Maryann Stewart Whitmore

Maryann Stewart Whitmore – Winston Salem, NC

Maryann Stewart Whitmore of Winston Salem, North Carolina passed away, Friday, July 7, 2023.

She was born in Gate City, Virginia on December 20, 1936, and was the daughter of the late John F. and Ruby G. Stewart, and wife to the late Ernest Whitmore, all of Gate City, Virginia.

After graduating from Shoemaker High, Maryann went on to lead a rich life as a teacher, artist, lay church leader, dental technician, and mother.

A graduate of Radford College, Maryann taught art at the Rock School in Damascus, Virginia in the 1950’s.

She would later become established in the arts community in Southwest Virginia and East Tennessee as a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild.

As an artist, she worked with stitchery, paints, charcoal, textiles, and other media. Often presented in juried exhibitions in the 1960’s and 1970’s, her works continue to be appreciated by family members and friends.

Maryann had a deep and abiding faith that guided a lifelong spiritual journey in Christ. She was a member of various church communities, establishing roots with family moves across North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

A Methodist by faith, Maryann played lay leadership roles with various congregations and was deeply committed to Bible study and instruction. Hers was an inclusive and loving faith.

At the age of 50, Maryann embarked on a new passion as a dental technician. She owned and operated her own dental casting lab that put her artistic skills to work and provided a creative outlet. In so doing she gained certifications, her work products were highly sought after, and she gained visibility among professional colleagues.

Throughout her life, Maryann was a dedicated mother and family member.

Among many things to be remembered was her generosity of spirit in offering support and providing caregiving for loved ones. These acts might be as simple as baking cookies for the holiday seasons to be shared with her daughters and their college roommates. Or these acts could be as profound as providing months of selfless caregiving to family members facing illness and death. Her devotion to others extending beyond family.

She volunteered with hospice services in North Carolina. For many years, springtime saw Maryann gathering daffodils to give to those who were homebound.

Maryann believed in our spiritual connection to the outdoors and natural world. She taught her daughters and others a love for hiking, birding, stargazing, gardening, and wildflower exploration. When the weather permitted, long walks in the woods were a highlight of family gatherings.

Maryann is survived by her two daughters Ann Stewart Whitmore Plein (Christopher Plein) of Morgantown, West Virginia, and Jane Elizabeth Whitmore Pace (Mark Pace) of Clemmons, North Carolina. Also surviving are beloved cousins, nephews, and nieces.

Graveside services will be conducted for Maryann Whitmore at Holston View Cemetery, Weber City, Virginia at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 2023, with Rev. Jeff DeBoard officiating.

Family and friends are asked to meet at Gate City Funeral Home at 12:15 p.m., to go in procession to the graveside service.

Donations in her memory can be made to Madison United Methodist Church, 110 W Academy Street, Madison, North  Carolina 27025, or to the Salvation Army.

An online guest register is available for the Whitmore family at www.gatecityfunerals.com.

Gate City Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Maryann Stewart Whitmore.