Obituary of Mary Carnes

MARY CORNELIA BURKE CARNES ?MiMi? Mrs. Carnes died peacefully, surrounded by her family, at the Carriage House Medical Care facility on Sunday morning, May 30, 2010. Mary was a resident of the Clare Bridge Place at the Carriage Club since October, 2009. Mary was born at St. Peters? hospital in Charlotte, N.C. on October 09, 1927, the daughter of the late Addie Lucile Munday Burke and Clarence William Burke. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her loving husband of 41 years, Julian E. Carnes, Jr. Mary was extremely proud of the fact that she was a true Charlotte native and a life long member of St. John?s Baptist Church. She loved her home city, volunteering her service for many years at the Hezekiah Alexander House as a docent, where one of her greatest joys in life was guiding tours during the late 1970?s ? 1989, teaching the countless school children who visited the site about colonial life in Mecklenburg County. Mary was an active member of the Mecklenburg Legal Auxiliary and also enjoyed volunteering her time to help others at the Maes Inn for families of patients of Presbyterian Hospital. At St. John?s, Mary enjoyed her role as an usher, greeting and welcoming members and guests alike, and helping serve dinner on Wednesday nights for many years. Mary and her husband were long time members of Myers Park Country Club in Charlotte. Perhaps Mary?s favorite role was as ?MiMi? to her four grandchildren, they were the light of her life and she took great joy in all their activities. Mary is survived by her daughter, Angela L. Carnes and her husband Philippe P. Frespech, their daughter, Julie Christina of Charlotte; son, James W. Carnes, his wife Margaret W. Carnes of Charlotte and their children James W. Carnes, Jr., Michael E. Carnes, and Maggie Carnes, all of Raleigh; one brother, Marvin W. Burke, and his wife Dr. Melva Burke of Greenville, NC; two nephews, John Burke and David Burke and their wives, Marcy and Kim; sister ?in- law, Doris M. Daniels of Winston-Salem and one niece, Carol M. Vick also of Winston-Salem NC. A service of remembrance for family and friends will be held 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 19, 2010, at St. Johns Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in Broach Hall. Entombment in the mausoleum at Sharon Memorial Park was private. The family would like to express special thanks to the exceptional caregivers at the Carriage Club Clare Bridge House and the Carriage Club Medical Care facility; Phyllis McClain, Peggy McClain, and Joy Parker for their compassionate care and love for Mary over the last several years; and to her loving neighbors in her Dilworth Community. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request memorials be sent to St. John?s Baptist Church, 300 Hawthorne Ln., Charlotte, NC 28204, The American Red Cross - Carolinas Region, PO Box 36507, Charlotte, NC 28236 or the charity of the donor?s choice.