Mary E. Joyner Anthony, daughter of the late Leona and Ernest Joyner, was born November 17, 1925 in Halifax County, NC.  She departed this life on Monday, February 25, 2019 at Sentara CarePlex Hospital in Hampton, VA.

She attended the public schools of Halifax County. She was a lifelong member of Galilee Baptist Church in Newport News where she served on the Usher and Deaconess Boards until her health prevented her from serving.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Anthony; grandson, Nathaniel Davis; granddaughter, Cheri Pitts; and aunt, Geneva Bryant.

She leaves to cherish her memories, ten children to include four daughters and six sons, Barbara Anthony of Temple Hills, MD, Woodall Savage and James Pitts of Hobgood, NC, Howard Pitts, Jr. (Bertha) of Scotland Neck, NC, Sandra Bobbitt and Tommy Pitts of Enfield, NC, Reginald Pitts of Atlanta, GA, Terrianne Hyman (Rayfield) of Scotland Neck, NC, Kelvin Pitts (Portia) of Newport News, VA and her devoted daughter, Denise Roberson (Kevin) of Hampton, VA; four stepchildren, Geneva Carter (Howard), Ethel Walters, Mary Hackney (William) and Marcus Anthony; four sisters and two brothers, Clifton Joyner of Newark, NJ, Evelyn Dunn of Roanoke Rapids, NC, Eartie Bell Weatherbee of Oak City, NC, Albert Joyner (Yvonne) of Hobgood, NC, Rose Marie Adams of Passaic, NJ and Lillie Joyner of Hobgood, NC; one sister-in-law, Zula Anthony of Hampton, VA; 23 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren, 8 great great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Special thanks to Audrey Carter and Martha Peterson for their kindness and dedication.

A Funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, March 2, 2019 at Galilee Baptist Church, Newport News.  Interment will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.  Viewing will be from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday at the funeral home and two hours prior to the service at the church on Saturday.  O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.