Mary Gore

Mary Phillips Gore, age 69, of Erie, was called home to The Lord after battling a long illness, March 7, 2020, at Saint Vincent Hospital. She was born in Detroit, Michigan on July 3, 1950, the daughter of the late Mary Inez Phillips Thompson, and John Clay.

Mary attended Carber Senior High School in Collins, Mississippi, and J.H. Thompson in Erie; she worked as an aide at the Council on Aging, in Vero Beach, Florida for many years. She was a member of New Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Erie.

Mary confessed her life to Christ at an early age. Mary moved her family from Collins, Mississippi to Erie in the early seventies, and raised her family on her own. She joined New Jerusalem Lutheran Church where she was a faithful member for many years, and was referred to as the “Mother of the church”. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Always longing to know more about her family. She enjoyed reading scripture, cooking, playing bingo, and going shopping. Many who knew Mary loved her wisdom, her sense of humor, her tenacity, and wit. She will be tremendously missed.

Mary is preceded in death by a daughter, Veronica Leggett, a son, Raymond Phillips, and a sister, Glenola Durr.

Left to celebrate her life: her son, Alvin Leggett, three daughters, Angela Leggett, Agela Leggett (Larry), and Alicia Roberts (Kory). She is further survived by a sister, Alice Stribling, of Gulf Port, MS; a brother, Carles Johnson, of Erie, grandchildren, Lakita Leggett, Briauna Leggett, Trenton Person, Elijah Leggett, Renaja Poole, Olivia Phillips, Harmoni Morganfield, Sharon Henry, 2 step grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews. Mary is survived by a special niece, Karen Fletcher, special nephew, Harvey Stribling, and a special aunt Katherine Phillips-Magee.

Friends are invited to call on the family Monday, March 16, 2020, at Saint Stephen’s Lutheran Church 940 East 22nd St., Erie, PA; from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. W. Owen Rhodes presiding. Burial will follow in Lakeside Cemetery. Arrangements entrusted to Burton Funeral Home and Crematory Inc. 602 W. 10^th Street, Erie.

Memorials may be made to: The American Cancer Society 2115 W 38th St, Erie, PA 16508, or CORE 204 Sigma Drive, RIDC Park, Pittsburgh, PA 15238