Bennie Ordel

Mrs. Bennie Harvey Ordel, 87, of Walterboro, entered into eternal rest Friday, March 29, 2024, at Kempton of Charleston. She was the wife of the late Ronald Herman Ordel to whom she was married 59 years.

Born February 15, 1937, in Berkeley County, she was the daughter of the late Norman Lloyd Harvey and Cleo Hill Harvey.  She received her Masters in Education from the College of Charleston.  Mrs. Ordel was a devoted teacher for the Colleton County School District where she taught at Forest Hills Elementary School for 31 years.  She was a member of the Palmetto Teachers Association.

Mrs. Ordel was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Downtown Walterboro.  She dearly loved her community and believed in doing her part to not only make Walterboro a better place but also in preserving the history of her beloved Hickory Valley neighborhood.  She was the Director for the Colleton County Rice Festival Board, which she served on many years; member of the Colleton County Historical and Preservation Society; was a member of the Late Bloomers Garden Club; member of Tea and Topics, where she was Treasurer for six years; member of the Daughters of the Revolution-Joseph Glover Chapter; and member of the Walterboro Elks Lodge No. 1988.  She was an advocate for Relay for Life and worked tirelessly as a volunteer for the Walterboro Relay for many years.  She also loved reading and participating in her book club, For Serious Readers Only. 

Surviving are: her children, Karen Ordel (Thomas De Luc) of Park City, Utah, Kellie Ordel Meyer (Maurice Eugene Meyer, III) of Awendaw, and Ronald Brady Ordel of Walterboro; brothers, Carroll H. Harvey of California and Troy M. Harvey of Columbia; and a host of nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her brothers, Norman L. Harvey and Wendell K. Harvey; and her sisters, Winona H. Peagler and Patricia H. Welch.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to: Susan G. Komen Foundation, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, Texas 75380, or at www.komen.org; or to: The Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601.

The relatives and friends of Mrs. Bennie Harvey Ordel are invited to attend her funeral service which will be conducted at 2 o’clock, Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2024. from the graveside in Live Oak Cemetery, South Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro.   

The family will receive friends during a time of visitation Monday evening from 4 o’clock until 6 o’clock at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina, 29488.  Visit the guestbook online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com. 

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