Mary Fox

An Obituary Ode to Mary Fox My mom is Mary Tom Caron Ewart Fox, and there is a story with each name. But if you elect not to read to the bottom, let me say this: Mom lived a wonderful, 99-year life and was only sick for 5 days. And, if there was ever a person who deserved such, it is my mom, Mary Fox. There is no question she passed through the Pearly Gates with not one second of reservation by Saint Peter. Now the story: ● Mary Tom Caron. Mom was born on February 10, 1925, in El Paso, Texas. She was the beloved daughter of Joe and Mary Caron, and the older sister of Ellen Adda Caron (ultimately Sutton). Joe was a horse Cavalryman stationed at Fort Bliss. In 1940, with war looming, the Caron Family moved to Columbia, SC to help staff up Fort Jackson. ● Mary Tom Caron Ewart. Shortly after the move, while attending University High, Mom met Jim Ewart. It’s love and then war, with Jim becoming one of the first wave of new pilots. While in flight training, Mary Caron and Jim Ewart married in Cape Gerado, Missouri. He departed for North Africa, and mom began her career in “show business” in the ticket booth of The State theater on Main Street in Columbia. She admitted to letting a few of her buddies sneak in, but she has been granted forgiveness. Dad came home draped with medals, and then her one and only – me – arrived soon thereafter. They had a whirlwind life in the US Air Force, with postings in Las Vegas, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Gulf Port, Erding Germany, Greenville, and finally Columbia. Unfortunately, Dad, like so many returning from combat, got hooked on the bottle. Try as they both did, alcohol won, and mom made the courageous decision to seek a better situation for herself and me. ● Mary Tom Caron Ewart Fox. The good Lord smiles on those who honor Him. Enter Big Sam Fox. They met, they fell in love, and they married in 1963. And what a wonderful life they lived. With Sam, Mom got a new family (Nancy (Kristin/Richard/Gwendolyn), Gwendolyn, and Janet Faye). And over the years, Susan and I contributed Lisa, Kristin/Jonathan, with Tucker/Talor, Mac and Susannah to follow. Mom and Big Sam had a life full of adventure, spending time in Edisto, cruising the coast, flying in helicopters, farm house in Orangeburg, Four Holes Baptist Church, then to Columbia, State Street Baptist Church, and the house on the river. But don’t forget the road building business. Sam was a successful road builder, and in addition to taking care of their home and spreading love to everyone she met, Mom elected to help with the accounting part of that business. Her boy (me) was equally blessed with Big Sam teaching him how to build roads. After Sam’s passing Mom moved to Brookdale in Irmo. To the end, she continued to bring joy to everyone who knew her. Thank you to everyone who loved Mary Tom Caron Ewart Fox. The good deeds of Mary Fox live on. We will miss her! The family will receive friends from 2:45 pm to 3:30 pm on Monday, September 30, 2024 in the Chapel of Temples-Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212. A graveside service will be held at 4:00 pm on Monday, September 30, 2024 at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, South Carolina, 29072.