Mary Campbell Harlan (1929-2010)

Mary Campbell Harlan was born 8 January 1929 in North Carolina. She died on 15 January 2010 in North Carolina. She is buried in Seaside Memorial Park in Swansboro, Onslow, North Carolina.

Mary Campbell Harlan's headstone

Mary Campbell Harlan

 Obituary [Jacksonville Daily News, 17 Jan 2010]
Mary Campbell Harlan Batten, a pioneering realtor in coastal North Carolina died Jan. 15, 2010, in Carteret County at the age of 81.
Preceded in death by her husband of 50 years and co-owner of Emerald Isle Realty, James Allen Batten; she is survived by three children, Julia Batten Wax, wife of Mark Edward Wax of Emerald Isle, David Batten, husband of Amy Meyers Batten of Raleigh, and Guinn Batten, wife of Dillon Johnston of St. Louis. She is also survived by four grandchildren, Nathan Wax, Allison Wax, James Wax and Brodie Batten; and two great-grandchildren, Mark and Justin Wax.
Born in Fayetteville, Jan. 8, 1929, to parents, Eugenia Harriss Harlan and Howard Harlan, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Eugenia Harlan Overbeck.
Mary attended Fayetteville High School and UNC Greensboro, formerly known as Women's College. In 1975 she retired from Weyerhauser in Jacksonville to enter with her husband, Jim, into full ownership of Emerald Isle Realty. It was the first real estate firm on the island; founded by Jim's sister, Mildred Batten Simmons. During three decades of their leadership, the number of rental properties and employees increased tenfold, becoming one of the leading coastal real estate and property management firms on the East Coast. An early supporter of coastal conservation efforts, Mary was an avid birder and naturalist. She traveled regularly to Scotland, where she established genealogical ties to the Macintyre and MacGregor clans of Oban and Islay as part of her interest in the Highland Scots Diaspora in North Carolina. She read widely in Scottish literature, history and language, and particularly enjoyed Highland music.
At the center of her life was her extended family of children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at Emerald Isle and her church home, Swansboro United Methodist Church. In her final months the family was particularly grateful for the exemplary care of the staff at Snug Harbor and the loving companionship of her caregivers.
The funeral service will be held at Swansboro United Methodist Church Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, at 1 p.m. officiated by the Rev. Rachel Moser and Dr. John Tyson. Interment will follow at Sea Side Memorial Park in Swansboro.
The family will receive friends Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the home of Julia and Mark Wax, 7324 Sound Drive, Emerald Isle.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Swansboro United Methodist Church, Building Fund or to Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center.
Arrangements are by Jones Funeral Home in Swansboro.

PARENTS
Howard Harlan
Eugenia Harriss

SPOUSE
James Allen Batten

CHILDREN
Julia Batten
David Batten
Guinn Batten

SOURCES

• 1930 census, Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina

• 1940 census, Ward 8, Fayetteville, Cross Creek Township, Cumberland, North Carolina

• North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000

• Legacy

• Find A Grave