Who can find a virtuous woman?

For her price is far above rubies.

Proverbs 31:10

Sunrise

Sister Mary Elizabeth Reddick was the first of six children born to Morris Lee Van Buren and Inez Tomlin Van Buren. She was born March 25, 1956 in Sumter, South Carolina.

Life's Journey

By the age of 5, Mary's family had migrated to New York City, New York. Sister Mary was educated in the public schools of New York City. She graduated from South Shore High School in Brooklyn, New York. After high school, she entered and completed the U.S. Job Corps Program.

Mary's first employment after the Job Corps was as an administrative clerk for the United States Coast Guard from 1970 to 1975. Her next position was as a clerk for the United States Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW) from 1975 to 1985. After that decade, she accepted a position with Chase Manhattan Bank. Between her employment with HEW and Chase, Mary would meet and be courted by Mr. Derrick Reddick. After five years, she succumbed to his persistence and in 1988, they were joined in marriage.

While accepting the role of wife and stepmother of two (Derrick and Danet), Mary continued to work outside of the home with Chase Manhattan and finally the New York State Department of Social Services. Three additional children were born during these years: Daniel, Dishon and DaVee. After ending her work career in 1999, Mary would eventually relocate to South Carolina.

By 1999 Sister Reddick had taken up permanent residency in Berkeley County. Soon after her arrival, her godly affection for the community would result in her opening her heart and home to the children of the neighborhood. She continued to be the guiding light for many young people who became extended members of her nuclear family until her transition.

Sister Reddick would seek and find the spiritual connection to sustain throughout her life's journey in the fellowship of the House of God Keith Dominion. There she found refuge from the storms of life that raged against her. She valiantly refused to surrender in her 15 year battle with cancer.

Sunset

On Sunday, December 23, 2018, the Grand Architect of the Universe whispered in her ear and called her from mortality to immortality.

Those left on this side of the Jordan to mourn include: husband, Derrick of the home; sons, Derrick of Charleston, SC, Shawon Holston (Annette) of Georgia, Daniel (Miranda) of Maine, Dishon of Summerville, SC and Da Vee of Massachusetts; daughter, Danet Jenkins (Jervate) of Charleston, SC; 14 grandchildren; her parents, Inez Van Buren and Morris Van Buren; sisters, Barbara Van Buren Grisby (Eric) of Arizona; Vanessa Van Buren of New York, Nicole Van Buren of Arizona; brother, Teah Van Buren of Arizona; and included in the host of neighbors and friends but not limited to lifelong friends, Debra Lawry, Carol McNeil, Caroline Brown of New York and Florida; Akeem Hamilton, Desmond Isaac, Chris Gethers, Anthony (Horsey) Landrum and Chris Bartell.