Our colleague and dear friend, Ms. Margaret Douglas, director of constituent services, passed on Feb. 22 following an extended illness.

Margaret was part of the DHEC family for 47 years and will truly be missed. Those who knew her well, knew what a gentle and caring soul she was, always offering a kind word and adding light and love to the agency over the years.

Margaret began her DHEC career in 1970 working in Health Services. During her time with the agency she served in various roles, including staff assistant, secretary, stenographer, administrative specialist, and administrative coordinator.

In her most recent role as director of constituent services, she responded directly to the questions and concerns of hundreds of South Carolinians each week. In spite of health challenges, Margaret remained committed to her work, her team, the agency, and to the people of South Carolina.

Over the past weeks, many current and former DHEC staffers visited Margaret and her family in a beautiful display of love and support-proving that the bonds formed through daily work often knit us together in deep and abiding friendship.

Margaret was an extraordinary person and this is truly a great loss to our DHEC family and to our community as a whole. She will be profoundly missed.

Services were held Monday, Feb. 26 at First Calvary Baptist Church in Leesville. Please keep her family in your thoughts.