Merlethia McFadden

FLORENCE – The Rev. Merlethia “Merle” McFadden, 75, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006, in the Lake City Scranton Health Facility in Scranton.

Born Aug. 16, 1931, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Issac and Emma Rose McFadden.

Merle began her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon, Florence and Sumter counties and graduated from Gordon’s School of Cosmetology in Sumter. For many years, Merle taught in the Florence Public School District as a teacher in the Olanta Training School. At the same time, she owned Merle’s Beauty Salon and retired after 40 years in 1995. Since that point, she dedicated her time and talents to the church. Merle’s service was made in devotion through her role as missionary president, a member of the senior choir, a class leader and a member of the Oak Grove AME ministry staff. She demonstrated her personal relationship with the Lord through her belief that through faith, God heals all. She also served as beautician for Samuels Funeral Home and Samuels and Richardson Funeral Home.

Survivors include a son, Charles K. (Adrienne) Pack of Florence; a daughter, Vivian (Randolph) McElveen of Florence; a sister, Almeta Johnson of Turbeville; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by a sister and four brothers.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, at Oak Grove AME Church in Lake City, with the Rev. Oliver Davis, pastor, officiating, assisted by Elder Robert C. Cooper Sr., presiding elder of the Florence-Dillon district, and the Revs. Jimmy Wilson and Mary Rose and Minister Willie Rose.

Burial was in New McFadden Cemetery, Olanta.

Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.