Mary Anne Thomas

Mary Anne Thomas, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 19, 2025, at Trident Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina, surrounded by family and enveloped by the attentive and loving care of the hospital staff, who treated her with warmth and compassion. She was 62. Born on November 25, 1962, in Lexington, South Carolina, Mary Anne lived a life full of music, laughter, and an unyielding commitment to peace, love, and kindness—an old hippie’s creed she wore like a badge of honor.

Mary Anne was the cherished daughter of the late Dr. Albert Patrick Thomas and Anne Pearson Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Michael P. Thomas. She leaves behind a vibrant legacy in her children: Joshua Smith (39), married to Victoria Smith; Shelby Huffines (35), predeceased by her husband Timothy Huffines; Ellen Smith (33); George Reid (29); and Johanna Reid (27). Her nine grandchildren—Aidan Smith, Rileigh Smith, Juliett Huffines, Joseph Smith, Emersyn Smith, Charlie Miller, Connor Miller, Caroline Smith, and a yet-to-be-born grandchild—along with countless great-nieces and nephews whom she doted on as her own, will carry her spark forward. Mary Anne’s heart was big enough to embrace her ex-husband’s sister, Sharon Ishmael, and her husband, Jeff Ishmael, with whom she shared a deep bond. She is also survived by her brother, Albert P. “Rick” Thomas Jr., and his wife, Jo Ann Thomas; her sister, Leigh Crout, and her husband, Jerry Crout; her childhood best friend, Jami Steele; and her dear friend in adulthood, Kathy Borrero. She is also survived by her ex-husbands and fathers of her children, Eric Ross Smith, married to Colleen Smith, and Robert Reid.

A 1980 graduate of Lexington High School, Mary Anne pursued studies at Furman University before choosing the adventure of motherhood. Her career in medical coding was marked by dedication, from her years at MUSC to her role as a remote coding supervisor for the Mayo Clinic. Ever the learner, she continued her education to master her field, proving that her sharp mind was as unstoppable as her spirit.

Mary Anne’s life was a symphony of passions. In her youth, her extraordinary voice earned her a spot in the prestigious America’s Youth in Concert in 1979, where she had the honor of singing in the Notre Dame Cathedral, a memory she cherished deeply. She played guitar and piano with the ease of someone born to make music. She penned poems in her teens and early twenties, weaving words as effortlessly as she hosted legendary Tupperware parties in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s or tealight parties when they swept the nation in the early 2000s. An avid reader, she devoured books by Stephen King and Anne Rice, often with a cup of coffee and a serene smile. Her love for the outdoors took her on cruises in her later years, where she soaked in the sea breeze and, no doubt, charmed everyone on board.

Above all, Mary Anne was a fierce advocate for peace, love, and making your voice heard. She was the kind of mom who could turn a mundane Tuesday into a festival of laughter and the kind of grandma who snuck extra cookies to her grandkids with a conspiratorial wink. Her heart, as big as the South Carolina sky, made everyone feel like family.

Mary Anne’s life will be celebrated with a joyous gathering of food, music, and memories on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, curated by Mary Anne herself—or as her kids called her, “Mom,” the title she wore with pride. All friends and family are warmly invited to join in honoring a woman who lived loudly, loved deeply, and probably still owes someone a Tupperware lid.

In lieu of flowers, Mary Anne would likely suggest you turn up the music, hug someone you love, or maybe just raise your voice for kindness. She will be sorely missed, forever remembered, and eternally loved.