Elsie McGill Obituary

Margaret Elsie Niven McGill, 97, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2025, at NHC HealthCare of Anderson. She and her late husband, Joe Ben McGill were married for 67 happy years. She was a very loving and caring mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt. Elsie showed great compassion to everyone around her. She will be missed greatly by all that knew and loved her.
Born in Lancaster, SC, she was the daughter of the late Archie Palmer Niven, Sr. and Fannie Ellen Knight Niven. Elsie, her brother, and two sisters grew up in Lancaster, where their father operated their community's only local store, A.P Niven General Merchandise. Her childhood years were spent helping in the store, going to Indian Land School, and spending time during the summer with family at the beach in Cherry Grove, SC. She was a 1950 graduate of Winthrop College. After graduation, she moved to Charlotte, NC, where she taught 4th grade. There, she was introduced by friends to her beloved husband, Joe. They were married in 1957 and moved to Anderson, SC, where they raised their two Boys. When the boys were young, she taught elementary school and later reading, as well as being a Pink Lady at Anderson Memorial Hospital. Her interest and hobbies through the years included gardening, cooking (her grandson once requested one of her holiday squash casseroles as a Christmas present), antiquing, decorating and her favorite pastime, shopping for anything, especially clothes. And for those that knew her well, they knew that chocolate and Wendy's chocolate Frostys would always put a smile on her face! Joe and Elsie relocated for Joe's work to Spartanburg and then Rock Hill. Elsie loved to travel. They enjoyed cruises and vacations with Elsie's sisters and their husbands. They also made frequent convention, beach, and mountain trips with their band of traveling buddies. After Joe's retirement, he and Elsie moved back to Anderson and built a home in Bradley Park. She loved her neighbors and her home, where her love of antiques and design is evident.
Elsie grew up in Osceloa United Methodist Church in Lancaster County, SC. In their early years, Elsie and Joe were members of Mountain Creek Baptist Church. They later became members of First Baptist Church in Anderson. She and Joe were past members of Spartanburg First Baptist Church and Oakland Baptist Church in Rock Hill.
Survivors include two sons, Benjamin (Benjie) Niven McGill (Deegie) and Bradley (Brad) Owen McGill; grandsons, Ben McGill (Megan) and Bobby McGill (Samantha, Lacey, and Hazel); sister, Julia Simpson; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth "Lib" Gunter and her brother, Archie Niven, Jr.
A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 29, at Sullivan-King Mortuary Chapel conducted by Dr. James R. Thomason. Burial will follow at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at M.J. "Dolly" Cooper Veterans Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Wednesday prior to the service at the mortuary. Click here to view the memorial service video.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 307 South Manning Street, Anderson, SC 29624, Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 285, Anderson, SC 29622, or Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Sullivan-King Mortuary
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