Mary Hollifield

Mary Lillie Swann Hollifield, 87, of Marion, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023, at
Novant Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, North Carolina after an extended illness.

Mary was born in McDowell County, NC on October 19, 1935, to the late Frank S.
Swann and Hessie Brown Swann. She graduated from Glenwood High School in 1954
and Rutherford Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. She was married to E. Vernon
Hollifield, her husband of nearly 60 years, and was a member of First Baptist Church in
Nebo. Mary worked her entire career as a registered nurse, serving as a hospital nurse,
an industrial nurse, and a school nurse. She spent the majority of her career as a school
nurse for McDowell County Schools and retired after more than twenty-one years of
service in 1996. Following retirement, she enjoyed volunteering at the McDowell
County Pregnancy Care Center. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who
loved to cook and care for her family. She lived a life characterized by service and
compassion for others and was known to be a great friend by many.

She is survived by her husband, E. Vernon Hollifield; two sons, William E. Hollifield
and Matthew V. Hollifield (Marnie); two grandchildren, Andrew E. Hollifield and Lillian M.
Hollifield; a brother, John Swann; a sister-in-law Lena Swann; several nieces and
nephews; and her best friend of almost 70 years, Rosemary Hutchins.

A memorial service will be conducted at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at the
Chapel of Beam Funeral Service. Pastors Bruce Ward, Jody McGaha, and Doug Worley
will officiate. Burial will follow at Chapel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will
receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the McDowell County Pregnancy Care
Center.