Mary Malissa Southerland

Mary Southerland devoted her life to family, education, and serving the Lord.

From her abundant love and countless labors, multiple generations were

nourished, cared for, and encouraged to be their very best selves.

Mary Malissa Marable Southerland, 95, of Washington, DC, passed away from this

life on October 6, 2024.

She was born in Wake County, North Carolina in 1929 to Charlie and Mary (nee

Rand) Marable. Growing up the only girl in a house with three brothers, and one

of the youngest cousins in the extended Marable clan, Mare‘Lissa, as she was

lovingly called, grew up understanding two very important things: how to speak

up for yourself at all times and how to always sustain strong family connections.

The death of her father when she was only a young girl was a defining moment.

Mary understood how every opportunity in life was precious and she was

committed to making the most of each day.

Mary attended elementary school at the Juniper Level Rosenwall School across

the street from her family’s church, Juniper Level Missionary Baptist in Raleigh,

NC. She graduated from Dudley High School in Greensboro, NC in 1948. Mary

then went on to study at North Carolina A&T College in Greensboro, NC. It was

there that she met the love of her life, Arthur Southerland, Jr. in the evening

section of English 101 their freshmen year. He would say she was the prettiest girl

he had ever seen, and when he asked to escort her home after class one day, she

said yes. Mary was crowned Ms. Gate City while in college. She received her B.S.

Degree in Secretary Science in 1952.

Mary and Arthur were married on October 4, 1953, in Bennettsville, South

Carolina. After living in Portsmouth, Virginia for 8 years, the family relocated to

Washington, DC in August 1963. They were blessed with 5 children and Mary was

a homemaker for 17 years before embarking on new career paths.

Mary studied Media Science at the University of Maryland, College Park and Early

Childhood Education at DC Teachers College. Mary worked in DC public schools as

a math resource teacher for several years and then served as the director of New

Redeemer Daycare Center for 7 years. She co-founded Learning Ideas educational

supply store in 1987 with her husband and son-in-law; Mary served as the coowner

and manager for 11 years. She also worked for a time as a librarian and

prepared personal income taxes for over 25 years.

In 1966 they joined Asbury United Methodist Church. Mary was active in the

Sunday School and the United Methodist Women and was a faithful member of

Group 8/Esther. She also served in the clothing outreach center, and she cochaired

the Family Ministry with Arthur.

Mary found time to contribute to many community programs. She was a member

of the Engineers Wives social organization for over 25 years and served as its

president, secretary and treasurer. She was also a member of the Silhouettes of

the Hyattsville/Landover alumni chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi where she served as

president. As a proud Aggie, Mary was an enthusiastic member of the Washington

Alumni chapter of North Carolina A&T University.

Mary enjoyed fashion, sewing, making clothes and dressing her family up for

Easter. She loved doing puzzles and gathering the family for large, home-cooked

meals, whether it was for a Sunday dinner or a special holiday. She devoted many

hours over the years to being a caregiver to her mother and to many of her

grandchildren. She was committed to reviving and organizing the Marable Family

Reunion. Mary and Arthur opened their home to family members and loved ones

throughout the years.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Arthur, her sister Minnie Wilson, and

her brothers John Marable, Arthur Talmadge Marable, and James Marable.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory: daughters Debra Ann Strickland (A. Wayne),

Sandra Marie Southerland, Theresa Janette James (Greylind) and Cynthia Renee

Cargill (Christopher), and son Arthur Cedric Southerland (Debra); brothers-in-law

Paul Southerland, John Southerland (Eleanor), and Charles Southerland (Lucinda);

sisters-in-law Juanita Southerland and Bessie Marable; 9 grandchildren and 12

great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, devoted caregivers,

neighbors, friends, and others whose lives she touched deeply.