220
(303) 996-0869

Celebration of Life : February 9, 2019 11:00 am

St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church
2050 Uinta Street
Denver, CO 80238
(303) 295-1995

Reception : February 9, 2019 2:00 pm

St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church
2050 Uinta Street
Denver, CO 80238
(303) 295-1995

Interment : February 11, 2019 10:00 am

Fort Logan National Cemetery
4400 West Kenyon Avenue
Denver, CO 80236
(303) 781-0117