Mary Ann Johnston Owen

Mary Ann Johnston Owen, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Tuesday, August 29, 2023.

Born on July 13, 1938, in Hayesville, NC, Mary Ann was a daughter of the late Robert and Cora Johnston. She grew up in Clay County where she attended Truett Baptist Church, singing in the choir at 14 years of age. She graduated from Hayesville High School. She enjoyed cheerleading, playing the piano and singing.

With her love for singing, she was a member of the UNCA Community Chorus for 15 years and a member of the Asheville Symphony Chorus for 17 years. She worked at First Union Bank as a loan officer for over 25 years.

She was a member of Plains Methodist Church, being a choir member and Sunday School teacher for 25 years. Later, she married the late Harold Owen and became a faithful member of East Asheville Methodist Church. She was very active in church and dedicated her life to the Lord’s service.

Her love for gardening and growing flowers led to her becoming a floral designer for many years.

Mary Ann was a caregiver herself to many of her family members for many years.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Regina Walker, of Indiana, and Susan Coleman, of Hayesville.

She is survived by her children, Tony Stalcup (Marsha), of Clyde, Lisa Sutton (Ray), of Canton, Michael Stalcup (Suzy King), of South Dakota, and Terry Stalcup (Mike Booker-Arnold), of Tennessee. She was better known as “Mamma Ann” to three grandchildren, Chad (Megan) Evans, Anna Evans, and Vaughn (Harmony) Stalcup; four great-grandchildren; two step-children, Rusty (Sharon) Owen, and Valerie (Jim) Szymanski; two step-grandchildren, Matthew and Meredith (Paul) Thomas; and two great-step-grandchildren, all of whom were her the greatest blessings. She is also survived by 3 sisters, Carolyn Fulton, Roberta Bradley and Abigail Ledford; and her aunt, Dot Moore, of Hayesville.

The funeral service will be held at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. The Rev. Phillip Hurst will officiate.

The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Burial will be at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.