Mary Neely Norris King

Mary Neely King was a truly committed Christian woman who touched the lives of everyone she met for almost 90 years. Mom lived life with a humble and helping spirit, full of grace and love towards all she met along life’s journey. She died peacefully at her home surrounded by her four children and her minister on July 7, 2014. Her Witness to the Resurrection Service will be on July 10, 2014 at White Memorial Church at 11AM. The family will receive friends at Mary Neely’s home on Wednesday, July 9, from 6pm till 9pm, and immediately after the Service in Pickard Hall.

Mary Neely was born in Old Rex Hospital on November 7, 1924. She was predeceased by her loving husband James A. King, her parents Garland C. and Mary B. Norris and her sister Frances Hill Norris. Mary Neely grew up in Cameron Park and attended Wiley School and First Presbyterian Church. She spent her high school years living part of a year in Raleigh and the other part in Lakeland Fla. She attended both Broughton High School and Lakeland High School where she graduated in 1941. She attended Agnes Scott College in Atlanta Ga. and graduated in 1945. Nulla, as she was known by her college friends, started her life- long avocation of helping others by working as a Social Worker in downtown Atlanta.

Mary Neely met Jim King when both were working in Atlanta. On their first date, Jim said “I am going to marry you”. They did on September 27, 1947 in Lakeland Fla. The young couple moved to Raleigh in 1950 so that Dad could join his father-in-law’s Company, the Garland C. Norris Co. Jim and Mary Neely joined White Memorial Church on September 10, 1950. Their marriage was a model of loving devotion and commitment to each other for 57 years.

With four children in five years, (Jimmy married to Joy; Julie married to Tommy Lee; Garland married to Janice and Charles married to Becky) life was never dull. Mom was a devoted mother who attended all sorts of practices, ball games, recitals, and school functions. She even helped the boys deliver the Raleigh Times newspaper, so we could get to football practice on time. Mom and Dad encouraged us to always do our best, to respect others and to follow our dreams.

Mom and Dad were very generous with their time and assets and wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and students. Together they established scholarships at several North Carolina orphanages, and at Peace College, Agnes Scott College, Auburn University and NCSU. Mother took great joy receiving letters of thanks from countless scholarship winners who were able to attend college because of programs that she and Dad created.

Mom had a deep and unwavering faith in God. She trusted in the Lord and lived her life in a quiet and serving manner. White Memorial and the Presbyterian Church were two of her great loves. Mother became Director of Christian Education at White Memorial in 1964. She founded the Wedding Guild and, in the late 60’s, started the Open Houses at the church on Friday nights after Broughton Football Games so that the young people would have a place to gather after the games. She was elected Deacon in 1968 and served as an Elder for numerous terms. Mom served on search committees, Presbytery Committees and taught bible and Sunday School classes for years. In 1980 she was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church.

In addition to raising four children, and her many activities at White Memorial, Mom was a woman of many interests, gifts and talents. She was particularly gifted with her hands. She loved to make things for neighbors, family members and friends. For birthdays, graduations or weddings she would design and make something special; a quilt, a Needle Point piece, a Crocheted hat or a woven fabric from her loom. Each piece would be uniquely special to the persons’ event or accomplishment. True to her giving nature, she served on various Boards including the Board of Glenaire in Cary, the Board of Regents of Barium Springs Home for Children and Peace College. She celebrated each holiday in festive style and welcomed the young “trick or treaters” each Halloween with hand tied bags of goodies.

Mary Neely and Jim loved their grandchildren and great grandchildren and they went to great lengths to make each feel they were the most special person alive. Affectionately known as NeeNee, she is survived by grandchildren and great grandchildren, James A. King, III, his wife Jennifer and their children James IV and Henry; Carol King Milligan and husband Jeffrey; Wesley Batchelor wife Lexie and their daughter Bailey; Christen Batchelor Whitehead and her husband Michael; Gracie King; Lillian King.

Thomas Richard Lee and his son Thomas; Coffield King and his friend Christina; Ruth DeGraaf and her husband Jason their daughter Ella and twin boys Audyn and Patrick; Charles Jesse King.

Mom loved spending time with family and friends at Emerald Isle. She especially enjoyed HOT games of double or triple solitaire where she would take on all challengers and rarely lost. She loved playing bridge and hosting her Bridge Club of over 50 years. She rarely missed a meeting of her neighborhood garden club. She loved helping children and took great delight hearing about the accomplishments of others. Mom had a sweet tooth and believed that everything was better with a little scoop of ice cream on it.

Even though strokes impacted her ability to speak in her later years, she never lost her love for people. She connected with her engaging smile, her interest in the lives of others, and her loving acceptance of all. Although she could not say good bye, she would walk you to the door and blow you a goodbye kiss. You always looked back from the street because she would still be at the door waiting to send one more kiss your way.

Our family offers a special thanks to the loving group of dedicated caregivers who made life easier for Mom after Dad’s death nine years ago. Thank you Lois Robson, Jarsette Denning, Phyllis Brown and Jessica Moore.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to The Building Fund at White Memorial Church; Barium Springs Home for Children; or the J. Frank Neely Scholarship at NCSU.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St. Raleigh.