Reba Bryce Kinon, 87, of Dillon, died peacefully at her home surrounded by family on December 2, 2016.
Mrs. Kinon was born in Florence, South Carolina on December 27, 1928. She was the daughter of George Wilson Bryce and Reba Ginn Bryce. She was predeceased by her husband, Judge Marion H. “Son” Kinon.
She is survived by her three children, Rebecca K. Ingram of Dillon, Marian K. (Rusty) Hanna of Irmo, and Samuel C. (Lisa) Kinon of Conway; seven grandchildren, John W. (Leslie) Grubb, Suzanne I. (Brad) Snipes, Reba A. Ingram, Marian Bryce Hanna, King C. Hanna, III, Michael S. Kinon, Christopher C. Kinon; and four great-grandchildren Shay M. Grubb, Johnson T. Grubb, Braylin G. Carter, and Bowen A. Snipes; a sister-in-law, Miriam Kinon Lecholop Sanders, nephews, Michael Lecholop, Stephen Lecholop, George Bryce, Michael Bryce, and Wil Bryce.
She was a 1948 graduate of Winthrop College and attended graduate courses at the University of South Carolina. In her early career she was a social worker and then a teacher in the Dillon County School System.
She later devoted her life to caring for her family and volunteering her time to the many organizations near and dear to her. She was a member of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, being appointed to the Commission by two South Carolina governors. She chaired the Facilities Committee for the Commission for six years and received the Distinguished Service Award for her support of excellence and equity in higher education.
She was a member of the McLeod Medical Center Foundation and on the Advisory Board of McLeod Health Dillon. She was previously a member of the St. Eugene Community Hospital Board of Trustees and the Auxiliary Board. She was a life member of the National Guard Association Auxiliary, Chaplin of the Palmetto Cabinet (a Legislative wives organization), a member of the Dillon Arts Council Board of Trustees, and the Dillon Junior Charity League. She was also involved in the Dillon Literary Club, the Dillon Historical Society, Meals on Wheels, the Dillon Cotillion Club, and the Tri-County Mental Health Board.
She was a member of the State Museum Foundation Board where she helped to promote many projects to advance her belief in the museum’s educational value to the children of South Carolina.
She was active in scouting, serving as a Girl Scout leader of Troop #1 for twelve years, and on the City of Dillon Boy and Girl Scouts Board of Trustees. She received the highest honor from the Girl Scouts, the Women of Achievement Award for Community Service, from the Pee Dee Area Girl Scout Council.
She was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor given by the State of South Carolina, by Governor David Beasley, for her tireless work to benefit South Carolinians.
She was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church and served on the church Board of Trustees, taught Sunday School, served as the Superintendent of the Children’s Division, Chairman of the Council on Ministries, and was a member of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee. She was a member of the Eulalia Cook Circle and served as Treasurer for the Circle.
The Kinon family sends deepest appreciation to the physicians and medical staff who attended Mrs. Kinon. The family also thanks the most wonderful in-home caregivers who gave her so much love and devotion.
Memorial may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 229, Dillon, South Carolina 29536 or McLeod Hospice, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, S.C. 29502.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Main Street United Methodist Church in Dillon, South Carolina. The family will receive visitors at the church at 2:00 p.m. followed by the service at 3:00 p.m. and interment at Greenlawn Cemetery in Dillon, South Carolina.
Kannaday Funeral Home in Dillon is assisting the family.
You may sign the online guestbook at www.kannadayfuneralhome.com.
