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Mary Loftis McMurray, 94, of Black Mountain passed away May 5, 2018 at Givens Highland Farms.
Native of Clinton, SC, she was the daughter of Samuel Belton Loftis and Adeline Huggins Loftis. Mary was a graduate of Clinton High School and Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where she majored in English. She married William Harvey McMurray, Jr. on May 5, 1945 who she met at Presbyterian College. After World War II, they settled in Swannanoa, NC where Bill joined his father at McMurray Chevrolet Company.
Mary was first and foremost a mother and homemaker, but was also very active in community affairs. She was a member at First Presbyterian Church of Swannanoa, and later a member of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church where she was a Deacon. She served for many years as a guest speaker for the Christian Woman’s Clubs in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. She was a member of Presbyterian Women PCUSA and received an Honorary Life Membership in 2005.
She was a charter member of the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League. Mary was a well known artist in Black Mountain. A gallery at the Red House Studios and Gallery, in Black Mountain, was named in her honor. She was a member of the Tea and Topic Book Club and an avid bridge player.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. McMurray, Jr.; her sister, Eva Nelle Bowman; brother, Frank Huggins Loftis; and daughter, Mary Elizabeth McMurray.
Mary is survived by her sister, Nanette and husband Bob Bollinger of Gibsonia, PA; sister-in-law, Betty Rand and husband Joe of Black Mountain, NC; her children, Bill and wife Ann of Lexington, NC, Bob and wife Pam of Black Mountain, NC, Cathy Skeen and husband Stan of Swannanoa, NC, David and wife Sarah of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Mary Beth and husband John Hoomani, Brooke and husband Justin Wheeles, Laura Farish, Sarah and husband Nathan West, Matt Skeen and wife Salam, Lucy Skeen, Katie and husband Chris Pyle, and Brown McMurray; and eleven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be held Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 2:00 PM at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church with Rev. Mary Katherine Robinson officiating.
The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League, Attn: Cathy Skeen, 350 Bee Tree Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778 or the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, PO Box 39, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

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