Mary Olive (Martin) Kirkman

Mary Olive Martin Kirkman, 84, of Summerville, SC, passed away Wednesday, May 2, 2018, at The Village at Summerville.

Memorial Services will take place on Friday, May 11, 2018 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon at Church of the Palms United Methodist Church, 1425 Okatie Hwy, Bluffton, SC 29909. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Mary’s name may be made to Hospice of Charleston, 4975 LaCross Road, Suite 200, North Charleston, SC 29406.

Mary was born March 20, 1934 in Merrimon, NC, the daughter of the late George Thomas Martin and Leola Beatrice Mason Martin. Mary was employed by the United States Navy Civil Service from 1956 until her retirement in 1997 (41 years). Her life’s work was dedicated to servicemen and their families, making sure they had adequate, if not exceptional, homes and neighborhoods to live in. Her dedication and hard work changed the look of base housing and military neighborhoods wherever the Navy sent her. Her exemplary service led to many Naval Commendations. Mary was an avid gardener and possessed a notorious “green thumb.” She liked nothing better than getting her hands in the dirt. She loved playing bridge, her church, singing in the choir, and her family.

Mary leaves behind her son, George Kirkman and his daughter, Kristen Kirkman both of Beaufort, SC; daughter, Carol Kirkman Phipps of Summerville, SC; granddaughter, Morgan Ahl (Burnette Ahl) and their children, Hayden and Allison; grandson, Martin Phipps (Amiee Fletcher) and their children, Mikell and Lucas, all of Summerville, SC; brothers, Charles Martin of Bremerton, WA and George Martin (Barbara Martin) of Estero, FL; nephew, Benson Martin (Silvia Martin) and their children, Cole and Luke of Norcross, GA.

Arrangements by PARKS FUNERAL HOME, 130 W. 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483.

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