Mary Lee Essex was the second eldest child of the late Callie and Jessie Thornton, Sr. On January 2, 2026, Mary was granted what life could no longer give her.

Mary Lee Essex was born on July 28, 1928, in Mer Rouge, Louisiana. Her rearing in a loving family gave her the affirmation that she needed to grow and become a kindhearted and loving person.

Mary Lee accepted Christ at an early age and united with Little Dee Baptist Church in Mer Rouge, Louisiana.

After moving to Detroit, Michigan, she united in holy matrimony to James Essex in 1949. Both Mary and James united with First Union Baptist Church.

In 1960, Mary and family moved to Cleveland, Ohio where they united with Sacrificial Baptist Church.

After the death of her husband in 1997, Mary moved to Albuquerque to be with her daughter and family.

Mary enjoyed church activities and helping others.

Mary enjoyed singing the gospel, church activities and offering a helping hand to others. She was well known to everyone as “Nana” or Mrs. Essex,

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Callie and Jessie Thornton, Sr., two sisters, Emma Jean and Shirley: two brothers, Jessie Thornton Jr. and Leo Thornton.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory, her loving daughter, Thelyn Hollins; grandchildren, Lynnette Hollins and Kartinell Hollins; great-grandchildren, Tynnell Hollins, Justyce Hollins, Jade Hill, Tyrell Wilson, Marcus Hill II, Marquise Hill, and Javan Hollins; great-great grandchildren Olivia, Jacey, Kennedy, Landon, Nessiah, and Nylas; her sister, Dorothy Jones and a host of nieces and nephews.