BURLINGTON, NC--Mrs. Mary Nelson Smithwick Hayes, 93 of Burlington, NC passed away on Thursday September 16, 2021 at Liberty Commons in Burlington.

A native of Louisburg, NC, she was the daughter of the late Robert Walter and Dorothy Johnson Smithwick.

Mary loved the Lord and bringing joy to everyone through music. Mary had a love for music starting at a young age being the organist at St. Paul's Episcopal Church when she was 12. She met her husband, the late Clarence F. Hayes, Jr. in the marching band at UNC Chapel Hill. Over the years she taught piano and she and her late husband played in the Alamance County Jazz band where Mary played the trumpet and her husband Clarence played the saxophone.

Mary was a member of Burlington Assembly of God where she served as a church pianist for many years. She was also a member and past president of the local Toastmasters International.

Survivors include: her children, Dorothy S. "Dottie" Hayes, Janet H. Bjork and husband C. Eric, Barbara H. Long, C.F. "Phil" Hayes III and Martha H. Todd and husband Joe; her loving grandchildren, Daniel Bjork, Rebecca Bjork, Mallory Long, Lauren Sims, and her loving nieces and nephews and other loving family members.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Clarence Fillmore Hayes Jr.; a sister, Evelyn S. Turner and her brother, Robert Smithwick Jr.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, September 20, 2021 at Alamance Memorial Park in Burlington with the Pastor Howard Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends from 3 until 5 p.m. on Sunday September 19, 2021 at McClure Funeral Home in Graham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burlington Assembly of God (Music Ministry) at 821 Tucker Street, Burlington, NC 27215. Online condolences may be offered at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net

Paid obituary