Mary Ellen Shugart, 81, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.
Mary was predeceased by her husband, Lt Col US Army Ret. Wayne R. Shugart; her father, Charles W. Nye and her mother, Marie E. Smeltz. She leaves behind to cherish her memory her son, Lt Col USAF Retd. Todd H. Shugart; her daughter in law, Wg Cdr RAF Retd. Claire Shugart; her grandchildren, Peter Shugart, and Sienna Shugart; her brother, Charles Nye; brother-in- law, Kenneth Shugart; sister-in-law, Nancy Shugart; nephew, Patrick Shugart, nieces, Dannelle Shugart and Kathleen Shugart and many close friends.
Mary Ellen Shugart was born on December 12th, 1942, in Elwood City, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Nursing school and joined the US Army in 1964. She then volunteered to serve a one-year tour in South Korea. This was followed by a tour at the 67th Evac Hospital in Qui Nhon in 1966-1967 as an Army nurse. She married Wayne Shugart in September 1970 and when he received orders to Vietnam she volunteered to go back to Vietnam for another tour as an Army nurse at the 91st Evan Hospital in Chu Lai, South Vietnam. After returning from Vietnam, they moved to Germany and welcomed their son, Todd into the world in 1974.
She later became a nurse at Cape Fear Valley Hospital and a pediatric nurse at the Fayetteville Children’s Clinic for many years before becoming a school nurse, home health nurse, and lastly a factory shift nurse at Kelly Springfield Tire Plant. She retired from nursing in 2005 after over 40 years. She enjoyed travelling, reading, antiques, spoiling her grandchildren, and most of all supporting her husband and son in their hunting and fishing. She was very active in the military spouse community at Fort Bragg, and she was an active member of her local garden club. Mary Ellen touched the hearts of many, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 14, 2024, at Snyder Memorial Baptist Church from 10 to 10:45 AM. A funeral service will be held at 11 AM. Burial to follow the service at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery at 12 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to The Vietnam Veterans of America at https://vva.org/donate/ or to the Dementia Society of America at https://www.dementiasociety.org in Mary’s honor.
