Mary Irwin Gordon

Mary Irwin Gordon, MPH R.N. departed this life for a home in Heaven on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in Kingsport, Tennessee.

She 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'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 as a traveling representative of the Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship. She also served sixteen years in the Kingsport VA Hospital 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, NC, 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 Ministries in the Kingsport, TN and surrounding areas thereby impacting many lives. She was a faithful communicant of St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, Kingsport, TN and servant of God.

She was predeceased by her parents; brother, The Rt. Reverend William Jones Gordon, Jr.; and sisters, Mrs. Nancy Dameron, Ms. Almeria Reston Gordon and Mrs. Laura Williams.

Mary Irwin is survived by two sisters, Ms. Elizabeth Jocelyn Gordon of Eden, NC, and Mrs. Grace Pless (Cecil) of Asheville NC; sister-in-law, Mrs. Shirley Gordon of Fairbanks, Alaska; also numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM, Thursday, November 5, at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church in Kingsport, TN with Fr. Richard Shackleford officiating. There will also be a memorial service at her home church, St. Luke'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.