Melva Craft Hoover

Melva Craft Hoover, a dedicated teacher and servant of God, passed peacefully to her heavenly home on April 3, 2014, surrounded by her family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, teacher and friend, as well a beacon of her faith and a lady with many skills, interests, and talents. Born on November 6, 1918, she lived most of her remarkable life in Swansea, SC, teaching and loving people, especially her students, beautifying the earth with numerous beautification projects throughout the Swansea Area, and doting on her many pets.Locals knew that a stray pet left in her yard would soon have a home for she was a match maker for animals and owners. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held for her on Saturday, April 5, 2014, at 3:00 p.m. at the Swansea United Methodist Church followed by visitation in the church fellowship hall. Please bring your “Melva Stories” to share with her family.Private graveside services were held prior to the memorial service. The daughter of Sallie Rast Craft and Boynton Elmore Craft, she grew up in Swansea, was a proud graduate of Swansea High School in 1935, and of Lander College in 1939 with majors in mathematics, dramatics, and education.On a trip with Swansea friends in 1941 to Atlantic City, New Jersey, her friend introduced her to Ely Fulton Hoover, a Clemson College student from Springfield, SC, which is only twelve miles from Swansea.Fulton was working at their hotel.This introduction, hundreds of miles from their homes, lead to their two-year wartime courtship and their 52-year marriage, until his death in 1998. She issurvived by three daughters, Sondra (Richard) Halweg of Austin, TX, Barbara Lupo of West Columbia, and Sally(Randy) Nunn of Rock Hill; six grandchildren, Robert(Nichole) Lupo of Decatur, GA, David Lupo of Atlanta, GA, Paul Halweg, M.D., of Pittsburgh, PA, Susannah(Brian, M.D.)Spears of Austin, TX, Nicole Nunn of Rock Hill, and Jacob, CPA (Susan) Nunn of Fort Mill, great-grandchildren Cora Lupo, Annabella Spears, and Luke Spears, and fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, and her brother and sister-in-law, Vernon and Eunice Craft. A lifetime member of Swansea United Methodist Church since 1927 and currently the oldest member, she served in many capacities over the years including:Sunday School teacher for over sixty years, Administrative Board, chair of the Council on Ministries, Finance Committee, Charge Treasurer, choir member, pianist for primary grades, officer and member of United Methodist Women, Communion Steward, and director of children’s plays for Easter and Christmas. She was a true patriot to her country, loyally working for the Columbia Army Air Base during World War II.Before being selected by the Base Commander as the Civilian Training Coordinator for the leadership training for the base, she served her country as an instructor-trainee in airplane engines. This assignment required that she wear white coveralls, carry a 60-pound tool kit to pickle engines! Her sphere of activity and influence was not limited to her church; she gave generously of her time and talents to civic activities: Brownie and Girl Scout Leader, charter member and officer of Swansea Garden Club, a journalist for 47 years for county and local newspapers, Lexington County and local Beautification Committees, Lexington Museum Commission, Chair of Lexington County Heart Fund and Cancer Drives, member of Lexington County Family Community Leaders, Meals on Wheels volunteer. She was honored to be selected a member of Alpha Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International and elected to the Swansea District 4 School Board for several terms As a celebrated and respected teacher and guidance counselor, she dedicated 33 years to public education throughout South Carolina, enthusiastically engaging her students in learning. in Ashwood, Springfield , McBee , Holly Hill, St. Matthews, Swansea, and in Columbia at Wardlaw Junior High, and Eau Claire High Schools.To her students she was a delight and a guiding star. Many, now parents or grandparents themselves, give her credit for a good philosophy of life and work ethic.Since her retirement in 1980, she has been delighted and complimented when asked to tutor former students’ children and grandchildren.She shared not long ago. Her adventurous nature was best exhibited in the summer of 1940 when she was a director for the Triangle Producing Company of Greensboro, NC.She traveled and produced a play in each town using only ten days in small towns throughout Arkansas and Louisiana. She remembers this period of her life as the hardest work she had ever done; however, it opened her eyes to how other s live in different locations and gave her a life long lesson in dealing with and leading people. A wide circle of family, friends, and students suffer a great loss in her passing. On happy occasions, she shared their joys and at times of sorrow, she made their burdens lighter by the depth of her empathy and the extraordinary comfort she gave. Although she has gone from us, the memory of her lives in us, an inspiration and a benediction to those who loved and admired her for her endearing personality and her sterling qualities of character. Condolences may be made to the family at www. mcalhanyfuneralhome.com.In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Swansea United Methodist Church, Post Office Box 601, Swansea, SC 29160, or your favorite charity.