South Carolina H 4179: Zan Edmunds sympathy

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 4179 Text of Previous Version (Mar. 12, 2025) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 4179

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

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A house RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE 
PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
UPON THE PASSING OF MARY SUZANNE "ZAN" CHAPPELL EDMUNDS OF RICHLAND COUNTY AND 
TO EXTEND THEIR DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HER LARGE AND LOVING FAMILY AND HER MANY 
FRIENDS.

Whereas, the members of 
the South Carolina House of Representatives were saddened to learn of the death 
of Mary Suzanne "Zan" Chappell Edmunds at the age of eighty-four on Monday, 
March 3, 2025; and

Whereas, born in Orangeburg, 
she was the only daughter of Mary England and Augustin Furse Ellis and lived on 
a farm in Bamberg County until she was six years old. She attended old Columbia 
High School and Limestone College, now Limestone University; and

Whereas, in 1962, she 
married John Wainwright Chappell of Newberry. After his graduation from University 
of South Carolina School of Law, they moved to Sumter, where together they 
reared three fine daughters: Laura England Chappell Bauknight, Cecelia Brooks 
Chappell Wildrick, and Molly deTreville Chappell McPhail, all now of 
Spartanburg. They blessed her with the affection of six loving grandchildren: 
Ellis Stetler Bauknight Prickett, John Chappell Bauknight, James Campbell 
Wildrick, Nicholas Watts Wildrick, Heyward Luke McPhail, and Thomas Noah 
McPhail; and

Whereas, after her 
husband and the father of her daughters passed away in 1980, she married Lewis 
Heyward Fort, also of Sumter, in 1982, who predeceased her in 2001. She was 
lucky in love a third time, marrying Blake Edmunds Jr. in 2007. In addition to 
her children and grandchildren, she is survived by Mr. Edmunds' sons: Blake 
Edmunds III of St. Matthews, Francis Weston Adams of Atlanta, Georgia; and 
David Rembert Edmunds of Mt. Pleasant; and

Whereas, a lifelong dedicated 
church member, she served in many capacities at First Presbyterian of Sumter, including 
as moderator of the Diaconate, a member of the Chancel Choir, a member of The 
Session, and a Stephen Minister, and, after moving to Columbia in 2004, she 
became a member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church where she previously sang in 
the Chancel Choir; and

Whereas, always active 
in her community, she tapped her artistic skills as a member of the Tuesday 
Morning Drama Club, The Cotillion, and Les Trente Dance Club, and she 
volunteered for those less fortunate through the Sumter Jr. Welfare League. In 
addition, for ten years, she served as the executive director of The Fine Arts 
Council of Sumter; A skilled card player, she earned the title of a silver life 
master of bridge, playing duplicate at the Columbia Bridge Club, and was a 
member of two book clubs; and

Whereas, the South 
Carolina House of Representatives is grateful for the life and legacy of Zan Chappell 
Edmunds and for the example of grace and kindness she set for all who knew her. 
Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House 
of Representatives:

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, express 
their profound sorrow upon the passing of Mary Suzanne "Zan" Chappell Edmunds of 
Richland County and extend their deepest sympathy to her large and loving 
family and her many friends.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this 
resolution be presented to the family of Mary Suzanne "Zan" Chappell Edmunds.

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This web page was last updated on March 12, 2025 at 12:14 AM