Wynona Lancaster Kursch

HOLLY HILL - Wynona Lee Lancaster Kursch, of the Providence Community, Holly Hill, died Friday, December 12, 2014. She celebrated her 100th birthday August 3rd of this year. Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14th at Providence United Methodist Church, 4833 Old State Road, Holly Hill, with Rev. Terry Martin and Rev. Karen Starr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Sen. Brad Hutto, Dr. Burt Hutto, Dale Huggins, Stanley Huggins, Glenn Klein, Gregg Lancaster, Chisolm Frampton, and Dr. Charles Weinheimer. The daughter of the late Asa Bell Lee, Sr., and Lula Love Lee, Mrs. Kursch was born August 3, 1914 in Union County and grew up in Great Falls, SC. She attended Limestone College, and while studying there, she met a Wofford student, Palmer T. Lancaster. After their marriage, they moved to his family home in the Providence community in 1934. She immediately became a part of the Providence United Methodist Church and was a member there for over 80 years. During that time she served as church pianist and organist for 45 years, until 1982. She was chosen "Mother of the Year" in 1992 by the church. She was an active member of the Faithful Workers Sunday School Class and the Providence United Methodist Women, serving in many capacities. She was named "Woman of the Year" by the UMW in 1999. She was also active in other community activities, and she served as president of the P.T.A. at Providence School when their three children were students there. After her husband's early death in 1955, she completed her college education and graduated from Winthrop College at the age of 43. She then taught first grade at Providence Elementary School for 22 years before retiring. During that time, she was a member of the Orangeburg chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international sorority for women educators. Her love of travel took her to every state in the United States, also to many European countries and to Egypt and Australia. On one of her trips to Europe, she met John T. Kursch of Baltimore, MD, and they were married in 1976. They lived in Holly Hill during the winter months and in Baltimore during the summers until his death in 1982. As long as she was physically able, Mrs. Kursch gave unselfishly of her time and talents, and she provided transportation to doctors' appointments for many of her friends until she was no longer able to drive. She served for years as president of the community Senior Citizens Group. After suffering a broken hip in 2011, she moved to Magnolia's of Santee where she became a vibrant part of the residents there. Her last evening was spent at the Christmas party at Magnolia's, with her children there to enjoy the celebration with her. Mrs. Kursch is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Harriet Lancaster and Charles Hutto of Holly Hill, and Marilyn Lancaster and Mike Musgrove of Charleston; son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Kathryn Lancaster of Charleston; step-son and his wife,, John T. Kursch, Jr. and Adele of Baltimore, Md.; eight grandchildren and their spouses, Senator Brad Hutto (Tracy) of Orangeburg, SC, Dr. Burt Hutto (Angie) of Chapel Hill, NC, Rhonda Klein (Glenn) of Lawrenceville, Ga., Dale Huggins of Mt. Pleasant, SC, Stanley Huggins (Kim) of Columbia, SC, Lisa Frampton (Chisolm) of Johns Island, SC, Julie Weinheimer (Charles) of Mt. Pleasant, SC and Gregg Lancaster (Dorothy) of Charleston, SC; two step-grandsons, Scott Kursch and John Kursch of Baltimore, Md.; as well as 18 great-grandchildren, David, Alissa, Cara and Skyler Hutto, Andrew, Daniel and Michael Klein, Jack and Carly Huggins, Haley Hite, Alex Frampton, Austin, Lane, Bess and Lawton Weinheimer, and Mary Kathryn, Ann and Palmer Lancaster. She was predeceased by an infant daughter, Sylvia Wynona Lancaster, a grandson, Bart Hutto, two brothers, Cecil P. Lee and A.B. Lee, Jr., two sisters, Mary Lee Paschal and Ruth Lee Hay Higgins and a stepson, Roger Kursch. The family will receive friends following the funeral service in the church social hall and other times at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Hutto. Deep appreciation is extended to the staff of Magnolia's and of Regency Hospice. Memorials may be made to Providence United Methodist Church, C/O Gayle Rush, 4037 Vance Rd., Holly Hill, SC 29059.