Mary Carolyn (Nelson) Oxendine

Mrs. Mary Carolyn Oxendine, 78, of Laurinburg, went to her heavenly home January 24, 2023.

Mary was born November 29, 1944 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, loving daughter of the late John Nelson and Doris Wilton Nelson. Mary was a dedicated coworker and friend. She was known for her bookkeeping and accounting abilities, working for Eaton Corporation, Scottish Food Systems, Sinclair Lumber Company, and retiring from The Morgan Company in Laurel Hill. Mary enjoyed cooking and various crafting projects. She readily shared her homemade cakes and peanut brittle with others. Mary taught herself embroidery on her sewing machine and spent hours decorating towels, dinner napkins, and baby blankets for friends and family, always free of charge. She will be remembered for her giving nature, laughter, enjoyment of country and gospel music, and confident faith in Christ and assurance of eternal life through him.

Family brought her the greatest fulfillment. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Harold “Mickey” Tilley and John Nelson Jr., and husbands, Bill Blue Sr. and Alton Raybon Oxendine, to whom she was married 12 and 48 years, respectively. Many will remember Mary and “Mr. Ray” always eating together at their favorite local restaurants and the humor between them.  

Left to rejoice in her memory is her children: Bill Blue Jr. (Cheryl) of Southern Pines, Scott Avery Blue of the home, and Mark Raybon Oxendine (Melanie) of Laurinburg. Mary was a selfless and giving mother, who made her children the focus of her life. Her heart was her grandchildren and great-grandchild: Brandy Strickland, Mark Raybon Oxendine II, Madison Leigh Oxendine, Bryce Ashley Oxendine, and Anthony Williams. She will be remembered as “Grammy,” Grandma, and “GG.” She was happiest spoiling them with trips for food and having them gathered together with her on her couch or recliner.

Mary will be missed greatly by all who loved her and experienced life with her.

Funeral services to celebrate her life will be conducted 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 29, 2023 at The Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Drs. Scott A. Blue and Jim Morgan. Burial will follow at the Hillside Memorial Park.  The family will receive guests from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service on Sunday at Richard Boles Funeral Service.

The family requests memorial donations be given in Mary’s name to Autism Speaks at www.autismspeaks.org.

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