Marian Ann Howard
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Marian Ann Payne Howard, 85, died peacefully surrounded by her daughters and family, on Sunday, August 27, 2023. Born February 11, 1938 in Sumter, SC, Ann was the daughter of the late Wade Albert Payne and Lillian Pauline Wells Payne.
Ann graduated from Edmunds High School and Tuomey Hospital of Nursing in Sumter, SC. She was a graduate of Wofford College and the University of South Carolina. After a career in nursing and raising her family, Ann worked at Wofford College and then Spartanburg Area Mental Health. She was extremely devoted to the formation of an upstate homeless coalition. She received multiple awards and had a street named for her in the first housing development for homeless in Spartanburg. She marched for the homeless in Washington DC, was involved in Leadership Spartanburg, Healthy Spartanburg, Seeds of Primary Prevention, and Share the Vision. After retiring three times, Ann ended her career providing mental health assessments at the Spartanburg County jail.
Ann was active in disaster response, participating in relief efforts after hurricane Hugo in SC, Andrew in FL, Katrina in New Orleans, and a flood in Washington State. She volunteered at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and many other events.
Ann's greatest love was her family. Known as "Nama" by her grandchildren and great grands, she poured herself into being with them and loving them so well. She loved laughing, singing, playing, praising God, being proud of her children and family, and making the world better by being in it. She enjoyed travel, playing golf, family reunions, and was an amazing artist.
Ann found love and encouragement with her women's prayer group of 30+ years and was an active member of Central United Methodist Church.
Ann is survived by her daughters Elizabeth Howard Collins (Lee), Martha Howard Spires (Ken), Heather Howard Hyland (Tim), sister Mary Frances McIntyre, brother Wade Albert Payne, Jr. (Lila), ten grandchildren, Blaire Collins Jett (Kevin), Carter Collins (Kelly), Alex Collins (Haleigh), Anna Collins, Drew Spires (Liz), Jackson Spires (Maria), Georgia Spires, Emily Hyland, Maura Hyland (Matthew), James Hyland, and nine great grandchildren, Harper, Ryder, Collins, and Hallie Jett, Fletcher, Ruthie, Quinn and Jude Collins, soon to be born Dean Spires, nieces and nephews.
Ann is predeceased by her parents, brother-in-law Robert McIntyre, and nephew Wade Albert Payne III.
A celebration of Ann's life will be held Monday September 11, 2023, 3 pm, Central United Methodist Church, 233 N. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC, her grandson Carter Collins officiating.
A private family graveside will be held at Sumter Cemetery, Sumter, SC at a later date.
The family is deeply grateful to the care community of Wellmore of Tega Cay.
Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Research, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.
http://act.alz.org/donate
Online condolences may be made at www.mlfordsons.com
M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Ms. Howard.