Mary Jennean Dildine

South Carolina. Born on June 16, 1932, in Lake City, South Carolina, Jennean lived a long and

fulfilling life centered on family, and generosity.

Jennean was the heart of her family — She was the proud mother of seven children and the

matriarch of a legacy that includes 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and 9

great-great-grandchildren. She raised her family with strength and unconditional love, touching

countless lives along the way. She was a mother not just to her own children but to many others

who were blessed by her nurturing spirit.

Her children, all of North Charleston, include her three sons: Thomas Edward Dildine Jr., Gerald

Eugene Dildine (Donna), and Arthur Glenn Dildine (Cindy); and her three daughters: Debra

Dildine Gregory, Karen Dildine Maddox, and Elizabeth Dildine Thompson (Frank). Jennean’s

cherished grandchildren — Shannon, Presslie, Teddy Ray, Tyler, Nichole, Christina, Lisa,

Johnny “JB”, Sylvia, Brett-Thomas, Shawn-Kale, Wyatt, Ashley, Nicholas, and Mackenzi Rae —

knew her simply and lovingly as “Grandma.”

Jennean was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Thomas Edward Dildine;

her parents, P.L. Hutchinson and Annie Mae Hutchinson; her siblings, Jackie Woods, Shirley

Heaton, and Legrand Hutchinson; and her cherished son, Teddy Ray Dildine.

A hard worker all her life, Jennean had a deep passion for cooking, gardening (especially

flowers), traveling, and celebrating the holidays surrounded by her large and loving family. She

found joy in the little things — sharing meals, and giving more than she ever expected in return.

Her home was always open, her arms always welcoming, and her heart always full.

Services to honor her life will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Carolina Funeral Home,

located at 7113 River Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29406, starting with a visitation from 10 am to 11 am, then a Life Well Celebrated service at 11 am in the funeral home chapel, then burial to follow at Carolina Memorial Park, ending with a reception back at the funeral home where friends and family are invited to gather, share stories, and honor the remarkable woman Jennean was.

Mary Jennean Dildine’s love, legacy, and laughter will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

She was a true gift to this world — a giver in every sense, whose kindness and care left an

imprint that will never fade.