Mary (Honeycutt) Shum

Mary Honeycutt Shum, 91, of Fayetteville, passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, September 27, 2025.

Mary was born on July 20, 1934, in Sampson County, North Carolina, to the late Earnie Blackman Honeycutt and Jessie Williams Honeycutt. Born during the Great Depression and raised in the rural agricultural community of Sampson County, Mary’s early years deeply shaped her into the strong, hardworking, and resilient woman she became. Her upbringing instilled in her a lasting sense of frugality, organization, and a love for the land. She found joy in tending to her yard and garden, always keeping things beautiful and orderly.

Mary dedicated over 40 years of service to the Civil Service at Fort Bragg, where she was known for her reliability, professionalism, and dedication. Outside of work, she was deeply devoted to her family. As the second of ten children, she embraced the role of a second mother to her younger siblings and was the heart of the family. Her greatest joy came from time spent with her grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as a guiding and supportive presence.

A woman of many interests, Mary enjoyed listening to hymns and beach music, and was proud to have taught herself how to shag. Her music brought her happiness, as did her faith and the close-knit community of friends and family around her.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Shum; her siblings, Daulcie Berlin Honeycutt, Wyman Honeycutt, Louise Helvin, and Cynthia Joy Honeycutt.

She is survived by her loving children: son Rick Shum; daughter Donna Naylor and husband Robert; her cherished grandchildren: Nick Naylor and wife Holly, Morgan Naylor, Reagan Naylor Baxley and husband Cole, and Lincoln Shum. She also leaves behind her siblings: Alma Matthews, R.A. Honeycutt and wife Nancy, Robert Honeycutt and wife JoAnn, Diane Shields, and Carol Underwood and husband Tommy; along with numerous nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends from 5:00–6:00 p.m. prior to the service.

The family will be using Dutch Iris in Dunn for their floral selections.

Funeral arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301

Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

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