Mrs. Iola Davis Risher

Iola Elvenia Davis Risher was born in Hendersonville, South Carolina on April 17, 1917 to Jesse and Edith Levant Davis. She was called to rest on May 3, 2024, at her home in Hendersonville, South Carolina at the age of 107.

She attended The Mather School of Beaufort, a boarding school established after the Civil War to educate the daughters of freed slaves, in Beaufort, South Carolina. She continued her education at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, where she graduated in 1942 with a Bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. In addition, she obtained Master’s degrees in Religious Education and Early Childhood Education from Gammon Theological Seminary and South Carolina State University, respectively. 

Iola married Howard Timothy Risher on October 13, 1943. Her husband became licensed to preach in 1946 and received full connection in the United Methodist Church in 1951. They lived and pastored in several locations in South Carolina including McCormick, Ninety-Six, Greenwood, Cheraw, Marion, Charleston, Darlington, Hartsville, Greeleyville, and Beaufort. 

She was a lifelong educator and taught in various schools at the elementary level throughout South Carolina and Georgia. She retired from the South Caro

lina Education System in 1973.

During retirement, she enjoyed ceramics, quilting, and traveling the world. She loved to volunteer her time to causes that benefitted seniors such as Meals on Wheels and Adult Education. She was dedicated to, and a lifelong member of, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

Iola was preceded in death by her daughter, Jennelle Gay, and her husband, Reverend Howard Timothy Risher.

She leaves to cherish beautiful memories her devoted daughter, Varnee Risher-Cooper of Columbia, South Carolina; two sons, Howard Bernard Risher of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jesse Timothy (DeAnna) Risher of Blythewood, South Carolina; six grandchildren, Darnee Lafayette Cooper of Columbia, South Carolina, Howard Brandon Risher and Aja (Tobin) Sharnee Pride of Charlotte, North Carolina, Blake Timothy Risher and Jace Wilson Risher of Blythewood, South Carolina, and Senior Airmen Bryce Davis Risher of Valdosta, Georgia; two great-grandchildren, Timothy Calloway Pride and Tobias Carter Pride of Charlotte, North Carolina, All her beloved Caregivers of Colleton County; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Iola served her family, church, and community diligently for many years. We will all miss her for her wisdom, thoughtfulness, and witty clichés that she graced us with.

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