Mary Jo Blalock Clontz

Marion, NC

Mary Jo Blalock Clontz, 96, passed away September 17, 2016, at Givens Estates Health Center in Asheville, NC, where she was affectionately known as “Nana Jo” by all the loving and caring staff.

Mary Jo was born in Haywood County, on August 22, 1920, to the late Joseph W. Blalock and Kathleen Jackson Blalock, moving at an early age to Marion, where she spent the remainder of her life. She was a graduate of Glenwood High School where she was a stand-out basketball player. She was married to the late James Robert Clontz, who died in 1993. She was also preceeded in death by her infant son, Joseph Shuford Clontz and a 3 year old brother, Charles Eugene Blalock.

Surviving are her son, Eugene Robert Clontz and wife, Eva, of Asheville; daughter Judith Carol Morosani and husband, George, of Asheville; and son, Larry James and wife, Angela, of Decatur, Alabama; one brother, George Blalock of Hampstead, NC; one sister, Nancy Collins of Salisbury, NC; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Mary Jo was very active in her church and community having membership at an early age in Harmony Grove Baptist Church and later in Cross Memorial Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for many years and served as Librarian. She was a member for 66 years. Many older members credit her for a positive and unforgettable influence in their lives. She coached basketball teams at Eugene Cross Elementary School and was President of the PTA for several years.

She was especially fond of her neighbor and sister-in-law, Lora Rae Clontz.

Mary Jo walked in the way of the Lord and He gave her a long and bountiful life witnessed and admired by so many. She is gone, but only out of sight.

The funeral service will be held on Tuesday, September 20, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Kirksey Funeral Home, 69 N. Main St., Marion, NC, with Reverend Ed Hillman, Director of Ministry, Givens Estates, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Harmony Grove Baptist Church in Nebo, NC.

Memorials may be made to: Magical Moments Therapeutic Riding Center, 3288 Harmony Grove Rd., Nebo, NC, 28761