Mary Ann Tomlinson Stephens Grimes

Mrs. Mary Ann Tomlinson Stephens Grimes (92) of Lexington, having run well the race set before her,  entered into eternal glory on September 16.  Mary Ann was born in Winston-Salem on January 19, 1926 to Dr. Floyd Nelson and Margaret D. Tomlinson.  After graduating from R.J Reynolds High School (1943) , Mary Ann attended Oberlin College in Ohio before moving to NYC. She graduated from The Juilliard School of Music (1947) and continued studies at the Juilliard Opera School — launching a singing career that included Opera Radio Broadcasts ( Auturo Toscanini), singing with The All Girl Orchestra (Phil Spitalny) , CBS Television Broadcasts , and touring as a solo vocalist to perform throughout America. Highlighted was her role in My Darling Aida, at the Paramount Theatre in NYC.

Mary Ann met John Francis Stephens ( Fordham Law School graduate, Captain in the U.S. Army , and practicing trial attorney) and fell madly in love. They married on September 19, 1953, and were gifted five beautiful daughters. John passed in 1968, to leave Mary Ann alone to raise the girls in White Plains, NY. Mary Ann taught school and remained the sole provider and active parent until a fire took the family home (1974), which forced relocation to Winston-Salem where there was family support.

In 1975, she met and married Lloyd Malcolm Grimes, Jr. of Lexington, and their 22 years of loving marriage were marked by beautiful trips around the world and working together to design and build elegant homes.  The family G athering Place on Holden Beach fostered lifetime memories for children, grandchildren and friends – especially those associated with the First Presbyterian Church and Choir ; Women of the Church ; The Music Study Club ; The Garden Makers Garden Club ; and members of the Winston-Salem Woman's’ Reading Club . As an accomplished portrait sculptor, Mary Ann studied under the tutorage of Earline Heath King, at the level of a commissioned sculptress.

Mary Ann impacted many lives with her strong faith, and artistic talents.  She remains cherished by her five daughters and their families for her life-long and unfailing devotion:  Marilyn Stephens Edwards (Marshall) of Charlotte; Virginia Stephens Baker PhD (Murray) of Blountstown, Fl; Elizabeth Stephens Visnic of Pittsburgh, PA; Louise Stephens Cain (Bob) of Winston-Salem; and Suzanne Stephens Lessler deceased (Brad) of Chapel Hill. Also surviving her are 14 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, and two brothers: F. Nelson Tomlinson, Jr. and Charles D. Tomlinson, both of Winston-Salem.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at First Presbyterian Church, 15 W. 3 ^rd Avenue in Lexington.  Burial will be at 3:00 pm on Sunday, September 23 ^, 2018 at Forsyth Memorial Park, 3771 Yadkinville Road in Winston-Salem.