Lois Rhame West

Lois Rhame West HILTON HEAD ISLAND - A funeral service to celebrate the life of Lois Rhame West, 92, of Hilton Head Island, formerly of Camden, will be held Thursday, May 8, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Bethesda Presbyterian Church with burial to follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the West Foundation, P.O. Box 643, Camden, SC 29021 or The Muscular Dystrophy Association, 3300 E. Sunrise Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718. Lois Rhame West, widow of the late Gov. John C. West, died May 6, 2014, at her home on Hilton Head Island. She was born in Camden, SC, September 5, 1921, to the late Boykin W. and Annie L. Rhame. She graduated from Camden High School in 1939 and Winthrop College in 1943 and was the first married student to graduate from that institution. On August 29, 1942, she married John C. West at Fort Monmouth, NJ. She was active in her community as a longtime Scout leader and a life member of the Camden Garden Club. She was a former member of the Hilton Head Advisory Board of the National Bank of South Carolina and was a former member of the State Museum Commission. She was a 40-year member of the Board of Directors of The Muscular Dystrophy Association of America (MDA) and served two terms as Chair, being the first woman to do so. She was a devoted alumna of Winthrop and co-chaired the University's first Capital campaign in 1998. She was awarded an honorary Doctor of Human letters from Winthrop in 1984. In 2008, Winthrop further honored Mrs. West by the dedication of the Lois Rhame West Health, Education and Wellness Center on the Winthrop campus. She served the State of South Carolina as First Lady during her husband's term as Governor from 1971-1975. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head. She is survived by her daughter, Shelton W. Bosley (Bill) of Hilton Head Island, a son, John C. West, Jr. (Flonnie) of Camden; four grandchildren, Alexander W. Bosley of Hilton Head Island, Peter Brice McKoy (Angie)of Camden, Dr. Brodie E. McKoy (Kendall) of Charleston, and Ms. Kenly M. Chivers of Camden, 11 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, a son, Douglas Allen West, a daughterin-law, Susan B. West, four brothers, Boykin W. Rhame, Robert L. Rhame, Walter A. Rhame and Edward L. Rhame; and a sister, Lenora R. Granade. Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the West family by visiting www.kornegayfuneral.com.