Mary Ann Adams Chitwood

Mary Ann Adams Chitwood, 89, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Louis Robert Chitwood, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, November 3, 2021. Her private memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel.Mary Ann was born January 6, 1932 in Charleston, South Carolina, daughter of the late John Daly Adams and Myrtle Palmer Adams.By all measures, Mary Ann lived a full life. One of joy, adventure, passion, love and great accomplishments.As a young woman, she put her nursing training on hold and traveled across the country on her own to set up house on the airbase in Texas where her husband, Robert, was stationed. Quite a daunting task for a young woman in the 1950's. They returned to Charleston to start their family.In the early 1960's, she was part owner of Treasure House Nursery School. By the 1970's she had retired from the nursery school, but quickly became active with the Charleston Garden Club, The Republican Women's Club, and other social and civic groups. She and Robert loved to travel, and did so extensively. She returned to school where she completed her nursing degree at MUSC at the age of 55. As a registered nurse, she worked for the Health Department's WIC program doing in-home well baby visits for several years before retiring.She and Robert continued to live happily and thoroughly enjoyed life with each other until 2000, when Robert passed away. He was the love of her life. Mary Ann suffered from crippling neuropathy for 20+ years and struggled with mobility issues until her passing. Through it all she endured with the help of the compassionate staff at Bishop Gadsden, her family, good friends, an iron will and an electric wheelchair. She forged ahead with a resiliency and determination that was inspiring. She leaves behind a legacy of family and friends who will always recall her with great fondness and humor and who are much better off having had her in their lives. She is survived by her daughters, Lynda C. Anderson (Jules) of Charleston, SC and Betsy C. Renken (Buzzy) of Charleston, SC; son, John L. Chitwood (Debbie) of Mount Pleasant, SC; six grandchildren: Mandy Davis (Chip), Adam Renken (Amanda), Katherine Anderson, Lyndsey Quinn (Elliotte), Julia Mowlajko (Andy) and Katie Chitwood; seven great-grandchildren; sister, Martha Bryson (Gene) and brother-in-law, Charles Jett. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jane Adams Jett.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Residence Assistance Fund at Bishop Gadsden.