Henrietta L. Laurey

Henrietta "Retta" Hawkins Laurey peacefully entered into eternal rest on Monday evening, January 6, 2014 at home with her husband, daughter and family by her side. The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. James F. Laurey are invited to attend her Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon, Saturday, January 11, 2014, at Nativity Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening between 5:00 and 8:00 PM at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. Retta was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia on July 24, 1925 to the late Okey Jess Hawkins and Bertha Eaton Hawkins. She was predeceased by her brother, Okey Lee Hawkins. During her lifetime, she belonged to many organizations and was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. During her daughter's high school years, she volunteered for the CYO of Nativity Catholic Church and also worked for that Rectory for 18 years. She was past president of the following organizations: Ladies Guild Nativity Church, Centerville Garden Club, Folly Beach Civic Club, Knights of Columbus P.N. Council 704, Ladies Auxiliary, and Our Lady of Good Council Women's Guild for three straight years and Folly Beach Exchange Club for three separate years. Retta was a member of the B.P.O. Elks Club Drove No. 231, the Daughters of the American Revolution, Halpatiokie Chapter of Stuart, Florida and Volunteered for 10 years at the Ralph Johnson Medical Center representing National Catholic Community Service. She loved her Folly Beach so much that she volunteered at the road block after Hurricane Hugo to help identify the locals returning. Retta was very proud of all of her accomplishments but felt very honored to serve the City of Folly Beach as their Clerk of Court for over 24 years. She also served as the Chairman of the Folly Beach Election Commission for a very long time. On November 12, 2013, she was presented a Proclamation and a Key to the City from the City of Folly Beach for her many acts of kindness, love and service. She and Jim celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary on November 26, 2013. Her final tribute was being honored as the very first recipient of the newly formed Folly Beach Hall of Fame. Her final highlight was riding in the Folly Beach Christmas parade as the first member of the Hall of Fame on December 14, 2013. She thoroughly enjoyed her life, her family and her dear, dear friends. Her zest for life and her insatiable humor are qualities that can never be found in another living soul. Eleanor Roosevelt said, "The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences." She lived her life to the fullest to the very end. She will definitely be missed by all who knew her. "Love is eternal" She is survived by her husband James, daughter Leona "Jerry" Odom Blackwood Gaunya and Craig Gaunya of Palm City, Florida, her sister-in-law Helena Hawkins Russell, nephew Terry Hawkins, niece Sheryl Hawkins Britton, and several nieces and nephews on her husband's side. Four grandsons; Jeri Blackwood and wife Jeana of Charleston, Jami Blackwood and Doreen of Westerly, RI, James Blackwood III and wife Paula of Alton, RI and Michael Gaunya and wife Kellie of Wakefield, RI. Nine great grandchildren; Michael, Amanda, Katelyn, Taylor, James IV, Bronwyn, Michael, Jr., Joseph and Jacob. One great, great granddaughter Penelope Anela, making this a five generation family for eleven months. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Folly Beach Exchange Club for the Prevention of Child Abuse, PO Box 14, Folly Beach, SC 29439-0014 or to Roper Hospice, 1483 Tobias Gadson Blvd. Suite 208A, Charleston, SC 29407.