Obituary of Mary Jo Bumgarner

Mary Jo Bryan Bumgarner, age 70, of Tweetsie Trail, Banner Elk, the Foscoe community, passed away Tuesday afternoon, December 21, 2021 at her home. During Mrs. Bumgarner’s life she was active in her church as a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, assisting and coordinating church Christmas programs, and was the church treasurer for many years. She cherished her bond with God and was a faithful servant. Mrs. Bumgarner’s parents were instrumental in her love for God, the church, and family. She cherished her husband, children, and grandchildren that brought so much joy to her life. Mrs. Bumgarner was an avid reader retaining some of her youth through her love of the Peanuts by Charles Schulz. Mrs. Bumgarner actively volunteered with the Foscoe Grandfather Community Center as well as functions with the Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department during its infancy. Her kind hearted warmth and smile will always be remembered and will be missed by her family and friends. The family would like to thank Watauga County Project On Aging and Medi-Home Hospice for the wonderful care and support they provided. Mrs. Bumgarner is survived by her husband, Frank James Bumgarner; daughter, April Dawn Duffy and husband, Sean, of Pittsburg, PA and son, Brian James Bumgarner and wife, Novella, of Banner Elk; grandchildren, Hannah, Aidan, Julian, and Justina Duffy and great-grandson, Jackson Agliori; sister, Wanda Miller and husband, John, of Indian Trail; brother, George Bryan and wife, Sandra, of Sugar Grove; brother-in-law, Bill Shanley of North Wilkesboro; and honorary sister, Debbie Duckworth of Banner Elk. A number of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd Council and Letha Ragan Bryan; and three sisters, Joann Bryan, Shirley Arnette and Dawn Shanley. Funeral services for Mary Jo Bumgarner will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, December 28th, at 2 o'clock at Grace Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Tyler Street, Rev. Bryan Miller and Rev. Burl Greer. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o'clock, prior to services, at the church. Graveside services will follow in the Bryan Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to Watauga County Project on Aging, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, NC 28607, or to Medi Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100B, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Bumgarner family.