Mrs. Helen W. McLendon

Helen W. McLendon, 93, of Columbia and more recently Chapin, died peacefully, Monday, August 28, 2017. Upon hearing of Helen’s passing, one of her countless “adopted” children, Bevan Weyburn, said “As much as one can, she left quietly, peacefully on her own terms and fully present cognitively until the end.” Born November 11, 1923 in Wilson, NC, she was the oldest of the five children of the late Thomas Clarence and Helen Gayle Williams. Helen was a member of St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church for over 60 years and for the last nine years enjoyed being a part of the community of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church in Chapin, SC, where she lived with her oldest daughter and son-in-law, Randy and Rick Kellemeyer. Helen was educated in Columbia public schools, then graduated in 1944 from Winthrop College with a degree in Library Science. Offered a job in Columbia that her father had found for her, her independent streak and love of great food showed themselves when she instead sought out her own first job at a public library in Easton, MD, which she chose specifically for access to the great seafood of the Eastern Shore. Helen married Angus H. “Red” McLendon in December 1947. They were entrepreneurs running their own business, Red Distributing Company, with a partner in the early days and their son, Angus, in later years. When Red passed away in 1991, they had been married for 44 years. Helen and Red enjoyed years of Scottish heritage activities, including highland games and good times with their many friends in the Robert Burns’ Society of Columbia. Helen served on the Altar Guild of St. Martin’s for many years. She needlepointed one of the kneelers at the altar, and was “resident expert” in the care and placement of altar linens. She prayerfully assisted with funeral preparation. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed needlepoint and counted cross stitch. She loved her family and friends of all ages, plus, meeting new people. She loved to travel when she was able and enjoyed many trips in the US and abroad. She volunteered for fifteen years with the Richland Library and was selected Volunteer of the Year in 1994. Since moving to Chapin, Helen shared her lively wit and laughter as an active member of the Fancy Hat Ladies of Chapin and the St. Francis of Assisi “Church Chicks”. Her children have said that her greatest gifts to them were life itself and her sense of humor. As Russell Patterson, her “adopted” grandson, said, Helen was a “constant source of wisdom, good jokes and a comforting presence.” Survivors include her daughters, Randy (Rick) Kellemeyer, of Chapin, and Elizabeth McLendon of Columbia; a son, Angus (Rena) McLendon also of Columbia; grandson, Richard Leigh Kellemeyer II of Seattle, WA, and granddaughter, Erika Lee McLendon of Columbia, SC; sister, Caroline W. Lamb of Charleston, SC, and sister-in-law, Mary Ann “Chic” McLendon of Dallas, TX; Mitzi Smith, mother, and Emi Connell, sister, of Rena McLendon [Helen stated many times that Angus could not have made a better choice of families to invite into ours]; many loved nieces and nephews; and her beloved four-footed companion, Sam. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Angus H. McLendon; two sisters, Lenora Williams and Gayle W. Sandel; one brother, Thomas C. Williams, Jr.; and “adopted” son, Frank J. Miller. The family would like to thank Gloria Scott, for years of caregiving and friendship, and the outstanding staff at Palmetto Health Parkridge ICU, including nurses Lori and Alisha and especially Karl Miller, who brought his new “Mama Helen” a stuffed owl and a cross to bring her comfort. She died with both in her arms. The family will receive visitors at St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 735 Old Lexington Hwy., Chapin, SC 29036 on Friday, September 1st, from 5 to 7 PM. A service for Helen will be held at 2 o’clock, Saturday, September 2nd, followed immediately by interment in the Memorial Garden at St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church, 5220 Clemson Ave., Columbia, SC 29206 with Father Slaven Manning (St. Francis), and Father Mitchell Smith (St. Martin’s) officiating. A reception will follow in the Garden Room. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider memorials to St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Building Campaign, 5220 Clemson Avenue, Columbia, SC 29206; St. Francis of Assisi Capital Campaign, P. O. Box 265, Chapin, SC 29036 or the Richland Library Foundation, 1431 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29201. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

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Mrs. Helen W. McLendon

November 11, 1923 - August 28, 2017