Lillian Ashe McLean

Lillian Ashe Guyton McLean, 96, of Winston-Salem, NC, formerly of Charleston, SC, and widow of Clyde Thomas McLean, entered into eternal rest Wednesday, June 19th, 2019. Her Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 29th, in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway at 11:00 AM. At 10:00 AM the family will receive friends until the time of service. Burial services will be held in Ravenel United Methodist Church Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Memorials may be made to the Ravenel United Methodist Church CEMETERY FUND, in memory of Lillian McLean. Please send to c/o Mike and Renae Sistare, 5736 Gadson Street, Ravenel, SC 29470.

Lillian McLean was born in Monks Corner, SC, on October 11, 1922. She was the daughter of the late Sidney DeMartin Guyton, who was an automobile dealer and retired a self-employed merchant. He was active in the early development of Monks Corner. Her mother was Eva Pauline McCants Guyton, also formerly of Berkeley County, who was a kind Christian who would often feed traveling homeless people during the depression.

Lillian was the last surviving member of her family and the youngest of 7 siblings, listed: Juanita Edna (Guyton) Vickery, Sidney DeMartin Guyton, Jr, Evans Nathan Guyton, Arthur Fitzgerald Guyton, and 2 younger sisters who died while small children. Lillian was a graduate of the former Murry Vocational School (later changed to Rice Business College) in Charleston, SC. She would take classes during the day and work her father's ice cream parlor in downtown Charleston at night and weekends. She retired as a bookkeeper with the Woolworth Five and Dime Company, with over 30 years of service. It was there in the 1940's where she would work and meet her lifelong friend Doris Mae (Holmes) Anderson. It was also her best friend Doris who would later introduce her on a blind date to her future husband, Clyde. Mrs. Anderson's husband, William Anderson, grew up with Clyde McLean in Ravenel, SC. Lillian also enjoyed gardening and tending to her native shrubs azaleas. She enjoyed cooking many a Charleston rice dish and sitting down with family and friends to talk and visit. She loved to travel whenever she could. She even had traveled to Hawaii before it was a state. She also enjoyed exploring the city of Charleston, where she grew up, and all the parks and plantations with all the azaleas in bloom. She also dabbled in writing her thoughts she could express freely on paper, but being shy, kept mostly to herself. Such an expression is enclosed at the very end.

She is survived by her two children: Thomas Peter McLean (Debbie Collins) of Summerville, SC and Diane Lynn McLean (Roy Biggers) of Winston-Salem, NC. She has five wonderful grandchildren: Rhea Collins, Joshua Smith, Thomas Peter McLean, Jr., (Christy), Kristy McLean McMillian, Roy Edward Biggers, Sr. (Christy), 12 great-grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

This excerpt was composed by Lillian over 30 years ago, and to best of the family recollection, was written shortly after the Fall of 1988, when she had her massive heart attack. The family wished for everyone to share in her simple joy and wonder of life, and the wonderful way she had in expressing it.

"My Final Hour

If I had 60 minutes left to live, I would spend it on a beach on the coast of South Carolina. I would take off my shoes and walk close to the ocean just before sunset. It is quiet and beautiful then. How great it is to feel the soft wet sand squish between your toes as you walk, and to pick up sea shells on the way.
I love to hear the hollow clap of a wave as it breaks on the shore, and the swishing sound as it rushes back to the water, making foam and bubbles as it recedes.
It is fun to watch the fiddler crabs as they scurry from hole to hole while looking for food. The squawking sea gulls are overhead dipping and swaying in the wind, free and happy in their competitive way. How great it feels when the wind blows a cool salty sea mist in your face as you walk down the beach.

In the last moments of my hour, just before the day ends, I would walk into that beautiful glow of a sunset and meet my God."

Lillian Ashe Guyton McLean