Mary Helen Pyrant, age 90 of Sanford passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2011 at Central Carolina Hospital in Sanford.

She was born on January 9, 1921 in Chatham county to the late D.L. McDuffie Sr. and Ava Ellington McDuffie. She was a member of Grace Christian Church in Sanford. Mary graduated from Bartley-Yancey High School in Caswell County. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

She is survived by two sons: William J. Pyrant, Jr. of Sanford, NC; and Jim Pyrant and wife Kimberly of Sanford, NC; three daughters: Sheron Pyrant Gherlone and husband Leo Labreckque of Sanford, NC; Brenda Pyrant Lloyd of Sanford; and Carol Pyrant Hargrove and husband Robert of Sanford, NC; two sisters: Pauline Holt and Carolyn Talbott both of Sanford; and a brother, Billy McDuffie of Sanford, NC; she is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great granddaughter. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William J. Pyrant, Sr. in November 2010; a son, Donald Ray Pyrant; a son-in-law, John David Lloyd; a sister Geraldine Harrison; and two brothers: Harold McDuffie, and D.L. McDuffie, Jr.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at Miller-Boles Funeral Home Chapel in Sanford with Rev. Bob Yandle and Rev. Gene McDuffie officiating. Burial will follow at Grace Christian Church Cemetery in Sanford.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.