Mary Elizabeth Page Killian

Chester Mary Elizabeth Page Killian, 97, widow of Halcott Henry Killian of Edgemoor, SC died Monday, April 11, 2016 with her nieces at her bedside.A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, April 14, 2016 at Edgemoor ARP Church with Reverend Bob Elliott officiating.Visitation is at 12:00 noon in the church sanctuary and service at 1:00 PMfollowed by burial in church cemetery.A native of the town of Chester, Mrs. Killian was predeceased by her parents William Davis Page and Willie Mae Ford Page, her sisters and their husbands, Margaret Page Bauknight and James Vascoe Bauknight, Sarah Page Holliday and Francis Grissette Holliday, and nephew, Vascoe “Butch” Page Bauknight.She is survived by her nieces and their husbands, Sarah Anne Holliday Waters and James Brice Waters of Spartanburg, SC and Mary Ellen Holliday Thomas and Ronald Hennis Thomas of Huntersville, NC, cousin Mary Lou Ford Watts of Chester, SC and cousin Tim Grayson of Rock Hill, SC.She is also survived by beloved great nieces and nephews and their children. Mary received a B.S. from Coker College in Hartsville, SC and began her teaching career at College Street Elementary School in Chester, SC, and then taught at Sylvia Circle Elementary School in Rock Hill, SC where she retired after a forty-three year teaching career. In writing her philosophy of education, she stated, “Children’s eager curiosity on the first day of school should be encouraged to develop throughout their school career.”Often adults she had taught approached her in the community and thanked her for helping them to learn.She was a gifted educator who also taught her nieces and nephew to read and to love the beauty and miracles of nature. Mary enjoyed reading and traveling throughout Europe and the United States with friends and family. She also helped maintain a farm with her husband.She enjoyed gardening, helping with livestock, and driving a Big Mac tractor.She and Halcott often entertained nieces and nephews on weekends and in the summer months. Throughout her childhood and until her marriage and move to Edgemoor, Mary was an active member of Chester’s First Baptist Church.She then joined her husband at Edgemoor’s ARP Church where she served as Choir Director from 1957-1970.She played the piano, taught Sunday School and Bible School. Mary’s later years were spent at WestminsterTowers in Rock Hill, SC.Her positive attitude and love of people earned her the nickname, “The Mayor of Westminster.”She will always be remembered as a tiny brave lady with great spirit, sense of service to others, and trust in God’s plan. Memorials may be made to the Edgemoor ARP Church or Cemetery Fund, P. O. Box 20, Edgemoor, SC29712. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.