Mrs. Mary Quarles

Mrs. Mary Virginia Morris Quarles, daughter of the late Cordery O. and Virginia G. Morris was born December 5, 1944, in Newark, New Jersey.  Mary was reared in Shacklefords, Virginia (King & Queen County).

Mary graduated from Central High School in 1963. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Saint Augustine's University (College), Raleigh. North Carolina.

Mary’s walk with Jesus started at an early age at First Baptist Church, Hockley, under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Amos Young. Mary was an active member of First Baptist Church of Hampton for over forty years. Mary served in many ministries and boards at First Baptist; she made history in the Senior Usher Board by being elected the first female president of the Senior Ushers. Mary also sang in the Gospel and Mass choirs until her health failed her. She was a member of the Board of Trustees for many years. She was very active in the Women's Auxiliary, where she held many leadership roles.

Mary started her teaching career in the City of Hampton, Virginia, in 1967. She taught at Booker Elementary School for over thirty years, mostly teaching third-grade students. Mary said, “The highlight of teaching was to see the growth her students made in an academic year.” Mary was very pleased when her former students recognized her in the mall and at church. She recalled the time she had a doctor’s appointment and the medical technician revealed to her that she was one of her former third-grade students. By the time Mary left the examination room, the whole office staff knew who she was, including the doctor. Finally, Mary was very pleased and appreciative of the honor of being nominated by her peers at Booker Elementary School in 1998 as Teacher of the Year.

Mary met the love of her life in high school, Elijah. They were married on November 30, 1968, and from this union, twin boys were born, Lemonte and Lafayette.  Mary’s boys were the center of her and Elijah’s lives.

Mary also loved to cook on special holidays for the Quarles, Epps, and Morris clan. She was famous for her pound cake, which many of you from First Baptist have eaten. Another delicacy was her homemade ice cream using her mom’s recipe. The grandchildren looked forward to the Fourth of July and graduations because they knew she would have the ice cream.

Mary was a member of the Retired Teachers Association of Hampton, the Booker Lunch Bunch, and a life member of the Hampton Roads Alumni Chapter of Saint Augustine’s University.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband, Elijah, parents, grandparents, and a niece.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory two sons, Lemonte’(Charla), Lafayette (Chantee), six grandchildren, Lemonte’II, Lamya, Ceairra, Tenia, Kayla, and Caylah. A brother Cordery O. Morris Jr, sister Adelia M. Epps, a special niece Sheea Morris Claiborne; several nephews, a host of cousins and friends, a caring brother and sister in love, Melvin and Agnes Jackson, two sisters-in-law, a former daughter-in-law, April Reed Quarles, an adopted daughter, Mavis Green, her special friends Delores G. Williams, Jacqueline Curtis, Alma James, Evelyn Walker, and Madeline Barnes and her special companion, Anthony Richards.

It is the desire of the Quarles family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Mrs. Mary Quarles has entrusted her final care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home.  

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