Catherine Ann McCarley Suarez

Catherine Ann McCarley Suárez entered peacefully into her eternal rest at home and surrounded by her family on June 24, 2020. She was 64 years old. She was known throughout her life by many names. She called herself a "daughter of Eve," but her Hope was ever in her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his claim on her heart and Spirit was evident to her last breath.

The eldest of four children, "Cathy Ann," was born in Anderson, South Carolina, on December 13, 1955, to her late parents, Buford Emery McCarley and Gladys Ruth McCarley. She grew up in Iva, S.C., and, ultimately, received a scholarship to attend Erskine College in Due West, S.C., where she met the love of her life, Arturo Suárez. The two were married Nov. 5, 1977, and upon graduating, settled in her hometown of Iva.

Graduating with a degree in primary education, "Ann" began her career as a teacher at Iva Elementary School. Throughout her 27 years of teaching children, she daily affirmed that each child was made for a purpose, that they were unique and beloved children of God -- daughters of Eve and sons of Adam, at times, but always children of God, worthy of respect and love. Her constant refrain was that we were, all of us, "fearfully and wonderfully made."

When she was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2005, one of her first concerns was the effect that her chemo and radiation treatments would have on her students. So, she took her wig into the classroom prior to losing her hair, and showed the children what it looked like. She wanted to prepare them for the changes ahead, to ease their transition into her new normal. Throughout her battle with breast cancer, she would drive herself to radiation, take a day of rest at home, then head back to the classroom. She worked through the brutality of chemotherapy and radiation treatments with grace and dignity and a dash of humor.

Her passion for teaching, however, was not confined to the classroom. She taught Sunday school and home school, she tutored and was a mentor to countless surrogate daughters and sons, and, most importantly, she was a formidable teacher for her three children, Habakkuk "Barron," Virginia and Catherine. "Each child had their own recipe," she would say, and she was always up for the challenge of meeting us all where we were. Ann saw childhood as a precious and sacred gift, and by turning tough times into adventures, and adventures into journeys, she gave us an example of a framework for living that allowed for whimsy and hope in the midst of struggle and pain.

In whichever season of her life she was in, Ann saw her mission in life as something of a commission. She believed that "man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever." To that end, she faithfully participated in Bible studies and prayer groups through the many Associate Reformed Presbyterian (ARP) churches she was a member of over the years: Iva ARP, Greenwood ARP, Scots Kirk ARP, Providence ARP and Shem Creek (ARP). In particular, Ann derived much joy from the relationships she formed through those communities. She also saw her work as her mission, and she developed strong ties within her teaching community, through her involvement with Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators.

Just five years after being declared cancer-free, Ann faced another ominous health challenge, when she lost most of her vision, due to undiagnosed rheumatoid arthritis in her optic nerves. She drove herself to the hospital with a feeling that something was very wrong, and that was the last time she would drive. She had been caring for her aging parents, as well as continuing to teach, and life's transitions swept her up once again. During that time, she would often say that "losing her vision was far more troubling than not being able to see."

Being legally blind meant that she lost her vocation, she lost the ability to care for her aging parents, she lost her freedom and independence. Ultimately, she even lost her identity, as applying for disability required her to start going by the name on her birth certificate, "Catherine Ann." Even still, she fervently believed that God had a purpose for her pain. Watching her navigate this entirely new and permanent normal, was nothing short of inspirational. Anyone who met her, after she lost her vision, would probably not even categorize "being blind," as a defining characteristic of who she was.

In October of 2015, Catherine Ann was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer, and the prognosis was grim. With skilled and measured treatment by her incredible oncologist, Dr. Scott Jennings, she navigated yet another major life transition with grace and dignity. Surgeries and chemotherapy treatments and infusions and more surgeries filled her calendar, and she never stopped looking people in the eye and remembering their names. She never stopped making friends.

Ann spent her last four and a half years sharing life with her beloved husband, Arturo, traveling to see family and friends, and having them come to visit her, getting to celebrate birthdays and holidays with her children and grandchildren and getting to meet and spend time with her two youngest grandchildren, both born within hours of each other in November of 2016.

By whichever name a person knew her -- as Cathy Ann, Ann or Catherine Ann; Mama, Mum or Marmie; Grandma, Grandmother or Nana -- to know her, was to love her. Her legacy of Faith, Hope and Love will follow our family through generations. Her community will grieve our loss, but we will always remember the joy she gave, when we were blessed to have her with us.

Ann is survived by her beloved husband of 42 years, Arturo Suárez of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina; her three children: Habakkuk "Barron" Suárez (Karen) of Apex, North Carolina, Virginia Street (Ben) of Charleston, South Carolina, and Catherine Moore (Jeff) of Meridian, Idaho. She is survived by her six grandchildren: Joshua Suárez and Samuel Suárez; Eliana Moore, Reuben Moore and Jude Moore; and Isla Street. Surviving sister is Carolyn Lee (Neil). Surviving brothers are Burton McCarley (Mary) and Philip McCarley (Melanie). Also surviving are a number of cherished nephews, nieces, and cousins, as well as faithful friends, neighbors and caregivers.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Shem Creek Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 160, Mt Pleasant, SC 29465, or to World Witness, the foreign missions agency of the ARP Church, 918 Pleasantburg Drive, Suite 218, Greenville, SC 29607. Messages of condolence can be sent to the Suárez, Moore and Street families by visiting or by mail sent to 1643B Savannah Highway, No. 206, Charleston, SC 29407.

Funeral arrangements have been made by J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as recent spikes in local coronavirus cases, interment in Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens will immediately follow a private service of worship and thanksgiving for the life of Catherine Ann McCarley Suárez with Rev. Ben Carver officiating.

The family invites all of Ann's many friends and beloved family members to gather together virtually to view a worship service in her memory on Saturday, July 4, 2020 at 3 p.m. EST. Details for "attending" this virtual service will be posted throughout the week on Ann's facebook page.