Mary Elizabeth Hardin Isley

Mary Hardin Isley passed away peacefully in Hendersonville, NC, on November 8, 2026, at the age of 82. A lifelong resident of Asheboro, NC, she spent her final years with her son in Hendersonville.

Mary was born to Joseph Talton Hardin and Virginia Dixon Curry on March 26, 1944, and was the second child of five. She graduated from Asheboro High School and attended two years at Brevard College before completing her BA in Christian Education from Pfeiffer College. A lifelong Methodist and an active member and supporter of Central Methodist Church in Asheboro, Mary was involved in the prayer ministry, visitations, and helping with church attendance roles. She was an educator and spent most of her career at Ramseur Elementary School. Known for her strength as a teacher, she pushed students to grow and offered them opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. She regularly led trips around North Carolina to the mountains, piedmont, the coast, and the state capital in Raleigh, so her students could experience the history of places like the Biltmore Estate, Old Salem, Reed Goldmine, and Tryon Palace for themselves. After retiring in 2002, Mary continued to tutor and support the students at Ramseur Elementary School. Mary was active as a parent and volunteer, serving as the pack leader for her children’s Cub Scout Pack 506.

Mary loved to be outside. She had the greenest of thumbs and enjoyed gardening (especially planting flower beds and canning the green beans she harvested). This hobby continued throughout her life, with assistance from her loved ones in her later years. She loved to read and cook, and shared her cranberry salad with others every holiday season. Her recipes and family gatherings are legendary and will live on in future generations. Her family was her highest priority, and the joy and love she offered them was consistent and abundant. Her guiding values were loving people well, giving generously, and showing God’s love to everyone she met.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents and sister Bettie Jo (Don) Wilson. She is survived by her children Mark Justice (Jocelyn) and John Joseph (Carrie), and Mark’s son Archer, and John’s children Elizabeth, Tucker, and Ruby. She is also survived by siblings Georgianna (Ron) McElhannon, Talton (Gay) Hardin, and June (Brad) Surratt, and their children and grandchildren.

A service of death and resurrection will take place at 1:00 pm on November 16, 2026 at Central Methodist Church in Asheboro, NC with Rev. Joseph Fulk and Pastor Fred Huffstetler officiating. A graveside service will follow at Randolph Memorial Park. The family would like to welcome friends and loved ones prior to the service at 12:15 in the narthex of Central Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Camp Tekoa’s James and Jerrilyn Johnson Scholarship Fund, which allows foster children to attend camp free of charge. www.camptekoa.org/giving