Mary Karr - Truly a Town Treasure

Obituary

Mary Catherine Karr
January 14, 1927 to June 21, 2024
Lake Lure

Mary Catherine Karr passed away peacefully at her home in Lake Lure on June 21, 2024. Mary was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 14, 1927 to George and Frieda Berner Eharoshe. She was a graduate of Washington High School in Milwaukee and attended Carrol College.

Mary and her late husband, Alex Karr, moved to Lake Lure from Wisconsin in 1980 and became active members of the community. An accomplished artist and art teacher, Mary founded the Lake Lure Artists Association. She worked with the community to form the Friends of the Library and was instrumental in opening the Mountain Branch Library in 1990. Mary was a founding member of the Lake Lure Beautification Committee and was involved in the planning of Morse Park. She was an avid golfer through her eighties and excelled at duplicate bridge - playing twice a week well past her 96 th birthday.
For over thirty years, Mary contributed to the Mountain Breeze, writing a regular column featuring art and travel. On January 31st of this year, the Town of Lake Lure issued a proclamation honoring Mary’s dedicated service to the Lake Lure community.

Mary was predeceased by her first husband, Alex W. Karr and by her second husband, T. Bryant Williams. She is survived by her three sons Stephen Karr (Pamela) of Winston-Salem NC, David Karr of Milwaukee WI, and Sam Karr (Denise) of Lake Lure, NC and grandchildren Andrew, Nicholas, Jodie Land Mia Karr.

At her request, a private graveside service for immediate family only will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration in Bat Cave, NC.

In lieu of food or flowers, the family suggests a contribution to Hospice VIA Health Partners of Cleveland County.