Obituary of Mary Ella Tingen

On March 22, 2024, Mary Ella (Lithgo) Tingen entered into her heavenly home at the age of 94. She was born November 27, 1929, to Samuel Joseph and Anna Mae Lithgo in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Mary Ella met her husband, Don, at a USO dance after he returned from the Navy in World War II. They made their home and raised four children in Greensboro, NC, where they were active members of Trinity Methodist Church. They later moved their family to Lexington, South Carolina.

An avid bridge player, Mary Ella enjoyed every opportunity to play cards and games with friends and family. She loved flowers and enjoyed being a member of garden clubs for many years. She was a long time member of Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church of Lexington, SC. Mary Ella’s favorite Bible verse was Proverbs 3:6, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths.”

Don predeceased Mary Ella after building their life together for 59 years. She was also predeceased by her father Samuel Joseph Lithgo and her mother, Anna Mae (Baumann) Lithgo, her brother William “Bill” Lithgo, a sister Katherine “Kitty” (Lithgo) Sierer, a brother Samuel James “Jimmy” Lithgo and Mary Ella’s beloved grandson, Nathan Davis Tingen.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Donna Carol Beal (Charles) of Hayesville, NC, Jim Tingen (Martha) of Evans, GA, John Tingen (Janice) of Lexington, SC, and Joe Tingen (Karen) of Lexington, SC. She also leaves six grandchildren—Leh Anna Beal-Cook (Donald), Ashley Wicker (Brett), Dr. Joseph Tingen (Lindsey), Anna Lewis (Cameron), Lauren Small (Chris), Matthew Tingen and seven great grandchildren. Mary Ella often spoke of what a good life God had given her.

We appreciate the care our mother received from the staff at Wellmore of Lexington and Heart of Hospice. The funeral will be held graveside on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC. The family will speak to friends immediately following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Ella’s memory may be made to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415, or Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072.