Mary Ann Shotwell Obituary

Mary Ann Shotwell, 96, of Cleveland, Ohio, passed away on March 3, 2025.

A Memorial Service/Celebration of Life for Mary Ann Shotwell will be held at Morning Star Baptist Church, 10250 Shaker Blvd, Cleveland, Ohio 44104, on Saturday, April 26, 2025, from 11am to 1pm.

Mary Ann was born on November 17, 1928, in Bevier, Kentucky, to Zelphia (Pryor) and Albert Beck. 

Ann was one of eleven siblings. At a young age, the family moved to Victoria, Tennessee, where she grew up. She always maintained a connection to her roots and took the family down to Victoria many times to meet relatives.

Ann eventually moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where she met the love of her life, Arlington L.C. Shotwell, who she claimed "was hers from the moment he saw me." They were married in 1946. To this union, six children were born. Preceded in death by her husband, Arlington, and two sons, Arlington (Bud) Shotwell Jr. and Stephen (Stevie) Shotwell .

Mother Shotwell was known for her dedication to Morning Star Baptist Church, where she was a member since 1957, joining under the pastorate of Dr. Earl Preston Jr. During this time, she was the culinary coordinator for the church for 26 years. She was also the hot meals creator and  kitchen coordinator at Morning Star for 10 years. She often hosted Pastor Preston and his fellow ministers in her home, where she prepared large feasts for them. She loved cooking, and enjoyed the fellowship, and camaraderie. She often stated that "no one should go hungry, especially in the United States!"

Her professional career included serving as a major 40 plus year volunteer for the Greater Cleveland FoodBank, an Investigator for the Cuyahoga County Court of Domestic Relations, and a special assistant for the Department of Aging in the City of Cleveland under former Mayor George Voinovich. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio and was named "Lady Glenville" by former Congressman Louis Stokes.

She was an entrepreneur, owning real estate and her retail business, Laura Ann's Boutique, located in the Glenville community and named after her mother-in-law.

Ann was an exceptional cook; she never used a recipe book! She was a friend to anyone in need of help and saw to it that many families in the Glenville Community and beyond had the food and supportive services they needed. She was a strong Community Advocate!

She was an incredible woman, mother and friend to many whose faith in God and her family was unyielding.

She is survived by a daughter, Brenda (Tommie) Besteder of Solon, OH; three sons, Anthony Shotwell of Norwalk, CA, Philip (Tangi) Shotwell of Columbus, OH, and Victor Shotwell of Cleveland, OH; and 10 grandchildren: Bridget Ann Grant, Dawn Besteder, Michelle (Phillip) Jenkins, Ramaan Shotwell, Brittany Ann (Brian) McDowell, Chanel (Brian) Merrill, Tara Perkins,  Philip Shotwell II, Kiana Smith and Shanae Sparks; 18 great-grandchildren, one sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Shotwell, bonus children Brent Willis, Neil Grossman, Phyllis Powell and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Acknowledgements and Appreciation

The family gratefully acknowledges and appreciates everyone that helped care for our Mother, Hillside Plaza Staff, Continuum Care Hospice and Morning Star Baptist Church. To our family and friends, thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers and kind words about Mom.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Greater Cleveland FoodBank, 15500 S. Waterloo Rd, Cleveland, OH, 44110 or Morning Star Baptist Church, 10250 Shaker Blvd, Cleveland, OH, 4410

We Love You All, 

Humbly submitted-The Family