Julia Mae Mcgarity

Chester, SC:Julia McGarity, age 95, formerly of Great Falls Highway, Chester, SC passed away peacefully Monday, May 3, 2010 at the Butterfly Wing of Hospice at Ollie Steele Burden Manor in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The family will receive friends from 5:00 ? 6:00 PM Saturday evening, May 8, 2010 at Barron Funeral Home, Chester, SC.Funeral services will be conducted by Rev. Matthew Horne at 2:00 PM Sunday, May 9, at Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church, Chester, SC. Interment will be held in the church cemetery. A memorial service was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Baton Rouge, LA on Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Mrs. McGarity had resided in Baton Rouge for a number of years but considered Chester, SC her beloved home.She was born Feb. 20, 1915 in Great Falls, SC, a daughter of the late David Plutarch Sides and Elizabeth Hensley Sides.She loved Chester County and went on to marry Roy Brown McGarity.Together they raised three children, Joe McGarity who preceded Julia in death and her two surviving daughters, Peggy M. McKeown and husband William of Charlotte, NC and Libby M. Leeand husband Gary of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Julia left behind six grandchildren, Kim M. Shell, Lancaster, PA, Bev M. Wilson of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Kay M. Thornburg of Charlotte, NC, Suzanne L. Hubbell of Baton Rouge, LA , Rebekah L. Buco also of Baton Rouge, LA. , and Jeffrey B. McGarity of Marietta, SC.She will be dearly missed especially by her loving nine great grandchildren: Mollie, Laura and Sam Shell, Caroline and Elizabeth Wilson, Ashley and Sarah Thornburg, Jacob McGarity, and Faye Buco.Mrs. McGarity is also survived by a brother, William Harrison Sides of Baltimore, MD and a sister,Margie Lee Huffman, of Surfside Beach, SC.Julia was loved by her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Brown McGarity, her son, Joseph Harrison McGarity, grandson Joseph Harrison McGarity, Jr., brother David Plutarch Sides, and sister, Faye Sides Coogler Watson. An avid gardener and an excellent cook, Julia loved the outdoors and would often be seen gardening or tending her many flowers.Her meticulous attention to detail was a source of pride and satisfaction that reflected in the appearance of her home.Julia was a cheerful spirit filled with valor.Her crowning glory and passion was always her family, especially her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren ? whose lives were molded and enriched by her wisdom, guidance and abiding love.She was a faithful servant of her Lord and a dedicated member of Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church in Chester, SC.Mrs. McGarity attended Wellridge School in Chester County. Julia lived 95 years graced by an ever-growing beauty of spirit and love of life.She enjoyed good health until recently when accidents plagued her health.Julia will be remembered by all whom she touched.She gave of herself freely.She held fast to principles held dear, and she kept an abiding faith in her religion and faith.She was truly a special spirit whose love and laughter is already missed. Memorials in her honor should be made to Pleasant Grove Presbyterian Church ?Building Fund?, 1660 Pleasant Grove Road,Chester, SC 29706. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.