Obituary of Margaret Lois Grubbs Shealy

AIKEN, SC - Margaret Lois Grubbs Shealy passed away Tuesday, February 15, 2022. She was born at Fort Benning, Georgia on October 29, 1944. She was the daughter of Colonel Elmer W. Grubbs and Margaret Fountain. At the age of two Margaret crossed the Atlantic on a Naval vessel with her family to join her father in war torn Germany. Growing up as the daughter of an army officer, Margaret not only lived in various places around the United States but all over the world (Maryland, Georgia, Virginia, Ohio, the Panama Canal Zone, Illinois, South Carolina, and Canada). Even though Margaret lived in many places; her family always had strong roots in South Carolina. Her family has lived in Barnwell County since 1760.

Margaret attended the University of South Carolina where she met her future husband and biology partner Harry E. Shealy, Jr. In 1972 she earned a BA degree in English with minors in Philosophy and Spanish. She also worked towards a Masters degree at Augusta State University in the late 1990s where she was given a teaching assistantship.

During her teaching career that spanned 40 years, Margaret was a beloved educator who taught thousands of students and shaped many lives.  Her subjects included earth and life science, English grammar and composition, literature, Spanish and history. Of special interest are the years she spent teaching the Irish Travelers of Murphy Village making many friends in this unique culture. She also worked as alumni director, fundraiser, and librarian in private education. She has been a member of Saint Thaddeus Episcopal Church for over forty years where she served on the Saint Thaddeus Home and Garden Tour, Care Team, Altar Flowers Committee, Wedding Committee, Tea Under the Trees Committee and as a Sunday School teacher. Saint Thaddeus has always been a great source of close friendships and family support for both Margaret and Harry throughout the years.

Margaret was an active member of  the Aiken community for many years having been a member of the American Association of University Women, the Cancer Society, Sand River Women's Club, Aiken County Museum board secretary, Aiken Historic Society secretary, Aiken Land Conservancy Executive Board, Henry Middleton Chapter of the DAR as conservation and U.S. Constitution chairman, Garden Club of Aiken (a member of the Garden club of America) as events chairman, secretary, historian, vice-president, president and conservation chairman. One if her favorite organizations was The Student Club of Aiken where she held every office and which inspired her with intellectual stimulation. 

Margaret lived her life with true passion for family, learning, laughing, entertaining and building and nurturing her many friendships. Her Life mantra has always been, “Stay on target!” 

Her beautiful spirit will live on with all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Margaret is survived by her husband of 56 years Harry E. Shealy, Jr.; her two children (Margaret Elizabeth Shealy and John Calvert Shealy); along with two grandchildren (Jack and James Garrick). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Garden Club of Aiken (217 Whistling Straits Lane, Aiken, SC 29803) for a native plant garden.

Visitation will be 5-7 PM on Friday February 18, 2022, at George Funeral Home.  The funeral service will be held on Saturday February 19, 2022 at 2 PM at Saint Thaddeus Episcopal Church followed by a reception afterwards at the parish hall. Pallbearers will be Sam Hunley, Ira “Bud” Coward, Roy McLain, Martin Buckley, Jim Wolfe, and Wedig Grote. 

You may view the livestream on the day of the service by visiting: https://vimeo.com/678256656

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com