Mary Marie Williams

Mary Marie Williams, 75, passed away on Tuesday, April 2, 2019.

A native of Burnsville, NC, Mary was a daughter of the late Claude and Glessie Deyton Williams. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Nadine Gonzales, and brother-in-law, Don Brechin.

Mary was an Alpha Chi Honors Sorority member and Magna Cum Laude graduate from Mars Hill College with a double major in English and French. However, she was born an English teacher long before earning her degree. She silently (sometimes!) corrected everyone’s grammar. She could have written the book on etiquette and proper behavior. She was an honorary member of the Lumbee Tribe and was proud to call Yancey and Robeson Counties home. In her spare time, she loved working in her garden, particularly with flowers. Roses were her favorite.

She is survived by her son, Ashley Dickson and wife Tisha; sisters, Rhonda Roland and husband Buddy and Juanelle Brechin; brothers, Dwaine Williams and Gary Williams; grandchildren, Mia Marie Dickson, Liam Wade Dickson, and Antonio Moody; and nieces and nephews, Sarah Williams Allred, Isabelle Williams, Gabriel Williams, Elizabeth Splitter, and Daniel Splitter.

A Celebration of Mary’s Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. Her family will receive friends following the celebration.

Mary was a vegan and was an avid supporter of animal rights, adopting and caring for dozens of animals over the years. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that memorials be made to an animal shelter of one’s choice.