Gretchen West Teal

Gretchen West Teal entered into her eternal rest on October 2, 2025, at the age of 92. Born on May 2, 1933, Gretchen was a woman of remarkable strength and quiet grace. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, her love and encouragement shaped generations. She endured profound loss with courage, and her faith remained the cornerstone of her life. Above all, her greatest joy was found in her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. 

She graduated from Midway High School and went on to attend Winthrop College. Gretchen married her high school sweetheart, Claude Hollis Teal, while he was stationed in the Air Force. Together they lived and traveled throughout the United States and overseas before eventually returning to their roots in Kershaw County, where their families remained. They shared a lifetime of love until his passing. 

Accomplished in many ways, Gretchen was the author of The World-Wide Bottle Book, written while she and Hollis were stationed in the Panama Canal Zone. After their years overseas, they lovingly restored an old home in Kershaw County and made it their own. Gretchen later opened a small antique shop, a reflection of her love for history, antiques, and “all things old.” She enjoyed both learning and sharing her knowledge. She had a gift for seeing beauty in what others overlooked and found deep satisfaction in restoring what had once been disregarded, transforming it into something cherished and new. 

Gretchen was an active member of Providence Baptist Church, where her faith and fellowship sustained her throughout her life. She was known for her warm smile and quiet grace, which made others feel welcome and at ease, a reflection of her kind and generous spirit. 

She is survived by her cherished children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, each of whom carries forward her legacy of love, faith, and perseverance.

 A service celebrating her life will be held at Providence Baptist Church in Kershaw, South Carolina, on Sunday, October 5, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at her home in Kershaw County on Saturday, October 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Providence Baptist Church, Kershaw, SC.