Nell T. Van Hook

Nell Thigpen Van Hook, 98, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, and formerly of Florence SC. died peacefully surrounded by her family on Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Nell was born on Thursday, October 26, 1916 in Deatsville, Alabama, the daughter of the late Walter Watts Thigpen and the late Minnie Heaton Thigpen. She attended Columbia College. She was the Children's Librarian at the Florence County Public Library for 19 years. After retirement Nell lived at Kiawah Island SC for many years. She loved the ocean and had a wonderful collection of sea shells. 'Grandma Nell' was an avid reader throughout her life and an excellent cook. She loved her volunteer work with the March of Dimes and the American Red Cross, and she taught Sunday school for over twenty years. Nell was a member of John Welsey Methodist Church in Charleston. She is survived by her children, three sons; Robert Irving Van Hook, Jr. (Nancy), of Kingston, TN, Mark Van Hook (Dana), of Mount Pleasant, SC, Donald Rush Van Hook (Jill), of Desert Hot Springs, CA: one daughter, Gretchen Elizabeth Deaton (Terry), Nashville, TN; seven grandchildren, C. Mark Van Hook, Sydney Van Hook Hurst, Heather Deaton Arthur, Melissa Deaton Corrigan, Dana Deaton Verner, Tyler Van Hook, and Alexander Van Hook; fourteen great grandchildren, Zoe and Christopher Van Hook, Cade, Ty and Layne Hurst, D.R., Lindy and Lillie Arthur, Emma and Noah Corrigan, Hank, Bo, Charlie and Ella Rose Verner. She was predeceased by her parents and her loving husband of 39 years, Robert Irving Van Hook Sr. of Florence, SC. The family would like to thank the caregivers and staff at The Palms of Mt. Pleasant and Beacon Hospice for the tender loving care they gave Nell. A Memorial Service will be held at The Palms of Mt. Pleasant on Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 2:00 PM with Chaplain Blair Gibson officiating. The family will receive friends at The Palms from 1:30 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers Memorial donations may be made in her honor to John Wesley United Methodist Church, 626 Savannah Hwy., Charleston, SC 29407. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.McAlister-Smith.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to McALISTER-SMITH FUNERAL HOME, MT PLEASANT CHAPEL, 1520 RIFLE RANGE ROAD, MT PLEASANT, SC (843) 884-3833.