Martha "Lois" Eargle, 85, wife of the late Jack Eargle, passed away Sunday, November 14, 2021 at Conway Medical Center surrounded by her loving family. She was born June 24, 1936 in Sumter, SC, a daughter of the late Manson LeRoy Grooms and Retus Elizabeth Hudson Grooms.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sisters, Vivian Floyd and Kathryn Parrish.

Mrs. Eargle attended St. Leos College and Coastal Carolina University. She is a graduate of the Insititute of Government from the University of South Carolina/Clemson University.

Mrs. Eargle had many accomplishments in her life. She held the position as Horry County Auditor from 1993 until her retirement on June 30, 2021. While serving she implemented the Out of State Tag Program within Horry County to ensure everyone living, working and with children in school and receiving our services are paying their taxes. It has been a model program envied by other counties within the state of South Carolina. She served as President of the South Carolina Association of Countywide Elected Executives (SCACEE), voted Countywide Elected Official of the year by SCACEE. Lois was chosen and showcased as one of the most vibrant women of the Grand Strand by the Coastal Business Life Magazine and named one of the 52 Heroes of Horry County in 2004. She was a Charter Member of the Myrtle Beach Republican Women's Club, Chairman Emeritus of the Horry County Republican Party and Chairman of the Horry County Republican Party from 1984-1989 and 1992-1995. She owned and operated various businesses such as real estate, restaurant, consultant, and business office machines. Lois was former President of the Business and Professional Women's Association, first woman to serve on the board of Directors for Conway Chamber of Commerce, voted Woman of the Year by the Conway Chamber of Commerce in 1970-1971 and former member of the Myrtle Beach Steering Committee. She was responsible for organizing the Myrtle Beach and Little River Republican Women's Club, the Teen-Age Republican Club (Socastee High School), the College Republican Club at Coastal Carolina University and the Young Republicans. She served as Official Hostess at the White House for the handicapped, met with President George Bush, Vice President Dan Quayle and the Cabinet. Lois was a South Carolina Delegate to the National White House Conference on Tourism, President of the Court Update from 1970-1975, first non-lawyer elected to the Board of Directors for the American Judicature Society, and participated in the Citizens Conference on Judicial Changes, traveling all across the United States.

Lois was elected to House Seat 105, winning the election against an eight-year incumbent and three others. During this time, she was appointed by President Ronald Reagan as a member of the President's Committee on Mental Retardation and participated in the World Conference held in Argentina and Brazil. The Lois Eargle home in Horry County was named in her honor and is home for those with disabilities.

She won three more elections for House Seat 105 during which time she served as Second Vice Chairman on the House Education and Public Works Committee. Governor Carroll Campbell appointed her as a member of the South Carolina Highway Commission from 1987-1989. During this appointment, she was responsible for getting the new Socastee Bridge out of its original plan (to be put in with Hwy 22/31) and treated it as a separate project, thus it was actually put in place 10 years earlier than it would have been. She served as Campaign Chairman for Secretary Jim Miles and his Executive Assistant after he won the election.

A highlight of her career was meeting with President Ronald Reagan on numerous occasions and with his cabinet. She had the pleasure of having lunch with the President and Mrs. Reagan at the White House. She spoke to the Senate and House Agricultural Committee for South Carolina in Washington, DC.

Lois has worked and served with the Girl Scouts, Salvation Army, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Horry County Heart Fund, Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority, SC Committee on Criminal Justice, Crime, Juvenile Delinquency and Court Reform, March of Dimes, Mercy Hospice and the Good News Club.

Lois was a member and or an officer in Kiwanas, Jaycee-ettes, Rotary, Horry County Shelter Home, League of Women Voters, SC Federation of Business and Professional Women where she served as President, District Director and Legislative Chairman in SC, President of Court Update, Inc., House Education, Public Works, Highway and Aviation Committee, Joint Agricultural Study Committee, House Operational and Management Committee, SC Coastal Councilman Harold Worley, Board of Visitors for the Medical University of SC, President and emeritus member of SCACEE, SC Association of Countywide Elected Executives.

Lois has been recognized as Outstanding Young Women of America, Personalities of the South, instrumental in starting the Horry County Audit Development Center, Governor's Advocate of the Year, receiving her Doctor of Public Service from Coastal Carolina University in 2006, received Superior Achievement Award from SCACEE in March 2016 and Lifetime Achievement Award by SCACEE for her distinguished service in serving not only Horry County, but the State of SC in March 2016.

Lois has spoken regularly at graduations, conferences, seminars, civic club meetings, schools and other events.

Her office has told wonderful stories of the active and successful public servant that she has been for the people of Horry County and the State of South Carolina through pictures, plaques, etc. In November 2014, she completed a task she had long hoped to attain. She wrote a book that was published, "Double Standards". It tells of her journey through life in the political arena.

A member of Langston Baptist Church of Conway, she sang in the choir and taught Sunday School. She enjoyed exercising, walking, weight lifting, spending time with her family and reading the Bible.

If you ever needed a job done, just ask Lois Eargle.

Mrs. Eargle is survived by her children, Stephen Hugh Eargle of Lexington, SC, Gwyn Eargle Porter of Conway, SC, Lynn Eargle Kersey (Rev. Jeff Kersey) of Gilbert, SC and Susan Eargle Soucy (Rick) of Conway, SC; siblings, Bob Grooms (MariLu) of Conway, SC, Ronnie Grooms (Debbie) of Sumter, SC and Christine McLeod of Gastonia, NC; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-six great grandchildren and many other family and friends who will miss her.

Funeral Services will be held 2pm Thursday, November 18, 2021 at Langston Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Kersey officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until 1:45 pm prior to the service at the church.

Burial will be private.

Please sign a guestbook at watsonfuneralservices.com.

Watson Funeral Services and Crematory, 2300 Hwy 378, Conway, SC is serving the family.