Mary Teems Obituary

Mary Ann Yoder Teems, 81, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at Tidelands Waccamaw Community Hospital. Born in Lancaster, South Carolina on November 13, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Mr. David M. Yoder, Sr. and the late Beannis Funderburk Yoder.

Mrs. Teems graduated from the Columbia Hospital School of Nursing as a Registered Nurse and continued her education at the University of South Carolina, earning both Bachelor of Science and Master Degrees in Nursing. Her long-tenured career in nursing, nursing education, and hospital administration spanned many decades, hospitals, School of Nursing classrooms and geographies including New Orleans, Louisiana, Fort Worth, Texas, Richmond, Virginia, Orangeburg, Georgetown and Florence, South Carolina, and Washington D.C. Mrs. Teems was a long-time staff member of Tidelands Georgetown Memorial Hospital where she served in multiple roles including the Clinical Instructor for Staff Development, Director of Nursing and as the Director of Staff Development.

Mrs. Teems' steadfast faith and spirituality were a testament to the love, strength, wisdom, compassion, and light she radiated in everything she did. Early in her adult life, shortly after her three children were born, she and her husband served as missionaries in the French West Indies on the island of Guadeloupe. Mrs. Teems was a devoted member of First Baptist Church of Georgetown where she was a former teacher of the Ruth Sunday School Class. She was also a dedicated group leader of the Community Bible Study for many years. Her actions and prayers comforted many during their time of need. She volunteered for hospice and regularly visited nursing homes where she was often recognized by the nurses and aides she mentored. Mrs. Teems enjoyed volunteering, gardening, painting, reading, traveling, walking on the beach, and spending time with her three grandchildren, friends and family.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, David M. Yoder, Jr. Surviving are her husband, Dr. Bob A. Teems, three children, Rhett Teems (Angel) of Salisbury, NC, David Teems of Pawleys Island, S.C. and Bea Armstrong (Mike) of Hong Kong; three grandchildren, Tristan Teems, Kirklyn Teems, and Aiden Armstrong; her sister-in-law, Pat Yoder; and seven nieces and eight nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 6th, at First Baptist Church of Georgetown at 12:00 noon. Due to current circumstances, masks will be required and social distancing measures will be in place. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Georgetown Scholarship Fund, 219 Cleland Street, Georgetown, S.C. 29440 or the Parkinson's Foundation, 200 SE 1st Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.grahamfuneralhome.org. Arrangements by Graham Funeral Home (843) 527-4419.