Deidra W Tuten

Funeral Service for Deidra W. Tuten will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, September 19, 2020 at Lexington Presbyterian Church. Visitation will be held 1 hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. in Sandy Run Cemetery in Hampton, SC. Covid-19 related protocols will be followed, and guest are encouraged to wear masks. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lexington Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Deidra W. Tuten of Lexington died Wednesday, September 16, 2020, at the age of 65. Mrs. Tuten was born November 1, 1954, in Fairforest, South Carolina, to Harold and Alma (Rogers) Wilson.

She was a 1972 graduate of Dorman High School and attended North Greenville Junior College and the University of South Carolina, where she graduated in 1975 with degrees in both Management and Marketing. While at North Greenville she met Steve Tuten of Varnville, SC. They married in 1974 and happily shared their lives for nearly 46 years. They spent their early years in Dublin, GA, before moving to Irmo, SC, and then settling by the lake in Lexington.

She was fierce in her love and devotion to her husband, her sons and their families, and to the people and things she loved and believed in. Throughout her life she was a tireless champion on their behalf. Following early work in banking and jewelry sales, she worked for many years with Nestle Foods before spending nearly 20 years as a real estate agent and broker. A strong supporter of public education, she was PTA President for two years at Nursery Road Elementary School, before serving on the School Improvement Council at Irmo High School and chairing the Education Foundation for Lexington School District Five, where she raised money and support for enrichment programs throughout the district.

A person of deep faith, she was active with the church and a member of Fairforest Baptist, First Baptist Dublin (GA), Riverland Hills Baptist, and Lexington Baptist. Most recently she was a member of Lexington Presbyterian Church, where she enjoyed a loving and supportive community of believers and was thrilled to be actively involved with the Mentor Moms program and women’s Bible studies.

For nearly forty years she bravely battled four primary cancers and their eventual metastasis, viewing each one as a call to faith and as little more than a light and momentary trouble. Through it all she gladly shared her fight and told her stories, eagerly offering help and encouragement to anyone facing a fight of their own. She did all of it with honesty, hope, and joy. She never backed down, and she never gave up. Her courage was an inspiration to many, and she leaves us changed for good.

Surviving Mrs. Tuten are her husband, Steve; two sons: Wes Tuten and his wife Lysa of Charleston, and Chris Tuten and his wife Marcie of Atlanta, GA; and four adored and beloved granddaughters: Zoë Tuten of Charleston; and Marianne, Vera, and Alice Tuten of Atlanta. She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister, Freida Wilson Corbin, and also by her father-in-law, James W. Tuten of Varnville. Mrs. Tuten is also survived by her mother-in-law, Thelma Tuten of Varnville, and her brothers- and sisters-in-law: James F. “Buddy” & Diann Tuten of Varnville; Gail and Craig Via of Lawrenceville, GA; Doug and Angie Tuten of Walterboro; and Bobby Roszell of Dublin, GA; along with nieces and nephews Mackenzie Corbin Woodward of Lexington; Jessica Via Smith of Buford, GA; Ashlie Tuten Garrett of Lexington; Sarah Tuten Niedzwecki of Buda, TX; Alexa Tuten of Walterboro; and Joshua Tuten of Walterboro. She also leaves behind long-time friends Deborah Taylor, Connie Owens, and Karen Reece; beloved neighbors; and many friends.

Special thanks to Dr. Robert Madden, his staff, and the kind and compassionate staff at Lexington Medical Center.

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