Mrs. Mary Allen Joyner Sarvis was born on February 5, 1947 in Dorchester, South C arolina to Mrs. Vinnie Mae Joyner Thurmond. Mary was reared in Moncks Corner, South Carolina by her loving grandparents, Mr. Matthew and Mrs. Dora Joyner. Mary grew up on the farm with her six cousins: Alice Ruth Plowden, Lorraine Robinson, Dorothy Wilson, John "Bubba John" Dezelle, Barry Dezelle and Earl Dezelle.

Mary was saved at an early age and attended Sunday School regularly, receiving Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Later on, as an adult, she last attended Salvation and Deliverance Church in New York, NY.

Mary received her education in the public schools of Berkeley County, SC and received her high school diploma. She attended College of New Rochelle in New York City, NY and completed course work towards her nursing degree. She was employed in nursing care until she retired.

Mary departed this life on Tuesday, December 4, 2018.

She leaves to cherish her memory: her husband, Nathaniel Sarvis; four children, Louis Michael Joyner, Lorraine Gregg, Melinda Joyner and Nathaniel Sarvis, Jr.; four siblings, Geraldine Bryan, Johnny Thurmond, Farrell Thurmond and Elizabeth Thurmond; sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, Keith Gregg, Clete Brikette, Diane Kornegay Joyner, Lynn Sarvis Jr. and Melinda Joyner's fiancé, Joey Delancey.

Mary also leave fifteen grandchildren: Michael Sass, Vashti Gregg, Michael Patrick Lessington, Ashanti Joyner, Dajanae Silver, Keith Gregg II, Shakia Daniels, Abigail Gregg, Josiah and Isaiah Joyner (twins), and Nathaniel Sarvis Jr. III; seven great-grandchildren, Jada Lessington, Jashan Hateher-Joyner, Dejohn Martinez, Kylee Martinez, Madison Ess, Makiyah and Malaki Lessington (twins); nieces and nephews, Gerald Bryan, Chulon Best, Lynett Rell, Johnny Thurmond Jr., Shirelle Thurmond, David Thurmond, Davon Thurmond and Marvin Thurmond; and a host of brothers, sisters, cousins, extended family members, friends and neighbors.

Mary was preceded in death by daughter Hope Sarvis-Brikett in 2007.