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Steven Rast
Martha Josephine Rees Rast
Martha Josephine Rees Rast (RHHS1967), 67, transitioned peacefully from this life with her husband, Steve (RHHS 1966), at her side, August 22, at CMC Pineville after a brief illness. She was born September 18, 1949, in Kershaw, SC, to Richard K. and Josephine M. Rees. She moved in 1955 to Rock Hill and attended Winthrop Training School until her junior year of high school. In 1967, she graduated Rock Hill High School and after graduation attended Massey Fashion Institute in Atlanta, G.A.
On November 4, 1967, she married her high school sweetheart, Steven Douglas Rast, at her home church, the Episcopal Church of Our Savior. They lived in Columbia and Camden until moving to Rock Hill in 1974.
Martha was active in the community serving as President of the Rock Hill Democratic Party as well as serving on the York County Democratic Executive Committee. She served as Clerk of the Rock Hill 5 voting precinct and was a volunteer for the local meals on wheels program and served Habitat for Humanity of York County as Chair of the Family Selection Committee.
She was active in church work serving as leader of the United Methodist Youth Fellowship at Lyttleton Street UMC in Camden and Bethel and Aldersgate UMC in Rock Hill. Also, she served as choir director at Aldersgate. She became a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in 1989 and was a member of the choir, youth leader, and team member of the RCIA program. She also was a member of the Ecumenical Chorale.
Recently she had found a new way to serve her community and found a new family serving as an associate at the Publix on Heckle Blvd.
Martha is survived by her husband, Steve, her daughter Rebecca Wrenshall (Gerald) Saunders of Liberty Township, OH, and three sons, Steven Douglas, Jr. and Christian McDonald Rast of Rock Hill, and John Richard (Yoshiko) Rast of Funabashi-shi, Japan; three grandchildren, Madison Claire and Trey Saunders and Sho Rast; and two sisters-in-law, Janice R. (Bob)Lambert and Cheryl K (Holland) Stowe and a niece, Cynthia Stowe, all of Rock Hill and a nephew, Jason Kritzer, of Lynchburg, VA. She was predeceased by her parents, Richard and Josephine Rees, and her Uncle and Aunt, Col. James McDonald and his wife, Florence. She also leaves behind the two family Maine Coon cats, Tucker and Margot.
The Funeral Mass for Martha will be held at Saint Mary’s Catholic Church, 902 Crawford Rd., Rock Hill, on Saturday, November 4, at 10 am. The family will receive friends after the service in the Church Social Hall. Committal Rites will be held on Sunday, November 5, at the Oratory Memorial Garden after the 6 PM liturgy at the Oratory Church. Memorials may be made to the Oratory Community, 434 Charlotte Ave., Rock Hill, S.C. 29730.
The family thanks Martha’s Publix family, the Rock Hill High School classes of 1967 and 1966, her church family, the York County Elections Office, the doctors and nurses of CMC Pineville, and her many friends, all of whom supported Martha and her family through this most difficult journey.
B. L. Frederick Funeral Service in Chester, SC,(frederickfuneral service.com/obituaries) has assisted with arrangements.
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Joel Stephen Ferrell PORT SAINT LUCIE, FL - Joel Stephen Ferrell, 69, of Port Saint Lucie, Florida, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, October 31, 2017 in Florida. He was the son of the late William Robert Ferrell, Jr. and the late Grace Boulware Ferrell of Rock Hill, South Carolina. Joel graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1966. Joel was known for his sense of humor. He never gave up on life even though he was disabled and nearly blind for the last 10 years. Joel never complained and enjoyed spending time with his family, especially trying out new restaurants. Joel will be sorely missed. Joel is survived by his son, Stephen, of Florida; his sisters Cecelia Ferrell Hawks and Kathie Ferrell Locklear of Rock Hill, South Carolina; his brothers Barron M. Ferrell (Jan) of Rock Hill, South Carolina and William Robert Ferrell III (Ma Elena) of Sumter, South Carolina. Services will be private.
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