Mary High Felton

Our beloved mother passed away peacefully on October 21, 2023 after a short period of declining health. Born in Union, SC in 1922, she was the only daughter of Hoyle Dupre High and Margaret Gaye McLaughen High. She is predeceased by her brothers, Roy Edwin High and Hoyle Dupre High, Jr.

Mary’s family moved to Asheville, NC shortly after her birth. After graduating from Asheville High School, she attended Appalachian Teacher’s College (now Appalachian State University).

Mary married her college sweetheart, Arthur Homer Felton in 1945. They were married for 57 years until his death in 2002.

Mary’s love of books began as a young girl and she was an avid reader throughout her life. Mary served as a dental assistant for Dr. T. Edwin Perry. And later, she was a bookkeeper at NC State University School of Agriculture & Extension Services for more than 20 years. After retirement she and Arky enjoyed traveling and took many trips to Switzerland, NYC, Britain and beyond.

For several years Mary was a devoted member of the Moravian Church of Raleigh where she developed her talent for baking Moravian Sugar Cakes. Later Mary joined Garner United Methodist Church where she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, lead prayer groups, and cooked many church suppers featuring her homemade yeast rolls.

Mary is survived by her two sons: Ernest E. Felton of Raleigh and wife Sue, and Dr. David A. Felton of Chapel Hill and wife Sue Ann, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 9:00 am at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 1200 Benson Road in Garner. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the State Library of NC Library Services for the Blind in Raleigh.