Marlene Mackey Watford

Marlene Mackey Watford went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday, April 26. She was the daughter of the late Walter Hammond and Hazel Braswell Mackey. She was born in Cheraw, SC on March 2, 1938. She graduated from Cheraw High School in 1956 where she was awarded one of seven National Amvet Scholarships to attend the College of their choice in the United States. She was the first student in SC to ever receive this award and graduated from Winthrop College. After graduation, she married Charles Watford and they moved to Columbia where she taught first grade in the Cayce ,West Columbia School System while Charles attended USC. After Charles graduated, they located to Lancaster SC and she retired to raise their children and be involved in a lot of volunteer work.

Marlene became a Christian at an early age and was always active in her Church.She was a leader in Girls In Action, Cub Scouts,Puppet Ministry, Bible School. and other activities and really enjoyed teaching a Ladies Senior Adult Sunday School class. She volunteered at Special Olympics, Meals on Wheels Lancaster, Hope of Lancaster County, Covenant Baptist Free Medical Clinic, and Greer Community Ministries.

She is survived by her husband Charles of 63 years, one son, Walt ( Joan) Watford, one daughter, Wynn ( DeWayne) Miller five grandchildren, Dr. Sean Watford, Nikki (Brian) Carlson ,Coleman (Melissa) Flynn, Dusty (Katie) Flynn and Phoenix Pei (Vu) Nguyen eight great grandchildren. Carson, Collin, Case, Connor and Miley Flynn. Hannah, Nicholas and Rebecca Carlson.

In addition to her father and mother, she was preceded in death by one brother.

A memorial service will be held at Fairview Baptist Church in Greer on Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 am. Visitation following service. She will be interred at Old Saint David’s Cemetery in Cheraw at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 West Farris Road, Greenville, SC 29605 or Watford Scholarship, CMSF, North Greenville University, PO Box 1892, Tigerville S C 29688 or a charity of your choice.

We want to thank the staff at Ashlan Village, Pelham Medical Center, and Upstate Community Hospice House for their wonderful care .