Ophelia Matthews Ergle, 94, of Columbia, died on Friday, November 15, 2024. Born on October 18, 1930, in Aiken County, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Calvin Matthews and the late Lottie Matthews.

Ophelia graduated from Wagener High School where she gave the Salutatory Address to the Class of 1949. She married John M. Ergle later that year and the couple resided in and around Johnston for several years. In 1956, the couple moved their growing family to a modest home in the Woodfield Park neighborhood of Columbia where she remained for 68 years. She worked for a while at Sentry Drug Store on Decker Blvd, did volunteer work at Richland Memorial Hospital, and she was a long-standing member of Woodfield Park Baptist Church. In her later years, her family learned not to disturb her during "The Voice" or "American Idol".

She is survived by her daughter, Sylvia (Don) Williams; five sons, Waylon "Bud" Ergle, Dennis (Deborah) Ergle, Alan (Janis) Ergle, Tim (Kathy) Ergle, and Darryl Ergle; one sister, Teresa Sailors; eight grandchildren, Buddy (Melanie) Ergle, Jody (Misty) Ergle, Stephanie (Peter) Martin, Stephen (Layla) Williams, Christie (Matthew) Hall, Kevin (Alejandra) Ergle, David Bannan, Brandon (Christina) Ergle; and numerous great-grandchildren and members of the extended family.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, John Maston Ergle; two daughters-in-law, Janet and Dorinda; and eight brothers and sisters.

The funeral service for Mrs. Ergle will be held at 11 o'clock, Saturday, November 23, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road ext., Columbia, SC 29223. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at 10 o'clock, for family and friends to gather. The committal service will take place at Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens, 2603 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29204, following the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a contribution to your favorite charity in memory of Mrs. Ophelia Matthews Ergle.