Margaret L. Brasington

Margaret Lavina Ludwig Brasington died unexpectedly, yet peacefully, of heart complications on Saturday, August 5, 2023, just six weeks shy of her 91st birthday. She lived fully independent in her apartment at The Heritage at Lowman until her death. Margaret was born on a farm in Battle Creek, Iowa to Alvin F. W. Ludwig and Ruth Harker Ludwig. She was the oldest of four children, and the only daughter.

Margaret grew up in the heart of farm country in Ida County, Iowa. As a young girl, she and her brothers walked, or were sometimes driven in a horse wagon, to a one-room school. Later, after moving into town, she spent her summers as a teen detasseling corn before joining the U.S. Air Force with a friend upon graduation from Ida Grove High School in 1950. She attended basic training in San Antonio, Texas and met another basic trainee from Columbia, South Carolina. William (Bill) H. Brasington and Margaret were married only four months later and had their first child the next year. After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Margaret embarked upon a life as a military wife, twice delivering babies while Bill was overseas, and moving her four children from base to base around the country, and the world, until Bill retired from military service in 1971.

After settling in Columbia, SC, Margaret had her own career in Civil Service at the Department of Housing and Urban Development. She was an accomplished seamstress and enjoyed quilting, reading, and playing cards. She was especially fond of bridge and mah jong, which she played almost up until her death. Margaret loved music and singing. She sang in the choir at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in Chapin, SC for 40 years, as well as the Dutch Fork Choral Society. Margaret was a strong, self-sufficient and independent woman who did things her own way in her own time. She had a great sense of humor, a sharp wit, and will be remembered as a funny person who didn’t know she was funny.

Margaret and Bill were married for 55 years, until his death in 2005. They raised 4 children and were devoted grandparents to 4 grandchildren. Margaret has been a loving great-grandmother, Gigi, to 8 great-grandchildren, whom she adored and found immensely entertaining.

Margaret is predeceased by her husband, Bill Brasington; her son, Stephen James Brasington, and her brothers, Vernon Ludwig of Cherokee, Iowa, and Ronnie Ludwig of Burlington, Colorado. Her brother, Lowell Ludwig, still resides in Arroyo Grande, California with his wife, Dottie.

Margaret is survived by her son, William (Bill) M. Brasington (Christy); daughter, Elizabeth B. Sowards (John); son, John A. Brasington (Lucinda), all of Chapin, SC; grandchildren, Stephen Sowards (Kathy), Whit Sowards (Kathy), Derek Brasington (Meaghen), and Tess Brasington, and great-grandchildren, Sophie, Will, Riley, Florence, Kate, Alice, Maggie, and George.

A service of celebration for a life well lived will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 11:00 AM at St. Thomas Lutheran Church preceded by a visitation beginning at 10:00 AM.

Memorials may be made to the Margaret Brasington Memorial Fund at St. Thomas Lutheran Church, 215 St. Thomas Church Road, Chapin, SC 29036.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanchapin.com for the Brasington family.