Marguerite Johnston Worsham

Marguerite Johnston Worsham died February 24, 2016 at the age of 91.She was born on March 13, 1924 in Lake City, SC., the middle daughter of the late Thomas Eugene Johnston and Eva Mae Rowell Johnston. She graduated from Florence High School in 1942 and from the The McLeod School of Nursing in 1945, from which she received her R.N. degree.Upon graduation she received the Alice B. Commer Scholarship Award. She continued her education by studying Orthoptics at the Episcopal Eye and Ear Hospital in Washington DC and at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.She became a Board Qualified Orthoptist Technician in October 1947.Mrs. Worsham was the first Board Certified Orthoptist in SC and one of the youngest females to receive that distinction in the nation.She practiced Orthoptics at the Stokes-Lide Clinic for 37 years. Mrs. Worsham was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Florence, SC for more than 60 years.She served in the 2-year old Sunday School Department for 20 of those years and was a long time member of the Lawson-Rain Sunday School Class in addition she was active in the Women of the Church for years.She was a former member of the Florence Literary Club and was a volunteer of McLeod Regional Medical Center Retired Nurse Corp. Mrs. Worsham was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Paul Webber Worsham of Florence.Also, a brother Thomas Eugene Johnston Jr., sisters, Lida Mae Ackerman and Mary Jacqueline “Jackie” Johnston of Moncks Corner, SC and a niece Pamela Henrietta Farmer of Florence. Survivors include her sister- in- law Elizabeth G. Johnston of Moncks Corner, nephews and nieces William J. Bates (Cheryl), Susan Ackerman of Charleston, Martin L. Ackerman, Elizabeth Johnston Schurlknight (Jack), of Moncks Corner, Thomas E. Johnston III (Anne) of Fort Mill, SC, David E. Farmer Sr. (Mary), H. Dale Worsham (Peggy) of Florence, and a godchild Laurabeth Schurlknight of Moncks Corner.In addition she is survived by many beloved great and great-great nieces and nephews, and special friends Jane Farmer and Rebecca Perry. The family wishes to thank the nurses and staff at McLeod Regional Medical Center, especially the Surgical Progressive Care Unit. They were especially helpful and kind to “Reat” and us as a family and loved ones. The funeral services will be held on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at 2:00 PM at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home in Florence.The family will receive guests 1 hour before the service, and entombment will follow at Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29501 or to First Presbyterian Church, 700 Park Ave., Florence, SC 29501 Please sign the tribute wall for Mrs. Worsham at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com