Bess Dowling Ware VARNVILLE, SC – Bess Dowling Ware, born in Brunson, South Carolina on October 25, 1917, and daughter of the late John Calhoun Dowling and Lillie Cleland Dowling, went to be with her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, May 29, 2013. She was married to the late William Sanford Ware, Sr. for 41 years. She attended the University of South Carolina where she was a varsity cheerleader and a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. A lifelong Methodist, she was a member of Varnville UMC for over 62 years and a member of the UMW for over 60 years. She served as UMW president for several terms, taught Sunday school for over 20 years and sang in the church choir. She was Spiritual Life Leader and Youth Secretary in the Orangeburg District of the SC United Methodist church and President of the Walterboro District of the UMW. She was a charter member of the Magnolia Garden Club of Varnville and served as its first president. A life member in the South Carolina and National Garden Clubs, she was also a charter member of the Evergreen Garden Club of Brunson. She was a nationally accredited master flower show judge in the South Carolina Garden Club, where she served as district director of the West Low country District Garden Club and lectured and demonstrated flower arranging all across South Carolina and Georgia. As a member of the South Carolina Judges Club, she served as the chaplain for many years. She was a member of the Hampton County Arts Council and served on the board and was honored with the Heart for the Arts award in 2010. She also served on the Governor’s Beautification Committee and an arbor garden honoring her was erected on the campus of Varnville Elementary School. She was a charter member of the Hampton County Historical Society serving as president and curator at one time. She was a member of the Col. Joseph Glover Chapter of DAR and served as Regent and Chaplain. She belonged to the Hampton-Varnville book club and was a cancer survivor for over 30 years and an active member of the Bosom Buddies of Hampton County. In 1987, she was chosen the South Carolina Mother of the Year. Bess will long be remembered for the beautiful flower arrangements she made and for her love of flowers. Mimi, as she was known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was a true Southern lady who loved socializing with friends and truly appreciated the beauty of this earth, particularly, the many colors and types of flowers. She was known for her artistic ability that was showcased in the many weddings she designed and directed. She gave countless lectures to groups all across the area. She was a southern belle in every manner and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her four children, Sandra Ware Gooding (Fay) of Hampton, SC, William S. (Billy) Ware, Jr. (Claudia) of Clemson, SC, Martha Ware Bouknight (Steve) of Lexington, SC and Barbara Ware of Greenville, SC. She was known as “Mimi” to her nine grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren-David Ware Gooding, Craig Douglas Gooding, (Angie), Lance Richard Gooding, (Mandy), Claudia Ware Welch, Stephanie Ware Romano (Keith), W. Sanford Ware, III, (Heather), Donny Alexander, Brad Alexander, (Stephanie) and Susan Alexander Mount (John). She is also survived by great-grandchildren Will and Anna Gooding, Rich and Barnes Gooding, Spires and Lightsey Welch, Meryn, Gray and Bain Romano, Milton and Knox Alexander, Elizabeth and William S. Ware, IV, Briggs Mount, Ware Alexander and step-great grandchildren Lawson and Bryce Ott. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Special thanks to Hannah Crosby, Nell Frazier and Dianne Cook for their love and gift of caring over the last several years. Visitation will be at Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home in Hampton, SC on Friday, May 31, 2013 from 5-7pm. The service of celebration will be held at the Varnville UMC in Varnville, SC on Saturday, June 1, 2013 at 11am conducted by the Rev. Ross Chellis and assisted by the Rev. Cynthia C. Taylor. Burial will be at the Brunson Cemetery in Brunson, SC, following the service. Pallbearers will be her grandsons-David Gooding, Craig Gooding, Lance Gooding, Donny Alexander, Sanford Ware and Brad Alexander. Honorary pallbearers will be family members Don Harrison, John Harrison, Joe Harry Dowling, Barbara Ott Chavious, Sarah Lane Norton, Peggy Simpson and special family friend, Al Crosby. Memorials may be made to Teleois Ministry, 29 Eula Street, Greenville, SC 29609 designated for Spirited Heart Ministry for children with heart problems or to Varnville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 45, Hampton, SC 29924. Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting our website at http://www.peeplesrhodenfuneralhome.com/ Visit our guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/ charleston

Source:  Idaho Statesman, The (Boise, ID) – Thursday, May 30, 2013