Burrell was born in August 1865 in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Beverly and Lucy Cary (or Carey).

[2][5] Mary Burrell and her husband were early members of the Grand Fountain of the United Order of True Reformers, a fraternal organization which grew to offer insurance, banking services, real estate services, a retirement home, and educational opportunities to members.

[6] She organized social gatherings in her home in Richmond, with prominent guests who included Booker T.

Mary Burrell and her husband relocated to New Jersey, where they resumed their work building social organizations.

[8] Mary Burrell was involved in women's suffrage, and later worked on get-out-the vote programs and various political organizations.