Mrs. Louise Ewell Pugh

COLUMBIA - Louise Ewell Pugh died Monday, August 8, 2016. She was born February, 21, 1920, in Ruckersville, Virginia to Nathaniel McGregor Ewell and Mary Louise Camper Ewell. She was the oldest of six children and was called Camper by her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Olin Sharpe Pugh, as well as her brother, Nathaniel and sister, Helen. She is survived by her three children, Catherine, Walter, and Ernest; five grandchildren, Chris Cuneo, Joe Cuneo, Amy Pugh, Laura Pugh, and Carolyn Pugh. Also surviving are son-in-law, Lee Cuneo, daughter-in-law, Rosario Pugh; her brother, John Ewell; and sisters, Jane Metz and Jessie Mendez (Jerry).

After 10 years in Ruckersville and on the family farm in Greene County Virginia, her family moved to Charlottesville, Virginia, primarily to ensure she and her five younger siblings could obtain a better education. After Lane High School and one year at St. Annes School, she attended the State Teachers College (now Longwood). Transferring to the University of Virginia for two years, she was granted a degree in Education in 1941.

She then taught English and history in a small high school in Wythe County, Va., before moving to Washington D.C. in WWII. There she worked to break the Japanese military codes.

After the war, with a teaching career in mind, she enrolled at Duke University to study history. There she met Olin Pugh, of Prosperity S.C. After marriage in Charlottesville on September 2, 1949, they moved to Columbia, S.C. where Olin taught in the USC School of Business for many years, eventually becoming professor and holding the Chair of Banking.

Louise was a dedicated and loving wife and mother of three. She showed a strong and steady love for her family, and taught by example more than words. Her practical, common sense manner was appreciated.

Combining volunteerism and her love of history, she was for years a docent at the Hampton Preston house in Columbia, as well as a founding member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a lifelong member of Trenholm Road United Methodist Church.

The family would like to thank the many friends and caregivers who loved and cared for our mother during her residence at Carolina Gardens at Harbison. They enriched her life and our lives in many ways. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Trenholm Road United Methodist Church, 3401 Trenholm Rd, Columbia, SC 29204; the ETV Endowment of SC, 401 E Kennedy St Ste B1, Spartanburg, SC 29302; or the charity of one’s choice.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016, at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends after the service. Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 14, 2016, in Greenlawn Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.