Constance “Connie” Hershey was born on May 3, 1934, and raised in Givhans, S.C., but for the last three years, lived in Fernandina Beach, Fla., with her daughter and family. She passed away the morning of Sept. 8, 2023, at the age of 89 at home.
Connie was the daughter of Robert Ilderton Limehouse and Eula Mae Campbell Limehouse, both of Givhans, S.C. She was the youngest of four children and for whom she preceeded in death, Robert Mendenhall Limehouse of Givhans, S.C., Annie Mae Bowick of Charleston, S.C., and June LaVern Murdaugh of Givhans, S.C. Connie grew up on her family farm and graduated from Ridgeville High School as valedictorian, earned the top sportsman award, and she was the captain of the basketball team that won top honors when basketball was played outside on a dirt court. She was the president of her class and president of the Beta Club. She played the piano at the United Methodist Church in Givhans as a teenager. She graduated from Rice Business College in Charleston, S.C. After graduation, she met her husband, Keith Raymond “Ray” Hershey, while he was serving in the U.S. Navy in Charleston. As Ray Hershey was in the Navy, they they moved to New York City as his next station, where Connie worked for a licorice company. When Ray’s service time was up during the Korean War, they moved to California, where his family was, and where the Hershey Plumbing Company was established, servicing the bay area of San Francisco, and Connie did the bookkeeping. They had one daughter, Pamela Mae Hershey, married to William Anno III, whom reside in Fernandina Beach, and one son, Patrick Raymond Hershey, married to Julianna, who live in Givhans, S.C. While living in California, the family lived many places, including San Jose, Laganitus, Forest Knolls, Cupertino, Petaluma, Redding and Millville, before moving back to Givhans, where Connie’s extended family lived. They did not like big cities and, as towns grew bigger, they moved to smaller ones. Connie not only worked in the family business but also enjoyed working with Girl Scouts and started Troop 75 in Petaluma, Calif., that grew over 75 Scouts. She also served on the Girl Scout Council and directed summer camps and day camps for Scouts. She also worked as a nurse in a rest home in California for a few years, and then went back to being a bookkeeper for the State of California Workman’s Compensation Office. Connie and Ray also had a passion to help others and worked as a Temporary Foster Home for children waiting for placement into permanent foster homes. The first year, over 150 children came and went through their home with up to 11 children in the house at one time. They both were very active in the Baptist church and helped with Sunday school. As a deacon’s wife, Connie also participated in the choir and taught classes. Connie’s passion was working with the elderly. When Connie and Ray moved back to Givhans, Connie worked as a sitter for the elderly so they could continue living in their own homes. She loved spending time with her family and loved her two grandchildren, Christopher Raymond Hershey Collins of Fernandina Beach and Hannah Rae Hershey of Goose Greek, S.C., very much. Connie’s passions were helping others. If you called and needed anything, she answered. She loved her children and grandchildren but loved the Lord even more.
Connie was laid to rest with her husband of 42 years in Summerville, S.C., on Sept. 12, 2023, and near her parents and extended family. Pall bearers were Norman Murdaugh, Wayne Murdaugh, William Anno, Christopher Collins, David Crider and Troy Tolle.
Published by News Leader from Sep. 27 to Oct. 11, 2023.
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