Mary Darlington Black Lawter

Mary Darlington Black Lawter, age 98, of the Presbyterian Home in Clinton died Monday, March 29, 2010.
She was born in Pacolet, SC on June 17, 1911 and was the daughter of the late George Alexander and Fannie Edge Black.
Mrs. Lawter was a 1928 graduate of Clinton High School. She graduated from Winthrop Women’s College, now Winthrop University and received a masters degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA.
As an educator, she served as teacher and Academic Dean at Fairfax Hall Preparatory School and Junior College in Waynesboro, VA; Headmistress of Brenau Academy in Gainesville, GA., and Dean of Students and Assistant Professor of Bible of Wesleyan College in Macon, GA. A scholarship was named in her honor in the Philosophy and Religion Department at Wesleyan. Mrs. Lawter is listed in eight American and International Who’s Who and Registers during her career. She was an avid reader, world traveler, teacher, tour director, family genealogist and role model for women.
In 1977, Mrs. Lawter moved to Greeneville, TN to play Grandmother to her name sake.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church and Bible Teacher of Women’s Circles where a Sunday School Class was named in her honor. Mrs. Lawter also taught Sunday School at Asbury Methodist Church. She served as Chaplain of the Nolachuckey National Society Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a member of the South Carolina Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
She is survived by her son, David Darlington and Betty Lawter of Scottsdale, AZ; her daughter, Mary Cecil Lawter and Dr. James F. Easterly, Jr. of Greeneville, TN; and her sister, Frances Black Martin of the Presbyterian Home. She was known affectionately as “Mother D.” to her six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, David M. and Clinton D. Lawter of AZ, Cyndy Lawter McKillip of OH and her sons, Remington and Merric and Marissa; Warren and Julie Lawter of CA and son Mason; Michelle and Kevin White of AZ and their daughters, Hayley and Lyndsey and son, Jared; and granddaughter Darlington Easterly and Ed Ridgway of GA.; and cousins, Joe and Sally Edwards and family of Clinton, Dorothy Edwards Lipscomb of AZ; nieces, Marion Robinette of Aiken and Dorothy and Bob McClellan of Ware Shoals, Mary Martin and Don Tucker of TX, Genie Black and Paul Smith of AZ, Nancy Black and Jesse Dillard of OR, Georgia Black and E.Y. Baine of GA; and nephews, Butler W. and Myra Black of GA, Rev. Dr. Randy Ferebee and Dan Ferebee of NC.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Lawter was predeceased by her husband, Rev. Cecil B. Lawter; her brothers, G. Arthur Black, W. Alexander Black and Butler W. Black, Sr.
A private family graveside service was held in Clinton on Monday, April 5, 2010 . in the Rosemont Cemetery conducted by her nephew, the Reverend Dr. Randy Ferebee of Hickory, NC. A celebration of life service will be held later at the First Presbyterian Church Chapel in Greeneville, TN.
Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com .
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton