Virginia Priester

ISLANDTON – Mrs. Virginia Bunn Priester, age 91, of Islandton, entered into rest Thursday evening, February 29, 2024, at the J.E. Harter Nursing Center in Fairfax. She was the loving wife of sixty-two years to the late Dr. Lamar Edward Priester, Jr.

Born January 18, 1933, in Andrews, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Emery Leman Bunn and the late Annie Mae Whetsell Bunn. She had resided in Georgetown and Ballentine, South Carolina until eventually making Hampton County and finally Rum Gully their home nearly twenty years ago. She was a member of Varnville United Methodist Church and had also served as a member of the Salem United Methodist Church where she was active with the United Methodist Women. To not only her grandchildren, but to everyone she knew and loved, she was affectionately known as “Gram”.

Education was always near and dear to her heart. Having graduated from Winthrop College, she became an early childhood teacher. She loved her students and took great pride in teaching children to read. She extended that gift to her own children and grandchildren. She herself was an avid reader, but she was also a lover of almost all sports. She particularly was proud of her ability to kick a football or catch a pass. She was fiercely loyal to her Clemson Tigers, and always referred to the Clemson community as “God’s country”. Gram will always be remembered as the member of the family who would always provide a laugh and a good time, even if it meant making fun of herself a little bit.

Surviving are: her two children, Lisa Priester Ball (Mark) of Rum Gully and Lamar “Chip”Edward Priester, III (Anne) of Eutawville; four grandchildren, Hunter Lamar Priester (Mary Ann), Ashley Priester Harter (Colin), Dr. Morgan Elizabeth Ball, and Virginia Caitlin Ball Pope (Patrick) ; as well as two great grandchildren, Elijah Lamar and Ivy Sloan. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Carolyn Brower; four nephews, Larry Bunn, Norman Bunn, Jeff Bunn and Charles Brower; and her niece, Kathy Welch. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Leman Bunn and Norman Bunn; and her nephew, Edward Brower.

The family has requested that memorial contributions be directed in her memory to the following: Lowcountry Food Bank, 1 Guess Road, Yemassee, South Carolina 29945; or to, Varnville United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 45, Hampton, South Carolina 29924.

The Relatives and Friends of Mrs. Virginia Bunn Priester are invited to attend her funeral service which will be conducted at 11 o’clock Sunday morning, March 10, 2024, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. The Reverend Bert Welch officiating.

Arrangements by: THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com