Edmund Heyward Monteith

BLYTHEWOOD Long time and highly regarded Columbia attorney, Edmund Heyward Monteith, died suddenly at his home on Sunday, December 27, 2015. He was 85 years old. Born June 14, 1930 in Columbia, he was the son of the late Colin S. Monteith, Jr. and Allene Bostick Monteith. He graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1952 with both a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Laws degree. In 1953, he was admitted to the South Carolina Bar. He was the last remaining member of the Monteith Law Firm (one of the longest standing ‘family’ firms in S.C.), which was started by his great-great grandfather. He retired from the practice of law in 1995. He served many years in the South Carolina National Guard where he achieved the rank of full colonel. He was elected to the S.C. House of Representatives in 1958. At that time, he held the distinction of being the youngest member ever elected. He was also a valued member of the Blythewood Masonic Lodge No. 395 for more than 50 years and was Master Mason with the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free Masons of S.C. He was always active, both physically and financially, in the life of his church. Throughout the years he served in various capacities including Diaconate chair, Sunday School teacher, and choir member. In his later years he made several mission trips to Sri Lanka where he not only shared his faith but also worked with farmers to improve their agricultural and irrigation skills. One of his life-long loves was the growing of plants. After years of practicing law, he chose to spend much of his time cultivating plants, some of which he sold but many of which he gave graciously to friends and family. Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Adele Kinsey Monteith; daughters, Hazel Monteith (Burt Pardue) of Columbia, Frances Whatley (Wayne) of Marietta , Ga.; son, Edmund H. Monteith, Jr. (Christy) of Cape Carteret, N.C.; two stepdaughters, Celeste Sear (Scott Whiteley) of Atlanta, Jacqueline Newman of Jacksonville, FL; 12 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Colin S. Monteith (Ivey) of Lilburn, Ga.; sister, Allene Darnell (Harmon) of Fayette, Ala.; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. The funeral service for Edmund Heyward Monteith will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, December 30, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Blythewood, with burial immediately following the service in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel is assisting the family. The S.C. Bar Association will be seated as honorary pall bearers. Memorials may be made to Trinity UMC OASIS Older Adult Choir, 155 Blythewood Road, Blythewood, SC 29016.