A service to the witness to the resurrection for Lydia Downing Clary will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. A visitation will also be held from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.
Lydia passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024. She was born in Greenville, N.C. on January 13, 1944 to Bernice Ross Downing and William E. Downing. When she was three years old the family moved to Miami, FL where they remained until 1956 when her mother re-married her much loved stepfather, Jake Penland and they moved to Columbia, SC.
Lydia attended Crayton Junior High School and graduated from Dreher High School in 1962. She attended Winthrop College and the University of South Carolina.
She married the love of her life, William E. “Chip’ Clary in 1964. During their happy and fun years she was active in their daughters’ schools and an active member of Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder and Sunday School teacher.
After her daughters were in middle school she worked for Forest Lake Travel for 17 years. She enjoyed being a mentor at Forest Lake Elementary School and recruited others to get involved in this very important endeavor. She and Chip were avid golfers and play with many friends at Forest Lake Club and elsewhere.
Lydia was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Chip and her sister-in-law, Kitty Clary Goding. She is survived by her two daughters, Mandy Pierce and Marli Clary; her grandchildren, Wyatt E. Pierce and Clary D. Pierce; her two older brothers, Julian S. Downing and Ross E. Downing; her sister-in-law, Shelly Clary Ray, as well as cousins and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 N. Trenholm Rd. Columbia, SC 29206 or the Animal Mission, 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, SC 29209.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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