Mary B. Garris

Published 10:32 am Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Mary Blaine Buck Garris, age 76, a resident of Washington, NC, died Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at her home.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, May 25, 2025, at Pamlico Memorial Gardens and will be officiated by Tony Krantz and Billy Ray Askew, with the Nurse Honor Guard. Pallbearers include Taylor Black, Brandon Garris, Jamie Garris, Caleb Johnson, Jesse Respess, Austin Thomas; honorary pallbearers Wayne Alligood, Anthony Johnson, Mike Woolard.

Mrs. Garris was born in Beaufort County on October 15, 1948, to the late Walter A. and Bernice H. Buck. On September 14, 1975, she married Phil E. Garris who survives. Mary was a devoted loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She spent most of her life as a homemaker, managing the books for Phil Garris Farms while raising children. One of her favorite things during this time was spending time in the garden picking the vegetables while riding her 3-wheel Honda. Prior to getting married, Mary worked at Beaufort County Hospital as an LPN, until she was pregnant with her first child, leaving to go work at a doctor’s office, then as a plant nurse for National Spinning. Mary eventually completed the nursing transition program at Beaufort County Community College to graduate as an RN in 1992. At that time, she spent quite a few years working as a part-time nurse at Pamlico Internal Medicine. She finished out her career as a home health nurse with Maxim Healthcare, where she would teach patients how to give themselves shots. When she left nursing, she became the daytime caregiver of her grandchildren, who had her whole heart. She loved to sing to them while rocking them to sleep as babies and even when they were pre-school age, they would ask her to sing. Mary was a wonderful cook, providing delicious meals for her family, friends and neighbors. She was known in the neighborhood for her cakes, the most popular one being her Devil’s food with cream cheese icing.

Mary is survived by her husband of 49 years, Phil, daughters Phileta and Maria, grandchildren; Garris, Blayne and Mary-Elizabeth, sister Juliette Sykes (Joe) and sister in-law Nellie Garris. She leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents Walter and Bernice; brothers Marty Buck, Glavin Buck, brothers-in-law Major Garris, Bonner Garris and sister-in-law Patricia (Pat) Garris.

The family would like to say a very special thank you to Amedisys Hospice; most especially her aide Sara, nurses Bridget and Kristen, and chaplain Rhonda for their wonderful care of her in her last month. We would also like to thank our many friends, neighbors, and family that have helped during her illness, your kindness will never be forgotten.

A visitation will be held from 6:00 PM until 8:00PM Saturday May 24, 2025, at Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington.

Condolences may be addressed to the family online by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Garris family.