Mary Hardy was born April 4, 1947 in Portland, OR to Robert and Elizabeth Ayers. She went home to be with the Lord July 5th, after celebrating Independence Day surrounded by family whom she loved dearly.Mary attended Coleman Elementary, Washington Junior High and graduated from James A. Garfield High in 1965, where she sung with the Choraleers under the instruction of the famed Parker Cook. She also sung with the American Singers Association Local #8, Joys of Jerusalem Choir under the direction of the late Mrs. Loretta Witt.Throughout her childhood, Mary attended Madison Temple COGIC, under the leadership of Bishop Van Goodlow, later joining Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Rev. Dr. Norman Mitchell, where she was a faithful member and singer with the Gospel Choir and Anointed Voices.She is survived by her husband, Larry; daughter Jacqueline; mother Elizabeth Ayers; siblings; Glenda Ayers Jones (Marvin), Roy Ayers, Frances Carrillo Farley (Anthony), and Michael Ayers ; a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren and dear friends.Services will be Saturday, July 16th, at 11am at the Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church 126 15th AvenueArrangements: Southwest Mortuary, 9021 Rainer Avenue South.
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The Complicated Legacy Rod Paige Leaves Behind
Rod Paige, who served as the nation's first Black Secretary of Education, is remembered for his pivotal role in crafting the No Child Left Behind Act. The legislation, initially heralded as a transformative approach to education, later emerged as a cautionary tale due to its emphasis on high-stakes testing and the resultant pressure it placed on schools to improve scores.
