Mrs. Mary Edith Brand, 96, was born on May 13, 1923 in Olanta, South Carolina to the late Willie and Mary Jane Gee. She departed this life on Wednesday, July 24, 2019.

Mrs. Brand was a retired owner of a cosmetology business, and she also served as a teacher's assistant at St. Anne Elementary School. She reentered the school system in Sumter and received a second high school diploma in 1967.

Mrs. Mary accepted Christ at an early age. After relocating to Sumter in 1942, she became affiliated with Trinity Baptist Church. She later became a member of Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church.

She leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Betty Jean Cooper of Sumter; two sons, Chester (Johnnie Mae) Brand of Nashville, GA and Terry (DelResia) Brand of Sumter; seven devoted grandchildren: Cheryl McKellar, Chesta Bigham, Chandra Johnson, Michelle Goodwin, Tiffany J. Brand, Byron J. Brand, and Na'eem Davis; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Brand was preceded in death by her husband of sixty-seven years, John H. Brand; three brothers: Clifford, John Larry, and Willie Chester; two sisters, Louella Babbs and Dorothy Alexander; and a son, John W. Brand, Jr.

Public Viewing will be held on Sunday, July 28, 2019 from 2-6pm at Job's Mortuary.

Mrs. Brand will be placed in the church on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 10am for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Monday, July 29, 2019 at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center 101 South Salem Avenue Sumter, SC 29150, with Pastor Marion H. Newton, Eulogist, and Pastor Nate Brock Officiating.

Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.

Family will receive friends at the home, 16 Charles Street Sumter, SC 29150, from 6-8pm.

Job's Mortuary, Inc., 312 S. Main Street is in charge of arrangements.