Mary Ann Preston

Marion, Virginia

Mary Ann Preston age 81, passed away Saturday, February 15, 2025.

She never complained or asked why. She was actually intrigued by the science behind what was killing her. On the rare occasion she admitted to feeling bad, she would quickly follow with “but that’s OK!”. She loved the Lord and trusted in Him completely. Her faith was the foundation that guided her through every season of life. She loved history and instilled it in all of us regardless if we were willing participants. Genealogy was her favorite pastime. Traipsing off to a court house in a little ol’ town to comb through its records and graveyards was exciting to her. Her travels centered around historical sites- a battle field, a president’s home, a university, etc. She loved learning. One summer she took a public speaking class with her daughters just for fun! The more she could read and research the happier she was. The texts we’d get with obscure facts and notable information that we had no idea what to do with were always a hoot and usually over our head. Such an intelligent woman! She retired from the health clinic at Emory & Henry. She said she loved that place because the students kept her young. Her gift giving was truly unique! One of her funniest stories involves the acronym WTF and her misuse of it. She truly thought it meant “Well That’s Fantastic”! That’s been the family joke ever since. She even has the mug! She absolutely adored and loved Charlie Rhea and oh how he doted on her. She loved the excitement that always seems to surround him. She loved their many trips and camping adventures. In the last 5 months, she had 2 grandchildren get married with another wedding coming this fall, one great grandchild born with two more due in June, and a great great grandchild due in August. Mom said the Lord certainly gave her an exciting final chapter! The hole in our hearts will never heal but these babies will certainly help fill the void. She will be their guardian angel for sure. She’s been ready to go since she was first diagnosed, we just aren’t ready to let her go. She said we’ll see her later if we just follow Jesus. We love you and we will see you again! 

She was preceded in death by her previous husband, Paul M. Sexton, Jr.; parents, Robert and Ruby Peery.

Mary Ann is survived by her husband, Charles “Charlie” Rhea Preston, Jr. of Marion, Va.; 3 daughters, Virginia Duncan (Dickie) of Palm Coast, Fla., Christy Hilton (Ricky) of Rural Retreat, Va., Trish Cox (Kenneth) of Radford, Va.; 5 step-children, Rhea Preston (Kay) of Rural Retreat, Va., Beth Dunn (Gary) of Asheboro, N.C., Terri Liftawi (Jamal) of Roanoke, Va., Cindy Pridgen (Bobby) of Greensboro, N.C. and Debbie Talbert of Hartsville, S.C.; 16 grandchildren, Shane Groseclose, Kayla Taylor (Dedrick), Tyler Hilton (Miranda), Jacob Cox (Alli), Brent Hilton (Autumn), Bailee Baylor (DJ), Tyler Woodward (Holly), Justin Woodward (Hannah), Zachery Preston, Rhealynn Preston, Amir Liftawi, Tristan Richmond, Brandon Dunn, Kamren Dunn, AJ Talbert (Louise) and Ashley Arrants (Mark); 13 great-grandchildren with 2 more due in June and 1 great-great-grandchild due in August; life-long friend, Lindy Brown; and special cousin, Paige Ward. 

The family will receive friends Friday, February 21, 2025 from 5 until 7 p.m. at Cedar Bluff Baptist Church Family Life Center, 132 Churchland Drive, Atkins, Va. Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 12 noon at Cedar Bluff Baptist Church with burial following in Hutton-Cox Cemetery, Sugar Grove, Va. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or online at https://donate.cancer.org or to Cedar Bluff Baptist Church, c/o Treasurer, 132 Churchland Drive, Atkins, VA 24311. 

To share memories of Mary Ann Preston please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Mary Ann has been entrusted to Fraziers’ Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion VA 24354.