HEATHSVILLE—On November 23, 1938, Mary Ann was the first bundle of joy to the late Samuel K. and Viola V. Johnson.
Being reared in a Christian home, Mary Anne professed to Christ as her personal savior early in life and joined Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, White Stone. She knew God had chosen her to be one of his most trusted caregivers. Mary Ann was a committed servant to God as well as to the many patients, family members, friends and students she cared for throughout her nursing career.
Early Friday, May 3, 2024, God swept Mary Ann up to take her rest in heaven with him.
Mary Ann attended A.T. Wright School and received her GED in 1971. She went on to further her education by attending the Lincoln Institution of Practical Nursing, nurse assistant; the Richmond Technical Center Nursing Program, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); Rappahannock Community College, transferred to Norfolk State University, and received an associate degree in applied science in nursing (AAS); bachelor’s of science, BSN, Registered Nurse (RN); and studied at the University of Virginia Graduate School of Nursing, focus: advanced practice in adult health nursing, master’s of science in nursing.
Mary Ann started working at an early age and worked hard at Levi’s Sewing Plant until she wanted to pursue her dream in the medical field. It was her life mission to help others and what better way to serve them was to become a nurse (caregiver). She worked as an LPN and RN at Rappahannock General Hospital (RGH), Kilmarnock; private duty nursing for Northumberland County; adjunct professor for Registered Nurse Program at Rappahannock Community College (RCC), Warsaw, and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Department of Corrections, Public Health Nurse in home care.
Mary Ann decided after celebrating 45 years of being a nurse educator, clinician and health authority, it was time to place her nursing cap in retirement on June 30, 2012. Also, in 1991 Mary Ann and her husband, Oliver Rich established O&M Rich Masonry Inc. where she remained president until May 26, 2015. They served clients throughout the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
She also did community service, secretary for the Northumberland County Branch of NAACP, board member of Hospice representing Northumberland County, substitute teacher in Northumberland County Public Schools and Community Health Navigator with REESI on the Northern Neck Access (N2Access) project under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health’s Partnerships. In addition, she was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Northumberland Chapter.
One of her most rewarding aspects of being a mother, grandmother and nurse was nourishing and inspiring her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to be the best that they could be. Mary Ann was truly one of God’s angels because she provided unconditional love. She always told them to put God first in their lives, respect others and that God would bless them beyond what man could ever provide.
Mary Ann’s home was the “happy and fun” place where family and friends liked to gather, especially during Thanksgiving. She made the best homemade rolls. Some of her children, grandchildren and friends attempted to make them but were never successful. It was so funny when they said, “my rolls were hard as a brick or did not rise.” However, only one was able to master the roll technique and that was her daughter, Lisa, who made them for a contest and won a blue ribbon.
Also, as adjunct professor at RCC, Mary Ann was well respected by colleagues, doctors and students and oftentimes they sought her guidance, advice and expertise. In addition, she was admired by the RGH staff who she worked with for over 15 years. She also took her nursing students there for clinical training. Her students cherished her kindness, attention and advice she gave to them during their nursing training. Many of Mary Ann’s students for years continued to stay in contact with her when she retired from RCC.
Her hobbies were playing the piano, reading, listening to gospel and classical music and community involvement.
On March 25, 1956, Mary Ann and Irving Charles Carter were happily joined in holy matrimony in Heathsville until his death on March 21, 1961. This union was blessed with two sons, Larry and Michael, and two daughters, Lisa and Charlene.
Mary Ann became a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, Heathsville, and served as pianist, sang on the choir, was chairperson of the Pastor’s Aide Ministry and Golden Age Missionary Coordinator.
On October 7, 1972, Oliver Leo Rich and Mary Ann Carter were joined in holy matrimony and were blessed with daughters, Kaylene and Kimberly. Together they raised six children, Larry, Michael, Kaylene, Lisa, Charlene and Kimberly (Kim).
Preceding her in death were husbands, Irving Charles Carter and Oliver Leo Rich; brother, Joseph K. Johnson; and granddaughter, Nikeeta Slade.
Mary Ann leaves to cherish in memory sons, Larry (Vickie) Carter, and Michael Carter; daughters, Kaylene (Gary) Rich, Kimberly (Theodore) Wingfield, Lisa Slade and Charlene (Tyrone) Wilson; 14 grandchildren, Donyell Chase, Tyrone Ellerbe (TT), Nocile (Kevin) Parker, Ariane (Aston) Williams, Kashif (Shontelle) Carter, Thomika Cooper, Keonte Redmond, Kenderick Carter, Jessica Kelley, Jason Brown, Leila Harrison, Joseph Vietmeier, Sydney Wingfield and Theodore Wingfield Jr. (TJ), 17 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; sister, Marylyn Smith; brothers-in-law, Raymond (Barbara) Rich and Glendon Rich; sisters-in-law, Gracie Johnson, Etherline Rich, Bettie Williams, Jacqueline King and Glendora Rich; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Homegoing services for Mary Ann were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11, at Macedonia Baptist Church.
Campbell Funeral Home of Kilmarnock handled the arrangements.
