Mary Elizabeth Samuel (Bunsie) was born June 4, 1949, in Locust Grove, VA to the late Hillard J. Holmes and Louise Davis Holmes. She transitioned into eternal rest after a very long and difficult battle on August 2, 2023.

Mary was a loving and dedicated servant until the very end. Mary worked her entire life in food services. She loved to cook for family, friends, and for the community. She loved to serve, working vigorously behind the scenes and never choosing to be in the forefront. Until her health forced her into retirement from the Orange County School System, the only reason she left a job was because companies closed for business. Mary’s faithfulness and will to serve was not only seen in her career, but in her devotion to God as well.

Mary’s favorite job was taking care of Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she was a lifelong member. She spent countless hours there ensuring everything was clean and in order. Mary made sure Rev. Reaves office was perfect. When Mary could not be reached, those who cherished her knew where she was, at the church. Even in her last days, she made sure that the building was decorated. To Mary, it was not merely a job, it was her ministry.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents, a stillborn brother, Carroll Holmes, sisters, Nancy Lewis and Janet Palmer, and nephew Alvory Lewis. She leaves to cherish her memory, daughter Michelle Williams-Reed, son-in-law, James L. Reed, Jr. sister, Sandra Holmes-Carey, brothers-in-law, Anderson Carey and Jesse Palmer, Jr., two bonus granddaughters; Jamie and Jayla Reed; her nieces and nephews: Rhonda Pittman, Jesse L. Palmer, III (Liz Contreras Palmer), Anderson Carey, II, and Carrington Carey and two great nieces, Sophia and Maya Palmer.

Mary also leaves her companion George Burrell, Jr. to cherish her memory. She adored him.
Together they made a life that they loved.

Mary’s passion in life was to make others lives better, and this was a mission that she did well.