Mary Ann C. Ward

Mary Ann Connelly Ward, 86 of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2022.

Born on March 5, 1936, in Newberry, S.C. was the daughter of the late Susie Buford Connelly and Jessie Pope Connelly, Sr.

Mary Ann was the youngest of six children and was very close with her family. She attended Newberry College and worked as an Administrative Secretarial Clerk/Stenographer for Bell South Telephone Company for 35 years retiring in 1996.

Mary Ann met her husband, Gerald Maurice, “Mo” Ward Jr, “the love of her life,” in Newberry S.C. on a blind date. They were married on March 20, 1960, and were blessed with two children: Heather and Reese. They were blessed with two grandchildren: Katie and Gavin. Mary Ann cherished being a “Nana” to her grandchildren: playing games, crafting, reading...even playing ball with them in the yard!

 Mary Ann enjoyed reading her morning newspaper with her cup of coffee first thing in the morning. She enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, reading novels, playing Mahjong and Canasta, Solitaire, and Rummy. She enjoyed doing ceramics, cross-stitching, painting, and playing the piano. Mary Ann attended Bethany United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School classes and sang in the Church Choir.

Mary Ann enjoyed going out to lunch with her friends at La Tabella and especially enjoyed finishing a nice meal with her favorite dessert: Crème Brulé! She also enjoyed celebrating family birthdays at Outback Steak House and Miyabi’s!

Mary Ann enjoyed spending time with her family and hosting family dinners on Sundays. She was an amazing cook and baker! Family favorites were her meatloaf, potato soup, country fried steak, red rice, spaghetti, pecan pies, pecan tarts, lemon pound cakes, and lemon-lime pies!!!

Mary Ann was happiest when she was spending time with family and friends. She never met a stranger and was loved by all!

Mary Ann was preceded in death by her father Jessie Pope Connelly, Sr., and her mother Susie Connelly; her brothers Jessie Pope Connelly Jr., William “Bill” Connelly, and James “Jim” Connelly; her sister Catherine “Cat” Hawkins; sisters-in-law JoAn Connelly, Mary Connelly, JoAnne Connelly, and Betty Connelly; her brother-in-law Bill Hawkins.

Mary Ann is survived by her son Gerald M. “Reese” (Donna) Ward, her daughter Heather (John) Weed, and grandchildren Katie Ward and Gavin Ward, of Charleston S.C. Mary Ann is also survived by her brother Buford “Boots” (Janelle) Connelly of Aiken S.C., and numerous nieces and nephews that she loved very much.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 23, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 347 Folly Road, Charleston, S.C. 29412.

The service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at James Island Presbyterian Church, 1632 Fort Johnson Road in Charleston, S.C. 29412. The burial will be held at Holy Cross Cemetery in Charleston, S.C. 29412, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Attn: S.C. Gift Processing 4600 Park Rd. Ste 250 Charlotte, N.C.

28209

Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at mcalister-smith.com/.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 347 Folly Rd, Charleston, S.C. 29412, 843-614-8494.