Katherine Ann Andrus

Katherine Ann Taylor Andrus entered into eternal rest on November 12, 2013, after an extended battle with ovarian cancer. Her Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street. Interment, Live Oak Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, November 15, 2013, in J. HENRY STUHR, DOWNTOWN CHAPEL, 232 Calhoun Street.

Ann was born on January 29, 1941, in Asheville, North Carolina, daughter of the late O. Louis and Harriet Allen Taylor. After graduating as Salutatorian of Biltmore High School she attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, graduating at the top of her class in Dental Hygiene. She met her husband, Dr. Charles A. Andrus, at Chapel Hill then moved to Charleston where she lived the rest of her life. She worked as a dental hygienist for several years before beginning a long career as historian and licensed tour guide.

She co-founded Charleston Strolls, one of the first walking tour companies in Charleston. She also led tours for many other organizations, schools, and companies. She wrote the book "The Name Shall be Bethel", a history of Bethel United Methodist Church and Methodism in South Carolina, and co-authored "Charleston's Old Exchange Building: A Witness to American History" among other works in newspapers, a cookbook, and historical volumes. At the request of The Medical University's Waring Historical Library she prepared a Slide History of Medicine in the LowCountry and the History of The Medical University of South Carolina. As a member and leader of the Charleston County Medical Auxiliary she wrote many of the ghost stories for the October Ghost Tour fundraisers. She has been an active member of several history-related organizations, including the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), Preservation Society of Charleston, Historic Charleston Foundation, Charleston Tour Association, South Carolina Historical Society, Friends of the Old Exchange, South Carolina Methodist Historical Society, and others. Among other civic contributions, she served the City of Charleston on the Clean City Commission for eleven years where she created Clean City Clara and was President of the Lake Sandhurst Garden Club.

Her civic and historical activities resulted in recognition and several awards including a Certificate for Outstanding Contribution to the Charleston Community by the Rebecca Motte Chapter of the DAR, The Elizabeth Jenkins Young Award by the Charleston Tour Association , The Bethel UMW Mission Award, and the Herbert Hucks, Jr., Award for Historical Preservation by the South Carolina Methodist Conference.

Ann was a life-long Methodist and member of Bethel United Methodist Church after moving to Charleston. She served Bethel as Historian and Archivist, President of the Bethel United Methodist Women, leader of the Kendrick-Rodgers Circle, and twice Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In addition to founding the Church historical archives collection, she gladly assisted other historians and genealogists in their own research. She was instrumental in restoring the Church sanctuary after extensive damage from Hurricane Hugo and more recent structural problems.

Ann was devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, plus friend to many. She enjoyed reading, especially historical books, gardening, playing piano, exploring her beloved LowCountry, and spending time in the mountains of North Carolina near Saluda. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, her brother, James Taylor and friend Betty Howard of Asheville, North Carolina; two children, Katherine Pace and husband David Pace of Orlando, Florida and Fred Andrus and wife Deborah Keene, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama; three grandchildren, Carson Pace, Gordon Pace, and Benjamin Andrus; a brother-in-law, Jan Andrus and wife Nancy of
Summerville, South Carolina and their daughters, Lynn Jenkinson and Leslie Andrus.

Memorials may be made to: Bethel United Methodist Church, 57 Pitt Street, Charleston, SC 29401.