Mrs. Ethel Fairfax Seward Whilden Hendricks, 96, of Columbia, formerly of Dallas, Texas, died Sunday, September 17, 2017. Ms. Hendricks was born on November 5, 1920, in Corsicana, TX to Clay and Ellen Seward. Growing up in Independence, TX, she graduated from Sam Houston Women's College and lived most of her adult life in Dallas and Duncanville, TX. A member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbia, she was previously a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and Elmwood Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. Besides traveling, she was a member of numerous clubs and loved to play golf, bridge, and entertain family and friends.

Survivors include her daughter, Fairfax Whilden Watt of Columbia; daughter-in-law, Linda Kitchings Whilden of Wright City, TX; grandchildren, John Newton Whilden of Lawton, OK, Marc Christopher Whilden (Heather) of Austin, TX, Wendy Whilden Chennault (Chadwick), of Austin, TX, Kevin Michael Watt (Melissa) of Durham, NC, Brian Patrick Watt (Summer) of Decatur GA, Meagan Fairfax Watt Higginbotham (Brad) of Mancos, CO; 17 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husbands, John Fred Whilden and Jesse Elmer Hendricks; son, John Newton Whilden, a brother, Clay L. Seward, and a sister, Elizabeth Seward Schultz.

A service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 14th, at St. John's Episcopal Church, 2827 Wheat Street, Columbia with The Rev. Scott R. Fleischer officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church Parlor. Burial will be in Dallas, TX on November 11, 2017.

The family would like to express thanks for the support and caring to St. John's Episcopal Church, caregivers through Right at Home, and staff at Palmettos on Parklane Assisted Living Facility and Agape Hospice House.

Memorials may be given to the Texas A&M Scholarship Fund, Scholarships & Financial Aid, P.O. Box 30016 College Station, TX 77842-3016 or The American Diabetes Association, 107 Westpark Blvd., Suite 220, Columbia, SC 29210.