Mary Alice Turner Ipock, 93, widow of Ernest Roger Ipock, died Sunday, December 31, 2023, at McLeod Hospice House.
Born August 4, 1930, in Henderson, NC, she was the daughter of the late Charles Brooks Turner and the late Alice Kittrell Turner. Mary Alice graduated as valedictorian of her high school class and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from The Woman’s College of the University of NC (University of NC—Greensboro). She taught and influenced many students as a math teacher at Alice Drive Junior High School, Manning Christian Academy, and Laurence Manning Academy, where she also served as guidance counselor and assistant head of school.
As a member of Manning First Baptist Church for over 50 years, Mary Alice served faithfully as an adult Sunday School teacher, participated actively in Baptist Women, counted church offerings for deposit weekly, and served as the First Baptist Church clerk. Mary Alice also served on the Santee-Wateree Mental Health Board for over 15 years. She and her husband, Roger, were instrumental in establishing the first transitional mental health facility in Manning, Ipock Place, where she served as a board member and volunteer. Mary Alice also volunteered weekly for over 18 years, helping with clerical duties, at McLeod Health Clarendon.
Mary Alice was an avid and exceptional bridge player, and she enjoyed not only the game, but the friendship and camaraderie of all those she has played with and has known through the years.
Mary Alice, affectionately known as “Mimi,” possessed a deep love and appreciation of family, leaving a beautiful legacy of faith and strength; her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sisters, brothers-in- law, nieces, nephews, and cousins all brought her great joy. Surviving Mary Alice are her 4 children, Lynn Ipock Pope (Jim) of Charlotte, NC, David Ipock (Debbie) of Kingstree, Karen Ipock Hodgin (Tim) of Wilmington, NC, and Lisa Ipock of Lexington; four grandchildren, Turner Ipock (Kristin), Charles Ipock (Virginia), Brooks Miller (Chris), and Rebecca McGoogan (Graham); eight great-grandchildren, Cayden and Sadie Ipock, Covington, William, and Victoria Ipock, Henry and William Miller, and Mary Scott McGoogan; three sisters, Ann Collins (Billy) of Raleigh, NC, Ruth Read (Finley) of Lumberton, NC, and Betsy Neal (Clinton) of Raleigh, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, January 5, 2024, at Manning First Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Phillip Reynolds and Rev. Charles Epps Ipock officiating. Burial will follow at Manning Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tom Childrey, Kerr Collins, Moses Luski, Graham McGoogan, Chris Miller, David Neal, and Carey Read.
Honorary pallbearers will be Buddy and Peggy Lester, Charlie and Carol Gavin, Mary and Jim Queen, John and Marie Land, and members of Mary Alice’s local bridge clubs.
Visitation will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 4, 2024, at Stephens Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to Manning First Baptist Church, 49 West Boyce Street, Manning, SC 29102, or to Santee-Wateree Mental Health Center, 801 North Pike West, Sumter, SC 29153, or to a charity of one’s choice.
Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church Street, Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803)435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
