Cynthia Irick Temples

Cynthia Irick Temples, age 79, daughter of Ophelia and Nathaniel Irick, died peacefully on February 13, 2025 after a short illness.

She graduated from Elloree High School in 1963 and continued her education at the University of South Carolina, where she graduated in 1966. She met her future husband, John C. Temples, while completing her student teaching at Columbia High School, where he was teaching and coaching.

Cynthia tells the story that the first time he saw her, he thought she was a student and told her she needed to return to class. After completing her student teaching in 1967, she married John the same week. They were married for 33 years until his passing in October of 2000. Cynthia was a lifelong educator, spending her entire career in Lexington School District 5. She retired in the 2002 school year. In retirement, she enjoyed traveling, including cross-country bus trips, a mission trip to Moldova, visits to Australia/New Zealand, and several cruises. In addition to traveling, she spent as much time as possible with her four grandsons, rarely missing any of their events.

Cynthia is survived by her daughter, Heather Wessinger (Jason); her son, Jamison Temples (Kristi); her sister, Sara Robinson; her four grandchildren, Cole Temples, Wyatt Temples, John Lewis Wessinger, Cooper Wessinger and several nieces and nephews. Cynthia was predeceased by her husband, John C. Temples.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 16, 2025, at Temples-Halloran Funeral Home. A live stream of the service will begin at 1:50 p.m. A gathering of friends and family will immediately follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.