Rock Hill, SC –Mrs. Mary Green Chandler McVann, 80, passed away Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
Born in Ashtabula, Ohio on June 1, 1944, Mary was the daughter of the late Herbert Green and the late Betty Foltz Green. Mary grew up in Pierpont, Ohio and moved to Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1987.
Mary graduated from Kingsville High School in 1962 and attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio part time from 1964-1971, earning a degree in elementary education. She began teaching at Pierpont Elementary in 1969, spending most of her time as a second grade teacher. In 1982, Mary completed her Masters in Elementary Education and earned Gifted and Principal certifications in 1987 from Edinboro University in Edinboro, PA.
Upon moving to Rock Hill, South Carolina in 1987, Mary taught school at Sunset Park Elementary where she served for five years, making many friends among her fellow teachers, administrators and school district staff. Following the completion of her Masters Plus 30 in 1992 from Winthrop University in Rock Hill, Mary taught at Independence Elementary, took on the assistant principal role, and eventually became the principal from 1999-2010. Students and parents enjoyed working with Mary for her energetic and inspiring approach to advocating for children. Her staff said “she brought the fun,” and was always there to assist them. Mary could often be found painting or moving furniture on weekends to redecorate parts of the school that needed some pizazz. After her retirement from the school district, Mary went on to a second career as a consultant and trainer of principals. She finally chose to retire fully in 2022.
In addition to her specialty in gifted education, Mary also taught literacy, language arts and writing courses to children and adults in the Rock Hill School District and at Winthrop University. She had many local, state and national affiliations with literacy, reading and curriculum development organizations. Just a few of her career honors and achievements included President of the SC International Reading Association, an Award of Excellence from Winthrop University and Teacher of the Year Awards.
In her personal life, Mary was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church since 1987, and Pierpont Presbyterian Church in Pierpont, Ohio, where she came to know her Savior Jesus at an early age. She participated in or led Sunday School, small groups, children’s musicals, youth group and church choir. Mary’s commitment to her communities also included several years of co-producing the “Pierpont Follies,” and lending her warm alto for several years to the Lighthouse Singers of northeastern Ohio.
Mary took up painting during Covid and blessed her family and friends with her art for several years. Her great love of animals was a theme in her art, and she enjoyed the work of Jonathan Greene, the South Carolina Gullah painter.
Mary is survived by her husband of 20 years, Neil McVann, her daughter Shelly Chandler (Troy Dugo), daughter-in-law Erin Chandler, brothers Herbert and Kenneth (Patricia) Green and three grandchildren, Dylan Price, Jackson Chandler and Oliva Fassett (Luke), and step-children Emily Smith (Michael) and Nate McVann (Elizabeth). She is preceded in death by her first husband, Carlton Chandler and son Ryan Chandler.
A celebration of life service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, SC on Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:00 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1320 India Hook Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net. The family would love to hear from you on this website if you are not able to join us.