Kathleen "Kathy" Praete Hargett

AIKEN – Mrs. Kathleen (Kathy) Praete Hargett, 72, passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at her home following an extended illness.

     Kathy was born in Atlanta, GA on July 9, 1949, to the late Guy and Eva Elder.  She grew up in Columbia, SC and graduated from AC Flora High School.  She graduated from USC-Aiken with a degree in psychology.  She married Richard Alex Praete in 1969 and established homes in Ohio, Texas, West Virginia, and South Carolina.  The majority of her time she lived in Aiken, SC.  Together, they helped start a new Episcopal church in Aiken County known as St. Augustine of Canterbury.  She volunteered for many years as a youth leader for the EYC at St. Thaddeus Church.  She also volunteered at Camp Gravatt in Aiken, SC during their summer camps.  She co-chaired the very first Strawberry Festival at St. Thaddeus.  She was a member of the Daughters of the King.  She was an honorary member of the Student Club.  After Rick’s sudden passing in 1995, Kathy worked at the Department of Social Services and was the liaison with the public schools working with disadvantaged youth.  In 2002, Kathy married Archie James Hargett.  She started a grief support group at St. John’s United Methodist Church in Aiken that has grown and today is ecumenical serving the Aiken Community.  Kathy always had a smile for everyone and never met a stranger.  She was on oxygen for almost 9 years and started a wardrobe line for her “Foxy Oxy Roxy” oxygen tanks.

     Kathy is survived by her husband of almost 20 years, Archie; a son Hampton (Shannon) Praete, Mount Pleasant, SC; a daughter Cheryl (Stephen) Anaclerio, Aiken, SC;  Jeff (Anita) Hargett, Greenville, SC;  Steve (Diane) Hargett, Simpsonville, SC;  Amy (Stephen) Scott, Columbia, SC;  two brothers:  Bill (Lillian) Elder, Columbia, SC;  Hank (Susan) Elder, Aiken, SC;  13 grandchildren:  Lilly Praete, Charlotte Praete, Richard Anaclerio, Ryan Anaclerio, Kathryn Ann Scott, Matthew Scott, Brady Scott, Andrew (Beth) Hargett, Zachary (Erin) Hargett, Benjamin (Sarah) Hargett, Brianna Hargett, Chandler Hargett, Taylor Hargett;

     The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 23^rd from 5 until 7 o’clock at Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home. 

     The funeral service will be Thursday morning, February 24^th at 11 o’clock at St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church with The Reverend Grant Wiseman and Reverend Butch Blackwell officiating.  Interment will be Thursday afternoon at 2:30 in St. Michael and All Angels’ Churchyard in Columbia, SC.  The Pallbearers will be her 7 grandsons.

     The family wishes to express their thanks and appreciation to Regency Hospice, especially Amy Inman and Mildred Watkins and Daybreak Adult Care Services for the loving care given to our beloved Kathy. 

     Memorials may be directed to St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church (125 Pendleton Street SW, Aiken SC 29801) or to the SPCA Albrecht Center for Animal Welfare (199 Willow Run Road, Aiken, SC 29801).

SHELLHOUSE – RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC