Mary Ellen Sprawls

          FLORENCE – Mary Ellen Williamson Sprawls, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2025.  She was born October 14, 1931, in Lake City, SC, to the late Otis and Maude Williamson.

          She graduated from Kingstree High School in 1950 and Coker College in 1954 with a major in math and a minor in history.  She began her teaching career at Poynor Junior High and after two years transferred to Moore Middle School, where she taught Math and Algebra I until her retirement after a career spanning 32 years.  She was awarded the Florence Public School Service Award on December 8, 1983.

          After beginning her career in Florence, she met her future husband, Frazier Walton Sprawls.  They were married on July 30, 1955, and spent many years raising their two sons and traveling the world until his death in 2001.

          Mary Ellen was a longstanding and faithful member of Highland Park United Methodist Church.  She was also a member of the Faith Sunday School Class and the church choir.

          Mrs. Sprawls was active in her community.  She spent many years in the Florence Civitan Club and received the Civitan of the Year Award in 1985, 2007, and 2008.  She was also involved in the Florence Little Theatre, working in the box office and sewing costumes for many theatre productions and for the School of Dance Arts.

          Serving others, reading and spending time with family and friends gave her great joy.  Her greatest pleasure was sewing quilts for family and friends.  Many Florence residents have been gifted her quilts to celebrate weddings, births, and friendships.

          Surviving are her children, Frazier Walton Sprawls, Jr. (Cecilia) and Richard Albert Sprawls (Marti), and four grandchildren, Charleigh Elise Sprawls, Hamilton Dixon Sprawls, Amelia Frances Sprawls, and Adelaide Grace Sprawls, all of Florence.

          Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Highland Park United Methodist Church, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow in Williamson Cemetery, Cades, SC.

          In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, c/o McLeod Health Foundation, P. O. Box 100551, Florence, SC  29502; House of Hope, 1020 W. Darlington St., Florence, SC  29501; or to Williamson Cemetery, c/o Stan Williamson, 515 Live Oak Ave., Kingstree, SC  29556.

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