Cynthia Lee Gary

Cynthia, “Cindy,” was preceded in death by her parents, Andrew Pickens Gary of Columbia, South Carolina and Margaret Joan Gary of Winnsboro, South Carolina; her sister, Mary Ann Flynn of Beaufort, South Carolina; and her son, Fredrick Stephen Gary-Taylor of Columbia, South Carolina.

Cindy was born March 23rd, 1955, on the United Air Base Nouaaaeur near Casablanca, Morocco. Following moves to several bases around the United States, her family settled in Columbia, South Carolina in the late 1960s. Cindy graduated from Dreher High School with honors in 1973. She choose to attend Columbia College and graduated with honors in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts in English with and a minor in Library Sciences. After college, Cindy was offered an exchange project, bringing her to Warwickshire, England right after graduation. While there, she met Michael C. Taylor in 1977. The couple were married that same year and settled in Stradford-upon-Avon, England. In 1981 the couple moved to Columbia, South Carolina. In 1984, Cindy gave birth to her first son, Frederick “Freddy” Stephen. Tragically, Freddy was born too premature to survive and died that same day. After an abundance of heartbreak, Cindy would welcome her second son, Michael David Thomas, the love of her life, in 1985.

For more than twenty-five years, Cindy made her career with Richland County School District One at Satchel Ford Elementary School as an assistant teacher for special needs children. She loved to read, knit, sing, and was a member of Saint John’s Episcopal Church choir in Shandon, South Carolina. Cindy and her father shared a love of football and were passionate University of South Carolina Gamecocks and Dallas Cowboy fans. After retirement, Cindy enjoyed being a devoted Nana to her grandchildren Shannon, Andrew and Sarah Jean. She was also a semi-professional baby blanket crochet artist, a devoted United States Military supporter, a lover of all things Christmas and a Winnie-the-Pooh-Bear enthusiast.

Cindy is survived by her son, David (Meredith) of Lexington, South Carolina, their children Shannon, Andrew and Sarah Jean Gary-Taylor of Lexington. She is also survived by her sister, Margaret Angela (John) De-Jong of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; her nieces, Stacy and Ashely Ranelli; her sister-in-law Sarah Spencer (Barry) of Stratford-upon-Avon, England; her nephews, Thomas (Daisy) and Zachariah (Isabel); and her niece, Maesie Jayne Spencer.

Visitation Services will be held at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, on Thursday, August 13 from 5pm-7pm.

Funeral Services will be held at St John’s Episcopal Church in Shandon on Friday, August 14. The family will be receiving visitors before the service starting at 12:45 pm and the service will start at 2:00 pm, with graveside service to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Relay for Life or March of Dimes.