Chapin, SC – Grace Yvonne Jones Stollmaier, 65, passed away Monday, March 14, 2016, surrounded by her loving husband, family and friends. Yvonne was born in Belton, SC, on December 4, 1950. After graduating from Belton-Honea Path High School, she attended Lander University in Greenwood, where she earned her teaching degree. She then received a Masters of Education at Clemson, taught there for 6 years, and became a lifelong Tigers fan whose blood “always ran orange.” Yvonne went on to pursue her doctorate in Education/English and Reading from University of South Carolina. She spent most of her working career teaching at the Department of Juvenile Justice in Columbia, changing the lives of many troubled youth. She met her husband, Tom, in 1994; they married in 1998 and built a wonderful life together in Chapin on Lake Murray. Together they enjoyed traveling – especially to their favorite spots in Florida and the Caribbean – boating with friends on the lake, and exercising on a daily basis. As an RPM and Aqua instructor at MUV Gym (formerly Gold’s), “JJ,” as her godchildren named her, touched many lives, leading people to a healthier lifestyle and listening to their personal stories each day. Yvonne never met a stranger. She and Tom attended Chapin United Methodist Church every Sunday, where she taught Sunday School and was involved with the children’s ministry. Her caring and giving nature included a passion for Dachshunds and involvement in Dachshund rescue and foster programs throughout the country as well as taking dogs into schools through South Carolina Healing Species to help children with special needs. Yvonne also loved collecting antiques, especially dolls, and anything Dachshund or Clemson! Yvonne is preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Clement Jones, and father, Malcom Jones. She is survived by her loving husband, Tom Stollmaier, his children Suzy (Weinland), Sally (Vianello) and Brian, and 7 grandchildren as well as her godchildren Brittany Burke and Lindsey Norris. A service will be held Friday, March 18, at 11 a.m. at Chapin United Methodist Church, 415 Lexington Avenue, Chapin. Visitation will take place Friday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, 7600 Woodrow St., Irmo. A private graveside service will be held in Belton Saturday afternoon. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Carolina Loving Hound Rescue, P.O. Box 15288, Greenville SC, 29610.
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