Priscilla Wydette Ackerman
Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home
Mrs. Priscilla Wydette Ackerman, wife of Tommy J. Ackerman, died Thursday, November 19, 2020 under the care of Agape Hospice at the Summerville Community Hospice House in Summerville, with her family by her side She was 75.
Mrs. Ackerman was born November 11, 1945 in Cottageville, a daughter of the late Howell Lucas Martin and Gladys Marjorie Strickland Martin. She married her husband Tommy on March 6, 1962 and they began their life together in Cottageville, before moving to Lodge, where they ran the Firetower for the South Carolina Forestry Commission. It was there that they started their family. After spending time as a homemaker and housewife, Wydette made the decision to return to school, and obtained both her B.A. and M.A. Degrees from the University of South Carolina.
Mrs. Ackerman began her professional career as an educator in the public schools of Colleton County. She taught at Cottageville, Black Street, and Forest Hills Elementary Schools. After retirement, she became heavily involved in the formation…and eventual accreditation of North Walterboro Christian Academy. She recently retired as the Headmaster of the school after sixteen years of service. She was blessed years ago to be the only female attendee of the Washington conference…with U.S. Senator Tim Scott…to bring prayer back into the schools.
Mrs. Ackerman was a true Christian woman. She and her husband were charter members of North Walterboro Baptist Church…which began as the North Walterboro Baptist Mission. She was active in all aspects of church life, and was admired as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother who will truly be missed.
In addition to her husband of fifty-eight years, she is survived by her children: Angela Baker of Walterboro, Tommy J. Ackerman Jr. (Lorna) of Walterboro, Harvey Lucas “Luke” Ackerman (Sheila) of Round O, and Nicholas L. Ackerman (Crystal) of Ehrhardt. She has two brothers, Johnny Martin of Walterboro and Howell Martin of Virginia, and two sisters, Melissa Ann Bridge of Walterboro, and Beth Shaw of Summerville. There are nine grandchildren: Tyler, Lindsay, Andrew, Lucas, Justin, Antonio, Katelynn, Riley and Bailey, as well as a host of great- grandchildren. Mrs. Ackerman was preceded in death by a daughter, Stephanie Lynn Ackerman, by a grandson, Stephen Ackerman, by a brother, Andrew B. Martin, and by a sister, Myrna Mixson.
Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon, November 22, 2020 at 2:00 in the North Walterboro Baptist Church, with burial following in the Ackerman Cemetery at Red Oak. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 in the church sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the North Walterboro Christian Academy, 2177 Jefferies Boulevard, Walterboro, SC 29488. Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.
