Alma LeGrand Padgett

The funeral service for Mrs. Alma Ophelia LeGrand Padgett, 79, of Columbia, will be held at 2 o’clock, Friday, December 9, 2011 at Killian Baptist Church, 577 West Killian Road, Columbia with interment following in the church cemetery. The Rev. Richard A. Humphries and The Rev. C. David Johnston will officiate, with her son-in-law, Pete Reynolds, delivering the eulogy. Mrs. Padgett’s nephews are invited to serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o’clock, Thursday evening at Shives Funeral Home, 5202 Colonial Drive, Columbia.

Alma, or “Ophie” as she was known to many, exchanged her cross for a crown on Monday, December 5, 2011. Raised in the Killian Community of Columbia, she was the fifth of 10 children born to Louie Lewis LeGrand and Bonnie Griffin LeGrand. Ophie was a member of Killian Wesleyan Church and worked in retail her entire career, retiring from Wal-Mart after 17 ½ years. She lived her life to serve - never thinking of herself. She opened her heart and her arms to whoever was in need.

She is survived by her children, Larry E. Miles (Mimi), Sharon M. Reynolds (Pete), Janet P. Roberts (Kent Rindfleisch), and Thomas Walter Padgett, Jr. (Debbie); grandchildren, Meghan Miles, Katherine (Kyle) Foxon, Beau (Katie) Reynolds, Claire (Andy) Tomberlin, Crystal (Jeff) Galardo, Alex Padgett, and Alicia Padgett; great-grandchildren, Abigail Roberts, Cassidy Roberts, Brayden Miles, and Bryce Tomberlin; brothers & sisters, Marvin (Shirley) LeGrand, Horace (Kathleen) LeGrand, Elton (Alice) LeGrand, Leland LeGrand, Lavern (Mary Jane) LeGrand; as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Padgett was preceded in death by sisters, Myrtis LeGrand & Elsie Marie Gawrys; brothers, Alvin LeGrand & Melvin LeGrand; and grandson, Bryan P. Roberts.