Mary K (Shuford) Charley

Mary Shuford Kendrick Charley of Ravenna Township, transitioned to her heavenly home on Friday, May 2, 2025, at Hospice of Medina County.  She was born on February 28, 1937, in Lowndes County, Hayneville, Alabama to the late Ella Simpson and Eddie Williams.

At the age of two she was adopted by her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Tillman (Doshie) Shuford.  She attended Lowndes County Training School. At an early age, she became a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor J. J. Noble.

Mary or “May Lee” as she was affectionately called relocated to Birmingham, Alabama in 1951 to live with her birth mother and attended Western High School.  She married Carl Edward Kendrick in 1953 and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1954, she relocated and settled in Ravenna, Ohio.  Mary retired from Kent State University after 23 years of service.  She also spent many years working as a health care worker at the Roberto House and private duty care. In 1987, she married James R. Charley, who passed away in November 2005 after 18 years of marriage.  She was a faithful member of the Ravenna Avenue Church of God for over 30 years.

She leaves to cherish her memories: a son, Carl Kendrick, Jr., of Ravenna, Ohio; two daughters, Patricia (Cary) Dennison of Ravenna, Ohio and Lila (Damon) Griffin of Tamarac, Florida; daughter-in-law, Paulette Kendrick of Ravenna, Ohio; twenty (20) grandchildren: Pamela, Tyrell, Ivory, Derrick, Jr., David, Danny, Ricky, Scott, Tameka, Brandi, Carl III, Eddie, Karla, NaShay, Cary “C.J.”, Andre, Lester “Ray”, Jasper, Michael and Alycia. Twenty-five (25) great-grandchildren and one (1) great-great-grandchild. Additionally, she leaves three (3) sisters: Marguerite Banks of Dolomite, Alabama, Bernice Adams and Bertha Harris of Montgomery, Alabama; one (1) special brother-in-law, Willie Kendrick of Huntsville, Alabama, one godson, Darrell Williams, her Ravenna Avenue Church of God family and a host of extended family members and friends.

She was preceded in death by husband, James Charley and ex-husband Carl E. Kendrick, Sr.; two (2) sons, Leroy W. Kendrick and Derrick S. Kendrick; her father and mother, Eddie Williams and Ella Simpson; her adoptive parents Tillman and Doshie Shuford, two (2) brothers, Willie Albert Giddens and Ivory Shuford and a sister, Lorinne Payne.

In honoring her wishes, cremation has taken place.  Memorial visitation will be be Saturday May 10 from 11:00 AM until time of Memorial services at 12 Noon at the Shorts Spicer Crislip Funeral Homes Ravenna Chapel.  Private family burial will take place in Maple Grove Cemetery Ravenna, Ohio.  Please visit www.sscfuneralhomes.com to offer a condolence, share a memory or light a candle in Mary’s honor.