Mary Jacqueline Stevenson Lineberger

Mary was the daughter of the late John and Oleta Stevenson of New Bern, NC. She graduated from Jasper High School in New Bern and majored in Religion and Philosophy at Greensboro College. She started her career as Director of Christian Education at Centenary United Methodist Church of New Bern.

In 1960, she married Reverend James W. Lineberger. As newlyweds, they were on the staff at the Methodist Retirement Home in Durham, NC, where Mary Jac was Director of Religious and Social Life.

She had a career of over thirty years in the Department of Social Services in three different counties: Person, Onslow and the last twenty five years as Deputy Director of Social Services in Wake County.

She enjoyed many volunteer opportunities. She served on the Board of Directors of the Mothers and Their Children Program, where she was named Chairman of the Board three times and was named Volunteer of the Year in 2001. She was also named Employee of the Year of the North Carolina Social Services Association in 1987. Being a teacher by deed, she found great delight in sharing sewing, cooking and embroidery skills with children. She and Wiggles were a Certified Therapy Dog Team.

She was loved and cherished by many. She developed many close friendships over a forty year period through her women’s group, the Esther Circle, and was known as the “Neighborhood Grandma”.

She was predeceased by her parents, her infant brother Edwin Glenn, brother John J. Stevenson, Jr. and her daughter, Ruth Oleta Lineberger.

She is survived by her husband, Jim Lineberger and extended family of nieces, nephews and cousins, her sister-in-law, and many, many close friends.

Mary Jac was a champion in her life-long dedication to the needs of others and unmatched in her service to her family and those around her.

A memorial service will be held 2pm Saturday, November 2, 2013 at First United Methodist Church of Cary, 117 S. Academy Street, Cary, NC 27511. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Cary.

Condolences may be sent to www.BrownWynneCary.com