Mary L. Brown Sallie

Mary Louise Sallie was born on October 2, 1955, in Cleveland, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Clarence Brown and Louis Baker; she was the 5th sibling of seven (one boy and six girls). Following the death of her father, the family moved to Ceres, CA in 1962. Her mother remarried a gentleman named Sercey Baker, and Mary and her siblings formed a close bond with him.

Mary grew up and lived in Ceres, CA on the Monterey Park Track. After graduating from Ceres High School in 1974, she enrolled at Stanislaus State University in Turlock, CA. Her plans to attend college were short-lived as she dropped out to relocate to Pittsburgh, PA to join her sister, Rosie. While she was there, she worked at the Kroger grocery store in the produce department.After 15 years, she returned home, and operated a boarding care home on Ohio Street and served as an assistant to Thelma Moore with the Stanislaus Foster Home Association.  After, Thelma’s death, Mary became the manager. 

            She met and married the love of her life, Cedric, a truck driver, almost 30 years ago.  She was “HIS QUEEN,” and was given the nicknames, “Red” and “Shortie” by him.  Even though both were workaholics, they still took time to go on road trips together in his big rig. They also had the time to raise one daughter and take care of 15 foster children; 3 of those adopted by them; and if that wasn't enough, they raised her sister's two children after her sister’s death.

Of her many talents, cooking was one of Mary's specialties, and according to her brother-in-law, she had mastered the “Prime Rib.”  

Mary was a humanitarian who gave of herself and her energy in the community.  She spent many hours giving back to others in need, especially the children and the homeless. The Stanislaus Foster Home Association became her life-long career.  

A huge void will be left by her family and friends who will always remember her passion for people -- her willingness to help was always evident-- her sharp mind, not holding back her opinion and a knack for telling it like it is. Her husband says that “she would tell you the truth before she would tell you a lie.” 

She departed this life on March 17, 2022, surrounded by the ones who loved her.

Mary is now at peace, joining her parents, Clarence Brown and Louise Baker; her siblings, Loreal Gallion, Rosie Brown, James Brown and Dorothy Lee Pumphery.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her devoted husband, Cedric Sallie; her daughter, Ashley Jackson; her adopted children, Dayjohn Sallie, Cedric A. Sallie and Anthony LaBlanc; her sister’s (Dorothy) children, Maranda Gutierrez and Paul Pumphery; her sisters, Bessie Brown and Doris “Peaches,” Jones (Sebastian Jones); her foster children, Jayquel Pitts, Chris, Rihanna Germany, Carmilla Grays and Dustin; her grandchildren, Jaylin Jackson, Niyali Manada; her special friend, Kim Leulua and Delois Black; her nieces, nephews and many other loving and devoted family and friends that will miss her dearly.

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