Mary Magdalene Gray Bryant (Nancy) of Chesapeake, Virginia entered eternal rest on Saturday, January 13, 2018. She was the daughter of the late Clayton Gray, Sr. and the late Ada Dupree Gray of Pitt County, NC. She was formerly of Rocky Mount, North Carolina and relocated to Virginia with her husband.

Mary was a teacher until her retirement. Her teaching career continued for a span of more than three decades. During her tenure she was distinguished as a master teacher, acquiring the title of "Teacher of the Year."

Mary's professional affiliations included the North Carolina Education Association, the Edgecombe/Nash County Retired Teachers Association, and the Chesapeake Retired Teachers Association. She was also a faithful affiliate and member of the following organizations due to her desire to serve wherever and whenever the need arose: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, the Silver Strands, the H. B. Suggs Charitable Organization, Volunteer for Meals on Wheels, Chesapeake Democratic Women, Elizabeth City Alumni, Seniors in Action, Chesapeake Democratic Committee, the West Munden Civic League, the Prudential Social and Civic Club, and a lifetime member of the NAACP.

Mary accepted the Lord into her life during her early, formative years and became a faithful servant of God, joining the St. John Baptist Church in her hometown. During her adult life she later joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and later she became a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Lambert's Point.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Winston G. Bryant. Survivors include her siblings: Thelma Louise Gray Grant and Rev. Dr. Ada Gray Pulley, both of Rocky Mount, N.C. and Dr. Clayton Gray, Jr. of Lake Forest, Illinois, and a host of special nieces, special nephews, relatives and friends.

A home going celebration will be held 12 noon Saturday, January 20,2018 at First Baptist Church of Lambert's Point. A wake service will be held from 6-8pm Friday at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake. Burial will be at 9am Sunday at Pineview Cemetery, 761 N. Raleigh Street, Rocky Mount, NC, where the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority will render their Sorority Ceremony, and the Rev. Thomas Walker will render the final burial rites. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.pretlowandsons.com