Louise McLaurin Womble

Louise McLaurin Womble, 78, died Wednesday evening March 19th, 2025, unexpectedly of natural causes.

She was born in Orangeburg, SC, on October 6th, 1946, to Kenneth Findley McLaurin and Louise Zeigler McLaurin. Louise grew up in Bamberg, was honored with a full Angier B. Duke Scholarship, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts and later with a Master of Divinity from Duke University.

Our Louise, Mom and Mimi was an intelligent, adventurous, and curious explorer of the natural world and its history, in person and avidly through literature. She eagerly listened and shared perspectives. She was perceptive and grasped interconnectedness quickly. Her faith was abundant, and she shared it through her words and acts, strengthening the faith of those around her. She carried trust and understanding as a robe, enveloping others within it when they sought solace. She was genuine and her heart open. She loved music and singing (particularly with uplifting and beautiful harmony) as well as many different art forms (particularly when they captured the human spirit or the wonders of our world). Her own talented artistry appeared in the food she prepared; in her flower arrangements and decorated cakes; in her calligraphy, pen and ink, and watercolor creations; and in the individual poems she wrote when inspired. She cautiously found the right words and stood up for the underdog, fiercely defending fairness and respect. She honored those around her, loving to laugh, eat, drink and be merry - or comfortably sharing silence.

Above all she loved each and every member of her family and her so many dear friends. Her spirit rejoices with God and resides with us in eternity. We reach out to those with whom we have not been able to speak, to those who share our love for her and all her qualities.  That she knew how much we loved and cherished her is our comfort.

She is survived by a brother, Ken McLaurin; a daughter, Laurin (Hans Jakob) Stroessenreuther, and their daughters Tamsin, Frances and Elly; sons, Matt (Toni) Womble and his son Fynn, and Paul (Susan) Womble and their children Gigi, Natalie, James and Brody.

A graveside service will be held at Southend Cemetery, S. Carlisle St. Bamberg, SC 29003 on April 8th at 11am. The family will receive guests at the old family home following this service.

For our celebration of Louise/Mom/Mimi's life in July, please join us for one or more of the following:

At North Litchfield Beach:

-for a relaxing dinner following "Louise’s Happy Hour” as of 5pm on July 9th

-for a pick-up lunch, an afternoon at the beach and/or dinner at a local restaurant on the evening of July 10th

In Columbia, SC

-for an afternoon coffee and “Louise’s Happy Bookshop” on July 15th.

Those interested in attending, please leave us a message below. Your email will not appear online, but will be sent to the family, so that they can be in contact with you and provide more details.

In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be made to the Richland County Library:  https://www.richlandlibrary.com/donate-richland-library-friends-and-foundation

Note: at the bottom of the form under “Tribute Gift“ please check the box. This gift is in honor, memory, or support of someone. You then select “Memorial“ and enter her name, Louise Womble. We will then be informed of the donation (you do not have to fill in your details).

Words of Comfort

It is never the right time, the right day.

We cannot say all that we wanted to say.  It is always too soon.

What remains are the memories of our time together, all those moments we will never forget.

Peace Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

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