Ann Hirth Baughman, 84, passed away on November 15, 2023, in her home after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Ann was born on September 27, 1939, in Bombay, India to Margaret Sykes Hirth and Henry Karl Hirth where her father was in charge of the Firestone Company operations. After her father was put in charge of the Firestone operations in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ann and her mother lived there until his death. She and her mother then returned to the United States and lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ann attended high school at Southern Seminary in Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ann met her husband, Bill, when they attended Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio. They married in Chillicothe, Ohio on September 8, 1958. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary.
Ann earned her undergraduate degree from the University of South Carolina in Spanish Literature and her master’s degree in biology from the Citadel. She was a retired Summerville High School teacher.
She was a volunteer with the Red Cross for 57 years, serving on the Lowcountry Chapter Board, helping in Disaster Services and teaching Red Cross swimming classes for countless children. She was awarded the Order of the Palmetto by Governor Sanford as an acknowledgement of her public service.
She served on numerous boards including Our Lady of Mercy Outreach, VOAD, Dorchester County Literacy Board, Frances Willis SPCA and the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
Ann was an avid equestrian. She bred award winning thoroughbreds and hunter jumpers. She passed on her love for horses to her daughter, Alice. In 2015, Anne won the American Driving Society North American Championship with her Preliminary VSE pair, Santee and Cooper.
She had a variety of pets including dogs, cats, horses, parrots, chickens, a pot-bellied pig, hamsters and guinea pigs.
Ann was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her children Alice, Mac (Susan) and grandchildren Hunter and Kinsey.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 am at St. Paul’s Anglican Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the Lowcountry Chapter of the American Red Cross at redcross.org with support to disaster relief or to the American Driving Society at americandrivingsociety.org.