Mary Olive (Fanning) Pender

Funeral services for Mary Olive Pender, 84, of Springfield, SC will be held at eleven o’clock a.m., Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at the Folk Funeral Home Chapel, Williston, SC with the Reverend Henry Cooper officiating. Burial will be held in the Springfield Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Wednesday. Honored to serve as Pallbearers are Colin Ashe, Miguel Carpio, Gary Davis, Glen Davis, Chuck Hiers, Mike Jamison, Paul Lyons, and Preston Pender. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Town of Springfield - Frog Jump Account, P.O. Box 31, Springfield, SC 29146. Mrs. Mary Olive passed away on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

Born in Springfield, SC, she was a daughter of the late Thomas Horace Fanning and Willie Mae Caison Fanning and was married to the late Wallace David Pender, Sr. She was a member of the Springfield United Methodist Church. She loved Springfield and was proud of the town having dedicated service as the town clerk for over 30 years. She was originally hired as part-time, two days a week, but she gave her time as a full time employee who worked five days a week. She was one of the Governor’s Frog Jump Pioneers who helped organize the Frog Jump when the event was moved to Springfield; she worked endless hours to ensure the event was successful. She was in the first class of EMT’s when Springfield organized its first ambulance service. She helped with Meals on Wheels Program for the Council on Aging for the Senior Citizens of Springfield. Mrs. Mary Olive also worked as the Election Poll Manager for over 20 years. She was a life-long resident who loved the people; she was always willing to lend a hand to others. She always gave more than 100% to help the town and the townspeople however she could.

Survivors include her daughter, Mary Anne (Michael) Jamison of Blackville; sons, Wallace David Pender, Jr. of North and Tony (Kim) Pender of Columbia; her grandchildren, Mary Beth Jamison (Paul Lyons), Megan (Colin) Ashe, Mike (Amber) Jamison, Holli (Josh) Lowe, Olivia (Miguel) Carpio, Preston Pender (Rachel); great-grandchildren, Jenah and Weston Ashe, Luca Carpio, Emma Pender, and Emma and Charlotte Lowe; her brother-in-law, Meredith “Strut” (Helen) Pender of Barnwell, SC and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Barbara Ann Fanning Bolen; brothers William Thomas Fanning and Richard Carlisle “Dick” Fanning; a grandson, Christopher David Pender and daughter-in-law, Rhonda Pender.

The family would like to thank Pruitt Health and Rehabilitation Center nurses and staff for the kindness, love, and care shown to Mrs. Mary Olive during her stay with them.

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