Rose Ann Pearcy Mikell

A native of West Virginia, Mrs. Mikell was the daughter of Lilian Ainsley Carr Pearcy and Dr. Evert M. Pearcy. She was a graduate of West Virginia Business College and West Virginia University where she was president of Pi Beta Phi Sorority, president of the Junior Panhellenic Association, treasurer of Mortar Board, a Freshman Guide, a board member of the Young Women’s Christian Association, and a member of Phi Upsilon Omicron, national home economics honorary. Later studies included a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of South Carolina where she was a graduate assistant in the Darla Moore School of Business, and a member of Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.

Mrs. Mikell served in World War II as a Lieutenant (j.g.) in the WAVES. She trained at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts, and was stationed at the Assembly and Repair Department of the Naval Air Station, Norfolk, Virginia. She was also a cryptologist in the Army Signal Corps.

She married Walter Taylor Mikell, Jr., of Columbia, South Carolina, in Norfolk. “Buck” asked for her to return to his native state after the war and promised to build her a home and plant a yard in which a flower was always blooming. The couple returned to Columbia, where they owned and operated White Way Laundry in Five Points.

Mrs. Mikell was a talented pianist and shared that love through teaching private music lessons to many students. She attended the Interlochen Summer Music Camp in Michigan on a scholarship and served on the faculty of Mangelly Summer Music Camp in Augusta, Georgia. She encouraged her music students to share their talents with their families, churches, and schools.

For over seventy years, she was a member of Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, teaching Sunday School, leading Girl Scout troops, chairing Daughters of the Holy Cross projects as well as the Children’s Bazaar. She was a member of the American Legion, the Columbia Ball, Forest Lake Club, and the Nature Conservancy. She was awarded a life membership in the South Carolina Parent Teacher Association for accomplishments in the Saluda River Elementary School in West Columbia. She served on the faculty of Columbia College, was treasurer of the Columbia Junior Woman’s Club, president of the Althea Garden Club, and a member of the Saluda River Woman’s Club. She earned fifth place ribbons in both cycling and track events in the national Senior Olympics as well as gold medals in the South Carolina Senior Olympics. She wrote weekly news columns for both the Clarksburg News and the West Columbia Journal.

Mrs. Mikell was lovingly known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Nana”. To those that knew her, Nana instilled a strong work ethic, a love of learning, and a passion for independence. She chose to work until she was 98 years old and lived independently in the family house until her passing.

Survivors include her daughter, Jane Mikell Scott (Johnny) of Columbia and her son, David Green Mikell (Pattie) of West Columbia; four grandchildren, John Mikell Scott (Annie) and Asheley Scott St. John (Brian) of Columbia, Janine Whitney Mikell of Charleston, and Melanie Mikell Yoder (David) of West Columbia; and six great grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Scott, John Taylor Scott, Holston Kreuz St. John and Gibson Lawrence St. John of Columbia, and Harper Ann Yoder and Hudson David Yoder of West Columbia.

Nieces are Margaret E. Hill of Columbia and Elizabeth Gamble Mikell of Richmond Virginia. Nephews are Jeffrey A. Pearcy of Plover, Wisconsin, and William G. Mikell, Jr. of Fairfax, Virginia.

Mrs. Mikell was predeceased by her husband; her brother, Evert M. Pearcy, Jr.; her second husband, Harry Lynn Lemasters; and her son, Richard Bruce Mikell.

A private celebration for the family will be held on Monday, April 12, 2021, at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, 1100 Sumter Street, Columbia, South Carolina. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia, 22201.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com