Born in Iredell County on February 9, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Floyd Franklin Warren and Pauline Cashion. She graduated from Statesville Senior High School, where she played on the basketball team.
Above all, Mary Lois was a kind and caring soul who nurtured everyone around her. She was a devoted mother to her children and loving grandmother to her grandchildren. They remember Mammaw’s house as a place filled with snacks, playtime and family gatherings. She made sure no one ever left her home hungry and always greeted those she loved with a warm smile and a hug.
Mary Lois helped open Harmony Hardware Store in the 1960s, which operated for almost a decade before becoming Modern Dress & Fabric. There she worked as a seamstress alongside her mother-in-law. Later in life she worked at J.P. Stevens in Turnersburg, NC, which became Gulistan Carpet.
She was also deeply involved in the V-Point Ruritan Club, where she was best known for making the sausage gravy at the club’s benefit breakfasts. In recognition of her dedication to the community, she was honored as Grand Marshal of the Harmony Christmas Parade.
Mary Lois was a faithful member of Harmony Methodist Church, where she was an active participant in her Sunday School class until her declining health prevented her from attending.
Mary Lois was preceded in death by her beloved husband and the love of her life, Bobby Wayne Starnes; her parents; two brothers, Floyd Warren Jr. and Jack Warren; and two sisters, Phyllis Ann Myers and Sylvia Diane Warren.
She is survived by her children Gene Powers and wife Shari; Jimmy Powers and wife Tana; Yvonne Messick and husband Straw; her grandchildren: Amanda Loftis and husband Ben, Troy Powers and wife Laura, Bobbi Kay Messick, Tyler Ladd and wife Brittany, Justin Powers and wife Savannah, Dylan Ladd & Liz, Courtney Powers, Lynze Hargitt and husband Jarrett; her great-grandchildren: Garrett, Connor & Ella Loftis; Laiklyn & Reese Powers; Zakre, Emma-Jade, Sylas & Maverik Ladd; Jase & Amberley Powers; Paisley Stumbo; one sister, Marcus White; and numerous extended family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Harmony Methodist Church, Harmony, North Carolina, at 1:00 pm on Friday, July 31, 2026. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 am until just prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Harmony Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Harmony Methodist Church.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com
Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with the care of Ms. Starnes and her family.
