Mary Ann Sams Cromartie, known to most who loved her as Mary Ann, Aunt Mary, or Granny, passed from this earthly life on November 14, 2023 at the age of 94, surrounded by family and loved ones. Mary was born on May 26, 1929, the youngest child of Clarice Crosby Sneed and Walter B. Sneed.

Mary was known as fun-loving, sweet, and caring, but she was also feisty. She was an excellent seamstress and was happiest when helping others. She often had all the children in the neighborhood over at her house playing, twisting to Chubby Checker, and making fudge, divinity, or any other kind of dessert. Later in life, Mary became a great grandmother but was still called Granny.

Preceding Mary in death were her parents; her siblings Dorothy "Dot" (Evans) Hall, Hillary "Hill" Sneed, Oscar "Gig" (Wanda) Sneed, and Walter "Bud" Sneed; her son Robert "Bobby" Sams; her first husband James "Red" Sams; and her second husband William "Bill" Cromartie.

Mary was loved by many and her survivors include her daughter Nancy (Donald) Sheldon, grandson Donald "Scooter" Sheldon, and Scooter's four sons, Joshua, Jonah, Noah, and Benjamin. Through her marriage to Bill she is also survived by his children Bill (Jane) Cromartie, Kenneth (Judy) Cromartie and his children and grandchildren, and Susan (Jim) Schott and her children and grandchildren. "Aunt Mary" had many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews who were close to her and loved her dearly.

Visitation for Mary's family and friends will be held at Arlington Park Funeral Home at 10am on Monday, November 20, 2023 with a funeral service to follow at 11am. After the graveside ceremony, family and friends are invited to enjoy cake in Mary's memory, just the way she would have wanted.