Mary Conner Shaft
January 5, 2010 ~ January 5, 2010
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Mary A. Conner Shaft, 99, of Asheville, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family and went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, January 5th.
She was born in the Emma Community of West Asheville to the late Robert H. Conner and Lydia Embler Conner. She graduated from Emma High School in 1929 and was an active member of the basketball team that she loved.
She married Marcus “Monk” Shaft in February, 1937 and they had almost 73 wonderful years together.
She worked at Mars and Asheville Hosiery Mill, but her main focus was taking care of her family that included six children to whom she was always a source of strength, inspiration and a wonderful Christian example. She was a faithful member of the Cornerstone Church of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and a past member of the Whatsoever Bible Class, both which she dearly loved.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers; Ted, Lewis “Shorty”, James and William Conner. She was also preceded in death by her son, Charles, daughter, Barbara and granddaughter, Suzanne.
Mrs. Shaft is survived by her husband, Marcus “Monk” Shaft, sons, Jack Shaft and wife, Linda of Atlanta, GA and Rick Shaft and wife, Edith of Knoxville, TN; daughters, Mary Martin and husband David of Asheville, and Natalie Shaft of the home. She is also survived by her brother, Jack Conner and wife, Evelyn of Union Grove, NC, and sisters, Reva Maye Barker and Edith Slagle of Asheville. She had five grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family wishes to thank all the caregivers including CarePartners and Hospice who came to the home to assist Mrs. Shaft and make her last months so wonderful.
A celebration of her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Cornerstone Church, 12 South French Broad Avenue, with the Revs. Jeff Hober and Charlie Sams officiating. Interment will follow at Pisgah View Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue.
Flowers are welcome and memorials can be made to Cornerstone Church in honor of Mrs. Shaft.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
We would like to extend our sincere condolences on the passing of Mrs. Shaft. She always made me feel welcome in her home. I remember our lunches on the porch and the hugs she always extended upon arriving and leaving.What a wonderful example of a Godly woman. Our thoughts are with you at this time and pray God will comfort you.
Love,
Faron & Karen Porshia
We will sure miss our Mama Shaft. She was such a warm and wonderful woman. I have so many fond memories of her. She was my other mother and I loved her dearly as I do the family. She may be gone from this earth but her love is forever in our hearts.
My thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time.
Dear Natalie & Family,
You’ve been in our thoughts and prayers for some time. I know you will miss your Mother, she always had such a sweet smile. The comfort we have is the assurance that she is in heaven by her testimony and love of Jesus Christ.
You have our sympathy and love,
Gwen & Dean Hammes
Rick and Edith, I was so sorry to hear about Mrs. Shaft’s passing. What a rich and full life she had! I know she will always be loved and is smiling down on you now.
Dear Monk and Family,
Bob and I send our sincere condolences to all of you. We are so sorry that you have lost such a wonderful lady. We remember your family well and send our love.
Audie Bard Bayer
Rick, Edith and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. What great stories and memories you have of your ‘Mommer’.
She was blessed with a great family that loved her very much.
God bless you,
Kim and Chip Plemmons
What a sweet and beautiful lady. I know she will be missed. My prayers are with you, and hope everyone can cherish the precious memories you have of Mrs. Shaft.
Dear Monk, and family
I send my sincere condolences, along with thoughts and prayers. Mary was such a wonderful lady, and she will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.
We worked together for years and I will always remember that time fondly.
I just heard about Mary dying this afternoon and so very sorry that I couldn’t make it to the visitation service tonight. I know you’ll will miss her but you know where she has gone so I’m sure you’ll are very happy for her. You tell Uncle Marcus that I wish someone could have called me and let me know about Mary’s passing, because I don’t take the paper anymore. We love you’ll and if there is anything we can do just let us know.
We were so sorry about Mary’s passing and unable to come to the funeral home tonight. Just found out today that Mary had died. We know she is in a better place, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll won’t miss her. Please give our love to Uncle Marcus and if there is anything we can do do not hesitate to call on us. Love to all.
I am so sorry that we are unable to be with you. Aunt Mary and Uncle Monk have always been a 2nd set of parents to me. They have always loved me and showed it. I love them and will miss her. Love to Sis, Jack, Rick and Natalie.
Natalie and family, you mother was a very special lady. She will be missed. My prayers are with you.
joyce luther-ball (joyce brown)
Dear Marcus, Rick, Natalie & family…Mary was such a bright spot for us. She always made us feel so welcome whether it was in your home or at church.
We love you all and send you prayers of comfort during this time.
Jeff, Dee & the boys
Natalie and family, we were saddened to hear of your mother’s death. She was always such a pleasant person to be around. I know your heart is so heavy right now but you know that she is having a blessed celebration in Heaven. Our love and prayers are with you and your entire family.
Mary and Family:
Our love and prayers to you and your family at the loss of your Mother. She is at peace now; hold onto the precious memories until you meet again.
We love Aunt Mary and Uncle Monk so much. Aunt Mary gave the best hugs and we will miss her sweet smile. We wish we could have made it but please know our love and prayers our with you.
Love,
Brett (a.k.a Roscoe Pico Train)
Valerie and Hunter Barker
Uncle Munk, Natalie, Rick, and Sis,
I am very sorry to hear about Aunt Mary’s passing. I know she is singing with Jesus now! I have many fond memories of Aunt Mary sitting on the piano bench with Nat playing. I would sit at her feet and listen to her sing beautiful hymns.
I wish I could have made it up there for the service. Please let Uncle Munk know that Daisy May loves him very much and wish I could be there for a hug.
Much love and memories,
Brigit (Barker), Chris, Brittany, and Jake Holder
Natalie – So sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I know you will miss her (my Mom went home to be with the Lord in 1985 and I still miss her). You will be in my thoughts and my prayers.
Granpie,
My childhood would not have been complete without you and grandma! For 48 years from childhood to the adult I am today I have had the two of you. Thank you God for such a special gift. Life is going to be empty without Grandma, but I have defiantly decided to walk everyday with God so we can be together for eternity. I love you Granpie, Mom, Rick Nan, & Jack and hope that our love conquers all so that when it is time for us to knock on that door we all do it together.
Love,
Jerrie
To the family of Mary –
It’s been many years since we lived at 38 Dorchester. We would like to extend our condolences to the family. We lost our husband/father 5 years ago but Jesus found him and he will be waiting for us like Mary will be waiting for you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick, Edith and Richard,
So sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. Sorry we did not know in time to visit.
You are in our prayers.