Mary Ellen Vinson

The sun rose on the life of Mary Ellen Vinson on August 23 1947, in Tallassee, Alabama. She was born to Raymond Vinson Sr. and Annie C. Vinson, who have preceded her in death. She was the first born of four children. Mary received Christ at an early age under the leadership of Reverend D.L. London of Zion Hill Baptist, Montgomery, Alabama. She later was baptized into the Church of Christ, Southside Congregation, located in Seattle, WA; brother William Harper-Minister.

Mary attended and graduated from George Washington Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama. After graduation she attended Stone College, in New Haven, Connecticut,  Mattatuck, Community College, in Waterbury, Connecticut, and lastly, Michigan State University. She had a dual major in Special Education and Regular Education.

Upon graduation, she returned to Connecticut; then relocated to Seattle, Washington where she was employed at the University of Washington at Harborview Medical Center.  She wanted and needed to do more as her career progressed. Mary held many positions as follows: a subcontractor for United Way, through the City of Seattle - Head Start-Grantee, Contract Monitor, Parent Involvement/Coordinator, and Assistant Director for Head Start.  Mary’s last position which she retired from in 2009 was Director of Upward Bound, Seattle, Washington.

Mary enjoyed the outdoors, she liked to crochet, and decorate her home; she had a flair for doing so. She was an immaculate housekeeper. She was a great friend to her friends, and a good big sister. She loved to travel (especially to visit uncle Haywood) and her family. She spoke proudly of working on the National Lectureship for the Church of Christ that was hosted by the local congregations in 200-.

Mary Ellen leaves to cherish her memories of her two sisters Myrtis (Arthur) Talley, and Brenda (Donald) Vinson, brother Raymond Vinson Jr., two nieces Arthurine (Ken) Crump, Cheeresse Talley, two nephews Eric Talley (Anna) and Darryl (Margaret) Talley, Cherrese Talley, and Demarkio Vinson, two great nieces, one great, great nephew, and one great aunt, auntie Mandy; and a host of relatives and friends, and life-long friends, Veronica (Ronnie, as she dearly called her) J. Holcomb, and Karen Akada.