Mary Irwin Gordon, MPH., RN., departed this life for a home in Heaven Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in Kingsport, Tennessee.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, November 5, at St. Timothy?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Episcopal Church in Kingsport, TN with Fr. Richard Shackleford officiating. There will also be a memorial service at her home church, St. Luke?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Episcopal Church in Eden, NC, at 12 Noon, on Saturday, November 7, with Fr. Wheigar Bright officiating. Interment is to be at Overlook Cemetery in Eden.
Mary Irwin was born July 1, 1926 the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. William Jones Gordon, well-beloved figures in the spiritual life of the Spray community. She earned a diploma from the School of Nursing at St. Luke?¢‚Ǩ‚Ñ¢s Hospital in New York, a BA from Columbia Bible College, and a Master of Science degree in Public Health from UNC-CH. Like several of her sisters and her brother, she had a long career in Christian service, including several years in Alaska taking care of native villagers, and more than ten years on the staff of the Nurses Christian Fellowship/Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. She also served sixteen years in the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center at Mountain Home, TN as a Registered Nurse in the psychiatric services section. She was a pioneer in the integrative role of the Nurse in physical rehabilitative care as evidenced by early leadership and clinical expertise at Memorial Hospital, Chapel Hill and Forsyth Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC. Mary Irwin mentored many nursing students as an adjunct nursing faculty as well as to medical and ancillary health providers.
Mary Irwin translated her professional expertise in countless hours of volunteer service through Contact Concerns Ministry in the Kingsport,TN and surrounding areas thereby impacting many lives.She was a faithful commuicant of St. Timithy's Episcopal Church, Kingsport,Tn. and servant of God.
She is survived by two sisters, Ms. Elizabeth Jocelyn Gordon of Eden ,NC, Mrs. Grace Pless (Cecil) of Asheville NC and sister-in-law Mrs. Shirley Gordon of Fairbanks, Alaska also numerous neices and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and brother, The Rt. Reverend William Jones Gordon,Jr., sisters , Mrs Nancy Dameron, Ms.Almeria Reston Gordon, Mrs. Laura Williams.
Hamlett Dobson Funeral Home in Kingsport, and Fair Funeral Home in Eden, are in charge of arrangements.
Mary Irwin Gordon is a wonderful servant of God. She used her talents in so many ways to serve God as she touched the lives of countless individuals. May Light Perpetual Shine Upon Her. Thanks be to God.
Charles H.Wray Jr.
Thoughts and prayers to this family.
Stephanie Roberson
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