Mary Louise Booker was born on June 25, 1929 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mary Katherine Ford of Culpeper, Virginia. She passed away on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Penn Presbyterian Hospital.

In foster care as an infant, Mary was placed by Women's Christian Alliance with Mrs. Martha Batts, with whom she lived until she married. It was not until Mary was in her 80's and took a DNA test that she discovered her maternal and paternal families: the Thurmond's of Edgefield County, South Carolina and the Fords of Culpeper, Virginia.

Mary attended Philadelphia public schools. She graduated from South Philadelphia High School for Girls and worked initially as a secretary. With a love for cooking, Mary opened a South Philadelphia sandwich shop which closed when she became ill. After the death of her husband, Mary worked at the Philadelphia Naval Base until she retired. After retirement, Mary, who was always good with young children, enrolled in and completed a senior program called "Call A Granny." Later, she worked as an assistant at her daughter Ivy Mims's day care center, and then became a true retiree.

Mary was united in holy matrimony to the late Lloyd Francis Booker, Sr. Together they had four children: Lloyd Francis Booker, Jr., Linda Dianne Booker, Ivy Booker, and Wayne Morris Booker. In 1960, Mary became a widow after her husband was killed in an accident working for the Reading Railroad.

Mary was raised in the church. She belonged to her church's youth group and choir. As an a adult, Mary was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in South Philadelphia. She later attended Monumental Baptist Church in West Philadelphia and served as a volunteer for their after school program.

Mary enjoyed cooking and was known for her chocolate chip cookies and a baked ham that rivaled any high end restaurant. She loved listening to Mahalia Jackson, but most important, she loved spending time with her family.

Mary leaves to cherish her memory her children: Lloyd F. Booker, Jr. (Rose) of East Brunswick, NJ, Linda Booker Rouse of West Norriton, Ivy Mims (Kenneth) of West Norriton, and Wayne M. Booker, her primary caregiver for several years, of Philadelphia. She is also survived by grandchildren: Lloyd F Booker, Ill, Tanya Booker, Nicole S. Rouse, Edward Mims, Kenneth L. Mims, Jr., Justin L. F. Booker, Lauren F. Booker, Michael L. F. Booker, Julian F. D. Booker, sixteen great-grandchildren, brother-in-law Carville Booker, Jr., and cousin Carmen Lassus.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband Lloyd Francis Booker, Sr., and her grandson Bernard Jerome Rouse, Jr.