Mary Clowney Obituary

Mary Clowney CHARLESTON - Mary Clowney, 89, died peacefully in Charleston, SC, on Thursday, March 7, 2024, with her children by her side, at the age of 89. A burial service will be held Wednesday, March 20, 2024, in Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia, SC 29209, at 2:00 p.m. The family has also planned a reception at the Carolina Yacht Club, in Charleston, SC, on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. to honor and celebrate Mary's life. Mary Clowney, a talented interior decorator, was beloved by clients and friends worldwide who admired her creative flair for design and fashion. She truly saw beauty in everything she encountered, absolutely everything, and her spirited personality and tremendous zest for life was infectious and unparalleled to all. She will always be remembered for her clever imagination and her innate ability to create beautiful spaces for her family, friends, and clients throughout her long and successful career. Mary, along with Bill, spent decades, scouring the English countryside and London markets in search of unique treasures, that only Mary could find, for her antiques and interiors business located on Gervais Street in Columbia, SC. She was always an active member of garden clubs, book clubs, and Newcomers clubs while living in Kansas City, Chicago, Columbia, and Charleston. Mary was the quintessential hostess who adored time spent with her grandchildren and friends at her family beach house on the Isle of Palms, and will be well remembered for her role as Grand marshal of her annual parade through the garden every "4th of July." Mary Evelyn Brown was born on March 19, 1934, in Belton, South Carolina, daughter of the late William Alexander Brown and Nettie Lou Martin Brown. She would meet the love of her life, William Thomas Clowney, in the college gymnasium during a Newberry College basketball game. It was love at first sight, and Bill and Mary were married soon thereafter in her hometown of Belton, SC, on April 4, 1953. They were blessed with three children, and a marriage lasting 70 years. Mary was predeceased by her husband, Bill, and her daughter, Candice C. Hawkins (Mike). She is survived by her two children: Melody Whitworth (Bobby); William "Beau" Thomas Clowney, Jr. (Teresa); her five grandchildren: Michael Mills Hawkins, Jr.; William Alexander "Zann" Hawkins (Sarah); Tyler Jordon Hawkins; Zoe Elizabeth Clowney; and William Thomas Claxton Clowney; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ann C. Kleckley; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family is grateful to the staff at Kempton of Charleston for her care over the last two years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in Mary and Bill's honor to St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 300 Palm Blvd., #2145, Isle of Palms, SC 29451 and/or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29209. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.