Margaret Corinne Cannon

Corinne “Rinne” B. Cannon

Clemson, SC

Margaret Corrine (Rinne) Blanks Cannon, 78, widow of John Douglas Cannon, passed away Monday, December 15, 2025 at AnMed in Anderson, SC.

Rinne was born in Chester, SC the daughter of the late Victor Gaston and Eloise Weir Blanks. She grew up in Charlotte, NC graduating in 1965 from Garinger High School.  Rinne earned a bachelor’s degree in history in 1969 from Erskine College and continued her education at the University of South Carolina School of Law. Rinne began her lifelong career of practicing law in Columbia, SC upon graduation from law school and admittance into the South Carolina Bar Association in 1972. Rinne and her husband John Douglas Cannon made a decision in 1977 to open one of the first law practices, Cannon and Cannon Law Firm, in Clemson, SC where she had a successful firm and career until her retirement in 2020.

Rinne was extremely active in Clemson and upstate South Carolina in ways that will continue to impact our community for years. She was passionate about women’s issues and gave unselfishly of her time to Girl Scouts of America by leading troops, volunteering at camps, and serving two terms as president of the Old 96 Girl Scout Council. She served as president of Clemson Chamber of Commerce during the timeClemson achieved the Great Towns Award from Governor Richard Riley. For her service, Rinne was awarded the 1989 Chamber Business Person of the Year award. Rinne was instrumental in establishing Hospice of the Foothills. She was actively involved in the Oconee Hospital Foundation and served on the board of directors for Oconee Medical Center (now Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital). Rinne served a term on the board of directors for Tri County Technical College Foundation. She assisted in organizing the Clemson Arts Center and served on their board.

Rinne was a graduate of Leadership South Carolina and helped organize Leadership Clemson. Rinne was inducted into Clemson Rotary Club in 1987 as the first woman member and one of the first women in Rotary worldwide. She was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the club and served several terms on the Board of Directors. She was the recipient of the Susan McWhorter Award for outstanding community service.

Rinne will be missed by many friends and extended family.

Graveside services will be Sunday, December 21, 2025 at Old Stone Church Cemetery in Clemson, SC. Followed by a visitation at the home at 224 Holiday East in Clemson, SC from 4pm to 6pm.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Clemson Paw Partners (Clemsonpawpartners.org) or Tri County Technical College Foundation (tctc.edu) P.O. Box 587, Pendleton, SC 29670.

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Cremations, 108 Cross Creek Road, Central, SC 29630.