Miriam Leaphart

Miriam Anita Ballentine Leaphart, 90, of Prosperity, widow of William Harmon Leaphart, Jr., died Monday, February 26, 2018, at Providence Hospital.

Born on March 13, 1927, in Chapin, she was a daughter of the late William Arthur and Clara Armenia Cumalander Ballentine. Mrs. Leaphart taught home economics following her graduation from Winthrop College in 1948 and was then a homemaker for several years. Following the unexpected death of her husband she worked as a substitute teacher and a rural letter carrier while working on her Master's degree at Clemson University from which she graduated in 1982. She then taught elementary school until her retirement. Mrs. Leaphart was a member of the Phi Upsilon Omicron National Honor Society for Academic Excellence and the Prosperity Literary Sorosis.

Mrs. Leaphart was a life member of Grace Lutheran Church where she served on many committees and was a member of WELCA. She also served on local and regional Synod Committees. She was on the Board of Directors for Three Rivers Health System for twelve years. She had been a contributor to the Newberry Observer.

She is survived by children, Merrianne LeBoutillier, William Robert (Gwen) Leaphart and Jenni (Chris) Mould and grandchildren, Greer LeBoutiller, Sydney Leaphart, Isabelle Leaphart, Olivia Mould and Alexandra Mould. She was predeceased by siblings, Jeannine Bedenbaugh, Thelma Lee, Robert Ballentine and Furman Ballentine.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 pm Friday, March 2, 2018, at Newberry Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Michael Price. Visitation will be Friday from 1:00 – 2:30 pm at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society Hope Lodge Carol Grotnes Belk Campus, 269 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401.

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