A house RESOLUTION

 

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF MARY SUZANNE "ZAN" CHAPPELL EDMUNDS OF RICHLAND COUNTY AND TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY FRIENDS.

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death of Mary Suzanne "Zan" Chappell Edmunds at the age of eighty-four on Monday, March 3, 2025; and

 

Whereas, born in Orangeburg, she was the only daughter of Mary England and Augustin Furse Ellis and lived on a farm in Bamberg County until she was six years old. She attended old Columbia High School and Limestone College, now Limestone University; and

 

Whereas, in 1962, she married John Wainwright Chappell of Newberry. After his graduation from University of South Carolina School of Law, they moved to Sumter, where together they reared three fine daughters: Laura England Chappell Bauknight, Cecelia Brooks Chappell Wildrick, and Molly deTreville Chappell McPhail, all now of Spartanburg. They blessed her with the affection of six loving grandchildren: Ellis Stetler Bauknight Prickett, John Chappell Bauknight, James Campbell Wildrick, Nicholas Watts Wildrick, Heyward Luke McPhail, and Thomas Noah McPhail; and

 

Whereas, after her husband and the father of her daughters passed away in 1980, she married Lewis Heyward Fort, also of Sumter, in 1982, who predeceased her in 2001. She was lucky in love a third time, marrying Blake Edmunds Jr. in 2007. In addition to her children and grandchildren, she is survived by Mr. Edmunds' sons: Blake Edmunds III of St. Matthews, Francis Weston Adams of Atlanta, Georgia; and David Rembert Edmunds of Mt. Pleasant; and

 

Whereas, a lifelong dedicated church member, she served in many capacities at First Presbyterian of Sumter, including as moderator of the Diaconate, a member of the Chancel Choir, a member of The Session, and a Stephen Minister, and, after moving to Columbia in 2004, she became a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church where she previously sang in the Chancel Choir; and

 

Whereas, always active in her community, she tapped her artistic skills as a member of the Tuesday Morning Drama Club, The Cotillion, and Les Trente Dance Club, and she volunteered for those less fortunate through the Sumter Jr. Welfare League. In addition, for ten years, she served as the executive director of The Fine Arts Council of Sumter; A skilled card player, she earned the title of a silver life master of bridge, playing duplicate at the Columbia Bridge Club, and was a member of two book clubs; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Zan Chappell Edmunds and for the example of grace and kindness she set for all who knew her. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Mary Suzanne "Zan" Chappell Edmunds of Richland County and extend their deepest sympathy to her large and loving family and her many friends.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mary Suzanne "Zan" Chappell Edmunds.

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