Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

July 16, 2024

CHARLOTTE –Mary Louise Hovis Heath died peacefully on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.  She was 101 years old.

Mary Louise, known affectionally as “Speed”, was born in Charlotte on April 27, 1923, the daughter of the late Alba McGee Hovis and Franklin Layton Hovis of Charlotte.  She was educated in the Charlotte public school system, graduated from Central High School, and attended Randolph Macon Women’s College.  In 1944, she became a war bride, marrying her dear husband, naval pilot Benjamin Dawson Heath III, who preceded her in death in April 2005.

Speed had a deep and abiding love for Charlotte, her hometown.  She grew up in the Fourth Ward and Dilworth neighborhoods, and was a treasure trove of stories of “old” Charlotte, the way it was before the 1950’s.  She proudly watched as that gave way to growth and development, and she grew with it, serving her community in countless ways.  She was an active member of the Junior League and the Mint Museum Auxiliary, one of the founders of the Mint Museum’s Costume Collection, and a volunteer at Crisis Assistance Ministry. 

As meaningful as her life in Charlotte was to her, Speed and Ben had, in her words, “Wanderlust.”  They traveled the globe, whenever they could, visiting every continent but Antarctica.  Though she was unable to travel in the latter part of her life, her travel memories lived a healthy life within her, and continued to feed her until the end.  

Speed’s life was filled with immense interests and strong friendships. These two were often linked together, as she played golf and bridge, enjoying the recreation, and valuing the connection with an inner circle of friends who offered each other mutual love and support, her “girl gang.”   She was creative, with a keen eye for design, color and detail, and supervised the design components for Ben Heath Construction.  

Speed’s greatest love, above all else, was for her family.  Her role as matriarch pleased her greatly, and she often gathered her family together around a meal, making a celebration of being together, always with her signature glass of white wine.  Her legacy will certainly include the lessons of hospitality she taught us by her own big heart and gracious welcome.  

We all raise a glass now as a toast to a life well lived and loved! 

The family wishes to extend its’ deepest gratitude to Marie Sharid, Hazel Dante, Anetra Campbell, Sylvia Conner, Keisha Chishom, Betty Gray, and Ellen Lowry.  Their tender care and devotion allowed Mary to happily stay in her own cottage for a very long time. We are forever thankful for all you did for her.  

Mary is survived by her children, Ben Heath, Kathryn Heath and her husband, Tom Webb, Ellen Kinard and her husband, Jim Kinard; her five grandchildren, Anna Taylor Norman, Heath Norman and his wife, Missy Norman, Dawson Heath, Anna Heath and Katie Witthoft, and her husband, David Witthoft; her two great-grandchildren, Ellen May Norman and Thomas Hemby Norman; and her nieces, Frances Thompson and Beth Jones.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Nancy Hovis Jones.  

The family will hold a private burial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Mary to Crisis Assistance Ministry, 550 – A Spratt Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206 or via www.crisisassistance.org.  Mary’s time volunteering with this organization was very impactful for her.  

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.