Obituary of Mary Burnside Briley

MARY ALICE (ME-ME) BURNSIDE BRILEY Mary Alice (Me-Me) Burnside Briley died June 6, 2012 at her home in Charlotte, NC. She was born March 23, 1927 in Greenwood, SC to the late John Edward Burnside and Ellen Newton Burnside. Me-Me moved to Charlotte with her parents in 1938. She attended Eastover School, Alexander Graham and Central High. She went on to graduate from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. After returning to Charlotte, Me-Me married Morton LeBaron Church, Jr. in 1949. They raised five children and remained together until Morton?s death in 1986. In 1988, Me-Me wed Charles Nathaniel Briley. They had been married for 23 years when Charlie passed away in August 2011. Me-Me was a member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church where she served as an Elder. She was a member of the Junior League of Charlotte, the Charlotte Debutante Club and the Mint Museum Auxiliary. Me-Me is survived by her children, Morton (Ty) LeBaron Church, III and wife Jayne Coley, Helen Church Peery and husband Walt, Mary (Bunny) Church Berdick and husband Ed, Edward Bradford Church and wife Elisabeth, and John Warren Church and wife Marta. Also surviving are three stepchildren, Allison Briley Matthews and husband Bobby, Charles Nathaniel Briley, Jr. and wife Amy, and Laura Briley Ridge and husband Scott. Me-Me?s grandchildren are Walton Stewart Peery, IV and wife Ellen, Elliott LeBaron Peery and wife Jen, Mary Alice Day Perry Palmer and husband George, Edward Bradford Church, Jr., Margaret Burnside Church, Claire Lindsay Church, Skyler Crye, Robert Christopher Matthews, Charles Nathaniel Briley, III, Robert Caleb Briley, Ethan Jarrell Briley and Kaylin Joanne Ridge. She also leaves behind her cherished ?Bride?s Maids.? Me-Me?s brother John Edward Burnside, Jr. preceded her in death. A celebration of Me-Me?s life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, June 9, 2012 at Myers Park Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Visitation will be on Friday, June 8, 2012 from 4:30 until 6:00 PM in the Clubhouse at the Cypress of Charlotte, 3442 Cypress Club Dr., Charlotte, NC 28210. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Carolyn Davis, Dr. Lori Taylor and Dr. Edward McMillian. Me-Me will be remembered for her love of family and the beach. Memorials may be made to Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte, NC 28207 or Presbyterian Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 33549, Charlotte, NC 28233.