Mary Louise (Miller) Vannoy

Mary Louise Vannoy, 86, of West Jefferson, NC passed away on September 29, 2020 in Boone, NC due to complications of the COVID virus. Louise, as she was known to family and friends, was born on August 17, 1935. She was the daughter of Belva Miller and Banner Miller. Her stepfather was Arthur Sheets of Alleghany County. Louise attended Nathans’s Creek Elementary School and graduated from Healing Springs High School where she played on the women’s basketball team.

During her life, Louise enjoyed the simple things like picking apples to make apple sauce, chatting with her friends on the telephone and watching hummingbirds at her feeders. Louise also liked to dance and spent many Saturday nights at the Wilkes County VFW. She was a good cook but loved to eat out when the opportunity arose. She had a kind heart and took in and cared for many stray cats. Louise was a stylish woman who always dressed up even if it was only to go grocery shopping. She was quick to make friends and many of her children’s friends became her friends and remained so throughout her life.  She will be remembered for her kindness to others, her desire to see the underdog win and her wish that life was easier for those without means.

Louise was married to Joseph Charlie Vannoy and they had four children. The couple separated in 1972 but remained in contact until Charlie’s death. She is survived by her brother Neil Miller of Sanford, NC, her daughters, Teresa Payne (Eric) of Fleetwood, NC, Lisa  Holman (Kevin) of West Jefferson, NC and her sons, Timothy Vannoy (Bobbie) of Winston-Salem, NC and Jimmy Vannoy of Agawam, MA. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Tonya Hurst (Richard), Falon Calhoun (Derek), Tavin and Jeren Holman and two great grandchildren, Poppy and Calburn Calhoun.

A private family ceremony will be held at a later date. The family asks that no flowers be sent, and that any donation be given to Ashe County Humane Society or one’s favorite charity.