Mary Louise Brogdon

Mary Louise Brogdon more affectionately known as MayMay was called home on Tuesday, August 5, 2025 surrounded by love and family. She was born on June 5, 1948 in Winterville, North Carolina to the late Ida and Sadoc Smith. She was the youngest of seven children. Mary met the love of her life Clarence "Beaver" Brogdon, Jr. affectionately known to her as "Bill" in 1966. Together they shared 2 loving children Kenneth (Shanda) Avon and Arlice (Quinn) Marquette Brogdon, along with one stepson, the late Ricky Darnell Chappell. For many years she was employed by New Haven Public Schools, before moving on to the Hospital of Saint Raphael's where she spent over 30 years before retiring on December 31, 2010. Even in retirement Mary could not stop serving her community. She returned to her teaching roots as a Kindergarten classroom aide at Saint Aedan-Saint Brendan's (later renamed Catholic Academy) until Covid shut everything down. Mary devoted her life to service and her community. Known to many as "Ma", you could always find her on one of her daily walks, on the porch greeting the neighborhood, or tending to her flowers. Mary was a member of First Baptist Church in Milford, CT, before later joining and becoming a devoted member of Saint Paul's UAME in New Haven, CT until her last days. As a member, Mary was a part of the Missionary Team, Class Leader, Volunteer Soup Kitchen, and the former Senior Choir President. She was named "Ms. Clorox" by the Soup Kitchen Team because of the amount of bleach she used in the kitchen at all times. Most known for being a servant to her community, at home, Mary was best known as "MayMay". A devoted grandmother to her cherished grandchildren: Aliyah (Zachary) Ciant, Jule Adia, her buddy Aaron Michael, Shawn Nasir, Prince Brogdon, Ricky & Rameil Hargett. She was a cherished and proud great-grandmother to her three precious great-grandchildren: Monet Jackson-Wilson, her best friend Amihr Cairo, and her bunny foo foo Peyton Riyanna Greenidge. MayMay found her greatest joy in family. Her home was always a place of open arms, good food, and even better stories, where every visit left you feeling loved and valued. Her legacy of compassion, resilience, and love will live on in the hearts of those who were blessed to call her ours. Mary leaves behind a lifetime of precious memories to be cherished by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Along with her 4 sisters: Allie "Jo" Washington of Winterville, North Carolina, Bernice Adams of Northford, CT, Lula Nobles and Lela "Gay" Smith of Hamden, CT; one brother, Dilton (Lucy) "Dip" Smith Sr. of Hamden, CT; loving god-children Tonya York, Aubrey (Eugene) "Nella" Jones, and Sammy Brunson; best friend, Ida Haynes with her daughter, Shonta Walker and granddaughter, Amina Sankar; along with a whole host of nieces, nephews, community family, and friends. Mary is predeceased by her parents, Ida and Sadoc, parents-in-love, Clarence and Anna Brogdon, brother, Curtis (Bertha) "Ray" Smith, and stepson, Ricky Darnell Chappell. Mary was a fighter until her final days. She never complained, never wavering in her faith and trusting the lord through every step of her journey. Though our hearts are heavy, we celebrate her life and legacy with the same joy, love, and enthusiasm for life that she shared with everyone she knew. We will honor her memory by cherishing the moments, sharing the laughter, and embracing life in the way that she did.