Mary Elizabeth Mebane

Mary Elizabeth Mebane was born on May 1,1962 as a twin. She died at home on July 16, 2019. She graduated from Brawley Union High School in 1980 and completed 3 years of college at UC Riverside. Mary worked for 28 years in the Riverside Juvenile Justice System, retiring in 2017. Mary was proud that she had an opportunity to positively impact the lives of the children through her employment. In 1962 she and her twin were the first set of Black twins born in the Imperial Valley in 50 years, which generated public interest and news articles. On many occasions the twins have spoken about their very special bond and we as a family acknowledge this.

Mary was always a gracious hostess and loved planning events for family/church family, co-workers and friends. She enjoyed cooking and baking and is famously known for her sweet potato pies and floral arrangements.

More importantly, Mary devoted her life and energy into what we believe she would call her “best work”, her son, Julian. She was proud of Julian and steered him towards all of the positive aspects of life. We believe that she did well and we are proud of the outcome of her efforts.

During the past 30 years we have appreciated her FAITH in God, great sense of humor and her ability to use those 2 things to get her through her dire medical circumstances. We are inspired by her strength and her ability to live life to its fullest. We rest peaceful in the knowledge that God understood the pain and agony that Mary was in and called her Home, and as an obedient daughter she obeyed.

She is survived by her son, Julian Roussell and her twin, Willie Sellers, along with the following siblings: Edith Sellers, Larry Sellers, Donna Sellers, Leatha Sambolah, Debra Whitehead, and her Aunt Mary P. Patterson of Brawley, California and a host of nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her mother Lula Mae Sellers, father Willie Sellers, Sisters Wilma Sims, Carol Robinson, Jeanette Johnson, Edna Patterson and nephew Rian Robinson.

Today we all say that this is not goodbye but until we meet again, sleep well my mother, sister, aunt and friend.