Agnes S. Padgett

Agnes Shannon Dulaney Schimsa Padgett passed away peacefully on September 26, 2026, in Chapin, South Carolina. Agnes was born on May 8, 1929, to the late Theophilus Terry Dulaney and Zollie Zobeda Myrtle Robertson Dulaney in Pulaski County, Virginia. Raised on the family farm, known as Lone Oak, she was the youngest of eight children, all of whom remained close for the duration of their lives.

After graduating from Dublin High School in 1947, Agnes moved to Roanoke, Virginia where she graduated from Eskland’s School of Cosmetology in 1948. There, she and her sister, Gloria, met their future husbands, SGT Joseph J. Schimsa Jr., U.S. Army, and SGT Jesse Clyde Campbell, U.S. Army. The two couples married in a double wedding ceremony at Shady Grove Methodist Church in Poplar Hill, Virginia on June 29, 1949. Joe served as a Chief Warrant Officer and Agnes served as an Army wife, having three children while stationed across eight states, including two combat deployments during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. They were happily married for 23 years until Joe passed away on June 29, 1972, at the Fort Jackson U.S. Army Hospital.

Agnes and her children remained in Columbia where she was an active member of Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church. There, she met George Bernard Padgett Jr., who had three children, and they married on July 31, 1977. Agnes and Bernard were married for 42 wonderful years before he passed away on August 27, 2019. Together, they shared six children, 11 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren. They enjoyed gardening and crafting, camping at state parks, traveling and visiting relatives, volunteering at church, and spending time with their beloved children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Having enjoyed being a homemaker, Agnes later retired from J.B. White department store and earned the title of South Carolina Master Gardener, volunteering at the Riverbanks Zoo & Garden.

Agnes is survived by her three loving children: David Schimsa (Marthalyn) of Prosperity, Donna Schimsa Fulmer (Michael) of Chapin, and Debbie Schimsa Suggs (Steve) of Isle of Palms; Bernard’s three children: Donna Padgett Barth (Kevin) of Florence, Ken Padgett (Trudy) of The Villages, Florida, and Michelle Padgett Epting of Irmo; their ten grandchildren: Adam Schimsa, Rebecca Schimsa, Brendan Barth (Mallory), Cannon Fulmer (Deidre), John Robert Barth (Kevin), Sarah Fulmer Carpenter (Will), Elliott Suggs (Mattie), Mason Suggs, Emma Padgett Kalfjäll (Max), and Ryan Epting; their 10 great-grandchildren: Taylor and Marshall Barth; Michael, Caleb, Samuel, and Anna Fulmer; Hampton Barth-White; Theo and A.J. McClain; and Terry Carpenter; and her brother-in-law, Bob Schimsa (Mary), as well as numerous nieces and nephews, whom she adored.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Agnes was sadly predeceased by her infant granddaughter, Erin Epting; all seven siblings: Charles Dulaney (Hazel), Mary Dulaney Eaton (Elbert), Theo Dulaney (Martha), Chapman Dulaney, Myrtle Dulaney Baumann (Warren), Betty Dulaney King (Winfred), and Gloria Dulaney Campbell (Jess); sister-in-law, Rosemary Schimsa Rodenbaugh (Phil); and five nieces and nephews: Anne Dulaney Sparks; Terry King Liebl (Chris); Rodney King; Dale Baumann; and Joan Rodenbaugh Boyd.

At age 97, Agnes joined her Lord and Savior surrounded by family at Generations of Chapin where she resided for seven years. The family extends their deepest gratitude to the nurses and caregivers at Generations and MSA Hospice for their daily love and affection.

The memorial service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church with a visitation immediately following in the church hall. The family will hold a private graveside service at Greenlawn Memorial Park cemetery. The six grandsons will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Virginia Wingard Memorial United Methodist Church, 1500 Broad River Road, Columbia, South Carolina 29210.

Personal Tribute

Born a little farm girl from a big family, Agnes was a natural homemaker and happy hostess who nurtured people around her as she did the plants in her garden. From holidays to the day-to-day, she found joy in creating occasions where her loved ones always wanted to be. Sweet, sassy, and stylish, everything was made more fun and beautiful by her touch.

A memorable storyteller, she delighted in easy laughter, close friendships, surprise gifts, and celebrating life’s milestones. She took pride in fixing meals from what she grew in her garden and was enchanted by a rare blooming flower, a passing butterfly, or a tiny frog. She found simple pleasures in a new puzzle, a cup or few of coffee, a phone call from a loved one, and anything chocolate. Always active and on-the-go, she took comfort in building a life of routine with an appointed day or time for all of life’s little traditions.

Gifted with both the spatula and the spade, she was legendary in the kitchen and the garden—able to cook, bake, or grow anything—traits that she well passed onto her children. Wise and selfless, she always knew right from wrong and thought of others before herself. But perhaps her greatest talent was convincing each niece, nephew, and grandchild that he or she was her favorite. She prayed daily, endured life’s hardships with quiet grace, and counted the peaceful harmony of her close knit family as among her highest blessings.

As the youngest sibling and longest lived, she outlasted her generation of loved ones, carrying the heavy burden of loss in burying so many of her family and friends. She now passes into Heaven as the last one to the party, a life well lived by every earthly and spiritual measure. Her legacy is a cheerful spirit of pure love and abiding devotion—to God, family, country, church, community, and all living things around her. She will be missed more than words can say.