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Martha Ann Riggs Wilson

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College of Charleston University of South Carolina Winthrop University

FUNERAL HOME

Dunbar Funeral Home - Devine

3926 Devine St

Columbia, South Carolina

Martha Wilson Obituary

Martha Ann Riggs Wilson Columbia, SC - Martha Ann Riggs Wilson was born on June 21, 1921 to Ottie Alice Shepherd and Thomas Salkeld Riggs in Roanoke, Virginia. She was the oldest of five children. Her family moved to Charleston during the Depression, where she met and married Reginald Darlington Wilson on February 3, 1948, at Grace Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Ann attended Winthrop College for one year and graduated from the College of Charleston in May of 1944 with a degree in English. She was inducted into the Old Timers Society of the College in March, 1994 and attended her last meeting with great effort on her part in March, 2013. She attended law school with her husband at the University of South Carolina in Columbia in 1948. She and her husband owned Chester Concrete and Distributing Company in Chester, S.C. from 1955 - 1969. He was elected Mayor of Chester in 1960 and served in that capacity for eight years while his wife was a devoted city servant in her capacity as First Lady of Chester. Through work with the city and the Chester Concrete and Distributing Company, they enjoyed their participation in the City Municipal Association and the Concrete Masonry Association. They sold the concrete business and moved to Columbia in 1971. Ann worked with the Department of Agriculture from 1973 until she retired in 2000. As the oldest child living through the Depression, she loved to "mother" her siblings, all who predeceased her, except for her brother, William Henry Riggs of Charleston, who is one year her junior. She was known as Aunt Marshee, Mawsee, Martha Ann and Ann by her family members. Among her many accomplishments were devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Her Sunday lunches were famous with her family and friends. After her husband Reg passed away in 1981, she was fiercely independent and lived alone for more than 35 years in the home they purchased when they moved to Columbia. She was an avid reader and loved to cook. The Wilson family lived in Charleston during their early years of marriage, moved to Rock Hill in 1952, and settled in Chester in 1954, where they lived the majority of their married life. In Chester, the family attended St. Mark's Episcopal Church. Ann was instrumental in seeing her husband and two children confirmed as Episcopalians in 1962. After moving to Columbia, she attended Trinity Episcopal Cathedral and enjoyed the ladies in the Bishop Finlay Chapter until she was unable to drive to the nightly meetings. She is survived by her son, Reginald Darlington "Rex" Wilson, Jr. and his wife, Paula Brafford Wilson; and her daughter, Martha Ann "Mitten" Wilson Brown and her husband, Frank Reginald Brown, III, M.D. She has five grandchildren: her namesake Martha Ann Riggs Wilson Baggett, wife of William Jonathan Baggett; Kelly Taylor Wilson Hall, wife of Michael William Hall of Trophy Club, Texas; Reginald Darlington Wilson, III and his wife, Courtney Christian Hansberry; Frank Reginald Brown, IV of the Isle of Palms, S.C.; and Riggs Wilson Brown. She has one great-granddaughter, Charlotte Taylor "Lottie" Hall. She has nieces, nephews and Godchildren in California, Florida and Charleston. Carol Brown with Home First Senior Care and her team of caregivers have been constant, loving and devoted companions in the home since 2009. The family is deeply appreciative and thankful for the wonderful, compassionate and loving care to their mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who passed away at home on Saturday, April 9, 2016. Ma'Ma' will be deeply missed by her family. She lived a long and happy life. The memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2016, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m., Monday, April 11, 2016, in Elmwood Cemetery. After the memorial service, the family will receive visitors at home, 1328 Palmer Road, Columbia. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Trinity Forward Campaign, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or a charity of one's choice. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com. Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

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Published by Charleston Post & Courier from Apr. 9 to Apr. 10, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Martha Wilson

18 Entries

April 19, 2016

Mitten & Rex,

I am so sorry to see this sad news. I remember having breakfast in your dining room in Chester & your mom would serve us in her finest china. That is a special childhood memory!! I loved spending time there when we were growing up. Please know you and family are in my prayers.

