Mary Eleanor Wiggins Bowers

Mary Eleanor Wiggins Bowers died at home in Estill, surrounded by her adoring family after a long, rich, and wonderful life. Born March 20, 1931 in Estill, South Carolina to Robert Graham and Louise Folk Wiggins, she was the granddaughter of Thomas Jackson and May Smoak Folk and Robert Graham and Mary Crane Wiggins all of Estill.

Mary Eleanor finished Estill High School as valedictorian and attended Mercer University. She loved to jitterbug, once dancing holes in the soles of the shoes bought that day and always said she fell in love with her Corrin while "cuttin' a rug".  She married "that cute Bowers boy" of Luray on August 27, 1949. She was the mother of Sharon B. Green (Roy), Corrin Fitts Bowers, Jr. (Sallie) both of Estill, Elizabeth B. Palles (Mitch), and Graham B. Solana (Mark) both of Savannah. Grandsons include John Green (Deana) of Jacksonville, Corrin Green (Hanna) of Pawley's Island, Andrew Green (Elizabeth) of Aiken, Mitchell Palles III of Charlotte, Corrin Fitts Bowers III (Abigail) of Estill, Joseph Solana II, and Henry Solana of Savannah; three granddaughters, Mary Crane Palles Orne (David) of Savannah, Louisa Bowers Beach (Brandon) of Estill, and Mary Tippins Solana of Savannah; seven great grandsons, Patrick, William, and Thomas Green of Jacksonville, Corrin Green, Jr., and Samuel Green of Pawley's Island, Marshall Beach of Estill, and Charles Orne of Savannah, two great granddaughters, Sallie Sims Beach of Estill, and Eliza Green of Aiken. She often stated "My big family is the best thing ever!"

She loved the Lord and was a lifelong member of Lawtonville Baptist Church, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, GAs, Sunbeams, Young Women's Association, and led Training Union for many years with Corrin. She served as W.M.U. president on two occasions, was a Circle leader, served on two pastor search committees, and was a charter member and chair of the Lawtonville Historical Society. For years, she collected children from around Luray to study the Bible on the family farm.

Mama Mama, as she was known to her grandchildren and many who loved her, could bring a room to life with her magnetic personality and gift of gab.  Often drawing company with her encyclopedic knowledge of the area's rich history and genealogy, she welcomed all into her warm home with bird dog under foot and food on the stove. A visit with Mama Mama was always an adventure, as she might entertain by playing the piano by ear or put you to work on a flower cutting expedition, antique hunt, or tombstone search.

Mary Eleanor helped establish the Hampton County Historical Society, and was instrumental in saving both the Bull Durham building and Estill's first town hall. She loved Estill, and belonged to many clubs including Social Dozen(over 60 Years), Estill Music Club, was a founding member of Friendship Book Club and Monday Night Couples Bridge, and Thursday's big and little supper clubs.

A tireless civil servant, Mary Eleanor worked 30 years in the voting polls, Estill's first zoning board, the community relations committee for the federal prison, and was a member of the Estill election committee. Her penchant for politics gave her ample opportunity to educate people on what their platform "should be". She ran the U.S. Representative office in Estill from 1987 until 2003 for Arthur Ravenel, Jr., Floyd Spence, and Joe Wilson, maintaining her status as a staunch Democrat in a sea of beloved Republicans. She served on the Tricentennial book committee for Both Sides of the Swamp as well as assisted Coy Kelly Johnston in the book, Two Centuries of Lawtonville Baptists. During that time she indexed Lawtonville cemetery, scrubbing down gravestones along the way.

She was predeceased by her loving husband Corrin Fitts Bowers and her grandson, Graham Fontaine Solana. In addition to her children, she is survived by one brother, Robert Graham "Bro" Wiggins III (Vivienne) of Estill, one aunt, Barbara F. Callahan of Warrenton, N.C., chosen daughter Geraldine Brantley, four nieces, seven nephews, and special cousin, Thomas Folk (Jan), as well as eighteen grand nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Saturday in the Lawtonville Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Jamie Norris and Rev. Noel Cooper with burial in the Lawtonville Cemetery in Estill, directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home.

Visitation will be Friday from 5 to 7 PM at the home located at 680 Wyman Blvd. in Estill.  A reception will be held at the home following the service.

The family would like to thank her caregivers, Lottie Garvin and Roger Bryant for their faithful service.

Those who wish may send memorial to Lawtonville Baptist Church PO Box 1057 Estill, SC 29918, Luray Christian Church 90 Fitts Street Luray, SC 29932 or Patrick Henry Academy 8766 Savannah Hwy. Estill, SC 29918.