Mary V. McCall

On June 30, 2022, the Lord called Mary Virginia McCall to be with Him; she passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family. Mary was the oldest child of the late Benjamin Dancy Sr. and Mary Ann Dancy. She was born November 4, 1939, in Tarboro, NC. Her family soon moved to Portsmouth, Virginia where she grew up, married, and raised a family of her own. She attended Portsmouth Public Schools where she graduated from I.C. Norcom High School. She also attended Tidewater Community College. In all that she did, Mary was a lover of language, grammar, and the proper usage and enunciation of words. Mary had many talents, and her specialties were gardening, cooking, and sewing. At a young age, Mary taught herself to sew, going on to make gorgeous wedding dresses and prom gowns among other things. She loved making herself and others look beautiful. She was a fashionista who loved expensive coats, foxy hats, grand suits, matching shoes, and sexy purses. Her love for fashion led her to a career in sewing. Mary retired from a dedicated career as a seamstress at London Fog Coat Factory. She continued as a seamstress for Ida Jacob’s factory after retiring and stayed active doing companion work as she cared for the elderly and served at her church. Throughout her years, she loved the Lord and was a loyal member of Noble Street Baptist Church. Mary believed in worship and in giving. She was always giving of her money, time, and gifts. She knew the meaning of service and was normally found in the kitchen ensuring that church events were guaranteed to have a touch of her love poured into the meals she served. She taught Vacation Bible School many summers and prepared food for the attendees. She was also an active member of the Women’s Choir, Senior Choir, and on the Missionary Board at Noble Street for many years. In addition to these many services, she was a member of the United Order of the Tents, which is an organization for African American churchwomen. Mary’s love for food drew people to her daily and guaranteed her a full table for Sunday dinners. Her green thumb could bring a dead flower back to life or transform some old trousers into a new skirt. All the products of her hands were blessed and those on the receiving ends were truly blessed by her gifts. You could always find her in the garden, in the kitchen, or at the sewing machine giving a lesson to one of her understudies. Mary shared many life lessons with those she held dear that will be a well to draw upon for generations to come. Her rolls, macaroni and cheese, potato salad, yard potions, sewing skills, warm smiles, contagious laughter, direct responses, and so much more will be sorely missed. Mary was the devoted wife of Feral Graham McCall Sr. and the loving mother of Fleicia Annette Bullock, the late Feral Graham McCall Jr., and the late Mark David McCall. Proud grandmother of Monica (Robert) and Ernest (Darnesha). Protective great-grandmother of Diamond, Gabriella, Nathaniel, and God-grandmother of Allen. Watchful oldest Sister of James Albert (Latonia) and to her late siblings: Velma, Lathan, Benjamin, Melvin, Thomas, Frank, and Cathleen. Further survived by nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Mary V. McCall

November 4, 1939 - June 30, 2022