A woman of many hats was born on November 12, 1931, to the late Edward Van Dyke & Lottie Smalls. She was the youngest of three girls, Kathleen Bodison (oldest & deceased), Edna Jones (middle & deceased) and the baby was Mary, who has now joined her sisters in eternal life.
Mary was a woman who had quite a few accomplishments in her lifetime. She graduated at the top of her class from Collenton High School in Walterboro, SC. She gave her life to God at an early age at the Cannon Baptist Church, where she learned to pray and worship God. Since then, she always put God first in every aspect of her life. Mary started working at an early age at the neighborhood dry cleaners to help bring in extra income to assist her mother with some of the bills.
While working, she met a handsome man in uniform; Woodrow Bedard, who would soon become her husband. After marriage, they soon took their show on the road to Cleveland, Ohio to find a better way of life. Upon arrival, she decided to go back to school to take up a trade at John Hay Extension Program. Shortly after completing the program, her husband was called away to Fort Knox, Kentucky. This is where she found out she was with child. Before giving birth, Woodrow was called away to Fort Hood, TX, and that’s where she had her daughter, Sylvia Bedard. A few years later, they returned back to Cleveland OH, where she gave birth to a son, Darryl Bedard. Not settling for the role of a housewife, she took a job as a dental assistant. Still not being satisfied, Mary took more training and received more certificates. Also, she
realized that she needed a good church home. She found the church we are currently attending, Mt. Nebo Baptist Church. She served on many boards like the user board team and mission group. She was even the church treasurer. After going to God about her future, she took a job at Alcoa, where she worked for 23 years until she retired.
Mary loved the finer things in life. She purchased two homes, one in the city of Cleveland where she raised her children and also helped raise her grandchildren. When she grew tired of the city, she purchased another home in Warrensville Hts., OH.
Mary traveled the world, shopped at some of the best stores and learned about other cultures. In her downtime, she loved to swim, craft and get dressed for the Mayor’s balls & luncheons. She even took some police training with the City of Warrensville seniors. When not traveling, she worked as a part time bus driver, and even as a home health aide. She love taking care of people and helping people out.
She had an undeniable love for her immediate and extended family. She would always say, “I love you more” after every call. She was a woman who never complained and always found solutions to all problems. She always shared encouraging words, and wanted the best for everyone. She was a woman of grace, happiness and an elegant lady. It was, indeed, a pleasure to be around her.
She leaves to mourn her presence, one half-sister, Marth; four grandchildren, Hatari Bedard (Kelly), Tamika Bedard, Chantel Bedard (Daron) and Hyauna Davis (Kamal); great grandchildren, Tiffany (James), Darshun, Lil Tari, Taveion, Lamaree, Honor; close friends that were considered her sisters, Janie Bedard, Ann Smith, Neisha Jackson, Carol Harris, just to name a few; lots of nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own; and a lot of cousins, and extended family.