MaryAnn Carr West, 78, a long-time resident of Ivor, died on June 3, 2010 at Obici Hospital. She was the widow of James Russell West, the love of her life, and together they owned and operated the Ivor Furniture Company for most of their lives.

A native of Walters, MaryAnn graduated from Carrsville High School and met her future husband while waitressing at her sister’s restaurant in Windsor. She loved her family, her community, and her church and was quite well known in Ivor and the surrounding areas for her country cooking, as well as her extraordinary skills in sewing and needlework. She was an avid gardener and a Bingo player like no other.

As a young married woman, MaryAnn enjoyed a close circle of friends who visited each other often and hosted weekly Canasta parties in their homes. In their later years, MaryAnn and Russell became a familiar sight at the church softball games, often riding up the street in their golf cart to socialize and watch the games with their friends.

She was a faithful member of Ivor Baptist Church, and over the years served in many capacities in the church. Before she became ill, there were few church suppers that did not include MaryAnn’s fried chicken and corn pudding. Her chocolate cake was the best.

MaryAnn grew up on the farm and was the daughter of the late Samuel and Cora Holland Carr of Walters.

Survivors include two daughters, JoAnn West Hall and her husband, Mark, of Smithfield, and Alice West Scott and her husband, Dixie, of Ivor; five grandchildren, Russ Frohman, Ashlyn Scott Scarborough, and her husband, Robert, Dusty Scott, and Savannah and Hayley Hall; six sisters-in-law, Nancy Raiford and her husband, Elton, of Ivor, Margaret W. Schutte of Richmond, Mildred B. West of Williamsburg, Alethia West of Portsmouth, Virginia Rowan of Georgia, and Hazel Carr of Smithfield; and many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Shirley Carr Kello, of Windsor; her brother, James M. Carr, Sr., of Walters; and half-brothers, Staley Carr, Bonnie Carr, and Alton Carr.

A funeral service will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday in Ivor Baptist Church with Rev. Chad McGinnis officiating. Burial will follow in the Ivor Cemetery. The family will receive friends following the funeral at the church.

The family offers special thanks to the compassionate nurses in the ICU at Obici Hospital and to MaryAnn’s special caregiver, Janice Stringfield. Donations may be made to Ivor Volunteer Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 228, Ivor, VA 23866; Ivor Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 213, Ivor, VA 23866; or Ivor Baptist Church, 8506 Bell Ave., Ivor, VA 23866. Purviance Chapel, J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, Wakefield, is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences may be posted at www.jtmorris.com.