Mary Lou Orr

Mary Lou Ferrell Orr; 1939 - 2026

Mary Lou Orr, lifelong resident of Wake County, passed away on February 20 surrounded by her family at her home in Cary.

Mary Lou was born on March 28,1939 to Elva Honeycutt Ferrell and Norman Ashby "Polly" Ferrell at Raleigh's Rex Hospital. She grew up in the close-knit Millbrook community where she attended school for 12 years. She attended Richmond Professional Institute where she received her degree in fashion illustration. After a brief stint with Eastern Airlines, she joined the Hudson-Belk Co. where she spent more than 20 years, producing award-winning ads for the News and Observer.

In 1966 Mary Lou married Charles "Ed" Orr, a Millbrook native. They had one daughter, Gretchen Piechottka (Hans) of Cary who gave her three beloved grandchildren Hans, Jr., Maxmillian and Ella. She also is survived by sisters Bettie Clark and Nancy Neubauer of Cary and JoAnne Morrisseau of Raleigh. She also leaves nephew Paul Morrisseau and nieces Molly Perron and Marietta Rose. She also leaves lifetime "besties" Suzanne NeSmith Emmanuel of Raleigh and John Nicholas of The Villages, Florida.

In 1961, Mary Lou was crowned Miss Wake County and competed in the Miss North Carolina pageant. She was a lifelong member of the Millbrook Baptist Church.

Donations in her memory may be made to donate.spcawake.org or to your local animal shelter.