Mary Frances Stemper

Mary Frances Stemper, 87, passed away on July 20, 2026 in Charles Town, West Virginia. She was born on September 25, 1938, in Odessa, Texas, and raised in Fairview, West Virginia by the late James and Nellie McKain.

Mary Frances was a lifelong caregiver, educator, school counselor and administrator who dedicated her life to helping others. She attended Fairmont State University and Virginia Tech, where she gained the knowledge and skills she needed to make a positive impact on the world.

For her family, she was an organized, steadfast Catholic wife and mother who strove always to do what was right. She was very proud of the family she came from and the one that she created. As a teenager, Mary Frances swore that she must have been adopted; she couldn’t possibly be related to the chaos and craziness of 4 younger brothers and sisters. As soon as she could, she moved out of Fairmont, WV and vowed never to move back.

In semi-retirement, she and her husband Jim Musgrave moved to North Carolina, near her sister Kathy and Kathy’s husband Rick. Eventually, all the brothers and sisters would be in the Carolinas. Having family near again and continuing to grow in those relationships provided a perfect turn-around, and she loved being close to her brothers and sisters again.

Mary Frances and Jim provided a solid foundation for their own family as well. They were a consistent example of making the right choices and doing the right things: Mass on Sundays, learning about faith, putting money in savings, choosing friends wisely, giving quality time to family.

One of Mary Frances’ favorite ways to show love was with food. She would cook for all occasions, and we never left her house without leftovers to bring home. When she came to visit, she would bring the ingredients for whatever she wanted to cook with her, so you couldn’t say no! She also showed her love by making sure special days were special: Redhots in cream of wheat for Valentine’s Day, a good football spread for the Superbowl, and extra surprises for birthdays and Christmas.

Her work was always important to her as well. She stayed home to raise Mark and Jan when they were small, but once she went back to work, she worked hard and was good at her job, earning the respect and friendship of her coworkers along with the Virginia State Counselor of the Year award.

In her free time, Mary Frances enjoyed traveling, reading, gardening, and complaining about gardening. She loved to take trips with her friends and family and had been on adventures all over the world.

In later life, she married Jack Stemper and spent many years traveling, eating out, and enjoying getting together with his beautiful family as well. So she leaves behind a bonus family from her marriage to Jack (deceased): Alicia Stemper, Audrey Delaney, James Stemper, John Stemper, Andrea Stemper, and their husbands, wives, and children.

Mary Frances is survived by her son Mark Musgrave, her daughter Jan Jordan and Jan’s husband Luis. She loved and is much loved by her grandsons Colton McEwen, Guillermo Jordan, and Diego Jordan, and her great-granddaughter, Christine Jordan. Mary Frances will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Her kindness, generosity, and dedication to helping others will never be forgotten. Services will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4820 Kinnamon Rd., Winston-Salem, NC on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 11:00am with internment to take place immediately afterward at Forsyth Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local Hospice.