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It is with deep sorrow that the McGrew family announces the death of their beloved mother, Mrs. Dora Kelley McGrew, 88. Mrs. McGrew, the widow of James Edward McGrew, entered into rest on Thursday, December 7, 2023. The Directors of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home & Crematory are caring for the family. Dora Frances Kelley McGrew was born and raised in the rural area of Kelleytown, SC, to Henry and Ruth Kelley. After graduating from high school, Dora attended technical training for Secretarial Business in Columbia, where she met and fell in love with her husband, Jim McGrew Sr., and they were married in June of 1955. Together, they had four children — Jimmy, Lynda, Micheal, and Patricia. Dora spent her life serving her family and community. During the early years of her marriage, Dora devoted herself to being a full-time mother and wife. In the late 70’s, she began working with the South Carolina Housing Authority as a receptionist. Later she moved into a position with the department that focused on helping families obtain home ownership. She later became the director of her division and retired in early 2000. After her retirement from the Housing Authority, Dora spent time volunteering with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. She was also an active member of North Trenholm Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher and a member of the Good News Club. Dora loved reading through cookbooks and finding new recipes to copy into her notebooks. She was always ready and willing to share the cooking tips she had learned from others, especially the unwritten advice that had been passed on to her from her family. While she loved her cookbooks, her primary love was for her knitting needles and her boundless supply of yarn skeins. She was also a remarkable seamstress and found joy in learning how to create new projects. It was hard to find Dora without a project or two or three within arm’s reach. Dora loved visiting with her grandchildren and “great-grands” and took many opportunities to share heartfelt family stories with them. Her sense of humor helped her simultaneously relate to and command respect from even the most ambitious of her “grands.” The love and concern that she had for each of them was felt at every encounter. Dora also cherished her friendships and appreciated opportunities to connect with her loved ones. Her matriarchal advice resonated with all who had the opportunity to visit with her. Dora appreciated learning and never stopped growing in knowledge. Whether it was learning short-hand for her career, participating in Sunday school, discovering new recipes, or figuring out how to complete a sewing project, Dora continuously demonstrated the importance of continuous education in life. Dora’s life was not without its trials, but through them all, she emerged a strong woman with much to offer the world around her. She led in love for her Father in Heaven, her family, and her community. Dora is survived by her children, James E. (Brenda) McGrew Jr. of Ridgeway, SC; her daughter, Lynda McGrew (Craig) Dyas of Hartsville, SC, and her son, Micheal K. (Kathryn) McGrew of Columbia, SC. She leaves a legacy of five grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren who will miss her dearly. She is also survived by her sisters, Naomi Jackson and Alsie Kelley; brother, Manly (Sandra) Kelley; sister-in-law, Frances Kelley. In addition to her parents and her husband, she joins her youngest daughter, Patricia; brothers, Henry Kelley and Sid Kelley; sisters, Elizabeth Gardner, Christine Gilbert, and Geraldine Kelley, in eternal peace. A funeral service to honor her life will be held at 12 o'clock on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at Kelleytown Baptist Church. The Rev. David Knapp and The Rev. Joe Copeland will officiate, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to continue Dora’s impact are welcome to donate to two of her charities: Kelleytown Baptist Church Ramp Fund - (A fund that helps build ramps for the elderly at their residence) Kelleytown Baptist Church Ramp Fund, 2609 Kelleytown Road, Hartsville, SC 29550, or to Connie Maxwell Children’s home, Connie Maxwell Children's Home, PO Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648-1178, conniemaxwell.com/give/ways-to-give.

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Mrs. Dora Kelley McGrew

February 24, 1935 - December 7, 2023