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Desree Lightle Obituary

Desree C. Jenkins Lightle LEXINGTON, SC - Services for Desree J. Lightle, 80, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 11, 2010, at Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072. Visitation will be held Saturday, July 10, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at CAUGHMAN-HARMAN FUNERAL HOME, LEXINGTON CHAPEL, 503 N. Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, 5503 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington, SC 29072. A private family burial will be held at a later date. Mrs. Lightle was born January 21, 1930, in Gaffney, SC, to the late Harry P. and Ellen Mae Childers. In 1963, as a result of her involvement in church and community activities, Mrs. Lightle, sponsored by the Columbia Junior Women's Club, won the Mrs. South Carolina Pageant. She went on to win the Mrs. America Pageant in 1964, reigning until August 1965, when she became Mrs. USA. Mrs. Lightle made appearances in all 50 states on behalf of the pageant sponsors. Mrs. Lightle was instrumental in helping the SC State Development Board set up a statewide beautification program, which included the first SC Welcome Centers in 1966-67. She was a South Carolina licensed real estate broker and served as property manager for the SC Budget and Control Board until her retirement in 1984. Since her retirement, she and her beloved husband, Ted Lightle, enjoyed the good fortune and blessings of living at Lake Murray and Folly Beach. Her greatest joy was sharing her life and home with her family and friends, especially the wonderful family times at Lake Murray with the children and grandchildren. Mrs. Lightle is survived by and will be greatly missed by her husband, Ted; son, the Rev. Dr. Barry L. Jenkins (Susan) of Florence, SC; daughter, Teresa J. Tarrant (Guy) of Charleston, SC; step-son, Ted Lightle of Cocoa, FL; stepdaughter, Megan B. Lightle of Columbia, SC; four grandsons, six great-grandchildren; sister, Sandra C. Meares (George) of Folly Beach, SC; brother, F.R. "Bill" Childers (Joyce) of Gaffney, SC; many loved nieces and nephews and former husband, Joseph L. Jenkins of Columbia, SC. The family would like to thank and express its appreciation for the loving, compassionate care provided to Mrs. Lightle by the doctors and staff at Lexington Medical Center; Southern Surgical Group; Dr. Jay Markowitz and Associates; Dr. Robert Amory of Carolina Cardiovascular Associates; Dr. Donald Elton of Lexington Pulmonary and Critical Care; Dr. Richard Morrow of Lexington Urological Associates and the extraordinary staff at Ascension Hospice. www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier on Jul. 10, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Desree Lightle

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Sandy Barden

July 21, 2010

Dearest Ted;

My heart breaks for you. You have lost your true love. I remember that each time you came into the room or Desree came into the room the smile you shared was one of complete love and admiration for each other. She was a sweet lady and will be missed by many. Take care and know that she is at peace and one day you will be together again. Always,

Bill Arrowood

July 21, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Nancy Palmeri

July 20, 2010

My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow.

July 13, 2010

Ted, so sorry to hear about Desiree. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time. I always enjoyed visiting with Desiree at the multitude of NASTD meetings she attended with you. She was a lot of fun and spunky-much like my Mother. I always noticed similar traits. Take care. Jim Gay (Little Rock, Arkansas

Kathy Peeler

July 12, 2010

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Deborah Wilson

July 12, 2010

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

July 12, 2010

Ted, Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Herman & Evelyn McQuage

Brenda & Mike Decker

July 12, 2010

Ted -

Mike and I just wanted to let you know that you are in our thoughts and prayers right now. Desree was such a delight at the NASTD events and we think of the two of you often. We hope you are comforted by the many beautiful memories you have of this special lady.

Dean, Carol, and Vic Boney

July 12, 2010

Our thoughts and prayes are with you all during this time.

Dennis & Shannon Griffin

July 11, 2010

Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Dianne Stewart

July 11, 2010

Ted,
My deepest sympathy to you and your family. Desree was a wonderful person and will be missed.

SUEANN HUFF

July 11, 2010

MAY YOUR DAYS BE FILLED WITH WONDERFUL MEMORIES,MAY GOD BLESS YOU,I AM AN EMPLOYEE ON 4 TH NORTH TOWER AND TOOK CARE OF MS LIGHTLE MANY TIMES

Lynn White

July 11, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

July 10, 2010

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Desree Lightle.
Barbara & Jack Maffett
Florence, SC

Sue Caughman

July 10, 2010

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mrs. Lightle was a beautiful person inside and out; always kind and gracious. I pray you will find peace and comfort now and in the days ahead.

July 10, 2010

Ted,
My sister, Frances, called to tell me she saw the obit in the paper. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. We met Desree only one time at your home at Folly Beach and knew that she was a great partner for you. We know she will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Narda and Henry Marvin

Mindy Heilmann

July 10, 2010

I am thinking of all of you and know you will miss Deseree....she was a real trouper and is now at peace.

July 10, 2010

My thoughs and prayers are with you. It was an honor to know Mrs. Lightle. I will always remember her soft voice and her gracious manner. Flora-Ann Kaiser,Lexington, SC

The Staff of Caughman-Harman Funeral Home

July 10, 2010

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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Funeral services provided by:

Caughman-Harman Funeral Home - Lexington Chapel

503 N Lake Dr, Lexington, SC 29072

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