Born in Shelby, N.C., Fain was the daughter of the late Herbert Cranford and Minna Gaston LeGrand Combs. Fain is survived by four children Allison White of Greenville, S.C., Tripp Eskridge (Julie) of Atlanta, Ga. Catherine Poe (Mitchell) of Greenville and John Eskridge of Nashville TN as well as two step-sons: Stephen Maag (Ashley) of Asheville, N.C. and Martin Maag (Susan) of Norman, Ok. In addition, Fain is survived by six devoted grandchildren Anna Duncan, Daniel Eskridge, Kristen Eskridge, Bryan Poe, Amy Poe and Lilly Eskridge as well as Andy, Ava, Sophia, Zachery and Hawkins Maag from her wonderful marriage to Richard Maag.
Fain is also survived by her sister Gay Combs of Pawleys Island and brother Torrance Combs of Shelby, N.C.
Fain served her family, her friends and her church with devotion. Fain served as Deacon and Elder, Chairman of the Congregational Care Committee, Chair/Vice Chair of the stewardship Committee, Financial/Stewardship subcommittees, Stephen’s Ministry, Ministerial Search Committee, and the Agape and R.N. Ward Sunday School Class as Teacher and President.
A gifted educator, Fain taught in the Cleveland County and Greenville County Public School Systems for thirty years and was selected as one of three teachers in South Carolina to develop the Third Grade Social Studies Curriculum, receiving a grant under the South Carolina Education Improvement Act Competitive Grants Program. She received the Greenville County Teacher of the Year Award in 1985.
After retiring from Pelham Road Elementary School, Fain continued her career in education in the Continuing Education Department of Furman University, receiving a Bell Grant Endowment for the purpose of teaching educators how to recognize the at-risk student for dropping out due to hardships at home. Fain fought fiercely for the underprivileged and sought to discover the potential in each student.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Richard R. Maag Endowed Scholarship for cello/music education at Furman University, 3300 Poinsett Highway, Greenville, SC 29613 or Hollis Academy Designated Fund at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, S.C. promoting education and social support for under-privileged children.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 1st in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church 200 W. Washington Avenue, Greenville S.C.
The family will receive friends and extended family from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Vestibule of First Presbyterian Church.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at MackeyMortuary.com.
