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Mary Helen James also known as “Nanny” died peacefully on Monday, June 4, 2018 in New Castle, Delaware at the young age 92.

Nanny was born on April 9, 1926 in Gastonia, North Carolina to Benjamin and Mildred Long. She was also a member of St. Peters A.M.E. Zion Church in Gastonia, North Carolina. After graduating High School, she relocated to New York City in pursuit of new beginning where she met and married her husband, Vernon, at the Savoy Ballroom. She would often mention how she and Vernon loved to dance to Cab Calloway and his band. From this union, five children were born.

Mary found herself moving quite frequently because her husband made a career serving, first in the Navy and then the Army. When Mary lived in Paris, France, she insisted that her children attend an “All-American School”, since initially they could not speak a word of French. Little did she know that it would be 75 miles one way to get to school every day. But that was Nanny! She always got what she wanted for those she loved and that was just about everyone. Nanny loved family gatherings and loved to cook! A signature dish of hers was her “Banana Pudding”.

Professionally, Mary was accomplished at organizing and bringing people together in her community. She retired after 25 years of service from Harlem Rehabilitation (a division of Harlem Hospital) in New York City as a social worker. Prior to moving to France, she worked for NASA in Top Secret. Nanny taught her family well and always warned them there would be many pot holes along life’s highway, which could be avoided most times, through loving kindness; being the better person and by asking yourself, “What would Jesus do?”

She is preceded in death by her parents, Benjamin and Mildred Long of Gastonia, North Carolina, husband Vernon Morris Brooks of Suitland, Maryland, son Vernon Morris Brooks, Jr. of New York City, sister Juanita Sadler of Gastonia, North Carolina, brothers Macon and Grady Long of Gastonia, North Carolina and Leona Walls of New York City.

She is survived by her children, Bernadette Lavern Minton, of Bear, Delaware, Karen Cecilia Faulkner (Jack) of Rego Park, New York, Michele Eileen Brooks of Rego Park, New York, and Devon Joseph Brooks (Sheila) of Milford, Delaware. Nanny is also survived by her Grandchildren, Chante Monique Thomas (Joseph) of Laurelton, New York, Aqui David Minton (Debra) of Wheatley Heights, New York, Tynesia Brinson of Elkton, Maryland, Omar Brooks of Connecticut, Amar Brooks of Brooklyn, New York, Ayesha Thomas of Florida, Paris Krystal Faulkner of Rego Park, New York, Janelle Brooks of Spokane, Washington, Iyanna Kimberly Minton and Renee Danielle Minton of Bear, Delaware. Her great grandchildren, Dante Minton, Heather Minton, Ay-Kayla Watson, Tali Brinson, Angelika Lee Thomas, Joshua Immanuel Thomas, Mikai Okapara, Christian Faulkner, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

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