COLUMBIA – Ann Farmer O’Shields, loving wife of Chuck O’Shields, died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 16, 2019. Mrs. O’Shields was born on September 21, 1948 in Greenville, South Carolina to the late Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Edgar (Ferne Cox) Farmer. Mrs. O’Shields was a devoted wife and mother and taught school in South Carolina public schools for over 30 years. Mrs. O’Shields retired from Chapin Middle School. Her greatest joy in life was her grandchildren, Jacob and Charlotte (Charla) Neely.
Mrs. O’Shields graduated from Coker College in 1969, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in English and History. The weekend after she graduated from college, Mrs. O’Shields married her high school sweetheart and lifelong friend, Charles Jackson O’Shields, Jr. After returning from their honeymoon, the couple moved to San Antonio, Texas where Mrs. O’Shields began her career as a high school teacher. The couple would later move back to South Carolina when Mr. O’Shields left the Air Force.
Mrs. O’Shields was the faithful mother of Jennifer O’Shields, Kathryn Neely, and her beloved son-in-law, Jesse Neely. Born an only child, family was extremely important to Mrs. O’Shields and she was overjoyed to marry into a large, loving family. She loved each of her family members with all of her heart, beginning with her late mother-in-law and late father-in-law to the great, great nieces and nephews who she was blessed with in her later years.
Mrs. O’Shields was a member of Gateway Baptist Church in Irmo for over 25 years, where she was loved well by her church family, including special friends Charlene Cathcart and Kay Wyatt.
Mrs. O’Shields was a selfless and kind person who lived her life in service to God and others. She was a beacon of light and a wonderful person. In her memory, the family asks that you perform a random act of kindness that will benefit a child. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gateway Baptist Church Chapel Fund.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. at Gateway Baptist Church in Irmo, South Carolina. Visitation will follow the service. Dunbar Funeral Home Dutch Fork Chapel is handling the arrangements. The family will be at the home of Kathryn and Jesse Neely 127 Hearthwood Circle, Irmo, SC 29063.