Mary Catherine Ford
Mary Catherine Davis McClelland Ford died peacefully at Schramm Health Center at The Pines at Davidson, on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2010. She was 84.
She was born January 10, 1926 in Charlotte, NC to Luther B. Davis and Mary Pigg Davis.
Mary graduated salutatorian of Oakhurst High School and completed an associate’s degree in Secretarial Science at Central Piedmont Community College. She obtained credentials as a Certified Professional Secretary and licensure as a Real Estate Broker while working as an Executive Secretary for ABC Southeastern Theatres. In 1980, she was chosen Secretary of the Year by the Charlotte National Secretaries Association.
In 1944 Mary was selected as Mrs. North Carolina and placed fourth in the Mrs. USA contest.
Mary was a founding member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church and served as church secretary in the early years of the church.
Mary is survived by her son, James McClelland, and his wife, Jean, of Cornelius, NC; her daughter, Marilyn McClelland, and her partner, Deborah Reilly, of Durham, NC; her grandson John McClelland; and granddaughter Kathryn McClelland.
She was preceded in death by husbands James Myron McClelland Sr., John Joseph Ford Jr., and Donald Kenneth Beagle.
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, Nov. 19, at Bethel Presbyterian Church, Cornelius, NC. Arrangements are being handled by Raymer Funeral Home, Huntersville, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Cornelius Animal Shelter, 19110 Meridian St., Cornelius, NC 28031 or Bethel Presbyterian Church, 19920 Bethel Church Rd., Cornelius, NC 28031.
