MARY ELIZABETH ROSS, affectionately known as “Libby,” was born on December 17, 1936, in Charlotte, North Carolina. She was the youngest child born to the late Annie Eva Stewart and Ernest James Lewis.
Libby spent her early years in Albright Court, Lackawanna, before attending school in the Buffalo Public School system and graduating from South Park High School.
On July 31, 1971, Mary married Lawrence Ross. From this union, she was blessed with two stepdaughters, whom she nurtured and loved dearly. One of Mary’s greatest joys was being a wife and mother. Annually, Mary hosted Christmas dinner. Her lemon meringue pie and apple peach cobbler were always enjoyed.
Mary retired from Erie County Medical Center after a long career of dedicated service. She then pursued her passion of ministering to others through song on a full-time basis. She studied music at the State University of New York at Buffalo and was frequently called upon to sing at funerals, weddings, and various celebrations. She was never without a song in her heart, especially a hymn, which was her testimony of the goodness of God and the relationship she had with Him. Her strong contralto could be heard resonating throughout Johnnie B. Wiley stadium during GospelFest and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations, until her health declined.
Mary traveled nationally with choirs and sang locally in various musical groups, including, but not limited to, Calvary Baptist Church Youth, Adult, and Mass choirs, City Wide Choir, Gospel Music Workshop of America, Chapter Choir, Buffalo Choral Society, and Oldies But Goodies. She also performed with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and in 2014 in the musical theater production, How I Got Over, at the Paul Robeson Theater, directed by Paulette D. Harris.
Mary received numerous awards and acknowledgments, both for her dedicated service to her church and her community. In 2018, Mary was honored for her over 40 years of service to the Calvary Baptist Church Youth Department with an evening of praise and worship. The love of her church extending close to 70 years of membership was demonstrated when she adamantly insisted on leaving her suburban apartment to live closer to Calvary.
Mary grew up with a close connection to family, especially her cousins. They shared fond memories of her traveling around town with a shoebox containing a curling iron and pressing comb to accommodate anyone in need of a “press-n-curl” on-the-go.
Mary also had a special relationship with her “sister-in-Christ,” Mrs. Florence Johnson, whose friendship began almost 70 years ago and will last for eternity.
On May 31, 2025, Mary Elizabeth “Libby” Ross was called home to be with the Lord, surrounded by the love of her cousin and devoted friend.
Preceding Mary in death were her devoted husband, Minister Lawrence Ross; parents, Annie Eva and Ernest James Lewis; and brother, Wilbur Stewart.
She leaves to cherish her memory two stepdaughters, Desiree D. Paige and Tracey L. Ross (the late Bret) Lynch; grandsons, C. Corey R. Price, Christopher L. Paige Sr., and Cameron L. Paige; five great grandchildren; one sister, Patricia (Jerome) Watson of Clarksville, Virginia; one brother, Ernest “Jerry” (Rose) Lewis Jr. of Hickory, North Carolina; one sister-in-law, Bess (the late Wilbur) Stewart of San Antonio, Texas, and a host of loving cousins, friends, and her extended Calvary Baptist Church family.
Mrs. Ross will Lie in Repose on Thursday, June 12, 2025, 5 PM – 8 PM, at Calvary Baptist Church, 1184 Genesee Street, Buffalo, New York 14211, where the family will receive friends on Friday, June 13, 2025, 10 AM. Funeral to follow at 11 AM. Interment Forest Lawn Cemetery.
