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1938 – 2021

Mary Ella Jolliff Moore, 82, of Wytheville, Va., passed away on August 22, 2021 in her home surrounded by her daughters. Mary was born in Manteo, NC on the North End of Roanoke Island, to Wilton Jolliff, Sr. and Grace Shannon Jolliff Lee on December 8, 1938.

She loved playing the piano and organ with her job as choir director at Mt. Olivet Methodist Church in Manteo and later at Woodlawn Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, Fla. and with the St. Petersburg Rotary Club. Mary will be remembered by many as the Music Teacher at Manteo Elementary. She was also a member of the Dare County Sheriff’s Department, Eastern Star Masonic Lodge, and the Oddfellows Rebekah Lodge. She served as a Dare County Magistrate, Bus Driver, and Girl Scout Leader. Mary was a Lost Colony Alumni where she sang in the choir and played several stage roles, including Dame Coleman. Mary was also a Mother to many.

“Use my one bedsheet would ye, ye cowardly knave! The times John Borden held your fevered head and nursed ye back from death. God in heaven witness me, ye shall all burn in hell-fire if ye desert us now.”
Dame Coleman
Final Assembly
Paul Green
The Lost Colony

Mary had the best belly laugh ever. She loved Jeopardy, everything about Dare County, and her family.

She leaves behind her daughters BJ, Janie and Gracie. “Gammy’s” pride and joy were her grandkids Amanda (Chuck), Michele (Daniel) and Jordan (Lian) along with her great-grandkids Elizabeth and William, and nieces Missy (Stan Newman) and Renee. She is preceded in death by her husband, Frank, her slightly younger brother Buddy Jolliff, and her baby brother Johnny Lee.

A memorial service will be planned for a later date and will be announced with time for as many family and friends to attend as possible so we can celebrate Mary’s life.

In place of flowers and cards, we ask you to make donations to a worthy cause. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com. Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

READ MORE OBITUARIES HERE.