Mary Lou Yoder

Known to family and friends as ‘Lou’ she moved to Charlotte in 1963 from the small town of Linville, NC. She began her working career with R.S. Dixon in the Trading Department. Lou then worked with Moroil Technologies for 27 years as Accounting Manager. She retired in November of 2014. Lou had many friends whom she considered family. Her family is forever grateful for the love and support that Lou received from her friends the years she lived in Charlotte, and especially the last months of her life.

Lou lived on her terms and lived as she pleased. Always speaking her mind, sometimes rubbing people the wrong way if they did not want to hear the truth. She cared deeply for her nieces and nephews. She was a great comfort in times of grief, a great listener and was the ‘cool’ aunt that everyone loved.

Lou was a music connoisseur, she especially enjoyed Americana, Bluegrass, and Folk Music. However, she always kept an open mind when it came to artists and their music. Lou befriended many musicians and most became lifelong friends. One of her very favorite singer/songwriters is Darrell Scott, who kindly sent her music and messages during her illness. Lou’s family and friends were always open to Lou’s thoughts on the bands she had discovered because they knew that Lou set the bar extremely high as to what she was willing to listen to or buy a ticket to see. Lou is why the Avett Brothers played their first MerleFest in 2004. It was because Lou, a good friend of the MerleFest talent buyer at the time, encouraged the buyer to come to Charlotte to see the band. Those who knew Lou, will think of her whenever they hear the music that she loved.

Lou was a diehard Duke Basketball fan. She knew everything about the game of Basketball and especially Duke Basketball.

She was a long-time supporter of Public Radio station WNCW in Spindale, NC. She supported and volunteered for various local and regional non-profit music organizations.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Samuel Yoder of Brevard, NC, and Sidney Yoder of Linville, NC. Surviving is sister, Marjorie Arkansas of Cherokee, NC. Goddaughter Lisa Kitterman of Charlotte. Many nieces, and nephews as well as great nieces and nephews. Also survived by her many friends she considered family.

Lou left us with her philosophy of life in these few words, “Live life and Love people.”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays. (loavesandfishes.org) or Crossnore Communities for Children. (crossnore.org/giving-to-crossnore)

Burial and memorial will be at Tanglewood Cemetery, Linville NC. The date to be announced later. McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel is assisting the family.