Mary Alice McLaughlin, nee Archer, 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 23, 2020 in Boise, Idaho, at the home of her daughter, Carol McLaughlin, with family by her side.
Born May 15, 1931 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mary Alice always considered western North Carolina her home, living briefly in Andrews and raised in Franklin. She was the daughter of the late John Milton Archer, Jr. and Beatrice Payne Archer. Mary Alice was an excellent student, valedictorian of her high school class, and a lifelong voracious reader. She instilled a love of reading and curiosity in all of her children. Mary Alice graduated from Franklin High School. She attended Meredith College before graduating from Wake Forest College in June of 1953.
Mary Alice moved to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career with the National Security Agency, where she met her future husband, Charles McLaughlin. After a Franklin wedding in May 1956, they were posted to Nuremberg, Germany. Returning to the United States Mary Alice devoted herself to raising a family and serving in the communities she and Charlie lived, including Severna Park, MD, Omaha, NE and Seoul, Korea. In Franklin, and every location called home, Mary Alice formed lasting friendships that she treasured for a lifetime. Mary Alice returned to Franklin in 1985 after Charlie’s retirement from government service. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Franklin, a member of the Nantahala Hiking Club and Friends of the Greenway, volunteered at Friends of the Library bookstore and Meals on Wheels. She was an avid gardener; along with being a member of numerous garden clubs she always grew vegetables and flowers wherever she lived. Working with Sally Kesler, Mary Alice studied weaving and supported the efforts of the craft education center in the Cartoogechaye community of Macon County.
Mary Alice is preceded in death by her husband Charles Thomas McLaughlin of Franklin, NC. She is survived by her three children, John McLaughlin of Annapolis, MD, Carol McLaughlin of Boise, ID and David (Cathy) McLaughlin of Chester Springs, PA, and six beloved grandchildren, Andrew, Keith and Sara Dixon, and Corie, Kate and Jack McLaughlin. Mary Alice’s brother, Dr John Milton Archer III of Charlotte, NC preceded her in death. Mary Alice is also survived by nieces and nephews Mary Catherine (Bobby) Chesney of Charlotte, NC, Virginia (John) Hawley of Virginia Beach, VA, Katie (Paul) Harris of Bear, DE, John Milton Archer IV and Charles (Kelley) Archer of Charlotte, NC, Grant (Amy) McLaughlin, Seminole, FL, and Reid (Tonya) McLaughlin, Houston, TX.
Many thanks to her caregivers: Valerie, Allison, Alisa, Alma, Taylor and the staff of Signature Hospice of Boise, ID who made her last months peaceful and comfortable.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 26 Church St., Franklin, NC 28734.