Mary Alston Bright of Gloucester was born to the late Deacon William J. and Mary J. Booth on Jan. 21, 1921 in Roanes, Va. She passed away on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2018.

She was married to the late Henry Hollis Bright, and was mother to the late C. Joan Bright Jones. She was the proud niece of Dr. Robert Moton, whom she admired deeply and spoke highly about throughout her life.

Mary was a gentle, kind and outspoken person. She said what she meant and did what she said.

Mary started her relationship with the Lord at a very early age at Zion Poplars Baptist Church where her grandfather, the Rev. Dr. J.H. Alston, was the pastor, 1900-1926, singing in the choir alongside her sister who was the organist.

Later moving to New York with her new family, she joined Cornerstone Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. Sandy F. Ray and sang in the Cornerstone Choir under Maude B.C. Taylor, and supported other auxiliaries at the church.

Mary and family moved back to the county and attended Bethel Baptist Church and was allowed to sing with the choir under Horace Cooke when there was no service at Zion Poplars, where she was a faithful member.

Mary was a seamstress by trade, writer, author (in 2009, “Reflections of Seasons Past”), helped Meals on Wheels, 20 plus years attended Pepperbird Teacher Education. Helping others was her passion.

Mary leaves to cherish her legacy through her boys, Henry, Antonio and Keith; grandchildren; great-grandchildren; one sister, Emma Smith of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; nephews, nieces, cousins and friends, and the community of Carters Cove.

A Service of Celebration will be at Zion Poplars at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018. Viewing will be held Friday, Oct. 19, 2018, from 6-8 p.m. at the church.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Forrest Brothers Funeral Home, Hudgins.