Mrs. Mary A. Mallory

Obituary

Mary Mallory, 84, Born May 7, 1938

a.k.a Ma, Nub, Nubbie, The Nub, and Mrs. Mary

Viewing Time 11:00 AM-12:00 Noon

Service 12:00 AM- 12:30 PM

Garland Brothers of Albany Funeral Home

Mary Alice Mallory died at St Peter’s Hospital in her sleep after a long illness on March 20, 2023. No matter what alias you used to remember Mary, “The Nub” as she was known by her family is the most memorable. Mary Alice Mallory was born May 7, 1938, in Kinston, North Carolina.  She was the daughter of Bettie and Lonnie Suggs of Albany, New York. She was a graduate of Schuyler High School where she developed lifelong friendships with Joan and Novella (both deceased). Upon graduation in 1958 she married her Junior High School sweetheart Douglas E. Mallory and moved to Salisbury, North Carolina. Mary and Douglas lived in North Carolina for several years where she raised her three children Douglas, Lovonia, and Guy (deceased). Mary worked at many of the historically black colleges (HBCUs) located around the Raleigh research triangle area. Mary was staunchly pro-black and would frequently refuse to follow the Jim Crow laws that were in place in North Carolina in the early 60s and 70s. Mary was actively involved with the black intellectuals who taught at the many (HBCUs) throughout North Carolina and Georgia. She was an avid reader of Black History and had an extensive personal library at her home at a time when black history books were not available in the public library.  Mary was woke before it was fashionable or reviled by the right. Although Mary supported integration she also believed in self-determination and black pride. While at Shaw University, Mary and her late husband started a successful accounting firm that catered to helping black-owned businesses establish good accounting principles to secure loans. Mary developed the marketing material and was instrumental in attracting talent, and partners to the firm.

 In the late 60s and early 70s, Mary also served as the Director of the Shaw University Post Office, where she mentored several postal interns. Many of them described her as a “sweet woman” and a “mother to them.”  Many of those students acknowledged that without Mary’s support, they would not have graduated from college. These same students continued to call Mary until her death.

In the mid-70s Mary worked part-time at the local Raleigh Museum as a security guard where she developed a love for art. Mary was an accomplished artist in her own right working in ceramics where she created unique re-creations of African art. A ceramic bust of Nefertiti is one of her best.  She had a love for art and music.  Early Rock and  Roll and Soul music were her favorite styles of music. But most of all Mary loved to dance with James Brown being one of her favorite musicians. She would easily become the center of attention at any event. This continued even after she moved into senior housing.

 In 1978 Mary and Douglas separated and Mary returned to Albany. Not one to take a hand out, Mary got the first job she could find, which was as a home health aide and then later as a Division for Youth Worker, with the NYS Divisions for Youth ( i.e., OFCS) where she once again mentored youth who unfortunately found themselves in the juvenile detention system. She again, spent her time and energy, inspiring young people. Mary worked with her late brother Leroy Suggs managing several JD halfway houses throughout the capital district. Together they help many young people return to their families. Mary worked for 20 years until her health issues made it necessary for her to retire.

 In the late 70s and early 80s, Mary was frequently involved in pro-black activities and politics in Albany. She and her sister Francine, and her friend Aaron Carter actively participated in the anti-apartheid movement and supported local initiatives to improve the conditions of blacks and poor people of the South End of Albany.  Mary had a love for her community and her people but no tolerance for “jackleg preachers or political con artists running a game.”

Mary loved the nightlife of the Mason Hall community and went annually to Potentate Balls with her sister Francine, her late brother In-law Sonny, and her late brother, Honorable Potentate, William Suggs.  She could always be seen with a big smile and her version of the queen’s wave.  In early 2000 her daughter arranged for Mary to move from her family home on Third Avenue to senior housing at 400 Hudson Ave, Albany NY. This greatly extended the quality of Mary’s life by creating a readymade community and safety net for her to continue to live independently.  In “the building” as Mary called it, she was the life of the party. If there was a party or event in the building “Miss Mary” was there.  She was known to make her rounds throughout the building visiting and eating as she went.  She loved to dance and loved music.  Her apartment was a gathering place for all people in the building, the young, old, black, white, and the handy capable.  Many times  Mary adopted  some of the younger seniors who would often call her “mom.”

Mary’s fight against her many health issues was not a short journey. But Mary wanted to live life on her own terms. “Nobody was going to tell me what to do” was her mantra.  With the help of her late son Guy Mallory and the dedication of her beloved sister Francine Dickson, Mary was able to live in her apartment until her death.

She is survived by her son Douglas L. Mallory of Albany, daughter Lovonia Mallory of Colonie, sister Francine Dickson, Sister In-law Linda Suggs, Sister In-law Doris Mallory-Turner, Sister In-law Patricia, Brother In-law Booker. And a host of nieces and nephews:  Van, Donna, (Kenny), Cynthia, (Alana) Aaron, (Annie), Micah, (Victoria)  Kiel, Amyrah, Malcolm, William, Marcus, Alexander, Calvin, Wyatt, Ellis, Abayomi,  Linda, Brandon, Gloria, Kimberly, Lieta, Vickie, Desiree, close friends Justin,  Ms. Yvonna, Ms. Clara, Paul, Chrissy, and several other relatives and friends.

She will be missed by many friends and family.  

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