Mary Mac Yon

July 2, 2020

CHARLOTTE – Mary McCracken “Mary Mac” Gray Yon, 59, passed away peacefully on Thursday, July 2, at home after a brave battle with cancer. Mary Mac was born on October 26, 1960 in Charlotte, daughter of Mary Frances Gray and the late Gene Gray. She was a graduate of Charlotte Latin School (Class of 1978) and attended Salem College before going to work with her father for over 20 years. She later started her own small business distributing premium pet foods.

A lover of both the mountains and the beach, Mary Mac cherished her many summers spent at Lake Junaluska running around with her sisters and friends, dipping ice cream, and attending Sunday service. During her trips to North Myrtle Beach, Mary Mac enjoyed shagging at Crazy Zacks and The Pad, and in more recent years, was happiest with Crandell rocking on the porch at their beloved Tin Cup Chalice Beach House.

Mary Mac’s favorite quotation, “Old men miss many dogs,” surprises no one who knew her well, especially Crandell her love of 32 years who always made room for her dogs. Beyond caring for her own countless pets, her passion for animals has made Mary Mac a hero in the rescue community; a tireless advocate for homeless dogs, she formed relationships with animal control staff, rescue groups, transport groups, and anyone who could help save the animals she loved so much. Mary Mac simply made herself available to any animal in need.

In addition to her mother, Mary Mac is survived by Crandell Yon, her husband of 32 years; sisters, Sally Gray Smith and her husband, Eric and Annie Gray Roberts and her husband, Mark all of Charlotte; mother in law, Kermene Yon, of Lake Wylie, SC; brothers-in-law, Jamey Yon and his wife, Farrah and Mike Yon; sister in law, Pickett Holt; nieces and nephews, Griffin Smith, Gray Smith, Hannah Yon Markham and her husband, Kyle, Michael Yon, William Yon, and Josie, Stella, Henry, Lucy and Clara Yon.

Mary Mac was preceded in death by her father, Gene Gray and father in law, Bobby Yon.

A private service of remembrance will be held Monday, July 6, 2020 at Myers Park United Methodist Church, followed by a private burial at Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville, NC.
Special gratitude for Laurie Sahlie, Farrah Yon and Novant Hospice for their tremendous compassion and support throughout this journey.

In honor of Mary Mac's passion and life's work, memorials may be made to Atlantic Rottweiler Rescue and Friends at www.arrfnc.com or FurBabies Animal Rescue at bit.ly/furbabiesrescue.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences can be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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Comments

  • Glenn Reed

    I'm sorry to hear about this. I worked for Gene Gray for a few years in his battery shop. Of course Mary Mac was there with her dogs running the paperwork side of the business. I knew both of them well.

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  • Linda McCracken Brown

    Mary Mac is a beautiful vibrant part of our McFamily. We are thankful for her family, her passion and her faith.
    Our love and prayers, Linda

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  • Claire & Dillon Bowles

    My heart goes out to your family during this time. I feel so blessed and i have gotten to know Mary Mac through Sally and by living next door, was able to spend many precious moments with the family. She will he dearly missed. Sends my prayers of love and support.

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  • Ron Robinson

    … So thankful our paths overlapped in many places: Lake Junaluska, Myers Park, and of course our shared Haywood County heritage. Deep peace to all the Grays and Yons. We will miss Mary Mac, but we will cherish her memory.

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  • Bruce Francis

    So sorry for your loss. May God be your comfort and strength at this time.
    Did not know any of the family except Mary Frances, who is a cousin and school classmate.

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  • Leslie Granberry Bourgeois

    Mr Yon,
    I knew Mary from Joes cancer group. She always amazed me with everything she did and her attitude in dealing with life. Life is filled with highs and lows —happiness and struggles that will test your resilience and push you to overcome challenges and leave you with lessons that will make you even stronger along the way. It’s the way you feel and think about yourself, including your expectations and beliefs about what is possible to you, greatly determines your path in life. This is how I will think of Mary. She did things on her own terms. I knew she was a huge advocate for pets but I didn’t realize just how much until I read her obituary. It all makes sense to me now. I wondered how she made time from her already hectic life to help us start the sister pet page from Joes group, but she did and just like that
    Mycancerstory.rocks for Pets was formed! Mary told me she would start the group and guide us , but WE WERE IN CHARGE! She’d say, “I can’t police two pages!” But she did and we appreciated everything she has done for this group. She was the steady compass, offering the non biased, non nonsense opinion and never afraid to address “ the elephant in the room” on a topic. She has helped countless pets live longer and healthier lives. We are forever grateful. I know I speak for everyone at the pet page when I say we truly have lost a great warrior. Fly high Mary Mac, I hope you’re visiting the Rainbow bridge, being the Angel on the other side, watching over our beloved pets until we meet again . God bless your family.
    My sincerest condolences,
    Leslie Granberry, Administrator,
    Mycancerstory.rocks for Pets

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  • Kate Hollands

    Dear Mary, we only knew each other during the time together we provided admin support to Joe’s site and the cancer community but I miss you greatly. We were the ‘non compliants’ the ones that didn’t always follow the rules! The ones that challenged in our quest to beat the beast. I miss your sense of humour, our mutual intolerance of nonsense! I miss our messenger conversations late at night and my companion in war! I’ll keep up the good fight for you. All my love to you, Crandall and the rest of your family. Fly High my friend! ??

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  • Susanne Robicsek

    Crandell, I am so sorry for your loss. Mary Mac was one of the best people I know, and she will be dearly missed by all. I was so lucky to get to know her those late nights in the JL Cookbook / Printing room, and reconnect through the EL crew. To you, and all of MM's family, may her memory be a blessing to you all.

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  • The Wessels

    Mary Mac was always so caring and loving to our family. We enjoyed knowing her and we are so sad she is gone. We are praying for you Crandell and your whole family. Love You Buddy

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  • Stephanie and Jeff Cox

    So sorry for your loss! Mary Mac was a wonderful person who loved people and animals well!!
    We always enjoyed our fun times together during college and as young adult couples; and, we regret that we hadn’t gotten together with Mary Mac and Crandell in some time. Their love for each other and enthusiasm for life was a joy to witness!
    We’re praying for Our Heavenly Father to bless you all with His Amazing Comfort, Love, and Peace!!
    Much love,
    Stephanie and Jeff Cox

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