Name of Deceased: Mrs. Gracie Reed Felder
Age: 97
Address: 4716 Rowesville Road, Rowesville, South Carolina
Date of Death: February 5, 2018
Circumstances: passed away at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg, South Carolina
Funeral Information:
Time: 2:00 pm
Place: Union Baptist Church, Bamberg, South Carolina
Date: Sunday, February 11, 2018
Burial Location: Church cemetery
Officiating Ministers: Rev. B.J. Donaldson, Rev. Yvonne Singleton and Rev. Joe F. Singleton
Mrs. Felder will be placed in the sanctuary of the church one hour before the service.


Mrs. Gracie Reed Felder, daughter of the late Aaron Mack Reed and Josie Bell Halyard Reed was born in the Middle Place Community of Bamberg County, South Carolina. She was the fourth of eleven siblings including Willa Mae, Dottie, Thomas, Wade, Henry, David, Hummie, Nancy, Jannie and Irene.
Gracie received her early education at the Middle Place School and at the Union School which was located on the Church's campus. After completing the seventh grade, she enrolled in the Voorhees Normal and Industrial School in Denmark, South Carolina.
She continued her education at Voorhees Junior College and did further study at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina.
Gracie's first professional employment was as a teacher at the Union Baptist Church School, the same schools she attended as a child. There she was the sole teacher, instructing multiple students at different grade levels. She took her role as a teacher seriously and was known as a loving teacher who expected her students to reach their highest potential. Later, she taught at the Cogan Grove School, Ehrhardt, South Carolina. She was also employed as Manager of the Snowflake Laundry and Cleaners in Orangeburg, South Carolina and as a seamstress.
Gracie joined Union Baptist Church while she was very young and was a lifelong member. She was a member of the Missionary Society and served in many roles over the years. She served as Director of the Pastor's Aide Society. As a long-time usher at Union, Gracie held leadership positions of President, Vice President and Financial Secretary. She also served as President of the Baptist Ushers' Union of Bamberg County. She loved studying the Bible and was always ready for a discussion of any chapter of it.
Gracie was married to the late Rogers Felder for more than forty years, and they resided in Rowesville SC. Their union was blessed with three loving and devoted children: Bettie, Theron and Velma. Gracie was very active in the community and enjoyed working in various capacities including Advisor to the 4-H and PTA President at Riverside Elementary School. She was also a member of the Rowesville Garden Club.
She was a former member of Queen Victoria Chapter 2, Order of Eastern Stars and received an award from Bamberg County Hospital and Nursing Center for her work as a volunteer?.?Gracie enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing and reading. She lovingly shared whatever she had with family and friends. She served where needed by providing food, clothing, or transportation. Her gentle loving spirit endeared her to many. Her life was a true testament to the sentiments expressed in her favorite poem "House by the Side of the Road."
Left to cherish the beautiful memories of her full life are her devoted three children, Bettie Felder-Duncan, of San Diego CA, Theron Felder and Velma F. (Gerome) Young of Rowesville SC; grandchildren, LaShay (Terrance) Winston of Chesapeake VA , and Eric Young of Greenville SC; great grandchildren, Taryn Winston, Tristan Young and Tori Winston; sisters, Nancy Reed Jones of Denmark SC, and Dr. Irene (Norman) Reed Singletary of Florence, SC; daughter-in-law, Beverly Felder of Virginia Beach, VA; sisters-in-law, Rossie Kelly of Columbia SC, Ethel Reed of Charleston SC and Dorothy Felder of St. Albans, NY along with numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

Viewing for the public will be held on Saturday from 12:00 noon - 8:00 pm at the funeral home with a wake scheduled from 6:00- 7:00 pm.