Mary Anne Irvin, born August 20, 1949, reunited in heaven with her parents, the late attorney, Robert H. ”Pony” Irvin and Mildred Jones Irvin, on December 17, 2020. She is survived by her sons: Matthew Plummer, Wade Plummer, Joseph Plummer and his wife Simone, and her two grandchildren, Bianca and Rafael. She is also survived by her twin sister, Jane Anne Irvin Belo, sister Kay Irvin Sargent, and special friend, Gordon Belo.

Mary Anne grew up on Virginia Avenue in Concord and graduated from Concord High School as salutatorian in 1967. She was proud to be elected as Governor of Girls State in 1966 and was also a representative to Girls Nation, both sponsored by the American Legion. She was awarded the National Council of English Teachers Award her senior year in high school and was also a member of Alpha Theta Phi, an honorary history society. Mary Anne was a proud Demon Deacon, having graduated cum laude with a B.A. in history from Wake Forest University in 1971.

Mary Anne began her teaching career in Birmingham, Alabama. Thereafter, she lived in Murphy, North Carolina, until 1976, when she returned home to Concord. After the birth of her three sons, she enjoyed being home with them until they began school. She then had substitute and interim teaching positions with Cabarrus County Schools and Kannapolis City Schools. She additionally tutored at elementary schools and with private students. Mary Anne taught in the GED program at Rowan Cabarrus Community College and was the Site Director during the Pillowtex closure at the Glenn Center Workshop. To quote Mary Anne, “I loved the variety and challenge of showing a student that they knew more than they thought they did. I sought to meet the student where they are. Read the question first. Use critical reading skills”. Countless students benefited from her lifelong desire to teach and continually learn new life lessons.

Mary Anne will be remembered as a lifelong literacy advocate and an avid follower of current events and books, especially about British royalty. She loved to write eloquent notes to her friends and family on special occasions. In addition to her love of reading and literature, she also passionately followed college basketball and football. Above all else, she cherished motherhood’s unconditional love and the very special bond she shared with her grandchildren. Mary Anne’s home served as a welcome refuge to her sons over the years and a cheerful haven for her grandchildren.

A small, intimate family graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in the week ahead where Mary Anne finally will have arrived “home at last” to eternally rest beside her adored parents.

Memorials may be made via check to the Cabarrus Literacy Council at P.O. Box 955 Concord, NC 28026. Cabarrus Literacy Council is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. More information may be found at cabarrusliteracy.com.

Carolina Cremation of Salisbury and Charlotte is assisting the Irvin family. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.