Mary Gardiner Jervey Shields

Mary Gardiner Jervey Shields, resident of Durham, NC, was born on February 28, 1946, in Greenville, SC. She passed away peacefully on September 16, 2026, from heart failure at the age of 80, with her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter at her side. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, William Benjamin Shields, Jr. (Bill), who passed away on August 16, 2012; her parents, James Wilkinson Jervey Jr. and Laura Aletta Wood Jervey; and her siblings James Wilkinson Jervey III and Alletta Wood Jervey. She is survived by her son, Taylor Halstead Shields; daughter-in-law, Mindy Suzanne Hamilton Shields; granddaughter, Maris Gardiner Shields; her brother, Edward Darrell Jervey II, MD; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

Mary and Bill met in the fall of 1967 at the Christ Church coffeehouse in Greenville, SC, and were married there on August 17, 1968. She and Bill loved hiking and camping, and in the early summer of 1970 set off on a cross-country tent-camping trip from Minnesota toward the Pacific Coast. On June 28, 1970, Bill was injured as a passenger in an auto accident, suffering a C5-6 spinal cord injury and living for 42 years thereafter as a quadriplegic.

Despite their health challenges, Mary and Bill loved and supported each other, and both built careers helping people with disabilities. Mary worked as a special education teacher, parent trainer, and advocate for children with developmental disabilities. She always said she learned more from her families than they did from her. Awarded a full scholarship to UNC, Mary earned her Master of Public Health and M.A. in Special Education in 1986.

Through every chapter of her life, Mary never stopped dreaming. One of her greatest wishes was to have a child after Bill’s accident—a dream that came true when she and Bill adopted Taylor at nine months old. Anchored by her unwavering devotion to family, friends, and faith, Mary brought light to everyone around her through her caring spirit and creative heart. She is now at peace, reunited with her beloved Bill, and forever held in the hearts of those she cherished.

A memorial meeting for worship will be held on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Durham Friends Meeting, 404 Alexander Ave, Durham, NC.