Mary Emrie Padgett

Mary Emrie Padgett, 87, passed from this life to life eternal on December 24, 2021, following a yearlong battle with breast cancer. Interment will be private. A celebration of life will be held at 2:30 pm on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at St. Andrews Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

Mary was born June 7, 1934 to Norton and Jane Emrie. She graduated from Columbia High School and the University of South Carolina. She enjoyed working for John Timmerman, DMD and St. Andrews Baptist Church.

To Mary, her real job was loving her husband and her family, doing thoughtful things for others, and making the world more beautiful. Mary met her future husband, Buddy, while in high school. The two were married for 57 happy years until Buddy’s death in 2013. Together they served God faithfully through St. Andrews Baptist Church as Sunday school teachers, deacons, Kids Cafe, and many other endeavors. Mary particularly enjoyed visiting with and sending cards to shut-ins. Even after her cancer diagnosis, she could be found visiting those in more challenging situations than hers.

Mary had the most wonderful green thumb that she inherited from her mother before her. As soon as weather turned warm, she could be found in her garden with her hands in the soil or at a local nursery buying flowers. When she went on walks she would “find flowers lying on the side of the road” (a/k/a borrowed from the edges of yards) and bring them home to make bouquets. She gardened her entire life, through her last summer. Mary loved sitting on her front or back porch enjoying the fruit of her labor, watching the birds and butterflies, and seeking unique ways to keep squirrels out of her bird feeders.

Besides Buddy, Mary loved her friends and family fiercely. She always put their needs before her own. To Buddy, she gave selflessly and without complaint, especially during his difficult last years. She expected the best from her children. When they ventured off the right path, she steered them back, whether it took love, Bible verses, or broken yardsticks. Conversely, when life dealt her children hard blows, she was there to encourage and support in every way she could. She loved her neighbors, especially any little ones whom she called her “yard grandchildren.” Mary loved meeting her children’s and grandchildren’s friends and became “MaeMae” to them all.

Mary leaves behind three children: son, David (Sharon) of Dallas, NC; son, Steve (Donna) of Batesburg, and daughter, Lynn Beard (Neal) of Columbia. She also leaves seven grandchildren: Morgan Padgett of Lexington; Gracie Beard Epler (Jordan) of Alexandria, VA; Joshua Padgett (Lauren) of Lexington; Ashleigh Padgett of Washington, DC; Daniel Padgett (Taylor) of Columbia; Katharine Padgett-Beard and Mary Martha Beard, both of Columbia. She leaves four great-grandchildren: Hannah and Reese Shumpert and Emmalyn and Cason Free, all of Lexington. She is survived by sisters-in-law, Jean and Joy Padgett, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family she held dear. She leaves behind many beloved friends. Finally, she leaves behind her special friend and companion, Bandit. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by daughter-in-law, Terre Mosier Padgett, and two brothers, Norton Emrie of Fort Mill and William Emrie of Sierra Vista, NV.

The family wishes to thank Chelsea Stillwell, MD and Jennifer Peagler, NP of Lexington Oncology for their unfailing care and support. They also thank Lexington Medical Center guardian angel Juanita McDaniel for her continuing care of Mary from the time she lost Buddy in 2013 until Mary’s final week. Juanita, you are a special soul. The family thanks special friends, Stella and Jerry Walch for helping keep Mary’s yard beautiful when she was unable to. They also thank the caring neighbors of Driftwood Drive, as well as the Fitts Family, for their years of kindness and friendship.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29210 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanlexington.com for the Padgett family.