Mary Louise Stuart

Mary Louise Stuart of Charlotte died Friday, October 4, 2013. She was the daughter of the late Sarah Jane and Harry Gray Moyers of Roanoke, Virginia. She is survived by her loving husband of fifty-two years, Alfred Wright Stuart, and her four children, Sarah Park Rankin and husband Richard Rankin, Amy Madison, Julia Martin and husband Darren Martin, and Peter Stuart and his fiancee Elizabeth McGowan. She is also survived by her brothers, Harry Gray Moyers of Vinton, Virginia, and James Moyers of Rhinebeck, New York. In addition, she will be greatly missed by her grandchildren, Louisa and Emily Sloan, Isaac Rankin and his wife Becca Rankin, Will and Anna Madison, Clara Jane and Elizabeth Maynard, and Henry Stuart.

A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Mary Louise graduated from Jefferson High School, and though she spent many decades in Charlotte, always considered herself a Virginian at heart. She fostered and maintained friendships from many places and kept in close and loving contact with an untold host of friends and generations of family. In particular she cherished her relationship with her cousin Jean Carpenter, of Chapel Hill.

Mary Louise had a deep and abiding love for her church home in Charlotte, Trinity Presbyterian Church. After joining in 1967, she spent countless hours in joyful service to the church, serving on the session many times, directing weddings, teaching Sunday School, arranging acres of flowers, preparing and delivering meals, gardening, building props for Vacation Bible School, answering phones, and feeling personally responsible for taking care of anyone who walked through the doors. She particularly loved the church’s annual fall gathering at Montreat.

In addition to her great love of church and family, Mary Louise was active in countless ways small and great throughout her community. She was a devoted volunteer at Nations Ford Elementary School, built many houses for Habitat for Humanity (and had the honor of meeting President Jimmy Carter), served for many years on the Queens University Friends of the Library board. She was a proud, lifelong Democrat and volunteered with several campaigns, transported people to polls, and tirelessly advocated for the people and causes she believed in.

All who loved her cherished her zest for life and her ability to make even the smallest event an occasion and every occasion a celebration. They also cherished her willingness to go anywhere and do anything for them, no matter the place or time. But perhaps most of all, everyone loved her great skill as a baker and cook. She was justly famous for her lemon meringue pies, her pound cakes, and her incredible applesauce. She was surrounded in life by a loving group of friends, all of whom have dozens of “Mary Louise stories” to share. She loved to travel, and her brave and adventurous spirit carried her across the country and abroad.

Mary Louise was a person once met and never forgotten. Everyone in her life feels deep joy in having known her and keen sorrow at her loss. Her family wishes to thank the staff at CMC for their care, compassion, and devoted service during a confusing time.

A memorial service in celebration of her life will be on Monday, October 7, at 2 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Presbyterian Church.