Trying to sum up a person’s life, who they were, the impact they made on the people in their life, their existence, and their accomplishments, can hardly be done in a few short paragraphs.
Mary was my mom.
She was the epitome of strength, your most loyal friend; you could walk softly because she was behind you as your big stick. She, like most, hit a few bumps in the road, but always came through it humbled and stronger.
She was a loving daughter, mother, sister, and aunt. She was born on November 26, 1965 in Laurel, Maryland. Although born in Maryland, she was raised in Savannah, Georgia. She graduated from Alfred E. Beach High School in 1984. She then went on to obtain her cosmetology license. In 1995, Mary welcomed her only child Brittany, into the world. February 2002, she married the love of her life and father of her daughter, Derrick R. Clark. In 2008, while successful in completion of the requirements needed for Dental Assisting, she was unable to further pursue a career due to a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. Instead, she worked alongside her father at his local hair salon. In March of this year (2016), she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IV Lung Cancer. The word cancer, alone, is devastating, but paired with stage IV is almost unimaginable- except it’s not, it actually happens. After the initial shock, my mother told me, “I have too much to live for, I will not go down with out a fight.”
After completing ten rounds of radiation, one cyberknife treatment, four rounds of “hardcore” chemotherapy, she then moved on to a less toxic chemotherapy. Unfortunately, after one round of the “baby stuff” (maintenance chemo), her health started declining. With many blood transfusions, and multiple long stays at the hospital; Mary came home with the care of at home Hospice.
On Monday, November 7, 2016, my mom did NOT lose her fight against cancer, she won. She is now in a place where cancer does not exist. Where chemotherapy, blood transfusions, platelets, and oxygen tanks are not required for a decent, tolerable, life. In my opinion, that is a win, not a loss.
Mary was preceded in death by her brother, James (Bubba) L. Wilson, maternal grandmother, Lolamae Bazemore, maternal grandfather, Grover W. Wilson, her paternal grandmother, Mary Elizabeth (Peggy) Lindamood, and paternal grandfather, Joseph Ganam Lindamood.
She is survived by her parents, Michael S. Hildreth and Shirley L. Hildreth, significant other, Derrick R. Clark, daughter, Brittany M. Hildreth, sister, Michelle D. Rush and her fiancé, Steven S. Coover. Niece, Megan B. Rush, great niece, Ryleigh N. Carter, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Visitation will be Friday, November 11, 2016 from 1 to 2 pm with a funeral service following at 2 pm at the Families First Funeral Care Chapel. Burial will be in Hillcrest Abbey Memorial Park – West.
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Darell and Betty Young
May you be covered with Gods love and mercy as you go through your loss.
Rick Snow
So sorry to hear about Mary. Our prayers are with you all.
MimiWinn
Mary was a wonderful lady. My thoughts and prayers are with her family during this sad time.
Jan Peel
Sending love and prayers to all. Beautiful obituary for a beautiful person.
Karen Boyd
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time. I will always have a place in my heart filled with memories shared with Mary. She was a great friend. She will be missed by so many.
Rhonda Clinton
May the Lord wrap his loving arms around this family during their time of loss. I pray for peace and comfort in the days ahead.
We love you all!
Always,
Rhonda & Johnny Clinton
Elizabeth Sprague
My love is with each of you. Mary will be missed so much by so many whose lives she touched
Tracy Wilson
Your mom loved your family so much, she’ll always be with you.
You’re all in my thoughts and prayers.
Brittany Baker
Prayers for everyone who knew Mary. May god give you all the strength to overcome the heartache and pain of loosing such a beautiful and amazing woman. She will truly be missed.
Christiana Brown
I miss her walking outside to say hi to me when I was walking down the road to go somewhere. I miss seeing her and grandma and grandpa when I came over to play and hang out with Megan and Brittany as a child. I know she is happy and watching over us now.
I am not gone
While you cry with me
I am not gone
While you smile with me
I am not gone
While you remember with me
I will come
When you call my name
I will come
When I feel your pain
I will come
On your final day
It could never be
That we
Would never be
We shall always
Be together
Forever
I am not gone
By: Michael Ashby
Dawn Arnold Holton
May the peace of God be with you all…What a beautiful angel we now have. Prayers for everyone.
Patti Coleman Brown and Mary Anna Boyette
To the entire Hildreth and Clark family I wanted to extend my true and heartfelt sympathy first to Mary and Derricks beautiful daughter, who I haven’t met but who went to MDS with my youngest son. Mary had a love for him that existed innately. I know their daughter was her heart the result of the kind of love ppl rarely ever have and it was obvious that he loved/s her too. I’m so sorry for your loss Derrick and Brittany. Mr and Ms Hildreth myself and my mother are praying for you both and your entire family. You were all so good to my sweet sweet Sissy so many yrs ago. Mary was such a loyal friend to her when everyone left her Mary still checked on her called her and loved her. I’ll never forget that . And Sissy loved Mary every bit as much as she always had on the day she died 5/8/91. And to Michelle… I am so very sorry you have lost your best friend. I know nothings gonna ease the pain right now but I am so sorry. And praying for you, my mother sends her prayers as well . And should there ever be a time when I can do anything for you, I’m here. Words are so insufficient right now . But know so many are praying for you all and your loss is felt by so many. May God hold you all close and extend to you comfort peace and strength that only he can.
Donald and Debra Rush
Michelle,
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Edith Reed
It was always a treat to see Mary when I went to Michael’s. I will miss seeing her. My prayers are with you as you go through this difficult time.
Dutch Anderson
Wanted to let Michael, Shirley, Michelle, Brittany and the entire family know that all of you are in my heart and prayers! There are just no words – and God knows best. Mary was an incredible person and I have wonderful memories of her as a little girl…Love from my famiily Ron, Dutch, Britain & Tamra
Muriel Bono
My sincerest thoughts are with you—-if love and care could have made her well again she would still be with us–you are the most amazing family ever.
Mary M. Herrin
Mary was a dear friend and will hold a special place in my heart. Love you sweet girl
Mary Herrin
Deb Coursey
Brittany, I knew your mother in high school. While I’ve not seen her in many years, I remember her fondly. I am so very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Deb Carey Coursey
Judith Mock
Judith Mock
Michael, Shirley, and Family, I just recently learned of your great loss, there are no magic words to take away the pain. I remember Mary’s funny inside stories of the Bull St. Salon, her sense of humor and laughter always made me smile. (In laughter you find truth) Mary’s honesty and sweetness will always be in my heart.
love, Judith James Mock