Doris Preslar

1929 - 2025

Doris Elizabeth Smith Preslar, 96, of Monroe, NC, passed away at home, peacefully joining a whole host of family & friends on Sunday, September 28, after a brief, aggressive bout of cancer.

A native of Oakboro, NC, she was preceded in death by her parents, Edmond L. and Ila O. Eudy Smith; her beloved husband of almost 50 years, Leroy L. Preslar; infant son Barry Wayne Preslar; all five of her brothers and 3 of her sisters, most of her in-laws and several nephews.

Doris is survived by her daughter Gail Preslar (Milton Nelson) of Kingsport, TN; 2 sons JB Preslar (Patty) and Gary Preslar both of Monroe, NC, four grandchildren: Dr. J Spencer Gainey (Maggie) of Spartanburg, SC; Cameron Nelson Hardamon (Paris) of Chicago, IL; Amanda Preslar Fowler (Sam) of Mint Hill, and Ashley Preslar McComb (Chase) of Monroe; four great-grandsons: Daniel Clark, TJ Gainey, Eli Gainey of Spartanburg, SC, and Samuel Fowler of Mint Hill; a host of nieces and nephews mostly in North and South Carolina.

As child of the Great Depression, early in her childhood, Doris and her family moved to Union County. She attended 8 schools across the county, graduating from Unionville School in 1948.

Leroy Preslar won her heart and married her in December 1950.

As a young mother in the 1950's & early 1960's, she kept a spotless house, canned enough vegetables to feed her family past the fresh produce season, and sewed most of her and her children's clothing. In 1961, moving from Charlotte to the sandhills of Pageland, SC, presented a homemaker's challenge of a yard full of sandspurs and the constant challenge to sweep up the sand tracked in by Gail and JB. Moving back to Union County in June 1966 to the Secrest Short Cut farmland brought her much inner peace.

After years as a stay-at-home mom, Doris joined the workforce as a seamstress in a dress factory in Pageland, SC. After a year or so, seeking better employment options, she joined Ma Leck Woodcrafts (Wingate, NC) and then landed an even better paying job with benefits at Eaton packing door closures. In 1977, she became a full-time farmer, raising chickens for Holly Farms/Tyson Foods.

Throughout her long-life Doris has been a PTA parent from 1959 through 1990. However, most of her community-facing energy involved Shiloh Baptist Church. Always a faithful member of her Sunday School Class and Women's Circle. Over the years she was active in short-term mission trips, VBS, Sports Camp, Women's Missionary Union, and Joy Club. She was a fixture in the Church Kitchen for Wednesday night meals, funerals, showers, and other church activities.

As a relatively young widow, she took computer classes. With friends or family, she travelled extensively with a local tour company. While never an email whiz, she regularly emailed distantly located grandchildren and other family members. Later she actively monitored Facebook, keeping up with many others. During and following COVID, she worshipped via Facebook Livestream.

Throughout the extended family, Doris was known as a fantastic, downhome, Southern cook. Her grandchildren remember her for the best grilled cheese sandwiches, chicken and dumplings, and both honeybun, strawberry pie and pound cakes. If she needed JB or Gary to 'do something', she would make a banana pudding from scratch, with toasted meringue on top. When they walked into the house & smelled the distinctive toasted meringue aroma, they knew she had an important assignment for them.

Doris was never one to force on anyone her faith in a loving, saving Lord. However, when one spent time with her, one experienced both love and compassion that comes from a faith that ran deep and true. Her Christian witness was in caring, generous actions, not words.

Beyond her devotion to her family and her Christian faith, Doris was an avid fan of Carolina basketball, and her favorite player was Steph Curry. The Bachelor/Bachelorette franchise, Dancing with the Stars, and Shark Tank.

During Doris' final weeks, Dr. Nusrat Chaudhary, Novant Health Cancer Institute – Matthews, and VIA Health Partners provided excellent and compassionate care. We would like to thank Mignon Baucom for caring for Doris during her last year.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions to VIA Hospice Partners, POB 470408, Charlotte, NC, 28247 donatehospice.org or HealthQuest of Union County, 415 E Franklin St, Monroe, NC 28112.

Visitation will be at McEwen's Funeral Home of Monroe, 204 South Main Street Monroe, NC, Thursday, October 2nd, 6-8 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Shiloh Baptist Church, 2301 N. Rocky River Rd. Monroe, NC, Friday, October 3rd, 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Lakeland Memorial Park, 1901 Lancaster Avenue Monroe, NC. Pastors Don Whitener, Todd Daniels, and Brad Kelley will officiate.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mcewenmonroechapel.com for the Preslar family.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the family of Doris Elizabeth Smith Preslar.