Marguerite Stevenson Kelly

Marguerite Stevenson Kelly, 98, of Winnsboro SC and formerly of Alexandria VA passed away on October 19, 2016 at her home in Winnsboro SC.

Visitation with the family will be at First Baptist Church, Winnsboro SC on Saturday, October 29, 2016, from 6-8pm.

Funeral services will be held at 3 pm Sunday, October 30, 2016 at First Baptist Church, Winnsboro SC. Burial Service will follow at First Baptist Church Cemetery.

Marguerite was born Ellen Marguerite Stevenson in Lebanon SC to Edward Lee and Annie Stone Stevenson on March 15, 1918. She was born moments before her twin sister, Marie Stevenson Burley, who preceded her in death by 31 days on September 18, 2016. She went to school at Mt. Zion Institute, and graduated from Monticello High School in 1935. She completed two years at Lander College, and then worked at the Richland County Highway Department as a secretary for a brief period before returning to training at a beauty school in Columbia while living with her Uncle Walter & Aunt Erleene May. Following her training she worked at Collette’s Beauty Salon until she married in 1945.

Marguerite married John Patrick Kelly, who affectionately called her “Stevie”, on August 18, 1945 in Winnsboro SC. She met her husband during World War II at the SC State Fair in Columbia SC on a double date. She married John shortly after he returned from World War II and lived in Hagerstown before he was recalled to the newly established U.S. Air Force in 1947. During John’s career, she lived in Riverside CA, San Antonio TX, San Rafael CA, Columbia SC (while John was in Korea), Waco TX, Montgomery AL, Mainz and Wiesbaden W. Germany, Columbia SC and Alexandria VA, returning home to Winnsboro SC in 1981.

Marguerite was a fulltime Air Force wife and mother. She was always active in her local church, and always working with the young children ministries in every city she lived. In California, she even hosted a children’s Sunday School class in her home. She served in this capacity for over 15 years at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in Alexandria VA and for over two decades at First Baptist Church of Winnsboro, where she was a member until her death.  While living in Winnsboro, Marguerite was not just an active member of her church, but sought to meet the needs of anyone in her community.  She delivered meals on wheels for many years, visited home bound senior adults, actively involved with women’s bible study, frequently would visit and have parties for nursing home residents, not only visit people in the hospital, but was known for making a box full of gifts to be opened during a hospital stay, she hosted many parties and showers for special people in her life, and made countless meals for friends, neighbors and family.

Marguerite is the mother of five sons who blessed her with five “daughters,” 19 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren: John, married to Lucretia (Cricket) Schryver who live in Columbia IL (Jamie, Rob & Amanda); Walter, married to Elizabeth (Beth) Clifford who live in Lexington SC (Meg, Katie, Patricia & James); Michael, married to Robin Corbin who live in Alexandria VA (Neil, Alan & Jillian); Richard, married to Fran Taylor who live in Sedihou, Senegal West Africa (Alex, Daniel & Patrick); William, married to Patricia (Patty) who live in San Antonio TX (Shannon, Bretta, Erin, Meara, Noreen & Dana).

She also is survived by her sisters, Erleen Stevenson Bankhead of Blackstock SC and Ann Stevenson Dixon of Hartsville SC.

In addition to her parents, husband, and twin sister, Marguerite is predeceased by one sister, Minnie Lee Montgomery; and three brothers, Edward Stevenson, Coleman Stevenson, and Marion Stevenson.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons Jamie Kelly, Rob Kelly, James Kelly, Alan Kelly, Lt. J.G. Alex Kelly (USN), Daniel Kelly and Patrick Kelly.  Donations in lieu of flowers may be given in memory of Marguerite to First Baptist of Winnsboro Children’s ministries or the First Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 1373 US Hwy 34, Winnsboro SC 29180.

The family of Marguerite wishes to extend our sincere, heartfelt thanks to Queen Cloud, Teresa Jones, and Sharion Davis for their loving and faithful care during her final years.

Pope Funeral Home is assisting the Kelly family.