Nancy Lois Roddey

Lois Hyatt Roddey

Mrs. Lois Hyatt Roddey, of Chester, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at MUSC Chester Nursing Center, at age 86. Born on October 23, 1938, she was the daughter of the late John Thomas Hyatt and Helen Ashley Hyatt.

As a 1957 graduate of Chester Senior High School, Mrs. Roddey began a prolific, decades-long career in public service to Chester County. The same year of her graduation, she became the first female Deputy Sheriff in the Chester County Sheriff’s Office; a role she held for 17 years. In 1974, Mrs. Roddey left the Sheriff’s Office and began working in the Chester County Probate Court as Deputy Probate Judge, serving in this capacity for 16 years. In 1990, Mrs. Roddey ran for office and was elected Chester County Probate Judge. Over the course of 28 years, Mrs. Roddey presided as Probate Judge over thousands of cases and hearings, creating lasting warm impressions for many Chester County residents and their families. Mrs. Roddey’s career with Chester County spanned 61 years until her retirement in early January of 2019. Other than her family, her greatest love was serving the people of Chester County.

Mrs. Roddey was a member and Memorial Chairwoman of the Chester Chapter of the American Cancer Society. She also served as a Board Member for the South Carolina Association of Counties. In addition, Mrs. Roddey was a long-time member of the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Roddey was married to her high school sweetheart, Raymond Carlisle Roddey, for 60 years until Carlisle’s death in 2017. She is survived by two sons, John Carlisle Roddey and Raymond Lee (Pamela) Roddey, both of Chester; two grandsons, Andrew Lee Roddey and Evan Carlisle Roddey, both of Rock Hill; one sister, Jacqueline Hyatt Miller, of Chester; one sister-in-law, Bernice Roddey Miller, of Lancaster; and numerous nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mrs. Roddey will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at 11:00am at the Chester ARP Church, with Rev. Clint Davis officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the funeral service from 9:30am until 10:45am in the Barron Room of the Chester ARP Church. Interment will immediately follow at Chester Memorial Gardens.

Extraordinary thanks to the staff of MUSC Chester Nursing Center for their exceptional support, care, and compassion.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Chester ARP Church, P.O. Box 174, Chester, SC 29706.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com.