Obituary of Mary Ann Spencer

Mary Ann “MAC” Curtis Spencer, 85, died peacefully surrounded by her family on March 29, 2017 at Covenant Place. Mary Ann was born Jan 2, 1932 in Sumter, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Rhett “Tommy” Spencer, her parents Martha Pitts and Charles Herbert Curtis, her brother Charles Herbert Curtis, Jr., and her grandson John Malcolm Brabham, III. She is survived by her three children and their families, Dr. Thomas Rhett Spencer, Jr., and his wife Virginia, Curtis Melvin Spencer, his wife Adelaide, Susan Spencer Brabham, her husband John Malcolm Brabham, Jr., and her grandchildren, Mary Felicia “Meg” Stewart, her husband, Samuel David Stewart, Thomas Rhett Spencer, III, Serena Adelaide “Sallie” Spencer, Jane Elliot “Ellie” Spencer and Spencer Thomas Brabham. She is also survived by her sister, Jane Curtis Hudson and her husband Dr. Lester Alphus Hudson. Mary Ann graduated from Edmunds High School in Sumter and earned a business degree from Clevenger Business College. She worked at Shaw Air Force Base, taught kindergarten, and ran the teenage program for the Parks and Recreational Department of Sumter. She later pursued a career in Real Estate. Mary Ann was active in the Sumter community by serving as President of the Junior Welfare League of Sumter, a Sunday school teacher, circle leader and member of Circle #8 at First Presbyterian Church, active in the Tuesday Club and the Trian Club of Sumter. Mary Ann was very devoted to her friends and family. She had a lot of energy and an effervescent personality and entertained with grace and ease in her home where all felt welcome no matter what time dinner was served. Mary Ann had a servant’s heart, a remarkable outlook on life, and gracefully adjusted to changing environments and challenges of life. She is probably best remembered by the Sumter Community, family and friends for her very successful appearance on the Price Is Right TV game show in 1959-1960. Her southern charm and savvy business sense enabled her to be one of the winningest contestants in the history of the show appearing for several weeks. The family would like to express their gratitude to Marsha Flowers of Always There Personal Services, who genuinely loved and cared for Mary Ann for the past five years as well the entire staff of Covenant Place for their love and kindness and in making Covenant Place a happy home for her while she lived there the last 10 years of her life. Serving as pallbearers are her surviving nephews: Dr. Charles Herbert “Bud” Curtis, III, Gordon Mark Curtis, Warren Stephen Curtis, Steven Wayne Hudson, Patrick Curtis Hudson, Daniel Evans Spencer, Howard Dorman “Dyke” Spencer, Dr. Robert Cornealius Ham, Jr., Spencer Howard Peterson, Sr. and Robert Oliver Bessinger, Jr. The family will receive family and friends at the home of Susan and John Brabham, 2761 Creekside Drive, Sumter, South Carolina, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday April 1, 2017. The funeral will be held Sunday, April 2, 2017, at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Sumter with the Reverend Nick Cheek officiating. A graveside burial at Sumter Cemetery will follow immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to the following: First Presbyterian Church of Sumter, 9 West Calhoun Street, Sumter, South Carolina 29150, the John Malcolm Brabham, III Foundation, in care of the Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Dr. – Suite 213 Columbia, South Carolina 29204 and Covenant Place of Sumter, 2825 Carter Road, Sumter, South Carolina 29150. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.