Teresa Hornsby Toombs, 92, passed away peacefully in Flat Rock, NC on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.
Mrs. Toombs was born March 10, 1931 in Athens, TN to the late George Albert Hornsby (d. 1994) and Levada Walker (d. 2004). She was married in 1949 to Kenneth Eldridge Toombs (d. 2008), former Director of Libraries of the University of South Carolina, and as a result of his academic career, lived in various places across the US including New Jersey, Louisiana, and for the majority of their lives in Columbia, SC. They had three daughters: Susan Shealy (of Flat Rock), Cheri Morris (of Lexington, NC), and Teresa Ann Heilman (of Columbia).
She was a loyal and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who will be greatly missed. Quiet, yet compassionate, she led a fulfilling life surrounded by her extensive family. She is noted for having authored the alma mater of McMinn High School in Athens. Mrs. Toombs was a Registered Nurse at Providence Hospital in Columbia, having earned her Associates Degree at USC after a career selling Avon products, where she made many life-long friends. She was also well-traveled, having been to all 50 US states and most of Europe, recalling her most cherishedadventures in tropical Hawaii. Other favorite pastimes included shopping, admiring orchids, and enjoying the company and care of her children and grands.
She is also preceded in death by grandson Ryan Heilman (d. 2013) and son-in-law Fred G. Shealy Jr. MD (d. 2012); and is survived by her sister Sara Epperson (of Knoxville, TN) and brother James Albert Hornsby (of Seattle); sons-in-law Gene Morris and Bill Heilman; grandchildren Patrick Heilman, Gray Shealy, Blair Morris Erling, Andrew Heilman, Heather Shealy Lacy, Taylor Morris Curtis, Teresa Diane Heilman Stone, and Wells Shealy; and 17 great-grandchildren.
The family extends their gratitude to the staff of The Bridge, Carolina Reserve, and The Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, NC for their care over the last several years.
A private memorial will be held in Athens, TN later this fall.
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