Mary Elizabeth Cone, 1923-2021
MARY ELIZABETH BELLINGER CONE, 98, of Wake Forest, NC, wife to the late Wilson Fowler Cone, went to be with her Lord, on Wednesday, March 24, 2021. She was the last surviving charter member of the Charleston Chapter of the AGO, which was established 74 years ago in 1947. Due to COVID-19, a musical celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Her funeral service will be private. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston, SC 29414.
Mary Elizabeth was born on January 23, 1923 in Charleston, SC, a daughter of the late Francis Fishburne Bellinger and Mary Elizabeth Cottingham Bellinger. She was a 1943 graduate of the College of Charleston (Math Award), plus, additional study in organ at The Julliard School (NYC) and Peabody Conservatory (Baltimore). She was the last surviving charter member of the Charleston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
As a Music Educator (piano and organ teacher) she taught for many years in conjunction with her mother and sister in the Bellinger School of Music. As an organist/choir director in Charleston, she served various churches including The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul, Citadel Square Baptist (her home church), Johns Island Presbyterian, First Baptist Church (North Charleston), and Crossnore Presbyterian in Crossnore, NC. She accompanied worship services into the age of 97.
After being a member of Ashley River Baptist Church for 50 years, she joined Rutledge Baptist Church (now Grace on the Ashley) where she remains a member. Besides her Lord, her husband and family, Mary Elizabeth loved music, cooking, needlework and traveling with her husband. She loved people and was a faithful witness to her Lord Jesus. She was a blessing to all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Bill Cone (Carol), Doug Cone (Andrea), Patricia Cone, Frank Cone (Judy), Steve Cone (Patty); sister, Janice Hagan (Paul); her grandchildren, Jenny Cone Car-roll, Brian Cone, Stephen Cone, Christina Cone Doherty, Jason Cone, David Cone, Drew Cone, and Matt Cone; her great-grandchildren, Gracie Cone, Owen Cone, Mary Elizabeth Cone, Ben Cone, Hayes Cone, Aymes Cone, and Orla Doherty.
The family would like to thank Transitions Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for their lov-ing care for our mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the College of Charleston Foundation, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424-0001 or AGO Charleston, 1 Yeadon Ave., Charleston, SC 29407.
A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting the Stuhr website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.
Mary Elizabeth was born on January 23, 1923 in Charleston, SC, a daughter of the late Francis Fishburne Bellinger and Mary Elizabeth Cottingham Bellinger. She was a 1943 graduate of the College of Charleston (Math Award), plus, additional study in organ at The Julliard School (NYC) and Peabody Conservatory (Baltimore). She was the last surviving charter member of the Charleston Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
As a Music Educator (piano and organ teacher) she taught for many years in conjunction with her mother and sister in the Bellinger School of Music. As an organist/choir director in Charleston, she served various churches including The Cathedral Church of St. Luke and St. Paul, Citadel Square Baptist (her home church), Johns Island Presbyterian, First Baptist Church (North Charleston), and Crossnore Presbyterian in Crossnore, NC. She accompanied worship services into the age of 97.
After being a member of Ashley River Baptist Church for 50 years, she joined Rutledge Baptist Church (now Grace on the Ashley) where she remains a member. Besides her Lord, her husband and family, Mary Elizabeth loved music, cooking, needlework and traveling with her husband. She loved people and was a faithful witness to her Lord Jesus. She was a blessing to all who knew her.
She is survived by her children, Bill Cone (Carol), Doug Cone (Andrea), Patricia Cone, Frank Cone (Judy), Steve Cone (Patty); sister, Janice Hagan (Paul); her grandchildren, Jenny Cone Car-roll, Brian Cone, Stephen Cone, Christina Cone Doherty, Jason Cone, David Cone, Drew Cone, and Matt Cone; her great-grandchildren, Gracie Cone, Owen Cone, Mary Elizabeth Cone, Ben Cone, Hayes Cone, Aymes Cone, and Orla Doherty.
The family would like to thank Transitions Hospice and Home Instead Senior Care for their lov-ing care for our mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the College of Charleston Foundation, 66 George Street, Charleston, SC 29424-0001 or AGO Charleston, 1 Yeadon Ave., Charleston, SC 29407.
A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting the Stuhr website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.
