Esther Shockley

Services for Esther "Siddy" Alexander Shockley, age 88, widow of Paul Norris Shockley, will be 1:00 p.m. Tuesday March 16, 2004, at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Randolph Kowalski officiating. The family will greet friends at the church at noon. Graveside services will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Thomas McAfee Funeral Home is in charge.

Pallbearers are Paul Shockley III, John Gorsage Sr., 1st Lt. John Gorsage Jr., James Summer, Ted McGee III, and Irv Wiese III. Memorials may be made to Capital Campaign, First Presbyterian Church, 200 West Washington St., Greenville, SC, 29601.

"Siddy" died March 13 at National Health Care-Lexington. She resided at 312 E. Hillcrest Drive in Greenville before moving to Columbia in 1997 after the death of Paul, her beloved husband of 60 years. She was born on May 4, 1915, in Pelzer to James McKenzie and Etta Jane Bell Alexander. She was the stepdaughter of Olive Talley Alexander.

"Siddy" grew up in Newry and attended schools in Seneca. She graduated from Furman University with a B.A. in education in 1935. While at Furman, she was the first co-ed cheerleader, secretary of the freshman class, secretary of the Student's Athletic Council, president of the junior class, business manager of the "Hornet," member of the Glee Club, business manager of the Chapel Choir, the "social" officer in the Young Women's Association Council, a member of International Relations Club for outstanding work in history, and was on the Student Body Council. She was a member of Sigma Iota Chi Sorority. She was described as "popular, clever, and full of enthusiasm, pep, and vivacity."

"Siddy" was a schoolteacher in Townville for one year before her marriage in 1936. She moved to Greenville and taught in Greenville schools. She retired from Shriner's Hospital for Crippled Children where she taught 19 years. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church where she taught Junior Sunday School and was a member of the Good Neighbor Class. She was loving and kind to others and, especially, sensitive to the needs of the less fortunate. She adored reading and dancing. She cherished playing bridge with "THE GIRLS" for over 50 years. She is best known for her dedication to God, outgoing personality, humor, devotion to her Paul and love of family.

Mrs. Shockley is survived by her children, Norris (Jan) Shockley Jr. of Louisville, Ky., Etta Sue (John) Gorsage and Flonnie (Irv) Wiese of Columbia. Her grandchildren are Kimberly (James) Summer of Peak, Janell (Kevin) Caponecchi of Fairway, Kan., Kelly (Ted, III) McGee of Columbia, Paul (Melissa) Shockley III of Louisville, Ky., 1st Lt. John (Kimberly) Gorsage Jr. and Lauren Q. Graves, all of Columbia, and 1st Lt. James Wiese of Fort Campbell, Ky. Her great-grandchildren are Nicholas and Caroline McGee, Georgia Summer, Kendall Shockley, and Olivia and Gabriella Caponecchi.

"Siddy" was predeceased by her twin, Etta Bell Hunt, Grace Wilson, Joseph Alexander, James Alexander, Martha Riley, and Ruth Weego. Surviving is her sister-in-law, Mrs. Hazel (Tom) Perry of Greenville and a number of nieces and nephews.