Colene S. Hook

Services for Annice Colene Smith Hook, 91, will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at Red Bank United Methodist Church, Lexington, SC. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2020 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel. Memorials may be made to Red Bank United Methodist Church, Building Improvement Fund, 2909 Old Barnwell Rd., Lexington, SC 29073 or Meals on Wheels, 125 Parker St., Lexington, SC 29072.

Ms. Hook died on March 4, 2020. Born in Lexington County, SC, she was the only child of the late Thomas Nelson Smith and Iona Colene Fulmer Smith. She was the granddaughter of the late James Elmore and Mary Monts Smith of Red Bank and the late Sidney Cohen and Ada Wessinger Fulmer of Chapin, SC. She was a member of Lexington High School Class of 1945. In July of 1945, she started working as a secretary for Carolina Life Insurance Company in Columbia, SC until December 1946. Her next job was secretary and payroll clerk for the President of Red Bank Mill until September 1951. She then achieved 38 years of service with Lexington County Board of Education. In 1967, she became Deputy Superintendent for the Board. On February 22, 1977, she was appointed Lexington County Superintendent of Education by South Carolina State Governor James B. Edwards after the death of the last elected Superintendent, C. E. Harmon. She completed Mr. Harmon’s elected term ending on June 30, 1977 then continued serving in this capacity until August 1, 1978 when the office was abolished. She remains the last Superintendent of Education for Lexington County and was the only woman to ever hold this post. After the office was abolished, she continued to work as the secretary for the Board of Lexington County School District #1 until she retired in June of 1988. She also served as Board Chairman of the Lexington County Circulating Library from 1976-1978. She was its third Chairman since it was established in 1948 by act of the State’s legislature.

Ms. Hook was a member of Red Bank United Methodist Church where she served on many committees, played the piano, sang in the church choir, was a charter member of the Sunlighters Senior Citizens Group, a member of the John Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class, a member of the Margaret Jett Women’s Circle and taught Sunday School for over 50 years. Because of her failing health in recent years, she made sure she heard a sermon on Sunday mornings by attending First Baptist Church in Columbia by way of television while sitting in her recliner at home. Not only did Ms. Hook love her church, but also she loved the town where she grew up and lived her whole life. She always had a very vivid memory of happenings long ago associated with Red Bank Mill, Lexington County School systems and the history of local people and their families around Lexington. Ms. Hook also loved to travel, cook for her family, and plant flowers but, most of all, she loved to talk to people. One thing that was always near and dear to her heart was – when asked if she wanted to go out to eat someplace, she would always reply, “Where’s my pocketbook” – she was always ready for a good meal. She always looked forward to attending the South Carolina State Fair in October. She treasured her memories of the fair each year, especially when her father showed his hogs there, and would say she only missed attending three years because of illness. She was a most gracious, precious, and humble lady that loved her family unconditionally and now they will miss her dearly.

Survivors include a son, Terry Hook (Shawn); daughters, Kristie Joyner (Gene) and Anita Kilmury (Bruce), all of Lexington. Also surviving are grandsons, Joe Joyner (Michelle), Jeremy Joyner (Shelley), both of Lexington, Stanley Hook of West Columbia and Tyler Hook of Cayce; a step grandson, Wayne Kilmury (and his son, Corbin) of Conway, SC; four great grandsons, Jackson, Judsen, Jett and Jase Joyner and three great granddaughters, Maylee and Stella Kate Joyner and Hazel Hook. Ms. Hook is also survived by brothers-in-law, Johnny Hook of Lexington and Jack Arledge of Durham, NC; a sister-in-law, Bettie Hook of Ravenel, SC, and nieces and nephews. Ms. Hook was predeceased by her beloved husband of 55 years, Norman Jarvis Hook; a brother-in-law, R. O. Hook, Jr. of Ravenel, SC; sister-in-law, Wilma Hook of Lexington and sister, Edith Hook Arledge of Durham, NC. She was also predeceased by her aunt, Cora V. Smith, who took very good care of her from age five years old after the death of her mother.

The family would like to thank the staff of Abbey Road Hospice, NHC in West Columbia, Wellmore of Lexington and Carolina Gardens Lexington for their care and friendship during Ms. Hook’s last years. Also, Dr. John Black, Dr. Raymond Diamond, Dr. Mark Keisler, Dr. Bennett Hammett and all these doctors’ staff for their loving care of mom. A special thanks also goes to Lexington Senior Center and all of their Meals on Wheels volunteers and Medicine Mart of Lexington. A very special thanks also goes to her devoted caregivers: Verna Tinsley, Margaret Boggess, Sherry Ayers, Kelley Plemmons and her faithful hair dresser and friend, Ann Gardner.