Mary Noel Lashley

On Sunday, March 4, 2018, Mary Noel Foley Lashley went home to be with her Savior and her Lord. 

A funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Thursday, March 8th, at Fair Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Ridgeview Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service (10 - 11 AM) at the funeral home.

Mary was a much revered Mother, Mother in Law, Sister, Aunt, Grandmother and Great Grandmother whom always chose unconditional love for all of her family. Through her understanding of her Savior and his abiding love for all who sought Him, she was the center and strength of her whole family. Mary had a compassion for all people, regardless of race, color, religion, or wealth, and she demonstrated that compassion throughout her life. She taught her family early on that all of God’s creation was beautiful and worthy of respect and honor. If anyone needed help, if she could, she provided it. This was learned early on by going with her father, Noel Foley, and quietly blessing anyone he found in need. 

Mary was a brilliant duplicate bridge player and achieved her Bronze Life Master. She traveled to many states and won many accolades for her accomplishments. However, when her fellow partners were asked to comment, they said that her goal was to help them achieve their goals, many times traveling in partnership with them long after her goal had been reached.

Mary was also an avid tennis player in her healthy years and won many tournaments. Many fond family memories are of playing tennis and laughing together.

Mary was her family’s hero. She bravely fought her heart disease, her strokes, her blindness, and her bone on bone hip. Her loss of mobility was also handled with more grace than even thought possible. Mary never said what she couldn’t do, she only capitalized on how thankful she was for what she could do.

Mary and her husband Bill owned and operated Lashley’s INC Clothing Store in the downtown Leaksville section of Eden. She was active in the operation and administration of the store as well as an avid buyer of clothes and jewelry at a New York office as well as the Charlotte Market.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Noel and Elsie Foley, her precious husband of 63 years, William Daniel Lashley Jr. (Bill), her brother, Dr. William Webster Foley (Bill), and her sister Hazelteen Foley Sims.

Mary is survived by her daughter, Debra Lynn Lashley Jones and husband Larry Wayne Jones of Greensboro, NC , daughter, Lisa Lashley Stone and husband William Sheldon Stone (Bill), of Cookeville, TN, grandson Dr. Matthew Daniel Stone MD, wife Ali LeAnn Stone, and great granddaughters Lashley Ryan Stone and Gwendolyn Dawn Stone (arriving in August)of Knoxville, TN. Mary is also survived by a dear sister, Sara Foley Hans and her husband Dan Hans ,of Inverness, FL, as well as 3 much loved nephews, Steve Sims, Brian Foley, and Chris Foley, all of North Carolina.

Mary felt so blessed to live to be 91 years young and treasured every moment. When asked, Mary stated that she wanted her legacy to be a legacy of love. Even with all of our grief, all of us, her family, rejoice that Mary’s legacy will live on forever in our hearts and minds. 

Mary had a great love and compassion for the well being of all animals. She especially cherished her grand dogs and grand cats. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Guilford County Animal Shelter. 4525 West Wendover Ave. Greensboro, NC, 27409. (336) 641-3400.

Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com