“The Picture Lady: Never Met A Stranger”

The Fairfield Post is saddened to learn that Ms. Mary Lee Hendrix passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2020.

Ms. Mary Lee Hendrix will be remembered for her lifelong dedication to public service. She proudly served as an ambassador to the Fairfield County School District, Benedict College, The Fairfield Post, and to churches in the Blair community. Her long and well-respected career was highlighted by-- among other things--her class and grace. We extend deepest condolences to the Hendrix family and to their wide circle of friends.

She was the oldest of seven siblings, born to the late Lee and Beaudell Hendrix. Ms. Mary Lee graduated from McCrorey-Liston High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Benedict College, and Master’s degrees from both the University of South Carolina and the University of Georgia. She completed additional studies at Tennessee State University.

Ms. Hendrix began her 54-year teaching career as a first-grade teacher at her beloved McCrorey-Liston School. While teaching in Georgia, Ms. Hendrix was the first African-American to integrate the Oconee County School System during the turbulent civil rights era of the 1960’s. She also taught in Oglethorpe County Consolidated Schools in Georgia.

After the death of her father, she returned to South Carolina to care for her mother. She began her career at Benedict College as a media specialist and assistant professor. Ms. Hendrix retired from Benedict College in 2015. She was active at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Blair as the Public Relations Specialist, Financial Secretary, and a member of the Mass Choir.

She was the first runner-up to Miss Benedict College, a member of the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, and the Fairfield County Library Board. She received many awards and recognitions: Personality of the South; Outstanding Young Woman Award; Benedict College Twenty and Thirty-Five Year Service Awards; Ambassador for Christians Award. She served weekly as a contributing reporter for The Carolina Panorama and The Columbia Star. In 2018, she was inducted into the Fairfield County School District Hall of Fame.

A Celebration of Life for Ms. Mary Lee Hendrix was held on Sunday, February 23, 2020. We are so grateful for her service and dedication to our district and county Ms. Mary Lee Hendrix will be sorely missed.