Mary Jo (Bland) Denton

Mary Jo Bland Denton (Marianne Bland) passed away, Friday, November 22, 2024.

          She was the daughter of the late, Worth Livingston Bland and Anne Whitener Bland of Rutherfordton, NC. She was a sister to Joyce Crowder, Steven Bland, Sylvia Lovelace, David Bland, and Dorothy Webster.

          Mrs. Denton taught art in the Graham County School System until her retirement. She was active in the community with Friends of the Library, the Ageha Club, Methodist Women, and many other groups as well. She was well known and loved by her students, colleagues, friends, and family.

          Her passion for art and willingness to help budding talent endeared her to all under her tutelage. Countless times had she been stopped in town and shown appreciation for her instruction and care in performing her teaching duties over those years. She was grateful to hear how she had made a difference in those lives. Many kept in contact with her long after becoming adults.

          Mary Jo was born in Forest City, NC in 1933 and lived with her parents until Graham Noel Denton asked her to be his wife. They lived in Charlotte, Spartanburg, and Tryon before settling in Robbinsville, Graham’s hometown. They were married 28 years until his death in 1981. Mary Jo and Graham had one son, Jonathan Bland Denton who passed away in December of 2022.

          Surviving her are family members, Jonathan’s wife, Catherine Denton of Maryville, TN; grandchildren, Robert Noell Denton (Kathy) of Knoxville, TN, Nikki Ann Denton of Pittsburg, PA; and great grandchildren, Katelynn and Emma Denton; Nephews and Nieces from the Bland family, Clay, Hollie, and Steven Lovelace, Gary Webster and Celia Bland, Nephew and nieces from the Denton family, Greg Denton, Beverly Connor, Mary Flood, Michael Chris and Terry Pittman, Jim Myers, Avery Gordon, and Jesse Nivens, plus many other relatives by marriage and also many beloved great nephews and nieces from both sides of her family.

          A Memorial Service will be held at 2 pm, on Sunday December 8, 2024, at the Robbinsville United Methodist Church. Reverend Eric Reece will officiate. 

          Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Denton family.