Obituary of Cynthia Sue Willard Fox

Cynthia Sue Willard Fox, 60, wife of Brian Matthew Fox, passed away July 17, 2014 at her residence. Born June 23, 1954 in Birmingham, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Rex Tucker Willard and Pauline Elizabeth Prather Willard. She graduated from Western Carolina University in 1976 with a B.S. in Art Education and moved to Manning where she taught Art in Clarendon School District 2 and one year at Greeleyville Elementary School. She was named Manning Middle School Teacher of the Year (1980-81), Clarendon School District 2 Teacher of the Year (1981-82), Alcolu Elementary School Teacher of the Year (1988-89), and the first SCDNR Duck Stamp Teacher of the Year. Always passionate about Art education and related civic activities, she chaired the Clarendon County Striped Bass Festival Student Art Show, organized Art shows at the Clarendon County Archives, designed award-winning floats for the Manning Christmas Parade, and decorated the Harvin Clarendon County Library Christmas Tree. She also served as Manning Elementary School PTA President, Assistant Brownie and Cub Scout leader, and volunteered with the Manning High "Golden Pride" Marching Band, designing and creating backdrops for competitions and football halftime shows. Of the United Methodist faith, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at Manning United Methodist Church and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church (Blythewood), where she took new member pictures. Since moving to Blythewood in 2005, she was actively involved in Ashley Oaks' neighborhood activities, serving on its Welcome and Pool Committees. She developed and maintained the resident directory, planned neighborhood parties, organized Ladies Lunch Out/Ladies Night Out functions, raised funds for holiday lights, and decorated the front entrance at Christmas. She also oversaw Trick or Treating for UNICEF, Easter Egg Hunts, and Pumpkin Carving contests and enjoyed playing Bunco with her neighbors. One of her favorite hobbies was walking the Ashley Oaks nature trail, for which she raised funds for tree signs. In recognition of her many contributions to Ashley Oaks, the trail was named the "Cindy Fox Nature Trail" in her honor. She is survived by her husband of 36 years; her son, Matthew Fox (Michelle) of Blythewood; her daughter, Shelley Fox Ard (Albert) of Blythewood; three grandchildren, Aubrey Ard, Ian Fox, and Julie Ard, for whom she was their proud MaeMe; her brother, Donald Willard of Charlotte, NC; her sister, Lisabeth Willard Kinnamon (Martin) of Charlotte, NC; and three nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and brother, Rex Tucker Willard, Jr. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, July 24, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Boney Road, Blythewood, SC 29016 with the Rev. C. Nels Ledwell officiating. A visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. Donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 864, Blythewood, SC 29016) or Manning United Methodist Church (P.O. Box 68, Manning, SC 29102).