Wylma Anne Wates passed away September 5, 2015 at the age of 87. Miss Wates was born January 4, 1928 at Olanta, SC to James Tillar Wates and Jenny Salters Wates. She received a B.A. from Coker College in 1948. After teaching school for two years, she went on to earn an M.A. degree in history from Emory University in 1951. She spent most of her career as a historical specialist with the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. She also served as an adjunct professor of history at Clemson University. In 1995, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities by Clemson University.

Wylma’s career as a historical specialist with the Department of Archives and History spanned 38 years. As a senior archivist, she was an invaluable resource to scholars, students, and individuals doing research or publication on South Carolina history. Her great friend, historian Dr. Carol Bleser, said of Wylma: “Virtually every scholar who has written on the history of the South, whether they were young graduate students or senior scholars have consulted Wylma Wates, and she has guided them to the rich documentary resources in the South Carolina Archives.” Miss Wates is the author of A Flag Worthy of Your State and People: The History of the South Carolina State Flag, as well as a number of scholarly articles. Hundreds of authors have acknowledged her assistance in their works, a testimony to the fact that she served as a rich resource on South Carolina history.

She is preceded in death by her parents and by her sister, Emma Wates Lesto. She is survived by two nieces, Jane Lesto Die (Mark) of Chesapeake,VA and Nancy Lesto Jenkins (Joey) of Charleston, SC, a nephew, James Edward Lesto of Charleston, SC, two grandnephews, two grandnieces, and a host of beloved cousins.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, September11, 2015 at 2 PM at Union Presbyterian Church, Salters, SC .