1944
Mary
2021
Mary Lang Olson Edwards
March 14, 1944 — September 13, 2021
MARY LANG OLSON EDWARDS, of Greenville, died suddenly at her home on Sept. 13, 2021. She grew up in Clemson. She received a Bachelor’s degree from Agnes Scott College in 1966 and later a Masters's and Ph.D. in biology from Clemson University. She taught biology for many years at Erskine. She was a bright light to all who knew her and had a soft spot in her heart for all of God’s creatures. She built quite a reputation for rescuing all sorts of wild animals and was known as the “snake lady” throughout her Augusta Road neighborhood. She even conducted nature study groups for young children providing them with their first happy experience with science.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville and was involved locally with volunteer work at Neighborhood Focus and Triune Mercy Center. Through her travels, she became aware of the lack of education and opportunity in Africa. As a result, she had even put some African children through college at her expense. One young woman who was the beneficiary of this largesse recently named her firstborn for Mary Lang. Her influence with many students she taught was reflected by lifelong relationships with them.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Thomas W. Edwards, Jr, her son Thomas W. Edwards III and his wife, Hollye, and their children Ford and Ellison of Lucas, Texas; and her son Christopher S. Edwards of New York City. She is also survived by her brother, Chris Olson, and his wife, Julia, and their adult children: Clay and Lauren Olson and Cara Olson and her husband, Chris Boyette. She is also survived by grandnieces, Eleanor and Charlotte Olson, and Daisy Boyette.
She was predeceased by her father Edward S. Olson, her mother, Mary Lang Gill Olson, and her brother Edward S. Olson, Jr.
Services will be held Friday, Sept. 17 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St. Greenville, SC 29601 with visitation to follow. Mary Lang would have requested attendees to wear masks. Any memorial gifts can be made to The Nature Conservancy, or Triune Mercy Center, P.O. Box 3844, Greenville SC 29608.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville and was involved locally with volunteer work at Neighborhood Focus and Triune Mercy Center. Through her travels, she became aware of the lack of education and opportunity in Africa. As a result, she had even put some African children through college at her expense. One young woman who was the beneficiary of this largesse recently named her firstborn for Mary Lang. Her influence with many students she taught was reflected by lifelong relationships with them.
She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Thomas W. Edwards, Jr, her son Thomas W. Edwards III and his wife, Hollye, and their children Ford and Ellison of Lucas, Texas; and her son Christopher S. Edwards of New York City. She is also survived by her brother, Chris Olson, and his wife, Julia, and their adult children: Clay and Lauren Olson and Cara Olson and her husband, Chris Boyette. She is also survived by grandnieces, Eleanor and Charlotte Olson, and Daisy Boyette.
She was predeceased by her father Edward S. Olson, her mother, Mary Lang Gill Olson, and her brother Edward S. Olson, Jr.
Services will be held Friday, Sept. 17 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St. Greenville, SC 29601 with visitation to follow. Mary Lang would have requested attendees to wear masks. Any memorial gifts can be made to The Nature Conservancy, or Triune Mercy Center, P.O. Box 3844, Greenville SC 29608.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Lang Olson Edwards, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Memorial Service
Friday, September 17, 2021
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
First Presbyterian Church
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