Lorene Jones McGuire

Lorene Mildred Jones McGuire, 86, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away on November 27, 2024. A beloved mother, grandmother, and friend, Lorene will be remembered as being the hands of Christ through her kindness and love provided to others in practical ways.

Born on May 29, 1938, in Princeton, Missouri, in a farmhouse belonging to her grandparents, Lorene was the first of two children of Lloyd and Marguerite Jones. She grew up on a farm in Cushing, Oklahoma where she helped her family by gathering eggs, milking cows, tending the garden, bailing hay, and many other farm chores. Her home did not have electricity until she was in the 8th grade and her life on the farm in rural Oklahoma was hard. Later in life, she recognized that having this foundation helped her to develop a strong work ethic and gave her a mindset to “stick with the job until it is finished.”

She was a good student who loved music and taught herself to play the piano. She remembered fondly her time in the Ripley High School marching band in which she played the clarinet and served as a student conductor.

After high school, her first job was a secretarial position with the Gibble Oil Company. She remarked that her family had no telephone then as her father did not see the need. But, with her working in town, she thought it would be beneficial. So, she “marched into the phone company” and paid to install one.

By the late 1960s she had married and moved to Columbia where she was a stay-at-home Mom caring for her two young daughters. In the mid-1970s, she began a career as a Community Outreach Specialist with the American Cancer Society where she remained for 22 years.

In the late 1980s, she began visiting Trenholm Road United Methodist Church (TRUMC). Thanks to Mary Louise Mason, a true saint within the congregation, Lorene joined the church in October of 1988. She quickly became involved in many ministries of the church offering her service in roles including: “Food Brood” kitchen volunteer; Mid-High Missions Cook and Chaperone; Confirmation Mentor; children’s Sunday School assistant; a member of the Bereavement Quick Response Committee; a longtime member of the choir; President of the Major Way to Faith Circle and UMW Woman of the Year in 2011.

In 1999, she began another long career working with the Shepherd’s Center of Columbia as an Administrative Assistant. She greatly enjoyed her years at the Shepherd's Center - a position she ultimately held for 25 years. She officially retired earlier this year at age 86, and only then due to her declining health.

Always seeking opportunities to serve, she wanted to be remembered as someone who could be relied upon to assist when a need surfaced, as someone who loved her church and enjoyed working in the church kitchen whenever possible, and most of all as a person who loved Jesus Christ and her family more than life itself.

Lorene is survived by her daughters, Cathy Hamner (Jim), and Connie McGuire; grandchildren, Taylor Atkinson, Justin Lybrand, and Ryan Hamner. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lloyd and Marguerite Jones, and her sister, Lois Murray.

A service to celebrate Lorene’s life will be held on Friday, December 6 at 2:00 p.m. in the TRUMC sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trenholm Road United Methodist Church.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Stephanie Curry and her staff for the dedicated and holistic care they have provided.