Mary Jo Thaggard Adcox

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Mary Jo Thaggard Adcox (84) of Elizabethtown, passed away peacefully at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center in Wilmington with her daughters by her side. She was born in Elizabethtown to Brode and Lula Thaggard, who preceded her in death.

She was also preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Walter, her brother, Mike Thaggard, and her nephew, Michael Thaggard.

She is survived by her daughters, Sandy (Bruce) Saburn of Mooresville and Cindy (Alec) Clark of Oak Island; her grandchildren, Jason Saburn of Chesapeake, VA; Katherine Clark of California; and Alexander (Charlotte) Clark III of Elizabethtown; and her great-grandchildren, Gavin Saburn of Salisbury, MD; Aiden and Noah Saburn of Chesapeake, VA; and Harper Clark of Elizabethtown. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Gail Thaggard; numerous nieces and nephews; and her best friend and first cousin, Shirley Vann.

Sandy and Cindy are so thankful that in her final year, their mother was cared for by wonderful caregivers, including Shirley Autry, Annie Powell, Erlene Elkins, Wendy Lewis, along with Alexander and Charlotte Clark. Her 2-year-old great-granddaughter, Harper, brought her countless smiles in her final days, helping with her walker and sharing many sweet moments.

The family is incredibly thankful to the staff of Lower Cape Fear Life Care Center in Wilmington for making her final days comfortable.

For more than 35 years, Mary Jo and Walter owned and operated Adcox Nursery. They were known far and wide for the most beautiful geraniums and ferns anywhere. Mary Jo loved getting to know her customers who returned year after year to buy their flowers. Customers returned not only for the plants but also for Mary Jo’s warm conversation and welcoming spirit.

Mary Jo loved children and relished her time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Any child that found themselves at her house could be assured of being the center of attention and possibly having a tea party.

Mary Jo loved Christmas and decorating for the holidays. Over the years she built an impressive collection of Dept. 56 Christmas villages that she especially loved to show off to children. In her memory, her daughters will be working with children’s homes to donate Christmas village sets, bringing joy and wonder to children during the holiday season, just as she would have wanted.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare Center or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 1, at 3 p.m. at Elizabethtown Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Elizabethtown City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the home, 1726 US Hwy 701 North, Elizabethtown.