Tributes

Conway, SC---LaVerne Houk Creel of Conway died at her home on Saturday, Dec 19, 2009, following an extended illness. The youngest of five children born to William Beecher and Jemima Lee Houk in Sevierville, TN, Mrs.Creel grew up in the mountains of east Tennessee. In 1941 she married Johnny S. Creel and moved with him to Conway, where together they spent most of the next 69 years. Mrs. Creel is survived by her husband of nearly sixty-nine years, Johnny S. Creel, of Conway, one daughter, Cindy (Dan) Epps of Matthews, NC, one son, John (Rebekah) Creel of North Myrtle Beach and Charlotte, three grandsons, Jason (Katie) Epps of Tailors, SC, Alex (Julie Lufkin) Epps of Charlotte, NC, Robert Creel of North Myrtle Beach, and one great grand daughter, Abby Epps of Tailors. She was predeceased by a daughter, Sandra C. Creel. Mrs. Creel was well known in business, civic, and political circles in Horry County through her work with the Conway Chamber of Commerce. She went to the chamber as a temp at its founding in 1958, and retired in the mid-1980s as its executive director. She was actively involved in the founding or development of many of the institutions now considered part of everyday life in Horry County, including HGTC, Coastal Carolina, and the Conway Medical Center. She was a visionary, a coach, and a mentor to many people in Horry County. She was a role model and an inspiration to a generation of business women who came of age during her tenure at the Chamber. In her honor, now her memory, the Chamber of Commerce annually presents the LaVerne H. Creel Lifetime Achievement Award to someone whose life's work stands as an example of community spirit and working for the common good. The family will receive friends at Goldfinch Funeral Home on Monday, from 5-7pm. The Funeral will be Tuesday at 11 am, Trinity United Methodist Church in Conway. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to the Bessie Creel Foundation at Conway Medical Center or the Choir Fund at Trinity United Methodist Church, 198 Long Ave. Ext, Conway, SC. 29526 An online guestbook will be available at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway chapel will be in charge of arrangements.

Tributes

LaVerne Houk Creel

December 19, 2009