Laura Wells Hiers

COLUMBIA - Laura Wells Hiers, 54, died peacefully Sunday, January 17, 2016, at her home surrounded by family after a seven year battle with cancer. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 20, 2016, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, with The Rev. Dr. Tony A. Metze and Mr. Andrew F. More, A.I.M. officiating. Immediately following the service the family will greet friends at a reception in the Good Shepherd Room. The burial will take place in Elmwood Cemetery following the reception. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. Born March 12, 1961, in Columbia, Laura was the daughter of Dolly Dennis Wells and the late Ames Haltiwanger Wells. Laura attended Columbia schools and graduated from Richland Northeast High School. She received a BA in Retail Management from the University of South Carolina. She later earned a degree in Court Reporting from Midlands Technical College. Laura freelanced as a court reporter and medical transcriber. In 2004, she earned a Masters of Arts and Teaching (MAT) from Columbia International University (CIU). Laura was a dedicated teacher and taught third grade for five years at H.B. Rhame Elementary School. She was a past member of the Junior League of Columbia. Laura was also a member of the “Shanghai” Card Club and Book Club. She was a lifelong member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Deeply committed to bible study, she participated in Community Bible Study Fellowship (CBS) and most recently Bible Study Fellowship (BSF). For the past seven years, she hosted a prayer group in her home with friends. Laura was an outgoing, enthusiastic person with an infectious laugh and an incredible sense of humor. She enjoyed playing competitive tennis and was an avid card player. She loved Clemson football, spending summers at Lake Murray, Edisto Beach and traveling – her favorite destination being Hawaii. Above all, she valued time shared with her family and friends. Laura was dearly loved and will be missed by many – a testament to the many lives she touched. She is survived by her loving husband of twenty six years, John McIver Hiers; their daughter, Laura Ames Hiers; their son, John McIver Hiers, Jr.; her mother, Dolly Dennis Wells; her sister, Evelyn Wells Fisher and husband, Fish of Greensboro, N.C.; her brother, Ames Haltiwanger Wells, Jr. of Irmo; nieces, Evelyn Fisher Tharp and husband, Daren of Houston, Texas; Dede Fisher Byrnes and husband, Peter of Arlington, Va.; nephews, James Hart Hiers of Charleston, Headen Woodward Hiers and James Henry Hiers, both of Mt. Pleasant; and many loving relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her father, Ames Haltiwanger Wells. The family wants to express their heartfelt gratitude to her physicians, medical caregivers, Palmetto Health Hospice and especially her caregiver and friend, Karen Heller, for their extraordinary care and support. Their longtime friend, Lyn Schultz, was truly a blessing, providing comfort and expert nursing care. Also, they would like to sincerely thank everyone who provided their friendship, love, encouragement and compassion to Laura and her family throughout her illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or the Center for Colon Cancer Research, 712 Main Street, Room 614, Jones PSC Bldg., University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.