Mary Louise Burdick 89 of St. Petersburg passed away Tuesday, December 18, 2018. Mary was born in Darlington, South Carolina and was one of six children born to Ellen Stokes Blackmon and William Bruce Blackmon. She married Ralph Carl Burdick on October 23 1953 and daughter Carla was born to them a few years later. She was a member of Clearview United Methodist Church which she loved greatly. She attended services there and often ushered on Sundays. She participated in activities such as gatherings and pot luck suppers in the fellowship hall. Many folks would always try to get some of her delicious casseroles or desserts before they ran out. She loved roses and flowers and enjoyed gardening at her home in St. Petersburg. For many years Mary ran a licensed child care for working folks from her home. All her "kids" and their parents considered Mary part of their family and were grateful for her kindness and loving care to their children. Mary was the loving mother of Carla Shelden of Palm Harbor, FL and her husband, Eric; the sister of Alvin "Sonny" Blackmon of Hartsville, South Carolina and his children (her niece and nephew) Belinda and Bruce Blackmon; devoted grandmother to Christina Austin of Athens, GA, Warren Austin of Tazewell, Tennessee, and Miranda Austin of St. Petersburg, FL. We hope you will join the family and friends for a gathering at the funeral home on Saturday, January 5, 2019, from 1 pm – 2 pm. The service will be held at 2 pm with Reverend Jackie McMillian, former pastor of Clearview, presiding.