Mary Lou Buck

June 30, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Charlotte lost an icon recently, when Mary Lou passed on Sunday, June 30, 2024.  She was a trailblazer in introducing yoga to countless Charlotteans.  For over 40 years, she was often stopped around town by former students who wanted to express how blessed they felt by her teaching.  She was a dedicated member of Myers Park Baptist Church for 60 years, served as deacon, leader of Sunday School and on various committees. Mary Lou was an early environmentalist, pushing family and others to recycle and consider vegetarianism as early as the 1980s.  She loved nature; besides being a Girl Scout and a frequent camper and hiker, she arranged for family land to be conserved for ecological value and was a volunteer leader with the local Sierra Club chapter.

Mary Lou was born in Statesville, NC in February 1937, daughter of William Zadok Smith and Margaret Naomi Pursley.  She grew up in and around Gastonia, and after graduating from Gastonia High School she earned a degree in Physical Education at Women’s College, now UNC-Greensboro.  Mary Lou worked at various summer camps up north and after college got a job with the YWCA in Baltimore, MD, where she met her husband George at a church ice cream social.  They returned to Charlotte in 1963, where she worked for the Girl Scout Council and taught swimming at the YWCA before shifting to yoga teaching and opening her studio, Yoga for Life. 

Mary Lou had a very active life up until the end, eager to be involved and to support local initiatives. She loved being in the community and often hosted gatherings at her home, both to welcome new neighbors or to gather with yoga friends.

Mary Lou is survived by her children, Brian Buck of Santa Cruz, CA, Eric Buck of Washington, DC and Robin Buck of Charlotte and by her siblings, Suzanne Long and Bill Smith, and their families.

A memorial service will be held for Mary Lou at 2:00 PM on Thursday, August 1, 2024, at Myers Park Baptist Church.  The family will receive friends following the service in Heaton Hall.  The service will be livestreamed at: https://myersparkbaptist.org/worship/livestream/ for those unable to attend in person. 

 In lieu of flowers, loved ones might plant a tree or consider donating to the Catawba Lands Conservancy, 2400 Park Road, Suite 1, Charlotte, NC 28203 (https://catawbalands.org/donate) or Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 (https://myersparkbaptist.org/give/).

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.

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Comments

  • Gerry Toole

    I remember my first Yoga class, it was held at Myers Park High School Library. Mr daughter Donna and I attended. This was before Mary Lou opened Yoga for Life studio at Southend. Her introduction to Kripalu yoga, poetry, books, vegetarian cooking and all the wonderful things that followed have been an inspiration to us. We will miss you.

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  • Becky Trapp Mays

    I've known Mary Lou for nearly 60 years. George and Mary Lou, and my husband and I were young couples at Myers Park Baptist Church in the mid-1960's. Our first-born son David and their first-born son Brian were playmates at the Through-the-Week preschool at MPBC. Even though we moved away from Charlotte many years ago, when I returned to various church events and services over the years, I was always happy to see Mary Lou, who was a faithful member of her beloved church. She was a remarkable woman. Sending love to Brian, Eric, and Robin.

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  • Katherine Balas

    Mary Lou was my friend and mentor. My heart is sad at her passing. Though I feel that our friendship will last in and through eternity. I will so miss her presence in my life. Charlotte has lost a force for gracious goodness. For Brian, Robin, and Eric my prayers are with all of you. Letting go of one who has loved you is indeed a difficult task. All Blessings from Katherine

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  • Thia Powers

    Mary Lou was a godsend to me...I moved back to Charlotte in 2001 after living in SanFrancisco for 14 years, where I had begun to practice yoga and meditation. After moving back to Charlotte I had a hard time finding much of either of those things, until I connected with Mary Lou and Hampton Thrower, teaching in a yoga studio above the old Wad's sundries on East Blvd. Practicing there plugged me into the yoga and meditation communities of Charlotte, and it has been a big blessing - to say the least. I liked Mary Lou's no-nonsense approach to things, her thoughtfulness and her sensitivity to other people's feelings. She launched a lot of yogis into our part of the world, and created a widespread yoga community, many of whom are still connected. Thanks for that legacy...and for your love of the earth, Mary Lou.

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  • P_Geiger

    Every time I get in triangle pose, I hear Mary Lou's voice in my head, "Think about being between two panes of glass to keep your body straight."

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  • John W Totten II

    God bless you Mary Lou. She was my yoga teacher. She was indeed a life force and I will miss her.

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  • kathleen rackley

    Mary Lou was a lovely friend and church sister in many, many ways. We will remember her and miss her greatly.
    Her memory is a blessing- Kathleen Rackley

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  • Anita Godwin

    Mary Lou was my first yoga teacher in 1994 and was a dear friend and mentor for 30 years. Every year in her birthday card I wrote that I wanted to be like her when I grew up. She was special in so many ways - gentle, strong, focused, caring, and committed to the people and causes she loved. She made the world a better place and will continue to be a role model for me. May God comfort our grieving hearts with the consolation that Mary Lou is now reunited with her precious husband George.

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  • Gail Goforth

    I loved having Mary Lou as a teacher and a friend. She was one of the kindest people I knew. Thank you, Mary Lou, for all the love you shared with all who knew you. You will always be in my heart…

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  • Carolyn Cooper

    I so sorry for your loss. I feel very fortunate to have known Mary Lou through the Sierra Club. She was very active in the club and shared her time and property with other volunteers. I will always remember her enthusiasm and friendliness. I hope you have many good memories of her.

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