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Conway...... Mary Roddey McCown, fondly known as Rod, age 98, died Thursday, June 27, 2013, at the Kingston Nursing Center. Mrs. McCown was born on May 15, 1915, in Due West, SC, a daughter of the late David Septimus and Addie Scoggins Edwards. She graduated with honors from Erskine College. After graduation, she studied in New York under noted musician, Edwin Hughes, toured the British Isles by bicycle and returned to Erskine to teach in the music department. In 1940, she married J. Harold McCown and moved to Conway where he served as principal of Conway Elementary School and she became active in many areas of music in the community. For 60 years, she taught piano to hundreds of students, many who went on to excel and make contributions in music and entertainment. She served as music director and organist at Kingston Presbyterian Church for 61 years. Soon after moving to Conway, she accepted a position as pianist and sponsor for the Conway Lions Club, a position she served for 68 years. Mrs. McCown participated in countless community activities. As a member of the Fine Arts Club of Conway, she trained the singers and played the piano for the Tom Thumb Wedding for 52 years. After being inducted into the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, she served as State Music Chairman. She was a member of the Azalea Garden Club. An avid sports fan, Mrs. McCown attended Conway High School ballgames even in her nineties. The Conway All Sports Booster Club recognized her for 64 years of dedication as a faithful supporter of the Conway Tigers. In recognition of the contributions of the McCowns to the community, The Conway Elementary Auditorium now is known as the McCown Auditorium. Additionally the Conway Chamber of Commerce and the Sun News established the Rod and Harold McCown Award, given annually to an outstanding man and woman of the year. In 1987, Mrs. McCown received this award. Other awards include Lioness of the Year in 1999 and the Lavern Creel Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2004. Surviving are several nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 4:00 PM Sunday, June 30, 2013 at Kingston Presbyterian Church with Pastor Rhett Talbert officiating. Burial will be held at 12:00 Noon Monday in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Due West, SC. Memorials may be sent to Kingston Presbyterian Church Organ Fund, 800 3rd Avenue, Conway, SC 29526. Sign an online guestbook at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

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Mary McCown

May 15, 1915 - June 27, 2013