Ms. Mary Evelyn Storey's Obituary
Mary Evelyn Carney Storey, known affectionately as “M.E.” to many, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday August 30, 2020 in the early hours of the morning with her daughter Julia at her side. She was 3 months shy of her 90th birthday.
Mary Evelyn was born at home on December 4th, 1930 in Nashville, Tennessee to parents Grover Cleveland and Flora Marie Carney.
She was preceded in death by her parents as well as her sisters, Frances and Marjorie. She was also preceded in death by the love of her life, Carl Debern Storey, Jr.
She is survived by her son, Carl D. Storey III (Karen), and daughters Julia Storey Holman, Evelyn Storey Allen, Susan Storey Adams. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, Lynn Storey Wilson (Jake), Sarah Storey Brasher (Richard), Matthew Storey (Caitlin), Adam Holman, Daniel Allen, Bonnie Allen, Gabriel Adams, Dillon Adams (Keri Anne) and her great-grandchildren: Brooks Wilson, Kate Wilson, Henry Storey, and Mary-Gray Brasher Survivors also include Joe Allen, Mildred Fisher, Bill Channel, Frazier Solomon, and Dave Walton, whom she considered family.
As a young child she spent many summers on the banks of the Little Harpeth River, fishing with her grandmother and wandering the woods alone and with her sisters. When her family moved to Joelton, she was often left to her own devices and loved to sit in the crook of the apple tree next to her daddy’s hen house, reading a favorite book or wandering in the woods, picking up sticks and turning over rocks to see what was underneath, and sneaking strawberries in her dad’s market garden. Those times shaped her future and fueled her passion for the beauty of nature, the intricacies of the scientific and natural world, the excitement of exploration and the pleasure of a well- written book.
Mary Evelyn received a high school diploma from Peabody Demonstration School and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from George Peabody College for Teachers, Nashville Tennessee.
She taught High School Biology and Chemistry at Goodlettsville High School, Goodlettsville, Tennessee
She met Carl, the Love of her Life, in high school and married him on Jun 13, 1952. They lived life together the next 30 years, creating a closeknit family with 4 children. During that time, they shared with their children and friends many wonderful outdoor adventures, through their love of backpacking, canoeing and camping. Her legacy of maternal love will have a lasting influence that will be remembered for generations to come. She was loved in such special ways by each of her family members.
She was a member of Singing Hills Garden Club for 63 years and cherished those long lasting friendships to the very end.
She gave her heart, time and expertise to the community in many ways including serving on the Boards of The Symphony Guild, McNeilly Day Home, Crittenton Services, Tennessee State Museum Foundation, Cumberland Museum, and the Tennessee Arts Commission. She also served as Chairman of the Board of Tennessee State Museum Foundation and Chairman of the Junior and Senior Boards of Crittenton Services. At Harding Academy, She organized the first Auxiliary and served as Chair. For the YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter she served on the Maintenance Committee and the Development Committee. For the Hermitage Association she solicited major gifts for the Woman’s Division. For Cheekwood, she chaired the food and wreath committees for Cheekwood Christmas Gala. She spoke at the National Child Welfare League in Washington, D.C. on Board Planning and long range goal setting.
Mary Evelyn, baptized as an infant at East End Methodist Church, was a long time member of West End United Methodist Church, where she served as Chair of the Altar Guild, Chair of Council on Ministries and Chair of Church Women. She also served on the budget committee and the administrative board.
She had so many gifts. She was a great untangler. Whether it was a fishing line, a 14K gold chain necklace, a skein of yarn, a child’s strand of hair, or a family crisis, she approached each knot with quiet perseverance and patience. Once she started to untangle she never quit, working to the very end until all was smoothed out. She was an amazing event planner and whether it was a child’s birthday day party, a gubernatorial fundraiser, a 250 seat formal dinner, or a 14 day backpacking expedition, she could plan and execuete with complete efficiency and flair. She was a deliverer of culinary comfort. Special favorites of family members that will be greatly missed are the buttered rice, beef stew, scrambled eggs, homemade fries, cheese straws and THE wedding cookies. She loved working with her hands. She completed many projects through embroidery, crochet, knitting and sewing. She loved reading mysteries and solving puzzles including Word search and jigsaw puzzles. She loved flower and vegetable gardening and was a true artist at flower arranging.
She had a wildness of spirit which one could often see when she was outside and would lift her chin ever so slightly, close her eyes and let the breeze and warm sunlight fill her with joy. She had a special gift of putting people at ease. If you have never been told that you have a beautiful smile, then you had not met Mary Evelyn. She loved people and at the same time love her solitude. All aspects of her life; family, friendships, community service, and work were influenced by her diverse character including her loyalty, a quite wicked sense of humor, crazy competitiveness and her love of the natural world.
She lived a rich long life. She stomped her feet and slammed doors through the worst of times and danced through the best of times. She laughed and cried and was full of sass to the very end. Her family was her whole heart.
In lieu of flowers, Mary Evelyn wished donations be made to the Grover C. Carney Scholarship Fund or the Julia Holman Trust. She created the scholarship fund to honor her father’s legacy in public education. Also she wished to take care of her daughter Julia.
Send donations to:Grover C. Carney Scholarship Fund; Vanderbilt University
PMB 07727, 2301 Vanderbilt Place Nashville, TN 37240 or click on this link:
https://admin.app.vanderbilt.edu/olga/pub/landing?appealCode=ZDW23
Please send donations for the Julia Holman Trust to 8490 Big Bend Rd, Battletown, KY 40104
Family members and friends are encouraged to share their unique and personal tributes, special memories or stories in the tribute section of the website.
There will be a Celebration of Life on her 90th birthday, December 4th, 2020. Please request a save the date card by sending an email to [email protected]
A Memorial Service for Mary Evelyn is being scheduled, the details of which will be shared to this obituary once finalized. Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery has been entrusted with the final care of Mary Evelyn. 5110 Gallatin Road, Nashville, Tennessee 37216. (615) 865-1101. "Where Nashville Comes to Remember."
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