Mary H Pryor

Mary (Mae Helen) Pryor, age 86, of Aurora IL., transitioned peacefully to be with her Heavenly Father Sunday April 12, 2026, at Rush Copley Medical Center surrounded by loved ones. Born on June 3, 1939 in Holy Springs, Mississippi, to the late Roberta and John Malone whose love, faith and guidance helped shaped her life to have a relationship with Christ at an early age.

Mary worked for Detroit Foreman for over 15 years until her retirement. She lived a life rooted in truthfulness, compassion, strength and resilience. Known for her boldness, honesty and ability to tell it like it is she always spoke with love, truth and conviction. Her impact, divine word, gentle spirit made her not only the Matriarch to the Pryor family but also a friend to all who had the blessing of knowing her.

Mae Helen enjoyed the simple joys of life including fishing, browsing garage sales, playing bingo and keno-activities that reflected her spirit and brought her great happiness.

Mary’s legacy of love will be forever cherished by her daughters: Barbara, Norma, Evelyn (Bobby), and Beverly all of Illinois; Mary Jodie of Texas; and one daughter- in-law, Arliesa of Illinois.

She is also survived by her nine granddaughters, seven grandsons along with 33 great-grandchildren.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her beloved sister Alberta Kimmons of Holy Springs MS, along with a host of her lovely nieces, nephews and dear friends Francis Walker and Caryl Malone.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two sons, Larry and Alvin Pryor; two brothers, Henry Lishman and Louis Oliver; two sisters, Viola McFarland and Lubertha Moore; and two great-grand children, Jori Johnson and Trinity Taylor.

Burial service will be held at Riverside Cemetery Friday, April 17, 2026 at 1:00pm