Obituary of Constance (Connie) Wilson Fowke

Connie Fowke, age 97, passed away at National Health Care Parklane after several years of declining health.

She was an only child, born in Augusta, Georgia to Zelma and Hassel Wilson and lived in North Augusta, South Carolina from age 13. Connie graduated from her beloved Columbia College in 1946. She married her high school and college sweetheart, John Louis Fowke, that summer after he returned home from WWII and the Navy. Louis became a Methodist minister and Connie willingly moved every four or five years to different South Carolina towns as Louis served his congregations. They were married 62 years until Louis's death in 2008.

Connie was a high school science teacher. Later she completed a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education at USC and worked at Anna Boyd Child Development Center serving children from the State Park neighborhood in Columbia.

Connie was a devoted and selfless caregiver to her parents, to her mother-in-law and to her husband in their last years. She was very independent and she was able to stay in her own home into her 90's.

She loved animals, gave generously to charities, was always willing to help neighbors, and was a life-long learner. She is survived by her daughters, Pat Wood (Ken) of Columbia and Susan Lemmon (John) of Charlotte; her grandchildren, Andrea Derrick (David Crockett), David Wood (Lisa), Scott Lemmon (Monica), and Nick Lemmon (Laurie Graham); great-grandchildren, Kenny Saint Germain (Hunter), Hayden Gamarra (Samantha), Isabelle Wood, Ivy Wood, Noah Wood, Alice Lemmon, Matthew Lemmon, Eva Lemmon, Ryan Lemmon, and Grant Lemmon; and great-great grandchildren, Kenneth Saint Germain and Ada Gamarra.

The family wants to especially thank Nurse Dorothy Dixon and the staff at NHC Parklane for their devoted care of Connie the years she lived there.

A Memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:00 at Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Dr., Columbia, South Carolina, with visitation with the family preceding the service at 10:00. Donations in Connie's memory may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at fightcf.cff.org (Noah's Journey in comments) or to Bethel United Methodist Church.

The South Carolina Cremation Society is assisting the family. Family and friends may sign the online guest book by clicking on the “Tribute Wall” tab above.