Libby McGarity Lee

Keith & Billie Ulmer

April 15, 2016

Rex and Family, Keith and I send our
condolences for the loss of mother and
grandmother. For such a short time, we have great memories. Love, Billie & Keith Ulmer

Sandra & Joe Norcross

April 12, 2016

Dear Mitten & Frank, Sons and Family...Beth sent me the news of your Mom. Please accept our sincerest sympathy upon the loss of your dear Mother. Sending hugs and prayers.
Sandra & Joe

Frances Leitner Rouse

April 12, 2016

Dear Mitten and Rex,
I was sorry to learn of your mother's death. She was such a giving person and made a big impact on my childhood. She taught me Sunday school for many years at St. Mark's. Of course our families shared many happy times. I know you will miss her. Please know you are in my prayers.

Dianne Chinnes

April 11, 2016

Rex,

My thoughts, prayers and heartfelt sympathy are with you and your family.

Tina Riggs

April 11, 2016

So sorry to hear of Aunt Marshee's passing. We have many fond memories of Happy House and her hospitality. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this time.

Tina, Delaney & Caroline Riggs

Mary Willa Lowry

April 11, 2016

Rex, I am thinking of you and your family as you deal with you mother's death. I loved reading her obit about her interesting life. I know she will be missed by many. I'm holding all of you close in my heart.

Jane Lawther

April 11, 2016

To all the dear Wilsons, Thinking of you as you celebrate Ann's life. Remembering the joy of traveling with her, sending love to all

Jessica McElroy

April 11, 2016

Dear Rex, Mitten, and Family, I am terribly sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. May my condolences bring you consolation and peace during this painful time. I will truly miss Mrs. Wilson, and enjoyed the time that I spent with her.

F. Jackson

April 10, 2016

I want to express my deepest condolences to Ms. Martha Ann Riggs Wilson Family. Reading about Ms. Martha has touch our hearts, There are so many wonderful memories of Ms. Martha, that no one can take away. Older adults who have limitations but are generous with their experience and resources are precious assets in their communities. They prove that "gray-headedness is a crown of beauty, Beautiful in God's sight." Proverbs 16:31. Such precious individuals merit our love and deep respect. Please accept my personal condolences at this most difficult time.

April 10, 2016

So sorry to hear of Aunt Marshee's passing. I always enjoyed her stories, phone calls, and especially the notes and letters she sent us! Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. She will always be remembered.
Margaret, Meredith, and Lawton Riggs

Lew & Sandy Briggs

April 10, 2016

Dear Mitten & Rex
We are so very sorry for your loss. We enjoyed knowing your Mother very much. She was a very special lady, with always a smile and a wonderful spirit. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sandy and Lew Briggs

April 10, 2016

To the family of Martha Ann Rigggs Wilson
Ken and I are deeply sorry for your loss.
Your mother, grandmother, was a strong and wonderfully independent woman. We send our condolences and keep you in our prayers.
Kenneth and Martha Reifsnider

Jane Hardin

April 10, 2016

Sending love and peace to all the family she adored and lived for during her long, happy, fruitful life. I feel blessed to have known her for many years along with her delightful husband, Reg. With heavy hearts she will be missed but the term celebration of life truly applies in this instance.

Ann Lempesis

April 10, 2016

Dear Mitten & Rex - - I just read in our Charleston paper that Martha Ann passed away and although I was sadden by the news it brought back many many memories of both Martha Ann and Reg and the wonderful times we had together with uncle Louis. I first met your mother in 1948 when both she and your dad were in law school with uncle Louis - he took me to their apartment and introduced me to them and we were the first couple to whom they revealed that they were expecting a baby (Rex). Martha Ann was always so full of life and enjoyed her life to the fullest. The fact that she lived to be 94 attests of her zest and happiness which no doubt contributed to her longevity.
Be blessed and with much love,

Aunt Ann

April 10, 2016

We are so sorry to hear about Aunt Marshee's passing. We will always have fond memories of Aunt Marshee's quick smile and laugh. A very loving person who always made you feel special. We certainly will miss her. Our deepest sympathies to our loving cousins, Rex and Mitten, and their families. Love, the Dick Riggs family- Dolores, Jody, Brenda, Joseph, Les, and in spirit, Dick and Rick

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