Mary Gladys (Williams) Ross

Luke 1:38: “And Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word. And the angel departed from her.”

Mary Gladys Ross Williams, affectionately known as “Noot,” was born on March 22, 1933, in Macon, GA, to the late Wilson Williams and Claudia Rouse Hutchings. Mary was the eldest sister of six children.

Mary began school in Twiggs County, GA. Mary dropped out in the 3rd grade to work as a nanny so that she could care for her sisters and brothers. Mary married Eugene “Buddy” Ross at the young age of 16 years old and remained married for 52 years until his passing in 2001. To that union, eight (8) children were born. Mary cared for all of her children in one way or another until her passing on April 29, 2024.

Mary was quiet and sweet, but she didn’t play and fostered love amongst all who encountered her. Mary enjoyed cooking and caring for her family as well as the Northside community of Benton Harbor, MI. Factually, Mary cooked at least one meal every day from 1941 until 2024 unless she was sick which, thankfully, was not very often at all. At any given time, you could walk into her home and see someone you hadn’t seen before. She would say, “You know that’s so and so from around the corner…. he/she was hungry and didn’t have anywhere to sleep.” Her collard greens and fried chicken were the talk of the town, and her sweet bread wasn’t short-stopping. Mary enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune and The Young and the Restless, and we can’t forget about playing her “numbers.”

Precious memories and the legacy of Mary Ross will forever live in the hearts of her children: Joe Ross, Rosemary “Sista” Anderson, Cheryl Sisson, Carolyn Ross, Charlie Ross, and Jennifer Tharpe, all of Benton Harbor, MI, her sister Mattie “Doll” (Alexander) Newton of Macon, GA, and her brother-in-law James (Katherine) Ross of Albany, NY. Mary leaves behind 26 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren, 61 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends. Awaiting Mary’s arrival in heaven are her husband Eugene “Buddy” Ross, two (2) sons Willie and John Ross, two (2) brothers Norman Smith Jr. and Frank “Freeman” Rouse Jr, two (2) sisters Katie “Lil Ma” Bostick Gooley and Rosebud “Teenie” Shinholster, and three (3) great-grandchildren Anialy Richardson, LeeTae Anderson, and Tywon Williams.

Mary, the matriarch and true queen lived a long, beautiful, healthy life and blessed everyone who she encountered. Her season has ended, but her memories and legacy will continue to live on. 

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