Vernell Padgett

Vernell Gillespie Padgett passed away peacefully at her home Wednesday, November 30, 2022. She was born on March 13, 1926, in Dahlongea, GA to Amanda Kanaday and Jack L Gillespie. She graduated from Dahlongea High School and then from North Georgia Military College. She was working at the college when she met Jack Padgett, whom she married several months later. Jack and Vernell raised four children while living in Georgia, later moving to West Columbia, South Carolina in 1957. Together they owned and operated Padgett Studios in the former “New Brookland Fire Station” in West Columbia, SC. As they did through life, they worked as a team to create a successful business and provide a loving and nurturing home for their children to mature and grow. Countless warm and happy memories were shared by family and friends alike through the years in their home.

After Jack’s death in 1971, and after she sold the photography business, she began to work for Banker’s Trust (later Bank of America), where she worked for 20 years before retiring. Retirement meant she had more time for the little things in life that she enjoyed including tending to her beautiful flower gardens and surrounding herself with the ones she loved. She could always be found cooking, traveling, reading and catnapping in her recliner. Vernell was a member of Mt Hebron United Methodist Church and the Church’s Clyde Hendrix Circle.

Vernell was adored by everyone she met. She was a wonderful mother, wife, sister, aunt, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, neighbor and friend. She was forever wise and always caring, quick witted, had quite a sense of humor, and made her home welcoming to all. Vernell will be dearly missed and always remembered.

She is predeceased by her parents; husband, Jack Sr.; daughter, Ann Padgett Gabbard; son, Lee Padgett; brother and his wife, Pete and Ruby Gillespie and grandson, Bryan Gabbard.

Those left to cherish her memories are son, Jack Padgett (Pam) and his children, Kimberly Barron (David), Nicholas Padgett (Patricia) and Michael and daughter, Debbie; daughter-in-law, Becky Corley Padgett and her children, Jessica Venables (Tristan), Thad Padgett (Beth) and Gabe Padgett (Kristen); son-in-law, Steve Gabbard (Nancy) and his son, Kevin Gabbard (Linda). Also surviving are 13 great grandchildren plus one more due in March 2023 and nieces, Wanda Gillespie Rascoe (Joe) and Shirley Gillespie Paoletti (Tom).

A visitation will be held on Tuesday December 6, 2022 from 11:00 to 11:45 at the Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, West Columbia Chapel, 820 West Dunbar Rd, West Columbia, SC 29170. A graveside service will be held immediately after the visitation at Southland Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, friends may send memorials to Mt Hebron United Methodist Church, 3050 Leapart Rd., West Columbia, SC 29169; MSA Hospice, 166 Stoneridge Dr Suite 100, Columbia, SC 29210; or Oliver Gospel Mission, 1100 Taylor St, Columbia, SC 29201.

The family would like to thank Dr. Jeff Hook and staff for their compassionate care and guidance over the years. Also, the family appreciates all the care and support from the MSA Home Health Care and Hospice team of Suzanne, Alayna, Tatiana Chris A., Aretha, Dana, Oneita, Paul, and Chris C. In addition, the family thanks the First Light team and also Rosaliand for their significant support and help.

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