ISABEL HOWARD GIST

Isabel Howard Gist, 99, widow of Nathaniel “Nat” Gist, died Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

She was a daughter of the late John Stewart Howard and Mary Cox Howard of Salemburg, North Carolina. Isabel grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, where she met and married her late husband, Nathaniel Gist. They were both graduates of Dreher High School.

Mrs. Gist went on to graduate from Women’s College in Greensboro, N.C., (UNCG) and later earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from the University of South Carolina. She received a number of counseling awards over the years, serving at Sumter High School as the head of the guidance department for 25 years and also serving on the Southern Regional College Board for 10 years. After her retirement, she continued to assist students with the college admissions process.

Mrs. Gist was a wonderful mother, a very proud grandmother and great-grandmother and a good friend and mentor to many of the members of First Presbyterian Church, where she was instrumental in the formation of the Stephen Ministry Program, for which she served as a Stephen Ministry leader for 10 years.

Surviving are a daughter, Ellen Gist Hill (Hugh) of Sumter; son Robert “Bob” Gist (Sharon) of Biloxi, Mississippi; two grandsons, David Hill of New York, New York, Brian Hill of Dallas, Texas; another granddaughter and grandson; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betsy Blackenridge (N.C.) and Jean Taylor (Illinois); and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Nathaniel “Nat” Gist; and two sisters, Mary Lois Harrison (Florida) and Jane Price (N.C.).

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Josey Holler officiating.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 4 p.m. Monday in the church fellowship hall.

Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 9 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, SC 29150, or Sumter United Ministries, 36 Artillery Dr., Sumter, SC 29150.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Sumter Grove for their loving care they extended to Mrs. Gist.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.