"Chaty" Hayes O’Neal Endowed Scholarship Established  

Annie Chaworth "Chaty" Hayes in 1946

Hartsville, S.C. — Thomas A. O’Neal of Blenheim recently established a scholarship at Coker College in memory of his wife, Annie Chaworth “Chaty” Hayes O’Neal, who passed away in 2007. Chaty graduated from Coker College in 1946 with a degree in history.

The Chaty Hayes O’Neal Endowed Scholarship is to be awarded to a full-time rising junior history major with a minimum grade point average of 3.0.

Chaty proudly carried the legacy of her mother, four of her mother’s sisters, and several cousins who were Coker alumna. Throughout her lifetime, her strong upbringing and her education at Coker College created a firm foundation for her life and service to the community.

After graduating from Coker, Chaty taught fifth grade in Lake City before marrying Thomas in 1948. They raised a family and she taught South Carolina history and social studies in Latta public schools.

Her love of history remained with her for her lifetime. She was a regent and a 53-year member of the Pee Dee Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and a member of the 20th Century Literary Club of Bennettsville and the Marlboro County Historical Society. She was instrumental in securing two National Historical Registry markers — at the present Brownsville Baptist Church and at Muddy Creek. She was an avid participant in travels to historic sites and shared her fascination with and knowledge of history with her family, friends and students.

Chaty was a faithful member of Brownsville Baptist Church, where for many years she served as a teacher, pianist, and choir director.  Her love of music was inspired, developed, and polished at Coker where she studied voice and was in the choir. She was a member of the Bennettsville Music Club and served on the Marlboro County Arts Commission.

Family members say that Chaty’s beauty, intelligence, and creativity were strong attributes, but her tenacity, determination, and ability to carry a project to fruition made her that rare person who could be relied upon to accomplish any task that she agreed to undertake. 

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December 17, 2008