Jeannine Cannington

Mrs. Jeannine O’Quinn Cannington, 88, of Varnville, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 15, 2018 at Pruitt Healthcare in Estill.

Funeral services will be held 2 o’clock, Sunday afternoon, February 18. 2018 at First Baptist Church of Varnville, 165 Palmetto Avenue West, Varnville.  Interment will follow in Searson Cemetery, Salkehatchie Road, Cummings.

Born October 2, 1929 in Colleton County, she was a daughter of the late Newton Elijah O’Quinn and Anna Rebecca Givens O’Quinn.  She was a member of First Baptist Church of Varnville.  She graduated from Varnville High School and then graduated from the South Carolina Baptist Hospital School of Nursing, where she became a registered nurse.  She retired from the Hampton County Health Department in 1992 after 25 years of service.

Mrs. Cannington led a life of service and devoted many years to serving in many capacities to the Town of Varnville as well as Hampton County.  When she retired from nursing in 1992, she ran for Varnville Town Council and became the first woman to be elected to the office.  She served many terms on the town council and then went on to become the first woman to be Mayor of the Town of Varnville.  She was a volunteer nurse for the American Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Hampton County and Municipal Fire Departments, and the Hampton County Sherriff’s Office.

Mrs. Cannington served as a board member for the Lowcountry Council of Government, Hampton County Health Care Foundation, chairperson of the Foster Care Review Board, served on the Watermelon Festival Committee, the Varnville Community Council, Lowcountry Area Agency of Aging Advisory Board, co-chair of the Hampton-Varnville Christmas Parade, helped start the first hospice program in Hampton and Allendale Counties, and served on the board of Friends of palmetto Hospice.  She was voted Hampton County Rotary Club Person of the Year in 1995 and was voted by Hampton County as Best Councilperson in 2000.

When serving her community on Town council or as Mayor, her goal and commitment was to respond to the need and be a voice for the citizens of Varnville, to try to achieve changes that enhanced the quality of life for all citizens in Varnville and surrounding communities, and to stay involved, informed, and work hard for the town and its people.  She did just that in her many years of dedicated service.

Surviving are: her husband of 52 years, William Ruth “Pig” Cannington of Varnville; daughters, Lynn C. Bowers of Varnville, Claudia C. Long and her husband Mark of Varnville, and Kaye C. Wilson and her husband Nathan of Hampton; brother, Newton “Buddy” O’Quinn of Early Branch; sisters, Lena Ruth DeLoach and her husband Ralph of Hampton; 6 grandchildren, Anna E. Bowers, William Bowers, Daniel Long, Josh Wilson, Andrew Wilson and his wife Christine, and Emily Wilson; and 3 great granddaughters, Natalie Boone, Lillie Rowell, and Kaylee Lepisto.

The family would like to express their deep appreciation for the compassion and care provided by Malcom Horry, MD, Susan Henderson, PA, and to the staff of Pruitt Health of Estill.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 5 until 7 at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, VARNVILLE-HAMPTON CHAPEL, 1074 Yemassee Highway, Varnville, 843.943.5016.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.