Life Reflections

Mary M. Hyman, age 71, a resident of Philadelphia, PA, passed away on June 29, 2022. She was born February 23, 1951, in Pamplico, South Carolina to Simon and Belva Bostick McNeil.

Mary graduated from Gibbs High School in Pamplico, SC in 1968. For 31 years, she was employed with Elwyn institute for Mentally Challenged Adults.  Gardening was one of her favorite activities. For several years, her love for plants and flowers was displayed at the Philadelphia Flower Show where her plants received numerous ribbons and awards on all levels.  She was a longtime member of over 45 years at Beulah Baptist Church in Philadelphia, Pa., where she served in the Nurture ministry for many years.  She loved teaching and interacting with children.  During her journey through Beulah, she taught Vacation Bible School, working with the youth, women, and grief ministries.  She enjoyed teaching Sunday School, bible study and worship service at her childhood church when she was visiting her family in South Carolina.

The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Mary.  She loved her family dearly especially her sisters and brothers.  Her deep expression of love for her sisters inspired her to write a tribute expressing her heartfelt love to them in a poem written in 2009 titled, “I Love My Sister”.  That love did not stop with her siblings, she was the birth mother of only one child, but she loved and nurtured her nieces and nephews as if they were her own. She witnessed the birth of her great-nephew (Beyah).  She was so amazed with the alertness of Beyah and how he responded to the sound of her voice a deep everlasting love bond was formed between the two of them.  Each time she had the opportunity she ministered to her family about the word of God.  It was her desire for her family to know of Christ and study His Holy Word and apply His teaching to be the light house that will guide them as they journey through Life.

She is survived by her siblings, Wesley McNeil of Johnsonville, SC, Lesley McNeil of Philadelphia, PA. Celia M. Fleming of Lake City, SC, Laura (T.J.) Butler of Jersey City, NJ, Juanita Duncan of Johnsonville, SC, Ethel Townes of Philadelphia, PA, Miner M Hamlin of Florence, SC, and Margaret M. Smith of Middletown, DE, one sister-in-law, Olean D. McNeil of Philadelphia, PA, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her daughter, Tawanda LaShay Hyman, her parents, Simon and Belva Bostick McNeil, and her brothers Chelsey McNeil, Simon McNeil, and Wilbert McNeil.

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