Empowering Arts for Future Generations
The Mary Anne and Lee Anne Endowment for the Arts was established in loving memory of two dedicated musicians who spent much of their lives in rural communities with limited access to musical resources and opportunities. Despite these challenges, both Mary Anne and Lee Anne remained passionate about the transformative power of music and the arts. This endowment honors their legacy by supporting and enriching the arts in Granville County and the surrounding areas, ensuring that future generations have the access and resources to explore their artistic passions, just as Mary Anne and Lee Anne did throughout their lives.
The proceeds from the Mary Anne and Lee Anne Endowment for the Arts will be used annually to award grants to individuals and organizations dedicated to expanding access to the arts. These grants are intended to support a wide range of artistic endeavors, from music programs to visual arts, ensuring that communities in Granville County and the surrounding areas have the resources they need to engage with and foster creativity. By investing in local talent and organizations, this endowment will help continue Mary Anne and Lee Anne’s mission to make the arts more accessible to all, particularly those in rural areas who may otherwise have limited opportunities to experience or participate in the arts.
Heartfelt Memories: Words of Love and Remembrance
"Mary Anne's joy was music of any kind. She brought that love and passion to her family, friends and the community. She raised her family in the theater and empowered others to join.
Lee Anne was every bit as passionate about music, but watching her on and off the stage was something brilliant. She inspired generations of children to be involved with the theatre arts and in doing so found such happiness."
"Music was a language they were both fluent in, and found it the most beautiful way to express themselves. There are some songs that will forever be intertwined with my best memories of them."
"Singing and theater gave Lee Anne a way to connect with multiple generations through expression and love. It was a way for her creativity to shine and made her life richer while she enriched ours."
"Lee Anne was a vibrant soul, brimming with life and spreading joy to everyone she encountered. In moments when least expected, she offered encouragement that turned ordinary times into something truly special. Lee Anne’s love for the stage was undeniable; it was her sanctuary where she thrived, and she passionately shared this gift with others—especially young people, nurturing their own creative sparks from an early age. Her family was her heart—her husband and children were her greatest love, and she always found new, meaningful ways to create joy and togetherness for them. Lee Anne lived boldly, unafraid to laugh, to love, and to savor every moment. She embraced life in its fullest form and left an indelible mark on the world that will never fade.
Although I never had the honor of meeting Mary Anne, the stories passed down in her memory speak volumes about the depth of her character. A brilliant musician, dedicated educator, loving wife and mother—Mary Anne was a rare soul who balanced her many roles with grace and a boundless ability to share her best self with the world. We are deeply grateful to both Mary Anne and Lee Anne’s families for gifting us with their incredible legacies and for establishing this endowment, which ensures their memories will live on, forever touching lives."
"Mary Anne Kerr Shelton’s musical gift was apparent when she began piano lessons as a first grader. She continued her study of music and piano at Saint Mary’s School in Raleigh, winning the school’s most prestigious award, and continued her studies by obtaining a music degree from East Carolina University. Mary Anne not only taught music in the public schools, she played with churches and musical groups wherever she lived and fostered a love of music in her children and anyone that crossed her path. Her love of music transcended piano, chorale, and the ability to play any musical instrument she touched. She was the center of every family gathering playing her Steinway piano while the everyone sang along."
"St. Andrew’s-Covenant Presbyterian in Wilmington often asks students from the UNCW School of Music to participate in special musical presentations. It is kind of a tradition for them to provide musicians for the Easter morning service. Many years ago the featured solo artist for the Easter music was a violinist with what some would could consider an unusual name. However, this handsome young black man’s name is very common in our family lineage – Algernon. Jokingly, I leaned over and whispered to Paul Mag “I bet you lunch at Outback that that young man is from Sampson County.” Paul rolled his eyes and replied “no way!”
After the service we went to the front of the church and sought Algernon out to thank him for sharing his amazing gift of music and tell him how very moving it was for everyone in the congregation. And of course I asked where he grew up. He said we’d probably never heard of this wide spot in the road. He grew up in Delway …in lower Sampson County. Cha Ching! We continued talking and found out that he had attended Union Elementary and Union Middle schools. And guess who his music teacher was? MAK! He couldn’t believe she was my sister and went on to say that she was the one who instilled a love of music and the arts in him. He said that music had sustained him and nurtured him through a pretty rough childhood. He was majoring in music at UNCW with the goal of becoming a music teacher so that he could do that for others like himself. A lasting legacy of music from one generation to the next - and the next!!
As I recall I had the Victoria fillet – medium rare."
"I can tell you that she (Lee Anne) was a selfless champion of the arts, especially in the lives of children. She truly wanted the lives of others to be touched as hers had been. She gave all of herself-not only talent, but time, heart and laughter-a supporter of location artists and the art they created. Lee Anne was introduced to the Arts by her Mother, Mary Anne, who both encouraged, supported, and inspired so many, Their impact continues to be felt-true servant hearts and the Arts community the ultimate benefactor."
"None of us had met her more than probably once once and anytime we met her after she greeted us with the biggest hug, like we were long lost friends and family. She was so friendly and outgoing that you couldn't help to love her immediately."
"Lee Anne inherited her mother's love of music and the arts, expanding the scope of her involvement not just to music, but to the theatrical arts as well. Lee Anne was in her first play in Clinton, NC as a child and was deeply involved in the Granville Little Theatre. She auditioned for most of the plays and encouraged and nurtured others to find joy in the arts."