Angelia Hiers Breland

Biography

Mrs. Angelia Hiers Breland, 79, passed away at her home Monday, January 30, 2012.

Born in Ehrhardt on May 5, 1932, Mrs. Breland was the daughter of the late Bradley C. and Agnes Peters Hiers.

Mrs. Breland was a graduate of Winthrop College and completed post graduate work at the University of South Carolina. A public school teacher for 33.5 years, Mrs. Breland taught English in Ehrhardt, Bamberg, Walterboro and Branchville prior to her retirement.

An active member of St. Johns Baptist Church, Mrs. Breland formerly was the director of Bible School, Acteens director, Sunday School teacher, Church Clerk, and WMU Director. Mrs. Breland served on the State WMU Board for many years. She was a lifelong resident of Ehrhardt where she was co-founder of Schuetzenfest in 1976. She dedicated years of service as a member of the steering committee of Schuetzenfest and chaired the town parade. She was a member of the Lions Club, the Nora Stanley Garden Club, and the Young at Heart. For years she served on the Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell Library Board and the Bamberg County United Way. Mrs. Breland was a dedicated community news reporter for The Advertiser-Herald in Bamberg, SC for many years. A devoted member of her community, Mrs. Breland was recognized as South Carolina's older citizen of the Year in 1997.

She is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law: Malinda and Lamar Brown of Hampton, SC, Angie and Chuck Freeman of Lexington, SC, and Lisa and Ken Spangler of Rock Hill, SC; her two grandchildren, Daniel Spangler of Rock Hill and Leigh Anna Brown of Hampton; her sister, Beverly Fisk of Lodge, SC; three brothers, James Everett Hiers, Alyea Hiers and Franklin Hiers, all of Ehrhardt, SC; and many nieces and nephews.

She is preceded death by her husband of 49 years, James B. Breland; five sisters: Kathryn Hiers, Althea Stevenson, Florine Fogle, Mary Louise Parnell, and Margaret Rawl; and three brothers: Carroll Hiers, JA Hiers and Percy Hiers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to: St. Johns Baptist Church Building Fund, 2468 St. Johns Church Road, Ehrhardt, SC 29081.

Funeral services will be held at 3 pm, on Thursday, February 2, 2012, at St. Johns Baptist Church in Ehrhardt with Rev. Mike Reid officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 6 until 8 pm at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOME, EHRHARDT-BAMBERG CHAPEL, 2515 Lowcountry Highway, Ehrhardt; 803.267.1971; www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.