Mrs. Mary Lou Brownridge

Mary was born on October 31, 1937, in Madison County, Mississippi, to Henry Clanton and Ethel Manning Clanton. She came from a large family of twelve children. While three of her siblings transitioned in early childhood, Mary was raised alongside eight siblings, learning early the values of family, resilience, sharing, and faith—qualities that would guide her throughout her life. Mary attended Pisgah High School in Mississippi, where she was an active and spirited student. During her time there, she was a proud member of the Pisgah High School basketball team, an experience that reflected her determination, teamwork, and strong will-traits that stayed with her throughout her life. As a young adult, Mary moved to Compton, California, where she was married to Sylvester Brownridge. From this union, she had three children: Carolyn Brownridge, Michael Brownridge, and Sylvia Brownridge. Later in life, Mary met James Williams, and from that relationship she was blessed with Ava Williams. Mary was a devoted and loving mother, nurturing her children with unwavering care, guidance, and compassion. Her home-wherever she lived-was always open, just as her faith taught her to open her heart and doors to those in need. Mary lived a life of service, dedicating herself to helping others in every path she chose. She worked in several roles over the years, each centered on caring for and serving people. Most notably, she served as a cook at Lonnie's BBQ, where her food became a source of comfort and joy to many. She also worked for the Los Angeles School Board and, in the latter part of her life, served faithfully as a Home Health Aide, continuing her lifelong mission of caring for others. In her latter years, Mary returned home to Lena, Mississippi, where she retired and fulfilled a lifelong dream by building the home she had always envisioned. It was her heartfelt hope that this home would remain in the family and serve as a place of refuge-open to any family member or loved one in a time of need. True to her nature, she desired her home to be filled with love, faith, and open doors. Cooking was one of Mary's greatest passions. She loved preparing meals for family, friends, and anyone who gathered at her table. Thanksgiving was especially important to her, and she took great pride in making food that brought comfort and togetherness. She enjoyed teaching others how to cook-though if you weren't moving quickly enough, she would lovingly take over and say, "Here, let me show you how it's done." Measuring tools were never an option; she simply knew what to add, and that instinct was what made her cooking so special. She was also well known for her baking, especially her highly requested tea cakes and coconut-pineapple yellow cake. People near and far would request them, knowing that when Mary cooked or baked, it was always done with love. In addition to cooking, Mary loved thrift shopping and believed nothing was ever truly trash or broken. She had a gift for finding unique items, restoring them, and giving them away as if they were brand new. She often joked that she was "a bit of a hoarder," yet she could always tell you exactly where to find whatever you needed. She also enjoyed watching her favorite daytime television shows, especially Family Feud with Steve Harvey and The Neighborhood with Cedric the Entertainer, and she was a devoted fan of Tyler Perry movies. Mary was a kind woman who never turned away someone in need. Strong-willed and hardworking, she believed in earning everything she obtained. Above all, she was a woman of deep and abiding faith. Mary was a devoted member of Pilgrim Branch Missionary Baptist Church and especially loved attending church revivals, drawing strength, encouragement, and inspiration from the Word of God and fellowship with other believers. If anyone ever needed prayer, she would stop whatever she was doing and pray with them, trusting God as the guiding force in her life. Mary will be remembered most as a woman of faith and love-one who embodied kindness. generosity, and devotion to God. She would give the clothes off her back to help anyone in need and never walked away from someone who required assistance. She practiced these values faithfully until she transitioned to be with her Heavenly Father. Mary lived a full and fulfilling life, rich in faith, love, service, and purpose. Having completed her earthly journey, it was her time to be with her Heavenly Father. Those who preceded her in death include: Her parents, Henry and Ethel Clanton; Her siblings, James Otis Clanton, Annie Lee Payne, George Clanton, Sadie McGlothen, Henrietta Love, and Ermalean Rogers; Her children, Ava W. Haywood and Michael Brownridge. Mary Lou Brownridge, age 88, transitioned on December 16, 2025, in Lena, Mississippi. She leaves to cherish her memory: Her daughters, Carolyn Brownridge and Sylvia Brownridge. Her grandchildren, Cherise Parker, April Haywood, Andrea Lacy, Michael Brownridge Jr., Ava Brownridge, and Perry Brownridge, Timothy Haywood and Marcus Haywood. Her great-grandchildren, Brooklyn Wilson, Nathaniel Lacy, and the children of Michael Brownridge Jr.; Her siblings, William Clanton and wife Amy, Ethel Strong, and Robert Clanton and wife Pat; son-in-law; Aaron Haywood and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, church family, and dear friends. Mary Lou Brownridge leaves behind a lasting legacy of love, faith, hard work, and open doors. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Mrs. Mary Lou Brownridge

October 31, 1937 - December 16, 2025