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Isla Graham Obituary
Isla Graham
April 16, 1947 - July 25, 2025
Camden, South Carolina - It is with a heavy heart that we advise of the passing and celebrate the life of our mother, Isla Frances Ford Graham. She died this past week from complications arising from her long-time battle with cancer. Isla was 78.
Born April 16, 1947, in Marion County, Isla grew up in a small town in Dillon County, home of the Lake View Wild Gators. She was very involved in church, the community, and in school activities, and among many other accolades was crowned Miss Lake View in 1962. She was proud of her upbringing in the Pee Dee, and returned frequently to visit her late father W. Jesse Ford, her late mother Isla Frances Edwards Ford, her late brother Colon Mason Edwards "Eddie" Ford, her late sister Florinette Ford Renfrow, her brother William Jesse "Bill" Ford, her sister Rebecca Ford "Becky" Duke, and the loving and very large family of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews who lived near or returned often to the area. Isla took great pride in the size of her extended family and, aided by her superhuman working knowledge of their lives' trajectories, could (and would) recite details of the breadth and depth of the accomplishments of each to anyone who might casually ask about her family.
After graduating from Winthrop College in 1968, Isla moved to Camden to take a teaching position with the Kershaw County School District, where she taught for the next thirty years. Over those decades, Isla educated students with special needs, kindergarteners, second graders, SEAGUL students, and a host of others. "Ms. Graham" enjoyed teaching but LOVED her students. Her heart warmed when she encountered former pupils, reveling in their successes and hoping that her time as their teacher contributed in some small measure to their personal growth.
It was shortly after moving to Camden that Isla was introduced to Arthur Earl "Art" Graham, Jr., a recovering New Englander and soon to be love-of-her-life, who had recently taken a job at the Dupont Plant in Lugoff, South Carolina. The two were married on June 17th, 1972, spent the next fifty-two years together in Camden, and along the way had three inarguably marvelous children: William Ford Graham (1976), Leah Amelia Graham (1979), and Jeffrey Robert Graham (1982) (in order of importance). Isla and Art were inseparable and took an active role in their community and in their children and grandchildren's lives.
Isla loved music and the theater, and she instilled an appreciation of both in her children. The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County was one of her many homes in which she played countless roles: from lead as Gilda in Fiddler on the Roof, to a chorus member in Man of La Mancha, to "theater mom" lugging her children back and forth to practices and performances. Isla was an avid singer and drew energy from choir practices and Sunday services at Lyttleton Street United Method Church, as well as singing harmonies with her sister, Becky at annual Ford/Renfrow/Duke/Graham family gatherings at Ocean Isla Beach. Isla was greatly looking forward to performing at her brother Bill's upcoming marriage.
Isla was an avid traveler and saw every trip as an "educational experience," whether to a fish hatchery in South Carolina, an obscure historical point of interest in the US, or a Mayan temple abroad. Over the years, she visited the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Italy, Mexico, and Scotland, and encouraged all to abandon their comfort zone to see the world.
Among her many attributes, Isla had the gift of conversation. She could discuss anything with anyone for any length at a time. If she got you on the phone you knew that you were in for the long-haul. Moreover, much to the chagrin of her children, Isla never hesitated to strike up conversations with strangers. At the store, or on a plane, or waiting in a line, it never failed that mom would learn all about this newly found friend. Even in foreign countries with language barriers, Isla would still attempt to make connections. She loved people and people loved her.
Upon retirement from the School District, Isla eventually decided she needed an outlet for her pent-up energy and personality. She dedicated countless hours supporting the charity-focused, community clothing store Second Look, in Camden. She frequently spoke of the warm friendships she developed with other volunteers and frequent customers alike. Isla deeply valued her time there.
Although she enjoyed the hustle of city-life in downtown Camden in her early years, Isla later warmed to the tranquility of and frequent visits from family to their home on Lake Wateree as the number of her grandchildren grew: Paulo Ford Graham (2005) son of Ford and Paulina Gonzalez Graham, Edwards Davis Graham (2009) and Bailey Elizabeth Graham (2012) son and daughter to Jeffrey Robert and Sara Glover Graham, and William 'Jackson' Stewart (2013) and Wyatt Arthur Stewart (2016), sons to Leah A. Graham Stewart and Jeff Spencer Stewart. "Gigi" loved to spend time with her grandchildren and was extremely proud of each of them.
Isla has had a profound impact on the lives of many as wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend. Although she leaves behind many who loved her, we all share in countless memories of the time that we had with her.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church, 1206 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020. Bishop Gary Rivas will officiate. A visitation will be held after the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, food, or gifts, please consider making a donation in memory of Isla F. Graham to Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church's Building Fund.
Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left online for the Graham family at www.kornegayfuneral.com.
April 16, 1947 - July 25, 2025
Camden, South Carolina - It is with a heavy heart that we advise of the passing and celebrate the life of our mother, Isla Frances Ford Graham. She died this past week from complications arising from her long-time battle with cancer. Isla was 78.
