Birth Date: 04/28/1939
Deceased Date: 03/17/2023
Mary Eleanor York Calvert, age 85 of Clayton, NC passed away on March 17, 2023 at the SECU Hospice House of Johnston County in Smithfield, North Carolina. Mary was preceded in death by her husband John E. Calvert Jr., her parents, Orlando and Alice York, and one brother, John York.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Alicia Calvert Clinton, her grandson, Paul York Clinton and his Fiancée Megan Mathews, all of Clayton, North Carolina, along with dear friends, Kim, Randy and Cole Hogge, and Gayle Judy, all from the low country in South Carolina. The family would like to thank Mary’s caregiver, Becky Sanders of Smithfield, NC, for the love and compassion she gave to Mary for over three years.
Mary was born on April 28, 1937 at her Grandmother’s home in Ellenboro, North Carolina to parents, Orland Melvin York and Alice Harrell York. She graduated from Limestone College with a BS Degree in Education and completed her Masters in Education from Furman University, in Greenville, South Carolina. During her career, Mary was an Elementary and Middle School teacher in both North and South Carolina. She was a Guidance Counselor, a School Psychologist, and the Director for the Handicapped Programs. Mary worked for more than forty years in the school system. She, along with her husband, John, were often heard telling students that they could be anything they wanted to be in life with hard work and dedication.
Mary loved her family and was a loving Mother and Grandmother. Mary married John E. Calvert Jr. in 1958 and they were married for 63 years. The couple had one child together (Alicia) who was the apple of her their eyes. Mary had one grandson (York) who she loved and adored to the moon and back! Mary and York shared many great memories in the kitchen, where she taught him to cook and drink coffee at three years old. York’s favorite thing to make with Mary were sausage balls.
Mary was a dedicated and active woman who was deeply involved in helping others in any way she could. Her love for educating others gave her great pleasure. Mary loved playing Bridge with her low country ladies. Mary also loved going to Gatlinburg on vacation with her family and friends, where she would eat chocolate turtles from the Smokey Bear Candy Kitchen, and a good steak from the Peddler Steak House, and enjoyed watching loved ones play putt putt. Mary’s family and friends will always remember her by her beautiful smile and caring gestures. She never met a stranger.
A celebration of life will be determined at a later time for family and close friends.
Donations in memory of Mary E. Calvert can be sent to: SECU Hospice House of Johnston County, PO Box 1376, Smithfield, NC 27577.
Condolences may be sent to the family at parrishfh.com
