This was my best friend. I thought losing my brother would be a painful experience but she was my sister and the pain I felt with losing her was as bad as that experienced by losing my brother. Mary loved to make people laugh and she loved to cook. Most importantly however, she was kind and would give you the shirt off her back, literally. She did not have much but what little she had she shared. She had so much wisdom and her advise was the best. She encouraged me to continue with my military commitment when I was ready to give up and come home; she encouraged me to study while in college and later in medical school when I felt I was not good enough and wanted to give up. I shared my personal fears with her that I would not trust with anyone else. I never worried about her judging me for anything that I did or thought. If you did not have an opportunity to know her, you definitely lost out on knowing one of this worlds' greatest people. God took her from us when she was in her 30's but I thank God for allowing me to spend half her life being her best friend. I will always love you girl. I named my first child after her, Mary.
Tanya D Howard (Williams)
This was my best friend. I thought losing my brother would be a painful experience but she was my sister and the pain I felt with losing her was as bad as that experienced by losing my brother. Mary loved to make people laugh and she loved to cook. Most importantly however, she was kind and would give you the shirt off her back, literally. She did not have much but what little she had she shared. She had so much wisdom and her advise was the best. She encouraged me to continue with my military commitment when I was ready to give up and come home; she encouraged me to study while in college and later in medical school when I felt I was not good enough and wanted to give up. I shared my personal fears with her that I would not trust with anyone else. I never worried about her judging me for anything that I did or thought. If you did not have an opportunity to know her, you definitely lost out on knowing one of this worlds'greatest people. God took her from us when she was in her 30's but I thank God for allowing me to spend half her life being her best friend. I will always love you girl. I named my first child after her, Mary.