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Mrs. Iree Todd Parker Graham Padgett, age 89, of the Mt. Leon Community of Horry County passed away Thursday evening, August 5, 2010 at Loris Community Hospital following an illness. Mrs. Padgett was born July 21, 1921 in Loris, a daughter of the late Joseph Townsend Todd and the late Leila Hardee Todd. She graduated from Loris High School and received her Bachelor’s degree and her Master ‘s degree from the University of South Carolina. Mrs. Padgett was employed for forty years as a teacher and principal in four Horry County Schools. They were Ebenezer Elementary, Sweet Home Elementary, Daisy Elementary, and Loris Elementary. She was very active in educational and community activities, having received numerous awards and honors on the local, state, and national levels. Mrs. Padgett was a member of the Board of Directors of the South Carolina Education Association for six years, President of the South Carolina Elementary Principals Association, Vice-President of the Southeastern Council of Elementary Principals, and served four years as South Carolina’s Representative to the National Association of School Administrators in Washington, DC. She was invited by President Gerald Ford to participate in the National Educator’s Leadership Workshop at the White House. In 1980, Mrs. Padgett received the South Carolina “Oustanding Elementary School Administrators Award.” She organized the first Girl Scout Troop and the first Senior Citizen’s Council in her community. Mrs. Padgett was a member of the Living Water Baptist Church where she served on the Personnel, Library, Bereavement, and Kitchen Committees. She was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Loris Chapter #106. Mrs. Padgett was predeceased by her second husband: Ottis M. Graham, three brothers: Larue Todd, J.D. Todd, and Shelton Todd and one sister: Reba Todd. Survivors include: three sons: Willard Parker and his wife Daiwey Anne of Longs, Jerry Parker and his wife Heath of Williamsburg, Virginia and Ted Parker of Conway, one brother: Michael Todd and his wife Judy Gail of Conway and one sister-in-law: Cecile Todd of Loris, six grandchildren: Crystal Ray and her husband Gavin of Florence, Ace Parker and his wife Lucy of Longs, Todd Parker, Seth Parker, and Alexis Parker all of Williamsburg, Virginia, and Dana Parker and her husband Anthony Vaccaro of Longs, five great-grandchildren: Brooke Gasque - Ray, Heston Ray, and Lane Ray all of Florence, Asa Parker and Annabelle Vaccaro, both of Longs, and many loving nieces and nephews. Mrs. Padgett is also survived by: three step-sons: Dr. Jack Graham and his wife Peggy of Spartanburg, Dr. Neil Padgett and his wife Anne of Owensboro, Kentucky, and Johnny Padgett and his wife Kathy of Marion, two step-daughters: Laura Graham Wood of Loris and Sue Padgett Rowell of Perth, Australia, her step-grandchildren and step great-grandchildren: Bert Wood, Jay Graham, David Graham, Phillip Graham, and Cole Graham all of Spartanburg, Padgett Rowell of Perth, Australia, Eva Wood Rowe of Longs, Ellen Padgett, Anna Padget, Ahley Padgett all of Owensboro, Kentucky, Anna Rowell of Perth, Australia, Paige Padgett and Blythe Padgett both of Marion. The family will receive friends Saturday, August 7, 2010 from 6-8 PM at Ward Funeral Home in Loris. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Padgett will be held Sunday August 8, 2010 at 4:00PM from the Living Water Baptist Church with the Rev. Lebron Crisp and the Rev. Lee Singleton officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. Leon Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to Living Water Baptist Church, 1569 Highway 9 East, Longs, SC 29568.

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Iree T. Padgett

July 21, 1921 - August 5, 2010