Lois Eargle, ‘an Horry institution,’ passes away
Lois Eargle, the first woman from Horry County to run for and win a seat in the state legislature, and the most recent former county auditor, has died, according to a colleague.
Former U.S. Congressman John Napier told The Sun News that Eargle died earlier Sunday from a stroke, and that her family had confirmed her passing.
In a post on Facebook, Eargle’s son, Steve Eargle, confirmed his mother’s passing and called her “a mighty force in the Lord’s army.”
“I will miss you mama but I know you are so happy to be in the presence of Jesus!” he wrote. “And her service to the people of Horry County and South Carolina as a whole will leave a void that will be hard to fill. Until we meet again, I love you mama! And anyone reading this, mama wants you to know, ‘Jesus is your best friend!’”
In a statement, Napier said Eargle was, “an Horry institution.”
“I am saddened by the passing of my longtime friend who rendered a lifetime of distinguished service as legislator, transportation commissioner and auditor. She was devoted to her community, to her Church and to her family, and a legend in politics.”
Eargle was first elected to the South Carolina state legislature in 1976 and served two terms. She later served on former President Ronald Reagan’s “President’s Commission on Mental Retardation” through the end of his second term. She became Horry County’s auditor in 1993. She chose not to run for re-election in 2020 and ultimately left office in June of this year and was replaced by Beth Calhoun.
According to a biography of Eargle published on Coastal Carolina University’s website, Eargle also served as the first leader of the Citizen’s Congress, a body appointed by the South Carolina governor to recommend reform of the state’s judicial system.
Eargle, according to the university’s biography, also served on a number of charity boards like the March of Dimes and the Horry County Shelter Home. Eargle also served on the board of visitors of Clemson University and on the board of the Medical University of South Carolina.
CCU gave Eargle an honorary doctoral degree in public service at its December 2006 commencement ceremony.
This story was originally published November 14, 2021 at 8:25 PM.
