Mary Lou Steele

Relatives and friends of Mary Lou are invited to attend her Celebration of Life at 10:00 AM, Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the Claiborne, 112 Grandview Drive, Summerville, SC 29485. Attire will be casual and guests are welcome to wear red, white and blue in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Tunnel to Towers, dogood.t2t.org. Mary Lou will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband, MCPO (ret.) Robert Don Steele, in Arlington National Cemetery, at a date to be announced.

Born on April 21, 1940, in Griffin, Georgia, Mary Lou was raised on a family farm where she developed the strong work ethic, resilience, sacrifice, and determination that would define her life. Those values carried her through every season of life and became a lasting example to her children, grandchildren, and all who knew her.

For more than 30 years, Mary Lou proudly served as a Navy wife, supporting her husband, Don, throughout his military career, including three tours in Vietnam, 17 duty stations, and 19 moves. During those years, she raised their two children while maintaining the strength and stability that anchored their family through those many challenges, which included being far from extended family.

She dedicated 40 years of service to the Department of the Navy and worked several administrative positions at the Navy Exchange, the Chiefs’ Clubs at Glynco Naval Air Station and Charleston Naval Base, and later was the Operations Manager at Short Stay Naval Recreation Center. She was known for her diligence, reliability, and unwavering commitment to her work on behalf of Sailors and their families.

Like her husband Don, Mary Lou loved the US Navy and our nation. She is a Patriot, whose love of country was witnessed in all the traveling the family did over the years. Camping and boating were a huge part of their 60-year marriage. European travel, as well as cruising south of the border with friends were some of her fondest memories. Being from Georgia, Saturdays in the Fall were devoted to watching their UGA Bulldogs play football, and in her last days we often heard, “what channel are the Braves on?” She knew the lineup every year.

Above all, Mary Lou’s greatest joy was her family. She was the beloved matriarch whose home, heart, and wisdom provided a foundation for generations. She showed her joy and love for them by decorating her home for every occasion, especially July 4th and Christmas.

A longtime resident of Bonneau Beach, Mary Lou was deeply involved in her community; growing up on the farm, she loved being outdoors and gardening, was a charter member of the Bonneau Beach Litter Pickup Program, the Garden Club, and the Bonneau Beach Civic Club. She was also a faithful member of First Baptist Church for more than twenty years, where she formed many treasured friendships and lived out her faith through service to others.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 60 years, Don Steele; her parents, Earl Goodrum and Annie Lou Goodrum; her sisters, Earline Goodrum Nolan (Kenneth) and Geneva Tarpley; and her parents-in-law, Leroy and Cora Steele, all of Griffin, Georgia.

She is survived by her daughter, Donna Steele Sumner and her husband Donald; her son, Rick Steele and his wife Cheryl; her grandchildren, Ashlee Sumner, Aubreigh Sumner, Dr. Hillary Sumner Judnarine and her husband Dr. Nickolas Judnarine, Dylan Steele and his wife Savannah, and Griffin Steele; honorary grandson Eddie Loftis; great-grandchildren Reagan Steele and Eliza Rose Judnarine; niece Andrea Griffin; great-niece Kylie Griffin; and great-nephew Ben Griffin.

Mary Lou was blessed with many dear friendships throughout her life. The family would like to recognize and thank Francis Ashley and Jo Ann Morast for their decades of friendship, support, and love, and her friends at Bonneau Beach and in the Charleston area.

The family also wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff, specifically Teresa, Tiffany, Cindy, residents, and friends at The Claiborne, who became an extension of her family during the last three years of her life. Their kindness, compassion, friendship, and loving care brought her comfort, joy, and companionship. Her table mates were the delight of her happy hours and evening meals… so much laughter was shared; you were beloved as family.

Mary Lou’s life was a testament to hard work which was never more evident in the many times she came back from a broken bone or other illness, as witnessed by her many doctors, nurses, and therapists. Because of her desire to always bounce back by putting in the hard work, she was known as a therapist’s dream, right up until the end when she just couldn’t do anymore. Her beloved family physician of twenty years, Dr. David Rodgers will forever be a champion among caregivers in the hearts and minds of our family, and we know she will be the first person at the Golden Gate to someday welcome him Home.

Her legacy lives on through the family she nurtured, the friendships she treasured, and the community she helped build. Though she will be deeply missed, those who loved her take comfort in knowing she has been reunited with her beloved Don and is now at peace in the presence of her Savior.

🎶 Precious Memories!