It was a Friday evening after I just arrived home from work.  I left work early because I was going to Norfolk to visit my mother the next morning.  As I walked up the steps to my bedroom, I received a call from my older brother, Alvin telling me that Mama was dying come now.   I got in my car, and drove quickly to Norfolk from Richmond, and as I entered the hospital room, I saw my siblings standing around Mama’s bed, as she lay peaceful.  Her eyes were closed, and I began to talk to her, I told her that the next grand child would be named after her and other things.  Soon thereafter, I felt the shift and I could tell Mama accepted her next assignment.    On August 18, 2018, the world changed for me and my siblings and many others that had been a part of Mama Girl’s World.  As for me, my Hero, was now my Angel and a beloved Ancestor!

 

Mary, aka Mama Girl, was an only child and came up in an era that was difficult for many African-Americans.  She was raised by her grandmother and grandfather and hard work was always instilled in her being.  In her adult life, she was a crew leader for many field workers up and down the VA/MD Eastern Shore.  However, if you are accustomed to field work, you understand there were many chemicals involved, and over time, the chemicals affected Mary’s health.  Thus, her praying and asking God to give her something, so she would not lose her mind and as we see, she obeyed.  

 

Her copyrighted artstyle was/is a gift from God!  Her creations were not just sculpted newspaper and glue or paintings, but it was her ministry.   She loved attending church services on the Eastern Shore because she loved being a radical vessel for the Creator to use.  She was a blank canvas and just wanted to be used to show love.  If you ever had the pleasure of speaking with her, you’d understand the hole that was felt on Saturday, August 18, 2018.   

 

Mama loved everyone and treated everyone like family.  Whenever she could bless those in need, she did it, with no questions asked.  If you needed prayer, anointing, a sermon she’d give you what the Spirit gave her, for you.

 

Mama Girl leaves an amazing growing family to carry on her legacy to include three sons and one daughter, thirteen grandchildren (8 girls/5 boys), and 3 great-grandchildren (2 girls/1 boy), many cousins, friends and amazing colleagues and mentors in the craft, and the family she acquired with each sale or donated piece of artwork.   

 

Thank you all for your continued support of Mama Girl Folk Art! 

Peace, Love, and Folk Art!