WILMINGTON — Mary Lenell Grice Secrist, 78, went to be with the Lord Sunday, July 8, 2018. She was born April 2, 1940, in Marion, South Carolina, to the late William Thomas “Bill” Grice and Betty Lee Disher.
Mary had several successful careers in her lifetime, including working at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, The Salvation Army and Belk. She was also extremely active in ABWA and was named Woman of the Year in 2003. She was always an exemplary employee.
Mary was known for her focus on others in everything she did. Many friends and family members share stories of the gifts she would give to them with no prompting. She was also affectionately known for her love of clothes, shoes, handbags and cats! This was evident in the many things she owned with a cat theme! She leaves behind the love of her heart, a long-haired, black cat named Precious.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Clarence “Zeek” Secrist; and a favorite aunt, Sarah Disher. Sadly, Mary also had two children that passed, Thomas Eugene Hare and Michael Hopkins.
She is survived by her brother, Cape Grice, and his wife, Brenda, of Prosperity, South Carolina; sisters, Trisha Frost of Little River, South Carolina, and Libby Webb of Wilmington; daughter, Neil Roberts, and her husband, Parks, of Wilmington; son, Brevin Hopkins of Arlington, Texas; cousin who was like a sister to her, Faye White, and her husband, Jim, of Richmond, Virginia; as well as many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends.
The family would like thank everyone for their love of Mary. While there are so many we would want to recognize, a special thank you goes to her friends: Mammie Johnson, Carol Watters, Joyce and Bill Paschall and Edith (Hap) Rogers.
Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, July 14, at Coble Ward-Smith Funeral Home, Oleander Drive. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the chapel. Following the service, those who wish may join the family at the graveside. There is limited parking; carpooling is recommended. Mary will be buried in Winter Park Cemetery, Dixie Avenue, Wilmington. The family will receive guests on Saturday afternoon following the graveside at the home of Mary’s daughter, Neil Roberts, 1220 Williamsburg Court, Wilmington.
Many thanks to Lower Cape Fear Hospice for their compassionate care. In lieu of flowers, it would be a blessing to Mary for one to donate to The Salvation Army, The Humane Society or the church of your choice to further the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Share online condolences with the family at coblewardsmith.com.
