Mrs. Mary Ann Sledge Weems

Mary Ann Sledge Weems was born in Greensboro, Alabama, on the 28th of January 1935. She was the daughter of George Erwin Sledge and Minnie Brown Hurt Sledge. On the 1st of April 2013, at 11:45 a.m., she passed away peacefully in her home while surrounded by her loved ones after fighting multiple myeloma for 13 years. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, F. Carrington Weems II; her three children, F. Carrington Weems III, his wife Cristina Lozano Weems, Mathilde Sledge Weems, M.D., Alexandra Locke Weems; and three grandchildren, F. Carrington Weems IV, Isabella Demetria Weems and Mason Locke Weems.

Mary Ann was a loving and caring Wife, Mother, Sister and Grandmother. She is also survived by her brothers George E. Sledge, Jr., his daughter, Susanna, and three sons, George III, Tom and Michael, and William Hurt Sledge, M.D., his wife, Betsy, and their three daughters, Ann Elizabeth, Margaret and Katherine. Mary Ann was adored by every member of her family.

Mary Ann was a very accomplished woman. She attended Mary Baldwin College in Staunton, Virginia. She earned a B.S. Degree in Education from The University of Alabama and was a "crimson tide" fan in the first degree. In the mid 1950's, she attended the prestigious New York School of Interior Design in Manhattan, where she earned a certificate. Her instructors included notables, such as, Marcel Lajos Breuer, Walter Gropius, Frank Lloyd Wright and many others. She later worked as a furniture designer and assistant to a top oil company executive in Houston while dating her future husband, Carrington. They married on the 15th of February 1958, in Greensboro, Alabama.

Mary Ann and Carrington shared common interests in architecture, interior design and contemporary art. Mary Ann and Carrington designed their first contemporary home on Galveston Bay. Mary Ann designed most of the furniture as well as the décor. Alexandra, their eldest child was brought home from the hospital to this magnificent new home when she was born. Later, in 1963, Mary Ann and her husband designed and built their second contemporary home in Houston's River Oaks. Mary Ann was a very talented artist specializing in abstract expressionism. She was a collector of significant works of contemporary and primitive art. She possessed an effortless and sophisticated personal style that was powerful and unique.

Mary Ann had a passion for researching her heritage through genealogy. She became eligible to be a member of multiple distinguished organizations, including The National Society Magna Charta Dames, The Sovereign Colonial Society of Americans of Royal Descent, General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Order of First Families of Virginia, Daughters of the Cincinnati, Continental Society Daughters of Indian Wars, United Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, Colonial Order of the Crown, Plantagenet Society, The Society of Descendants of Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and The Scrimgeour Clan of Scotland.

Mary Ann and Carrington enjoyed attending multiple organizational meetings of these groups in historic cities like Charleston, Annapolis, New Orleans, Newport, R.I., and Dundee, Scotland. Mary Ann was proud to have been a direct descendent of Samuel Seabury, the first Episcopal Bishop in America.

In addition to her passions for art, design, and genealogy, she developed an interest in personal investing where she became quite successful later in life.

Mary Ann was well liked by others and made friends easily. She had an instinctive ability to relate with people from all walks of life. Her husband would often say, "I'd walk a mile for her smile." She actively encouraged and supported the varied creative interests of her children, as well as her husband's life endeavors, including their collection of ships and maps and various primitive and contemporary arts.

Mary Ann had multiple roles in Houston's Community. She served on the Board of Directors of the "Glenwood Cemetery Historic Preservation Foundation." When her husband was Chairman of the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Mary Ann served in numerous capacities, helping to choose the architect for the museum and conducting and hosting the famous "DINNER OF THE YEAR." In addition, she was a member of the Junior League of Houston, Bayou Club of Houston, River Oaks Country Club, The Dancers, and Bolero. She was a member of the Mill Reed Club in Antigua, BWI, and is listed in the New York "Social Register" as well as the Social Directory of Houston.

Mary Ann professionally designed the interior decor at the Glenwood Cemetery office cottage including all furniture selection. She and her husband added much architectural interest to the grounds in the form of the Belvedere, guard house, and office cottage expansion. They have also made extensive horticultural and structural improvements to the grounds. Mary Ann designed the landscape surrounding the Belvedere.

Our Mother will be deeply missed. She will always be remembered and honored for her never ending generosity, courage and grace. We are deeply blessed to have had her in our lives.

The family desires to recognize the constant and outstanding care and treatment for 13 years by Dr. Garrett Rushing Lynch M.D., Department of Oncology at Baylor College of Medicine and his Nurse Assistant, Carol Elizondo, and Michelle Schaller, her infusion nurse. Thanks are also extended to Houston Hospice, their Social Worker, their Doctor, their Chaplain and their Case Manager, Svanhaniel Crim, RN, BSN.

The family also desires to acknowledge and express their gratitude to Paulina, Elena, Ricarda, J.C., Liz, Ann, Annie B., Carol, Koco, Emma, Roger, Jan, and many others, including Harriette Hart and Lara Palfreyman, Carrington's Assistants who have lovingly served Mary Ann and her family throughout this challenging time.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock this afternoon until eight o'clock this evening, Wednesday, the 3rd of April, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

All are invited to gather with the family during a graveside service and interment to be conducted at eleven o'clock tomorrow morning, Thursday, the 4th of April, at Glenwood Cemetery, 2525 Washington Avenue in Houston, where the Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson, Dean of Christ Church Cathedral, and the Rev. Dr. Laurens A. Hall, Rector of The Church of St. John the Divine, are to officiate.

Immediately following, the family will greet friends during a reception in an adjacent garden at the cemetery.

Serving as honorary pallbearers during tomorrow's service are Richard A. Ambrus, James A. Baker III, Muffet Blake, Bill Broussard, Armin Cantini, Robert L. Dabney, Jane Emerson, S. Field Emerson, Ed Haye, Patty Hubbard, William R. Lummis, Palmer Moldawer, Louise Perlitz, Stuart L. Phelps, Bert Prindiville, Risher Randall, Wallace S. Wilson, and Charles Weiner.

In lieu of customary remembrances, kindly consider a gift in Mary Ann's memory to Baylor College of Medicine, notated for Multiple Myeloma Cancer Research, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030; or the charity of one's choice.