Born April 16, 1947, in Marion County, Isla grew up in a small town in Dillon County, home of the Lake View Wild Gators. She was very involved in church, the community, and in school activities, and among many other accolades was crowned Miss Lake View in 1962. She was proud of her upbringing in the Pee Dee, and returned frequently to visit her late father W. Jesse Ford, her late mother Isla Frances Edwards Ford, her late brother Colon Mason Edwards "Eddie" Ford, her late sister Florinette Ford Renfrow, her brother William Jesse "Bill" Ford, her sister Rebecca Ford "Becky" Duke, and the loving and very large family of cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews who lived near or returned often to the area. Isla took great pride in the size of her extended family and, aided by her superhuman working knowledge of their lives' trajectories, could (and would) recite details of the breadth and depth of the accomplishments of each to anyone who might casually ask about her family.
After graduating from Winthrop College in 1968, Isla moved to Camden to take a teaching position with the Kershaw County School District, where she taught for the next thirty years. Over those decades, Isla educated students with special needs, kindergarteners, second graders, SEAGUL students, and a host of others. "Ms. Graham" enjoyed teaching but LOVED her students. Her heart warmed when she encountered former pupils, reveling in their successes and hoping that her time as their teacher contributed in some small measure to their personal growth.
It was shortly after moving to Camden that Isla was introduced to Arthur Earl "Art" Graham, Jr., a recovering New Englander and soon to be love-of-her-life, who had recently taken a job at the Dupont Plant in Lugoff, South Carolina. The two were married on June 17th, 1972, spent the next fifty-two years together in Camden, and along the way had three inarguably marvelous children: William Ford Graham (1976), Leah Amelia Graham (1979), and Jeffrey Robert Graham (1982) (in order of importance). Isla and Art were inseparable and took an active role in their community and in their children and grandchildren's lives.
Isla loved music and the theater, and she instilled an appreciation of both in her children. The Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County was one of her many homes in which she played countless roles: from lead as Gilda in Fiddler on the Roof, to a chorus member in Man of La Mancha, to "theater mom" lugging her children back and forth to practices and performances. Isla was an avid singer and drew energy from choir practices and Sunday services at Lyttleton Street United Method Church, as well as singing harmonies with her sister, Becky at annual Ford/Renfrow/Duke/Graham family gatherings at Ocean Isla Beach. Isla was greatly looking forward to performing at her brother Bill's upcoming marriage.
Isla was an avid traveler and saw every trip as an "educational experience," whether to a fish hatchery in South Carolina, an obscure historical point of interest in the US, or a Mayan temple abroad. Over the years, she visited the Bahamas, Belize, Canada, England, France, Germany, Guatemala, Guyana, Italy, Mexico, and Scotland, and encouraged all to abandon their comfort zone to see the world.
Among her many attributes, Isla had the gift of conversation. She could discuss anything with anyone for any length at a time. If she got you on the phone you knew that you were in for the long-haul. Moreover, much to the chagrin of her children, Isla never hesitated to strike up conversations with strangers. At the store, or on a plane, or waiting in a line, it never failed that mom would learn all about this newly found friend. Even in foreign countries with language barriers, Isla would still attempt to make connections. She loved people and people loved her.
Upon retirement from the School District, Isla eventually decided she needed an outlet for her pent-up energy and personality. She dedicated countless hours supporting the charity-focused, community clothing store Second Look, in Camden. She frequently spoke of the warm friendships she developed with other volunteers and frequent customers alike. Isla deeply valued her time there.
Although she enjoyed the hustle of city-life in downtown Camden in her early years, Isla later warmed to the tranquility of and frequent visits from family to their home on Lake Wateree as the number of her grandchildren grew: Paulo Ford Graham (2005) son of Ford and Paulina Gonzalez Graham, Edwards Davis Graham (2009) and Bailey Elizabeth Graham (2012) son and daughter to Jeffrey Robert and Sara Glover Graham, and William 'Jackson' Stewart (2013) and Wyatt Arthur Stewart (2016), sons to Leah A. Graham Stewart and Jeff Spencer Stewart. "Gigi" loved to spend time with her grandchildren and was extremely proud of each of them.
Isla has had a profound impact on the lives of many as wife, mother, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend. Although she leaves behind many who loved her, we all share in countless memories of the time that we had with her.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 2, 2025 at Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church, 1206 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC 29020. Bishop Gary Rivas will officiate. A visitation will be held after the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, food, or gifts, please consider making a donation in memory of Isla F. Graham to Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church's Building Fund.
Kornegay Funeral Home, Camden Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.
Condolences may be left online for the Graham family at www.kornegayfuneral.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The State from Jul. 27 to Jul. 30, 2025.
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Kornegay Funeral Home - Camden Chapel1112 Fair Street, Camden, SC 29020
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