Mary Ann Stallings Farrior

Birth Date: 10/06/1939
Deceased Date: 08/23/2025

Mary Ann Stallings Farrior, age 85, of Smithfield, NC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, on August 23, 2025, at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

Mary Ann was born on October 6, 1939, in Smithfield, NC, to the late Callin Millard Stallings and Lily Patterson Stallings. Though born and raised in Smithfield, she spent nearly 25 years in Pennsylvania before returning home to North Carolina, where she lived for the remainder of her life.

A lifelong learner and passionate educator, Mary Ann graduated from Salem College before earning her master’s degree from Wake Forest University. She devoted her career to teaching at the primary, secondary, and collegiate levels, where she was admired not only for her knowledge and skill but also for the compassion, patience, and unwavering commitment she showed to every student.

She took particular pride in advancing opportunities for high-achieving learners, making lasting contributions to Advanced Placement and gifted and talented programs. Her work at the AIG center left a meaningful legacy in the minds of her students, as did her innovative Learning Outside the Box afterschool program, which she lovingly hosted in her own home.

Beyond her professional life, Mary Ann remained deeply engaged in her community. She was a strong advocate and long-standing precinct chair for the Democratic Party, championing civic engagement and social responsibility. She found joy and peace at the Outer Banks, often accompanied by her beloved Golden Retriever, Alex. Whether in the classroom, in her community, or at the beach, she lived with a spirit of service, always ready to stand beside the underdog and nurture those around her.

Mary Ann will be remembered for her brilliance, resilience, sharp wit, and the deep love she held for her family and friends. Her legacy of compassion, advocacy, and education will live on in the countless lives she touched and the many students she inspired.

She is survived by her son, David Stallings Farrior; her daughter, Sarah Calloway Aksan; her brother, C. Millard Stallings; and her sister, Patti Stallings. She is also lovingly remembered by her nieces and nephew: Betsy Stallings Pippin, Amy Stallings Keith, and Johnnie Pippin; as well as by her cherished grandchildren, Lily and Emre Calloway Aksan, and Olivia and Eric Anderson. In addition, she is survived by her grandnephew, Callin Keith; and her grandnieces, Crissie Keith, and Ellie and Riley Pippin, all of whom brought her great joy.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, September 6, from 5–7 p.m. at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma. A graveside service will follow on Sunday, September 7, at 2 p.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Smithfield.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children or the North Carolina Democratic Party. Above all, Mary Ann’s greatest legacy is the love she gave to her family and the inspiration she instilled in generations of students.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at Parrishfh.com