CLOVER -- Mrs. Mary Helen Withers Stanton passed away at her home at 1870 St. Paul Church Road, Clover, S.C., on April 3, 2008. Born in Saxapahaw, N.C., on June 28, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Sarah Jane Murphy and Miles Luther Withers. She was preceded in death by her spouse of 51 years, Thomas William Stanton; two sisters, Hazel Lee Withers and Ida Mae Withers Parrish; and a brother, James Franklin Withers.
Affectionately known as "Maw," she was a member and former lay speaker of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Maw reared her children and grandchildren by providing them with her loving care and endearing support. She shared her morals and wisdom with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was proud of each of them. She possessed an unconditional love for family and friends and leaves them with a plethora of life lessons and clichés, most notably her "subtle hints." She loved family outings, gardening, traveling, card games and people. She was a unique and special mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister, teacher and friend. After raising her children, helping her husband on their small dairy farm and working in textiles and in business, Maw enrolled at Winthrop College when she was fifty-five, earning a Master's Degree in 1976. She then taught school for 12 years and retired at the age of 72.
Survivors include one sister, Estelle Alledo Withers and one brother, Lawrence Edward Withers; three daughters, four sons and their spouses: Anne S. and Jerry Adams of Clover; Fred and Diane S. Stanton of Columbia; Sylvia S. and Lonnie Bowman of Columbia; Earl and Kay T. Stanton of Greenwood; Bill and Beth H. Stanton of Clinton; Steve and Phyllis S. Stanton of Clover; Margaret S. and Robbie Boyd of York; seventeen grandchildren and their spouses: Linda A. and Billy Swittenberg of Lexington; Mike and Tammy B. Adams of Clover; Mary Helen A. and Mike Allen of Clover; Stan and Kathy M. Stanton of Mauldin; Steve and Kelly E. Stanton of Columbia; Stuart Stanton of Columbia; Sherri S. Davis of Lexington; Bob Bowman of Ann Arbor, Mich.; Donna Bowman of Irmo; Leslie S. and Gary Hinton of Rock Hill; Matt and Wendy Stanton of Lexington; Brian and Lisa A. Stanton of Greenville; Tommy and Candice G. Stanton of Greer; Lori Jane S. and Mark Russell of Dublin, Ohio; Stephanie S. and Will Reynolds of Charlotte, N.C.; Josh Boyd of York; and Travis Boyd of Clover; 19 great-grandchildren: Sarah Swittenberg, Stanton and Sydney Adams, Eli and Adam Allen, Eric and Mona S. Stanton, Allie Morgan Stanton, Jacob, Joseph and Jackson Stanton, Katie Davis, Reid Stanton, McKenzie Stanton, Gray and Riley Stanton, Carrick and McKenna Russell and Gracie and William Reynolds; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers are grandsons: Mike Adams, Bob Bowman, Josh Boyd, Travis Boyd, Brian Stanton, Matt Stanton, Stan Stanton, Stevie Stanton, Stuart Stanton and Tommy Stanton.
The family sends special thanks to loving caretakers, Wilma Bolin, Sara Currence, Betty Floyd, Phyllis McClain and Mary Smieja of Interim Healthcare Hospice.
A celebration of her life will be conducted by the Rev. David Inman at St. Paul United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 5, 2008, at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall after the service.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Paul United Methodist Church, Missions Fund, 1550 St. Paul Church Road, Clover, SC 29710 or Interim Healthcare Hospice, Suite 105, 154 Amendment Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29732.
Bratton Funeral Home in York is serving the Stanton family.
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