Mary Neely Grissom was born June 7, 1940 in Rowan County, N.C. as the eldest child of Julian and Susie Neely. She spent her formative years around China Grove, N.C., where she received her early education from the Neely School and China Grove Elementary School. She attended Aggrey Memorial High School (Landis) and graduated from J.C. Price High School (Salisbury). An extraordinarily gifted student, Mary began her education at the Neely School at the age of 5 and enrolled at North Carolina College at Durham (now N. C. Central University) at just 16. She majored in French, minored in Spanish, and pursued extensive studies in English. After earning her degree, she continued post-graduate studies at NCCU, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Wake Forest University, and Winston-Salem State University (WSSU). Mary met her soulmate, Willie Grissom, at NCCU. She was his "Rock".

The couple made their home in Winston-Salem where Mary began a distinguished teaching career with the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County (W-S/FC) School System. For over 40 years, she taught French and Spanish at all school levels including assignments at: Anderson Jr./Sr. High School, North Forsyth Sr. High School, and the Downtown Elementary School. Mary enjoyed a long and fulfilling retirement of 34 years, reflecting a life devoted to education, scholarship, and service.

Mary's professional/career accomplishments include:

·         Among the first minority teachers to integrate North Forsyth Senior High School (1971), where she ascended to Foreign Language Department Chair

·         Selection for the inaugural session of N.C. Center for the Advancement of Teaching, a leadership academy for N.C. educators

·         Southern Association of Colleges and Schools evaluation teams

·         Mentor to new teachers throughout the school system

·         Chaperoned student excursions to Mexico, France, and Spain

·         W-S/FC Schools: Finalist for Terry Sanford Award and Teacher of the Year.

Mary participated in the following community activities:

·         Visionary and ex officio President of the Historic Neely School Foundation, an organization promoting community awareness of her family's impact on Rowan County education during segregation

·         Contributor to "Little School in the Woods", a children's history book documenting the Neely School's history and its ability to educated who might not have otherwise had that opportunity

·         W-S Chapter of NCCU Alumni Association (President, V. President, Secretary, Parliamentarian, Scholarship Committee Chair) and National Alumnus of the Year

·         United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church Diversity Partnership Co- Chair, Hospitality Committee

·         Friends of the Carver School Road Branch of the Winston Salem Public Library

·         WSSU Upward Bound Teacher.

Mary found joy in music, cooking, travelling (especially to international destinations), playing cards and ping pong, reading, indoor gardening, and entertaining her friends, former students, and family. Her home was always open to family, friends and visitors alike who were treated to the finest visits.

Mary reunited in heaven on December 21, 2025 with her love of 60+ years, Willie Grissom. She will be missed by those whose lives she touched, including daughter, Marice (Charles) Freeman; sister, Cynthia Neely English; brother, Alvin (Gail) Neely; siblings-in-law: Florine Brown, Betty Ward, Barbara Bayne, Esther Grissom, Eva Williamson, and Margie Neely; grandchildren, Chariece Freeman, Christine Freeman, and Charles Freeman III; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends, colleagues, and 7,000+ students. She was predeceased by: her parents and her siblings; Frances (James) Tyson, Isaac (Dianne) Neely, Calvin Neely, Emma (Leroy) Williamson, John Grissom, Daniel Brown, and William Ward.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Monday, December 29, 2025 at United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am-11:00 am at the church. Interment will follow at Gardens of Memory, Walkertown, NC. Her remains may be viewed Sunday, December 28, 2025 from 11am-5pm at the funeral home.

In celebration of Mary's life, and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to the following organizations that reflected her passions and values:

Historic Neely School Foundation, Inc. (www.historicneelyschool.org)

P.O. Box 784

China Grove, NC 28023

or

Winston-Salem Chapter of the NCCU Alumni Association (Cashapp: $NCCUWSAA)

PO Box 30275

Winston-Salem, NC 27130