Annie Lou Prezioso

Columbia, South Carolina - Annie Lou Oswald Prezioso passed away November 17, 2021, at Lexington Medical Center after a brief illness. Annie Lou was born May 31,1929, the only child of Edward Hardin Oswald and Luella Hutto Oswald. She was also influenced by and deeply loved her stepfather, Jimmy Porter.

She attended Parochial school in Augusta, GA where she befriended and inspired classmate Jasper Johns towards his career as the preeminent American Abstract Impressionist. Annie Lou was warned by the Sister that she was in danger of another crack on her palm with a ruler. As the Sister turned to the blackboard, Annie Lou strode up the desk and snapped the Sister's weapon of choice in two pieces to the shock of her delighted classmates. None more than her playmate Jasper who resided in the same hotel as Annie Lou. Many years later in an interview by the New York Times John's related this act as the inspiration for many of his works that featured a "ruler" like "Lottie Lou" had destroyed.

After graduation from University High, she attended Winthrop College majoring in Physical Education. Transferring to Carolina she enjoyed cheerleading and membership in Kappa Delta Sorority. At Carolina she met and married three sport letterman Chuck Prezioso. Annie Lou taught Physical Education at Hand Jr. High in Columbia until motherhood curtailed her teaching career. Annie Lou and Chuck had four athletic sons, Charles (Roxanna), David (Ann), Bryan 'deceased' (Jen), and James (Heather). Chuck got all the credit for his sons' athleticism but Lou taught them commitment, hard work, practice, competitiveness, and did all the chauffeuring to games, practices, matches, etc. She was her sons most enthusiastic supporter.

She was an avid golfer, tennis player and walker all her life. She adored her times spent at North Litchfield Beach and Flathead Lake, Montana with Chuck. Annie Lou was a dedicated Christian and as honest as the day is long! Many over the years remarked, "I feel so sorry for Lou trying to raise those four boys"! Truthfully, she ruled the home with an Iron Hand and dominated all five males that were under her charge!

A celebration of Annie Lou's faithful life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday November 22, 2021, at St. Michael's Episcopal Church off Trenholm Rd. in Columbia. Burial will immediately follow the service at St. Michael's Cemetery. The family will receive friends after the burial at the Church Portico.

Memorials may be made in Annie Lou's honor to the DuPre Prezioso Scholarship at the South Carolina Junior Golf Association PO Box 286, Irmo, SC 29063 or St. Michael's Episcopal Church 6408 Bridgewood Rd. Columbia, SC 29206