BLYTHEWOOD - Cynthia Sue Willard Fox, 60, wife of 36 years to Brian Matthew Fox, died Thursday, July 17, 2014, at her home.
Born June 23, 1954, in Birmingham, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Rex Tucker Willard and Pauline Elizabeth Prather Willard. She graduated from Western Carolina University in 1976, receiving a bachelor's degree in art education. She then moved to Manning, where she taught art in Clarendon School District 2 and for a year at Greeleyville Elementary School.
She was named Manning Middle School Teacher of the Year from 1980-81, Clarendon School District 2 Teacher of the Year from 1981-82 and Alcolu Elementary School Teacher of the Year from 1988-89. She was the first South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Duck Stamp Teacher of the Year.
Always passionate about art education and related civic activities, she chaired the Clarendon County Striped Bass Festival Student Art Show, organized art shows at the Clarendon County Archives, designed award-winning floats for the Manning Christmas Parade and decorated the Harvin Clarendon County Library Christmas tree.
She also served as Manning Elementary School’s PTA president, assistant Brownie and Cub Scout leader and volunteered with the Manning High “Golden Pride” Marching Band, designing and creating backdrops for competitions and football halftime shows.
Of the United Methodist faith, she taught Sunday school and Vacation Bible School at Manning United Methodist Church and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Blythewood, where she took new member pictures.
Since moving to Blythewood in 2005, she was actively involved in Ashley Oaks’ neighborhood activities, serving on its Welcome and Pool Committees. She developed and maintained the resident directory, planned neighborhood parties, organized Ladies Lunch Out and Ladies Night Out functions, raised funds for holiday lights and decorated the front entrance at Christmas.
She also oversaw Trick or Treating for UNICEF, Easter Egg Hunts and Pumpkin Carving contests and enjoyed playing Bunco with her neighbors. One of her favorite hobbies was walking the Ashley Oaks nature trail, for which she raised funds for tree signs. In recognition of her many contributions to Ashley Oaks, the trail was named the “Cindy Fox Nature Trail” in her honor.
Survivors besides her husband include a son, Matthew (Michelle) Fox of Blythewood; a daughter, Shelley Fox (Albert) Ard of Blythewood; three grandchildren, Aubrey Ard, Ian Fox and Julie Ard, for who she was their proud "MaeMe"; a brother, Donald Willard of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Lisabeth Willard (Martin) Kinnamon of Charlotte; and three nephews.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 23, 2014, at Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road in Columbia.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2014, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 90 Boney Road in Blythewood, with the Rev. C. Nels Ledwell officiating.
Donations may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 864, Blythewood, SC 29016; or Manning United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 68, Manning, SC 29102.
Please leave online condolences for the family at Thompson Funeral Home.
