Mary Kate Bell Brearley Glasser Obituary

Mary Kate Bell Brearley Glasser
Mary Kate Bell Brearley Glasser, 93, died peacefully on June 27, 2019, surrounded by her four loving children. Born in Florence, South Carolina, on September 3, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Caldwell Claude and Iola Mary Rogers Bell of Guthriesville, SC. She made her Profession of Faith on May 12, 1935, at Bethesda Presbyterian Church in York, SC. In 1942, she graduated from Marion High School, earned a Business Education degree from Winthrop College in 1946 and an M.Ed from USC in 1972. From an early age, Mary Kate felt a strong faith and a call to teaching, and her life has been one of teaching in the home, the church, the school and the community.
Mary Kate’s teaching career included teaching business students at Allendale High School, kindergartners at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Columbia and special needs students in several schools in Richland School District One before serving as principal of Fairwold School in Richland One. After her retirement, Mary Kate supervised clinical students at Columbia College.
An advocate for students with special needs, Mary Kate was awarded Special Educator of the Year by the SC Council for Exceptional Children in 1977. She also received the Upsilon State Distinguished Educator Emeritus Award by Kappa Kappa Iota in 1992. Mary Kate was active in the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International. She served as state president and received the Alpha Eta State Achievement Award and the Order of the Rose. Mary Kate also served on the Board of Visitors at Presbyterian College.
Mary Kate was a member of Arsenal Hill ARP Church where she served as circle leader and President of the Women of the Church. She also served as Vice President and President of Catawba Presbyterial and was given an Honorary Life Membership in the Women of the Church.
In 2008, Mary Kate was named SC State Mother of the Year. When asked to write her legacy in 20 words or less, she wrote, “Love the Lord and all His children. Count your blessings and be thankful. Do your best and never give up.” Mary Kate always gave God the glory and praise for anything she did on this earth. She will be remembered for her radiant smile, her persistent optimism, her devotion to family and her dedication to God’s service. Mary Kate always thought of others first and delighted in bringing joy to all those around her. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends, going on the annual Brearley Beach Week, preparing and giving devotionals and teas, playing Rook and traveling.
Mary Kate is survived by four children: Dr. William DuBose (Cheryl) Brearley of Lexington, SC; the Reverend Robert Montgomery (Mary Ann) Brearley of St. Simons Island, GA; Margaret Brearley (John) Mitchum of Columbia, SC; and the Reverend Doctor John Cecil (Tammy) Brearley of Myrtle Beach, SC. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: James Brearley, Will (Kennah) Brearley, David (Carolyn) Brearley, Jenny (David) Cooper, Meg (Paul) Greathouse, Kate (Stuart) Buckley, Hannah (Justin) Meade, Lauren (Spencer) Benton, Michael (Erin) Brearley and Caroline Brearley. She was known as “KK” and loved by 15 great-grandchildren: Bennett Brearley, English Jane Buckley, Walker Brearley, Evie Mae Buckley, Claire Cooper, William Brearley, Ella Brearley, Jack Brearley, Ben Buckley, Natalie Cooper, Ellis Brearley, Lewis Greathouse, Addy Bell Brearley, Henry Benton and Bo Meade. She dearly loved many extended family members.
In addition to her parents, Mary Kate was preceded in death by her husbands, The Reverend Cecil DuBose Brearley, Jr. and Floyd A. Glasser, and her brother Caldwell Bell.

For the rest of the Death Notices for the 7/25/19 Edition, click here.