Mary Moore Brasington

Mary Moore Brasington passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 31, 2026, at the age of 85, in her Asheville, North Carolina home, with her beloved husband, Mark Flynn, by her side. Born in Columbia, South Carolina on January 2, 1941, Mary spent her childhood and young adult life in Cheraw, SC, before later making Asheville her home in retirement.

Mary’s life was a beautiful symphony of generosity, compassion, and extraordinary musical talent. A gifted musician and true child prodigy, she displayed remarkable musical ability as soon as she could reach the piano. Blessed with the rare gift of absolute perfect pitch, she amazed family and teachers by playing songs after hearing them only once. At just sixteen years old, she was recognized throughout South Carolina for her exceptional accomplishments as a pianist, organist, accompanist, and musician. Her teachers described her as one of the finest sight-readers they had ever known and recognized in her a rare and remarkable gift.

Mary continued to pursue her passion for music throughout her life, earning her Master’s Degree in Music from Florida State University. She dedicated her career to inspiring others through music, serving as a music teacher, piano instructor, chorus and choir director, respected accompanist, and organist. She faithfully taught generations of students in the Chesterfield County School District and served for many years as organist at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cheraw, South Carolina.

A woman of deep Christian faith, Mary believed music was one of God’s greatest gifts — a language capable of bringing comfort, joy, hope, and healing. She lived her faith quietly but powerfully, not only through the hymns she played but through the compassion she showed to everyone she met. She welcomed people without regard to background, or circumstance and gave generously of her time, talents, and often her last dollar, believing people were life’s greatest treasure. Material possessions never mattered as much as time spent with those she loved.

Nothing brought Mary greater joy than her family. She cherished every moment with her grandchildren, faithfully driving them to lessons, practices, games, and activities, always encouraging them. In her later years, she found deep companionship and enduring love with her husband, Mark Flynn.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Walter Leroy and Nettie Olivia Moore Brasington, and her beloved son, Franklin L. Andrews, III. She is survived by her loving husband, Mark Flynn; her daughter, Lesli Carol Andrews, and son-in-law, John Kuhns; her grandson, Nick Odom and his wife, Kori Odom, and great grandson, Elijah; her granddaughter, Madison Odom and her husband, Michael Chado; her granddaughter, Alexa Odom; her sister, Anne Wright, and brother-in-law, Theodore Wright; nieces, Lara Horvith, Catherine Mossburg, and nephew Edward Wright, and their families.

For eighty-five years, Mary’s life was a hymn of faith, generosity, and love. Long after the final note has been played, her melody lives on—in the students she inspired, the family she cherished, the church she faithfully served, and the countless lives forever changed by her gift of music and her kindness. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” — Matthew 25:23

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mary’s memory to Give To The Music at https://givetothemusic.org and Meals on Wheels of Buncombe County at https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mowoaabci/ . The family will hold a Celebration of Life with more details forthcoming.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Cheraw, South Carolina Saturday September 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM with a reception to follow.

Groce Funeral Home’s Lake Julian team is assisting the family.