Emma Thames McClure, 99, widow of Donald M. Mathis, Sr. and John A. McClure died Thursday, August 10, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey.

Born August 28, 1917, in the Alcolu community of Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence Wilson Thames and the late Laura Fann Thames. Mrs. McClure was first employed as a legal secretary in the office of Lee & Moise Attorneys for a number of years before becoming a legal secretary in the office of the Sumter County Solicitor, Third Judicial Circuit Court on Law Range in Sumter, where she was affectionately known as “Mrs. Emma”, from which she retired in 1983. She was a member of Crosswell Baptist Church. Mrs. Emma was a wonderful role model and influence in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and other family members, and has demonstrated countless hours of love and dedication to the welfare of others in the Sumter community.

Survivors include her children, Donald McCoy Mathis, Jr. (Imogene) of Sumter, Robert Lawrence Mathis (Marion) of Mt. Gilead, NC, and Emma Lee McClure Rickard (Billy) of Sumter; grandchildren, Darrel Russell Mathis (Linda) of Asheville, NC, Chad Everette Mathis (April) of Montgomery, AL, and Ashlee Rickard Riggs (John) of Irmo; great-grandchildren, Brian Justin Mathis, Michelle Elizabeth Mathis, Mark Jason Mathis, and William Henry Riggs; a sister, Marjorie Thames Cutter of Manning; three step-sisters, Thelma D. Ford, Betty D. Langston, and Nancy D. McLeod; her caregiver, April Smith; and a number of loving nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry Thames and Andrew Thames; a sister, Irene Thames McCutchen; and two step-sisters, Billie D. Morgan and Ora Mae D. Tobias.

Funeral services will be held at 3 P.M. Monday at Crosswell Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Owens and the Rev. Steve McLellan officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 P.M. Sunday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home, 19 Briarwood Dr.

Memorials may be made to Crosswell Baptist Church, 604 Mathis St., Sumter, SC 29150.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

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