Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Louise Gilmore whom passed on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 in Chicago were held on Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Clara G. Hudson Memorial Chapel. Rev. Peggy Cook officiated. Burial followed in Peavey Cemetery. Hudson Funeral Services of Greenville, Ala., directed.
Mrs. Mary Louise Gilmore was born March 15, 1926 to the late Arthur Smith and Ida Johnson in Greenville, Ala. Mary Louise was the 11th of 11 children, including four brothers and six sisters: Earl Smith, Martha Smith-Hawkins, Janie Mae Smith-Knight, Clara Lee Smith-Hayes, Lois Lee Smith, Fannie Bell Smith-Brown, Arthur Clarence Smith, Booker T. Smith, Trudie Myrtle
Smith-Holmes and Herbert Smith, whom all proceed her in death.
Mary Louise attended elementary with her older sister, Clara Lee, Robert A. Wailer High School, and Wright C. C. College. She cherished her young adult years with a group of friends better known as “The Golden Girls.”
Mary Louise move to Chicago when she was 9 with her sister, Lois Lee, until she meet the first love of her life, Mr. Roscoe Gilmore. Mary Louise met and married her first love on Feb. 3, 1945, of which they had one child, Marie Antoinette Gilmore. Marie later gave them a grandchild, Nanette
Clarissa Clark-Richards.
Mary Louise touched lives she didn’t even know she did. Her bright spirit would light up a room when she walked in. She was both mother and grandmother to those that knew her best. She was a very active member of the Myrtle A. McKenzie Self Realization Club and C.N.D.A.
Mrs. Mary Louise walked this Earth as if she owned it. She wanted no help from anyone. She would walk these streets of Chicago at all times of the night and if you seen her during her walk she would tell you, “mind your business I have this, I’m grown.”
Through the years Mary Louise has and forever will be remembered for her tenacity and loving heart. She was always someone everyone could depend and lean on for support. She was always a pillar of strength. Even during her illness, she remained strong through it all.
Mary Louise transitioned to eternal life on Dec. 11, 2016, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She leaves to cherish her granddaughter, Nanette; husband, Mark; 13 great grandchildren, Raquel, Mark III, Marek, Devontae, Patrick Jr., Paris, Imon, MaNe’t, Markeile, Marie, Makenzie,
Mahaley, and one she didn’t get to meet, Marian’a; four great great grandchildren, Catalina, Nyleena, Priscilla, and Royal Lee; in addition to a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.