Mary Elizabeth Trent was born July 15, 1930, in Cumberland Virginia to Rosa and Richard Booker. She was baptized at an early age, under the leadership of Reverend Jordan at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. In later years she moved her membership to Bethlehem Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend Miller.

Later, she met Clarence E. Trent and moved to Long Island, New York, where Reverend Percy Tann married them. Together they had eight children.

She served as a deaconess at Unity Baptist Church in Mattituck, New York, for over 30 years under the leadership of Reverend Bassie McCain and Reverend Dr. Marvin Dozier.

She was employed at East Port Processing Plant in East Port, New York for 20 years until her retirement. After her retirement she moved back to Virginia, and re-joined Bethlehem Baptist Church.

Mary loved to cook. Her family says that everything she cooked was good, indeed they considered her to be an excellent cook and knew her way around the kitchen. Her signature dishes were sweet potato and coconut pie.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence E. Trent, her son, James William Booker, Sr., and her great grandson, James “Jamie” Clinton, Jr.

Mary leaves to mourn her children; Walter Booker, Shirley Trent, Margie Anderson (Arthur), Clarence, Jr. (Sheila), Curtis Trent (Kathy), Carol Dabney, Mary Ann Trent, niece, Virginia Mayo, who she adopted and reared as her daughter; and adopted son, Deacon Mark Trent; two sisters, Dot and Dorothy, sisters -in-law; Dorothy Kirby, Shirley Smith, Polly Trent, forty-one grandchildren, sixty-nine great grandchildren, and sixteen great-great grandchildren. Two great grandchildren that she adopted and reared, Leon Clinton and Tyriek Johnson, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

A Mother’s Love

There’s no love like a mother’s; Her heart is filled with care. With Christ as her example, Her Savior’s love she’ll share. A mother’s love is endless, Not changing for all time. When needed by her children. A mother’s love will shine. God bless these special mothers; God bless them everyone. For all their tears and heartaches, And special work they’ve done. When days on earth are over, A mother’s love lives on. Through many generations, God’s blessings on each one. Be thankful for our mothers, Who love with higher love, From power God has given, And strength from above.