Mary Jo Alley

Mary Jo was born on Aug. 22, 1928, in Thomaston, Ga., the daughter of Lamar and Louise Kelly. They taught her the value of hard work, and to love the church – even if they were staunch Baptists and Mary Jo found her place in the Presbyterian pew. She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Thomaston. She went on to Asheville-Biltmore Junior College in Asheville, where she landed more than an education. It was there she met fellow student Charles Alley, who fondly recalls beating another fellow to the punch. They were married on July 17, 1948, and settled in Charlotte around 1960 when Charles’ work took him here.

What a fulfilling life Mary Jo enjoyed. She taught school in Molena, Ga., and Fairview, N.C., and worked as a crossing guard at Selwyn Elementary and Alexander Graham Middle schools. But family was at the heart of her life. The Alleys raised three children and were blessed by four grandchildren and three great-grandchldren. They found a church home at historic Sharon Presbyterian in the SouthPark area. Mary Jo was elected an Elder and earned lifetime membership in the Women of the Church. Together, they became beloved fixtures.

Mary Jo is survived by her husband, Charles; three adult children – Martha Branden and her husband, Jim, of Charlotte, Susan Alley of Charlotte, and Thomas Alley and his wife, Carole, of Weddington; four grandchildren – Laura Palmeri and her husband, Martin, Virginia Branden, Jordan Hasenmayer and her husband, Jeff, and Joanna Alley; three great-grandchildren – Frank Palmeri, Charles Palmeri and Maria Palmeri; her younger brother, Ed Kelly, and his wife, Myris, of Thomaston, Ga.; several nieces and nephews – Mark Kelly and his wife, Karan, Kris Kelly, Fredrica Martin and her husband, Bill, and Beverly Alley; and several grand-nieces and their children.

A service to celebrate her life will be at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, May 6, at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, led by Rev. Ron Nelson. Visitation follows in the church chapel.

A gift in Mary Jo’s memory can be made to the Esther Brown Fund at Sharon Presbyterian Church, 5201 Sharon Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28210; or Presbyterian Hospice & Palliative Care, 200 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, N.C. 28204.

The family is deeply grateful for the love and kindness shown by friends, and everyone connected with the Harris Hospice Unit at Presbyterian Hospital.

Mary Jo enjoyed sewing, needlepoint, quilting, cooking and being a homemaker. They loved their getaway house on Lake Wylie. Like Mary Jo’s life, there was nothing fancy about it. It was a place to enjoy the peaceful view and maybe a barbecue dinner with family and friends, and to thank God for His many blessings.