Mary Zola Hurt

Mary Zola Qualls Hurt was the oldest child born to the late Robert E. Qualls and Cornelia Posey Qualls, on July 24, 1938, in Caretta, West Virginia.  She entered Heaven’s gates in peace on Wednesday, June 5, 2019, in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Mary, affectionately known as, “Tiny” was educated in the West Virginia school district. She attended Caretta Grade School and Excelsior High School. 

After leaving West Virginia, Mary spent most of her life in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. For many years she served at Calvary Baptist Church, on the Senior Usher Board, as Youth Usher Board Leader and was the Food Bank Coordinator.

Due to the death of her mother at the age of 12, she became the surrogate mother, of her younger five sisters and two brothers. She helped to motivate her siblings to continue their education and insured the unity and bond that exist with them until this day. They spent summers with her and she made sure they always received school clothing for the start of each school year. 

Mary united in matrimony with William Hurt in 1974.

She began her work life later when her siblings were older and her children became adults. Mary enjoyed her tenure at Kaufman’s Department Store, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a Merchandise Co-Ordinator. The job complimented her style and grace for fashion and she wore it well.

Tiny was the Caregiver of many. Her Ministry Gift of Helpswas always present. As she studied and built her foundation in Christ, she became more aware of her Gift of Helps. Thus, she never wavered her faith in God. Wherever there was a need, God’s Nurse Nightingalefulfilled that need.  She has cared for family, friends and countless others in many different compacities. She realized more than 20 years ago that there was a need to assist her brother Robert E. Qualls, Jr. in the care of his wife, her sister-in-law, Doris Alberta Qualls (now deceased), in Washington DC.              

Later she would move to Orangeburg South Carolina and became a permanent resident.

She loved traveling and didn’t mind getting on the Greyhound bus. Every year during the summer she was always packed and ready to go to The National Baptist Church Convention.

Grand Ma, Tiny, Auntie, Mae Zola as she was affectionately known, was a good cook, says the grands; Dawn, LaShawn, Krystal, Michael…, her nieces, nephews, siblings and friends

Tiny was preceded in death by her parents, Robert E. Qualls Sr. and Cornelia Posey Qualls; husband, William Hurt, brother; Avery B Belcher, son; Rashid Abdul (aka Cecil Charles Henley), grandson; Samuel E. Henley Jr.; sisters, Alberta Hutcherson and Louevenia Annelle Quash (Tweedle).  

She will truly be missed and forever remembered by: her daughter, Rhoda A. Montgomery; and son, Samuel E. Henley Sr; two brothers, Robert E. Qualls, Orangeburg, South Carolina, Frank Qualls (Constance) Lancaster, New York; three sisters: Brenda Ernestine Qualls Watkins (Timpy/The Boss) Cleveland, Ohio; Beverly Annelle Haynes Upper Marlboro, Maryland, and Rosetta Qualls Russell Chattanooga, Tennessee; a host of Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, a Great, Great Grandchild and numerous nephews, nieces, two brother-in-laws, her dear friend - Prayer Warrior Ruth Mooney, neighbors Curtis and Anna McClendon along with her Bethany Full Gospel Church Family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Zola Hurt, please visit our floral store.