Shirley Perry Padgett

Shirley Perry Padgett, 87, of Lexington, SC, died peacefully at her home on Sunday, September 25, 2022, following a long illness. Born in Saluda, SC, she was the daughter of the late Sam Pitts Perry and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Perry. She graduated from Saluda High School. In 1954, she married her “boyfriend since the second grade”, Raymond Padgett, also from Saluda, and they eventually moved to West Columbia, where they established their family and ultimately settled in Lexington where they built and lived in their “forever” home.

After being a stay home mother, raising two boys, she was hired as the second employee of Lexington County Hospital, before the hospital was built. She dedicated 33 years of service to the hospital, starting out as the secretary to the President, George Rentz, and retiring in 2001 as the Vice President for Administration at the vastly larger Lexington Medical Center. For years she served as the hospital historian and upon her retirement, the board room was named in her honor. She was a long time member at Trinity United Methodist Church in West Columbia, where she sang in the choir.

Shirley is survived by her sons, Pat Padgett, of Lexington, Perry Padgett, of New York, NY and her daughter-in-law, Donna. She had two granddaughters, who she adored, Raime (Jacob) Prahst and Ryann (Jerry) Sreng, both of Lexington. She was blessed to have seven precious great-grandchildren, Rya, Preslie (“little Shirley”) and Jak Prahst and Ethan, Cameron, Ryder and Gracie Sreng, who brought her a little light on some not so bright days. She is also survived by her sister, Grace Givens, of Saluda, SC and three sisters by marriage and many loved nieces and nephews.

Shirley was predeceased by her husband, Raymond; her parents; three brothers, Sam Jr., Harold and “Skeet” Perry, and her beloved little companion, Max.

The family expresses sincere gratitude and love to her caregivers, Bridget and Margaret, who provided outstanding loving care to her in her final days and became part of her family. We also so appreciate all care and services provided by Katura and Jessica and her hospice providers.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 28, 2022 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina 29072. A graveside memorial service will occur Thursday, September 29, 2022 at 3:00 PM at Woodridge Memorial Park, in the mausoleum chapel, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC with burial following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Lexington Medical Center Foundation or Trinity United Methodist church.

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