Essie Louise Smith Wilson

Essie Louise Smith Wilson, 88, of Mt. Pleasant, SC passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her daughter’s home. Her memorial service will be held Saturday, January 21, 2023 in the Palmetto Presbyterian Church, 1720 Carolina Park Blvd. at 10:00 am. The family will receive friends in the church hall immediately following the service.

Essie was born on June 14, 1934 in McClellanville, SC, daughter of the late Raymond Benjamin Smith and Helen Venning Beckman Smith. She grew up in McClellanville and graduated from McClellanville High School. She received her nursing degree from Greenville General Hospital. Essie took great pride in her long nursing career in private practice and as a labor and delivery nurse. For many years she delighted in delivering babies at the East Cooper Hospital in Mt. Pleasant. 

Essie often said her greatest achievement was having four beautiful daughters. She was happiest when she was cooking for her family for birthdays and holidays. A talent in the kitchen with many specialties, her fried shrimp and shrimp paste were a favorite by many.

“Damaw’s” grandchildren were blessed to have her ever present in their lives. From childhood trips to feed the ducks to her fervor for basketball games, she
took great joy in being with her seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was known to carry a small notepad to basketball games to
tally stats. After every game, she was sure to remind you of how you either won or lost the game by “free shots.”

Essie was an avid bridge player, and had many devoted friends she played with every week. She also loved her exercise class at the Mt. Pleasant Senior Center, and missed her friends when she moved. Essie loved the outdoors, and never missed walking her daily mile in her neighborhood. Additionally, she loved tending to her beautiful garden, quilting, and reading. Essie had a strong faith. She attended church every Sunday for over 50 years at Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church in the Old Village. She later joined Palmetto Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant near Merrill Gardens at Carolina Park where she lived the last year of her life and made many friends.

She was deeply devoted to her family. Surviving are her loving brother Raymond B. Smith, Jr. (Frances) of Greenville, SC who was a big part of her life, four daughters, Tammy Darby, (Buddy) of Sullivan’s Island, SC; Stacey Harrington (James) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Helen Wilson of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and Penelope Wilson (Teri) of Charlotte, NC; Seven grandchildren, Charles Darby (Maria) of Charleston, SC; Allie Darby of Charleston, SC; Joycee Wood (Allen) of Charleston, SC; Leland Darby (Peter) of Richmond VA; Dillon Kroll, Jamie Harrington and Jenny Harrington of Mt. Pleasant, SC; seven great grandchildren, Quinn, Jarvis, Mac, Reese, Joya, Lewis and Santos. She was preceded in death by her two sisters, Jeanette Smith Graham and Jean Smith Stroman.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thornwell in Clinton, SC or MUSC Children's Hospital Fund. A memorial message may be written to the family by
visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.