Leola Elizabeth Long Fanning Obituary (2022)

Leola Elizabeth Long Fanning, 86, wife of Retired Judge Donald A. Fanning, Sr., of Beaufort, SC died Thursday, April 14, 2022 at her residence. The family will receive friends Wednesday,April 20, 2022 at 10:00 AM at St. John's Lutheran Church in Beaufort SC. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 AM. Burial will be Thursday, April 21, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Prosperity SC. Leola was born on January 4, 1936 in Columbia, SC. She is the daughter of the late Olin Sligh Long and Gladys Geiger Long. She married Capt. Donald A. Fanning on June 30, 1962 after being introduced by the pastor at Ascension Lutheran Church in Savannah GA. They moved to Beaufort SC in April 1964 when he left the Air Force. She was a 1954 graduate of Clover High School and a 1958 graduate of Newberry College. She taught Physics, Chemistry and Biology at Jenkins High School in Savannah GA from 1958 to 1964. She was a charter member and the organizing president of the Dr. Henry Woodward Chapter of the Colonial Dames of the XVII Century in 1973. She was the SC State President from 1989 - 1991. She was Chairman of the National Names file in 1999. She was a member of the National Society Magna Carter Dames and a former AAUW member. She has been a member of St. John's Lutheran Church since 1964. Surviving in addition to her husband, Don; are two sons, D. Alton Fanning, Jr. DMD and Lorick V. Fanning of Beaufort SC; one daughter, Laura E. Fanning of Raleigh NC; one sister, Mary Geiger Yount (David) of Duluth MN; two grandchildren, Robert "Whit" Fanning of Charlotte NC and Sarah Chambers Fanning of Charleston SC. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church or a charity of your choice.