Carolyn Shealy Marsh

She was the faithful, beloved and devoted wife of the late Auburn Joseph "Joe" Marsh. As the eldest daughter of the late Rosaline Amick Shealy Ringer and the late Heber Sidney Calhoun (H.C.) Shealy, she was born in Newberry County and grew up in Lexington County near Chapin, South Carolina.

Funeral Services will be held at St. Peter Lutheran Church on Thursday, June 9th at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow the service at St. Peter Lutheran Church Cemetery near Chapin, South Carolina. She will be buried beside her late parents. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Chapin Chapel is assisting the family. Serving as active pallbearers are Michael Wise, Garrick Wise, Harvey Wise, Don Benepe, Heath Branham, A.J. Marsh II, Larry Amick, and Cameron Maitz.

Carolyn was a long-time member of her home church, St. Peter Lutheran Church of Chapin and several other Lutheran churches. She served as pianist and substitute organist at St. Peter. She was a former member of The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer, Chapin Baptist Church as a member of the contemporary choir, and a member of Harmony Baptist Church in Gaston. Mrs. Marsh was educated in the Chapin public schools and graduated as valedictorian of the class of 1961. As a senior, she was elected president of the first organized student council and was co-editor of the school newspaper. She was selected for numerous recognitions, including the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) award and the Woodmen of the World History Award. She was a member of the National Beta Club for all four years of high school and was president of the Future Homemakers of America.

In 1965, Mrs. Marsh graduated Magna Cum Laude from Newberry College with an AB degree in mathematics. She was elected as a member to Chi Beta Phi Scientific Fraternity (National Science and Math Honor Society). Mrs. Marsh was the recipient of many scholarships, including the highest honor for her senior year, the James C. Kinard Scholarship, and was a devoted member of the Newberry College Singers for all four years. Mrs. Marsh received her MEd in mathematics and education from South Carolina State College.

She also did further graduate studies at the University of South Carolina, Francis Marion University, Charleston Southern University and Colorado State University. Her career began with teaching mathematics and music in the public and private schools of the counties of Orangeburg, Calhoun and Fairfield. At Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, she was a professor of mathematics and mathematics coordinator for the Student Transitional Educational Program. She was also a professor of mathematics at Piedmont Technical College for the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Developmental Studies. At Piedmont, she taught in all seven counties that were part of the college system. Mrs. Marsh’s teaching was in the regular classroom and also in the distance education classes via the technical networks. Professionally, she was a former member of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics; South Carolina Council of Teachers of Mathematics; National Technical Education Association; South Carolina Technical Education Association; American Mathematical Association of Two Year colleges; South Carolina Mathematical Association of Two Year Colleges; Mathematical Association of America; South Carolina Association of Developmental Studies. Mrs. Marsh was a former piano teacher in Orangeburg for several years. She was also organist, part-time and substitute organist, and choir director for many churches in both Orangeburg and Calhoun counties for many years. She was a former member and officer of Orangeburg Piano Teachers Forum, Edisto Choral Society and Orangeburg Music Club and a member of the National Federation of Piano Teachers. Also, she was a former member of the Newberry Community Choir and The Historical Society of South Carolina and a volunteer of the Newberry Opera House.

Mrs. Marsh is survived by her son, David Heber Rast of Cameron, South Carolina and daughter, Susan Rast Lesh of Roswell, Georgia; granddaughters, Kelly Anne Lesh and Laura Jane Lesh; sons-in-law, Brian Lesh and Paul Turner; step-sons, Michael David Marsh (Alice) of Lexington, South Carolina and Brian Keith Marsh (Jill), of Columbia, South Carolina; step-grandchildren, A.J. Marsh II of Lexington, Alex Marsh of Columbia, Robin (Nick) Derrick of West Columbia; and step-great grandsons, B.J. Spires, Xander Derrick and Cole Derrick, all of West Columbia. Mrs. Marsh is predeceased by her loving, devoted late husband, Joe, and by her sister, Ellie Jane Wise of Newberry. She is survived by her beloved sisters, Sylvia (Len) Ruff of Pelion, and Helen (Carroll) Wise of Newberry.

The family appreciates Carolyn’s late husband, Joe Marsh, for being a dedicated, faithful caregiver. He often said that God sent him to take care of her and they had a very special, devoted, loving bond and cared for each other deeply. Carolyn has enjoyed the past four years living close to her daughter Susan’s family where she could spend more time with her beloved granddaughters, Kelly and Laura. Carolyn was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and (step) great-grandmother. She was greatly admired for the way she dealt with her Multiple Sclerosis. Her family and friends were a very important part of her life. She will be greatly missed by all of them.

Memorials may be made in memory of Carolyn Shealy Marsh to: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Carolinas Chapter, 3101 Industrial Dr., Ste 210, Raleigh, North Carolina 27609.

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