LEXINGTON—Mary Ann Duke Mars, age 66, passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2013 after a lengthy illness. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2013 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel and the family will receive friends following the service. The service will be officiated by Reverend Dr. Charles Westbrook.
Born in Blakely, GA., Mrs. Mars, wife of Jabe Sanders “Sandy” Mars Jr., was raised and attended school in Thomasville, GA. As a senior in high school she won the state tennis championship. She also was a member of the Sub Debs, The Leaders Club of the YMCA, The National Honor Society and the Tri Hi Y. She was chosen to be a senior superlative. She attended college at Valdosta State University in Valdosta, GA. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority.
After college and marriage she sold real estate as she continued with community service and as a volunteer, activities including being president of the Junior Woman’s Club.
She was a Columbia resident for 33 years and she continued her community involvement. She served on the Board of Directors of Little Miss South Carolina from 1986 until 1994. As pageant director for Columbia, Cayce-West Columbia, Ballentine, Chapin, Irmo, Swansea and St. Andrew’s during those years she mentored young ladies from the ages of 6 to 19. She provided advice on self-esteem, poise, grace, communication and proper attire. She was able to provide funding for Richland Children’s Hospital, a teen cancer survival group (The Lasting Impressions) and also Camp Chemo.
The love of her life was her Lord and her family. Over the years she provided a loving and stable environment and many joyous memories for various members of her family including her mother, sisters, nieces, nephews, in-laws and great nephews. She was also an avid pet lover and rescued dogs for 18 years.
Surviving beside her husband is son, Jabe S. Mars III; daughter, Melissa Ann Mars; grandchildren, Victoria Lynn Mars; Morgan Michaela Mars and Jabe S. Mars IV. She is predeceased in life by her mother, Lillian Chastain Duke; her father, William Duke; her sister, Barbara Sue Barnes and her niece, Barbara Suzanne Phillips.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18