Mary Leighton Nisbet Sellers, 87, a resident of The Village at Brookwood, died on December 28, 2024. She was predeceased by her husband, William Ernest Sellers of Burlington, her parents Mattie Mills McCutchen Nisbet and John Byers Nisbet of Jacksonville AL, brothers John Byers Nisbet Jr (Dorothy Jane) and George Nisbet, and grandchild Christine Ashmore Sellers. Survivors include her daughter, Elizabeth Sellers Stanfill and husband James Bradley Stanfill, sons William David Sellers and wife Jane Whitt Sellers and Kendall Ernest Sellers and wife Vicki Peterson Sellers, and sister Theresa Nisbet Humphreys. She is also survived by grandchildren William Whitt Sellers and wife Christine Doughty Sellers, Leighton Audrey Stanfill, John Sellers Stanfill, Elizabeth Jameson Sellers, and Sasha Sellers Boyd and husband John Ryan Boyd, Kiersten Marie Cohen, and Miranda Hazel Pichurski, great-grandchildren, Kinsleigh Grace Rock, Felix Dale Cohen, and Brady John Pichurski,, and by many nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held at Rich and Thompson Funeral and Cremation Service on Thursday January 2, 2025 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. A family graveside service will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery on Friday, January 3, 2025 followed by a memorial service at First Christian United Church of Christ at 1:00 PM.
Mrs. Sellers, a native of Jacksonville AL, attended schools there, spent time as a summer camp counselor at Montreat NC, and graduated from Flora McDonald College in Red Springs NC, now a part of St Andrews University in Laurinburg NC. Upon graduation, she taught second grade in Charlotte NC prior to moving to Burlington following her marriage to Bill Sellers.
Upon arrival in Burlington NC, Mrs. Sellers devoted her time to her family, her church, and her community. Though raised in a strong Presbyterian family, she joined First Christian United Church of Christ in Burlington, where her husband’s family were among the founders. There she served as a deacon, Sunday School teacher, and active member of the Women’s Fellowship.
Mrs. Sellers cheerfully and actively participated in the lives of her children. She was always willing to be a room mother, carpool driver, Girl Scout leader, or do whatever was needed. She saw that they had nutritious meals, got plenty of rest, did their homework, made time to play with their friends, and participated in activities that interested them. She was devoted to the care and well-being of her husband, indulging happily in his hobbies of flying planes and collecting and exhibiting antique cars, and caring for him when his health declined.
Mrs. Sellers, in her kind, gentle, and unassuming way, cared for her friends and enjoyed being with them over the years as a former member of Alamance Country Club, Town and Country Garden Club, The Little Club, and the Alamance Region Antique Auto Club of America. In her later years, she became a resident of The Village at Brookwood where she enjoyed singing in the choir, walking for exercise, and visiting regularly with longtime friends and former neighbors who had moved there. Her family is grateful for the care provided by her caregivers Terri Crouse and Denise Jones as well as many others.
Memorial gifts may be given to a charity of the donor’s choice, or to First Christian United Church of Christ, 415 S Church St., Burlington NC 27215.
