Hallie Jean O'Shields Ham

Mrs. Hallie Jean O'Shields Ham, known by all who loved her as Nana, peacefully entered the gates of Heaven and received her crown on November 29, 2021. She fought the fight, she finished the course. She kept the faith.

Mrs. Ham was born in Union, SC on August 15,1935 to the late Roy W. and Bessie Brock O'Shields. Educated in Union County Schools, she left school at the age of 16, upon the passing of her father, to help her mother care for her 3 younger siblings, as her older brothers were away serving in the Korean War.

Always a hard worker, she shared stories of chopping wood and keeping a pot bellied stove stocked in order to heat the house and cook the meals. At the age of 23 she married the only love of her life, Jesse, and they remained married for 50 years, until his passing. Early in their relationship, she put on her Lord and Savior in baptism and became a member of the Church of Christ, serving her Lord faithfully for the remainder of her days. Early in their marriage, Jesse entered the ministry on a full-time basis and Nana supported his efforts in every way, teaching Sunday School classes and never missing a church service. Nana insisted that she care for her 5 grandchildren while their parents worked; walking them to and from school each day, filling in as the school crossing guard, ensuring their homework was completed, and chaperoning every field trip. She never missed a chance to support her grandchildren. Although legally blind most of her adult life, after retirement from BILO, she volunteered at Monarch Elementary School as a mentor or assistant wherever needed, often working with young children in reading.

Nana and Papa never missed a concert, ballgame, play, Bible Bowl, or graduation that included their grandchildren. She was their most faithful cheerleader, often the loudest one cheering. If you asked her, her grandchildren were perfect, "ideal" even. However, she was a firm believer in spare the rod, spoil the child. Legend has it that two of them were once spanked with a wiffle ball bat, because that is what she could get her hands on first.

She leaves to cherish those memories…… two daughters, Patti H. Gault and Ginger H. Hucks both of Union, five grandchildren, Daniel Gregory (Kimberly Sain) and Adam Gregory of Inman, David Gregory, Jessica Gault, and Will Sexton (Alex Moss) of Union, three great grandchildren, Carolina Grace Gregory, Hallie Kate Gregory, and Lucas Jesse Sexton; a brother, Gerald Wayne O'Shields of Greenville, along with many beloved nieces and nephews. Mrs. Ham was predeceased by 3 brothers Otha O'Shields, Carl O'Shields, and Joseph (Bud) O'Shields, a sister, Judy Elizabeth O'Shields, and two sons-in-law Tim Gault and John Robert Hucks, whom she absolutely adored.

Her family is grateful for her friends and caregivers at Ellen Sagar Nursing Center who became a part of our family and allowed us to be a part of theirs. During her years there she was recognized as Most Welcoming and Most Spiritual. We are also grateful for her care team with Spartanburg Regional Hospice who are truly like angels among us. At Ellen Sagar Nursing Center and the Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, she was known for her phrase "just love me," although it was impossible not to love her. She loved to sing hymns and could remember every word of every verse and sang them on key. Today, another one of God's singers is home.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, at the Union Church of Christ. Visitation will be from 2:00 until 3:00 PM at the church prior to the service. Burial will follow at Union Memorial Gardens

Active pallbearers will be Daniel Gregory, David Gregory, Adam Gregory, Will Sexton, Shun Eison, and Kent Thompson.

The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Woodruff Church of Christ Building Fund, PO Box 308, Woodruff, SC, 29388 or Spartanburg Regional Hospice 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303.

The family will be at the home of her daughter, Ginger H. Hucks, 211 Catherine St., Union.

The S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc.           (www.holcombefuneralhomes.com)