Mary Ella Gilmer

Mary Ella Deaton Gilmer went home to the Lord on October 14, 2021, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at the age of 98. Mary was the daughter of Clyde Vernon and Ida Crocker Deaton. Mary was predeceased much too soon by her beloved husband, Andy Berry Gilmer and beloved daughter, Dianne Wertz; and by her sisters, Alice Deaton, Henrietta Brown, and Minnie Thompson; and her brothers, Bryant Deaton, Nathan Deaton, and Nesbitt Deaton.

Mary is survived by her son, Harry Gilmer and daughter-in-law, Sherry Gilmer and her son, Lynn Gilmer and daughter-in-law, Billie Gilmer; her sister, Reba Rothrock, her brother, Roy Deaton; grandchildren, Tracy Navy (Pete), Brandy Miller (James), Chris Gilmer, Amy Davenport (Mark), Leslie Tucker (Mitch), Meghan Gilmer, and the youngest grandchild Trevor Gilmer, who she would never actually deny was really her favorite. Mary was also a great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren whom she also loved dearly, Will Davenport, Madison Davenport, Henry Tucker, and Emily Tucker. In addition, Mary leaves behind many nieces and nephews, cousins, and other relatives who loved her and whom she adored.

Lovingly known as “Granny,” Mary was a strong, Christian woman who attended and was a member of Glendale Baptist Church and Cowpens First Baptist Church. Raised from humble beginnings and having a childhood cut short due to her mother’s death at a young age, Mary instilled in her family and those she loved the importance of family and an appreciation for the simple things in life. Mary would often regale her grandchildren with stories of her childhood adventures with her eight siblings and was known as a tough and feisty girl that engaged in a childhood fight or two, usually to stand up to a schoolboy bullying others.

Mary loved basketball, and the grandchildren knew not to dare change the channel during March Madness. She also played on the first girls’ basketball team at Whitestone School as a forward and beamed with pride when she spoke of her years playing basketball.

Mary was a long-time textile mill worker with a strong work ethic. She had a stubborn streak and was strongly independent. Mary enjoyed completing puzzles and word searches and maintaining a vegetable garden, all of which were best done with a grandchild or two by her side. Mary loved all flowers and had a vast knowledge and talent for identifying and planting flowers. She also had a knack for spotting a pecan fallen from a tree and enjoyed shelling pecans for herself and her family and friends.

Mary would never leave the house without a hat or something covering her head and could be often overheard telling her grandchildren to “put a hat on that head” when they ventured outside into cool weather. Her family and friends could never leave her house without some kind of food item in hand, and Mary enjoyed cooking [very quickly] for her family. In her later years, Mary developed an affinity for peanuts and milkshakes.

While the family sincerely appreciates all those who loved Mary, and wish to express their condolences, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is with heavy heart that the family respectfully requests no visitors at this time.

A Graveside service with Mary’s family and close friends will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, October 17, 2021, in Glendale Cemetery, 3555 Clifton Glendale Road, Glendale, South Carolina, where she will be laid to rest with her beloved Andy.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Glendale Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 96, Glendale, South Carolina 29346.

The family would like to extend our appreciation to the nurses and staff at White Oak at North Grove who showed care and compassion to both Mary and her family.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel