Floride Partlow "Hester" Leroy

Floride Partlow Hester LeRoy, wife of John Levis LeRoy, Sr. passed away peacefully at home September 15, 2017 surrounded by family and loving caregivers. Flo was born in Calhoun Falls, SC  on August 13, 1929. She was the daughter of Floride Alice McCelvey and James Partlow Hester. As a child, she enjoyed riding the train with Big Grandmother Hester from Mt. Carmel, SC to her home near Latimer Station just outside Calhoun Falls. Flo went to Calhoun Falls High School and was class valedictorian in 1946. She attended Winthrop College and in1950 graduated with a BS in biology and a minor in German. Upon graduation, she served a mission for the Episcopal diocese at Fort Yukon, Alaska as a nutritionist in a local hospital. After she finished her yearlong mission, she returned to Rock Hill, SC and found employment as a chemist. She married the love of her life, John Levis LeRoy, also known as her Mr. Wonderful, in 1952 and they enjoyed 65 years together.  They met a decade earlier at her great Aunt Georgia Mars’ home on a lovely Sunday afternoon. After marriage, Flo immersed herself in the important work of caring for her family, church, and community. In 1964, the LeRoys settled their young family of seven in Hartwell, GA. for John to be the Resource Manager at Lake Hartwell. Flo was a teacher in Hart County while completing a Masters of Education and later a Specialist degree from the University of Georgia. After the five children graduated from Hart County High School, John and Flo relocated to her beloved home town of Calhoun Falls, SC. This move allowed John to complete his service to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Russell, Flo to teach a variety of science courses at the high school and be closer to her mother, brother, and his family. She spent three plus decades serving the Calhoun Falls community and was generous with her time and resources. The annual Town Wide Yard Sale, begun in 1981, was a highlight and a joy for Flo. It served to gather many people together and was second only to the annual Christmas parade. Flo was a member of the Calhoun Falls Presbyterian Church and was devoted to Jesus Christ. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She always tried to love, assist, and encourage her family and students to develop their interests, talents, and faith. Flo was a voracious reader and student, keenly interested in promoting local business development and strong family ties. In addition to her parents, Flo was predeceased by a son, Phillip Hester LeRoy ( Dec. 5, 1956 - Dec. 8,1956) and her only sibling, whom she deeply loved, James Taggart Hester (Dec. 4, 1930 - Dec. 11, 2016). She is survived by her husband, John Levis LeRoy, Sr. of the home; their five children, Georgia LeRoy Seabrook (Cordes) of Troy, SC, John Levis LeRoy, Jr, MD, (Nanci) of Atlanta, GA, Flo LeRoy Hudson (Ken) of Palm Beach Gardens, FL, Samuel William LeRoy (Kay) of Greenwood, SC, Louis McCelvey LeRoy (Robin) of Spartanburg, SC. She is also survived by her nine cherished grandchildren, L’Angel Elizabeth Seabrook, Ruskin Levis Seabrook, Thayer Gaillard Seabrook, Taylor Hartley LeRoy, Elyse LeRoy South (Mac), Philip Riley LeRoy, Abbey Grace LeRoy, Amanda LeRoy Hogie, Connor McCelvey LeRoy and three great granddaughters, Ava Barrineau Hogie, Olivia Helen Hogie and McKelvie Midgley Seabrook. Surviving Flo, is her sole sister in law, Sally Tanaka Hester and her double first cousin, James Patrick Hester (Emily), as well as many wonderful nieces and nephews. A celebration of her life will be held at 11 o’clock on Saturday, September 23, 2017 at the Calhoun Falls Presbyterian Church. Family and friends will be received at 10 o’clock at the church prior to the service. Burial in the LeRoy Family Cemetery at HLS Huguenot Family Farms, Troy, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested for Calhoun Falls Charter High School, 205 Edgefield Street c/o Principal Deirdre McCullough, Calhoun Falls, SC 29628 or the Calhoun Falls Presbyterian Church, PO Box 426, Calhoun Falls, SC 29628. A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Calhoun Falls Chapel is assisting the LeRoy family.