1912
Melissa
2015
Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper
December 14, 1912 — April 9, 2015
Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper
Easley, SC
Mrs. Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper, 102, wife of the late E. Clyde Looper, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Magnolias of Easley.
She was born to the late James Andrew Williams and Sarah Carolyn Kay in the Vinland Community of Pickens County, SC, on December 14, 1912. She was the second child and first girl of ten children.
Surviving are two daughters; Jane (Mike) Wilson of Punta Gorda, FL and Greenville, SC, and Judy Harrison of Greenville, SC; two grandsons, Andrew Burdine (Brandi) Wilson of Greenville SC, and Michael Shanklin Wilson of Charleston, SC; a granddaughter,Melissa Harrison (Jake) Brillhart of Miami, FL; and two great-grandsons, Brody Andrew Wilson and Colton Blake Wilson, both of Greenville, SC. Melissa is also survived by a sister, Lucretia Scarborough, of Lilburn, GA; a brother, Kirk Williams, of Easley, SC; and beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, six brothers, and eight nieces and nephews.
Melissa finished Vinland Elementary School and Dacusville High School, and, in 1933, graduated with a BA from Winthrop College (now University), having majored in French and English. She received a certificate in Library Science by correspondence from the University of Chicago. Before her marriage, she taught at Vinland Elementary, Maynard Elementary, and Baron DeKalb Elementary (Camden, SC). Melissa resumed her teaching career after her youngest daughter entered school. She taught at Dacusville High School and served as the Librarian there. She transferred to Easley High School and taught eleventh grade English nineteen years until she retired.
She and Clyde lived in the family house on the homestead farm purchased by his parents, Joseph Burdine "J. Bird" Looper and Nancy Jane Burdine, in 1910. They took care of the farm and took care of Clyde's sister until her death in 1996 at age 90. After Clyde died, Melissa remained sole caretaker of the home and property until she was 97 years old. She always welcomed members of the Looper Family who delighted in seeing the beloved 100-year-old home. In 2009, she moved to Magnolia's Assisted Living in Easley.
Her mind remained sharp as did her wit and unique sense of humor. She enjoyed the companionship and communication with family and friends, especially Emily Wilson Zacharias from Phoenix, Arizona, and the many families who lived adjacent to her on the farm. She was the oldest member of Cross Roads Baptist Church and remained active in her Sunday School Class, the WMU, the Widow's Group, and Care and Share. She was especially thankful for the neighbors and church members who provided her transportation for all the activities as well as for all the caregivers who assisted her throughout her life. She was a gracious Southern Lady, humble with strong principals. She centered her life on her family. Melissa often said, "I'll take whatever comes my way," which she did gracefully all throughout her life.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to those who helped care for her, especially Magnolias of Easley for the love and care for five years.
A Graveside Service to celebrate the life of Melissa will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Daniel Ruley officiating.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM at Robinson Funeral Home ? Downtown Easley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Cross Roads Baptist Church, 160 Cross Roads Church Road, Easley, SC 29640; or to a charity of one's choice.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com, or in person at Robinson Funeral Home ? Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Easley, SC
Mrs. Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper, 102, wife of the late E. Clyde Looper, passed away Thursday, April 9, 2015 at Magnolias of Easley.
She was born to the late James Andrew Williams and Sarah Carolyn Kay in the Vinland Community of Pickens County, SC, on December 14, 1912. She was the second child and first girl of ten children.
Surviving are two daughters; Jane (Mike) Wilson of Punta Gorda, FL and Greenville, SC, and Judy Harrison of Greenville, SC; two grandsons, Andrew Burdine (Brandi) Wilson of Greenville SC, and Michael Shanklin Wilson of Charleston, SC; a granddaughter,Melissa Harrison (Jake) Brillhart of Miami, FL; and two great-grandsons, Brody Andrew Wilson and Colton Blake Wilson, both of Greenville, SC. Melissa is also survived by a sister, Lucretia Scarborough, of Lilburn, GA; a brother, Kirk Williams, of Easley, SC; and beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, six brothers, and eight nieces and nephews.
Melissa finished Vinland Elementary School and Dacusville High School, and, in 1933, graduated with a BA from Winthrop College (now University), having majored in French and English. She received a certificate in Library Science by correspondence from the University of Chicago. Before her marriage, she taught at Vinland Elementary, Maynard Elementary, and Baron DeKalb Elementary (Camden, SC). Melissa resumed her teaching career after her youngest daughter entered school. She taught at Dacusville High School and served as the Librarian there. She transferred to Easley High School and taught eleventh grade English nineteen years until she retired.
She and Clyde lived in the family house on the homestead farm purchased by his parents, Joseph Burdine "J. Bird" Looper and Nancy Jane Burdine, in 1910. They took care of the farm and took care of Clyde's sister until her death in 1996 at age 90. After Clyde died, Melissa remained sole caretaker of the home and property until she was 97 years old. She always welcomed members of the Looper Family who delighted in seeing the beloved 100-year-old home. In 2009, she moved to Magnolia's Assisted Living in Easley.
Her mind remained sharp as did her wit and unique sense of humor. She enjoyed the companionship and communication with family and friends, especially Emily Wilson Zacharias from Phoenix, Arizona, and the many families who lived adjacent to her on the farm. She was the oldest member of Cross Roads Baptist Church and remained active in her Sunday School Class, the WMU, the Widow's Group, and Care and Share. She was especially thankful for the neighbors and church members who provided her transportation for all the activities as well as for all the caregivers who assisted her throughout her life. She was a gracious Southern Lady, humble with strong principals. She centered her life on her family. Melissa often said, "I'll take whatever comes my way," which she did gracefully all throughout her life.
The family would like to express a heartfelt thank you to those who helped care for her, especially Magnolias of Easley for the love and care for five years.
A Graveside Service to celebrate the life of Melissa will be held at 2:30 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2015 at Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Daniel Ruley officiating.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 1:00 PM until 1:45 PM at Robinson Funeral Home ? Downtown Easley.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Cross Roads Baptist Church, 160 Cross Roads Church Road, Easley, SC 29640; or to a charity of one's choice.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com, or in person at Robinson Funeral Home ? Downtown, which is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Melissa Carolyn Williams Looper, please visit our flower store.
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