Julia Mae Higgins Pringle

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant…” – Matthew 25:23

Julia Mae Pringle, beloved mother, grandmother, big sister, friend, and faithful servant of God, entered eternal rest on June 5th, 2025, in her Hopkins, S.C. home. She was born on January 28, 1941, in Eastover, S.C. to the late Ulysses and Evelyn Higgins Lee.

 Julia received her early education in the Richland County public school system and graduated from Webber High School in 1959. After high school, she moved to New York to pursue higher education at Huntspoint College, where she studied pediatric nursing. Upon returning to Columbia, she continued to expand her skills and education, graduating from Waverly Beauty School and attending Midlands Technical College, where she took supervisor courses.

 Julia dedicated 42 years of service to Old Columbia Hospital—later Richland Memorial, now Prisma Health Richland—retiring as an Environmental Supervisor. She proudly owned and operated her own janitorial business, V.P. Cleaning Service, and continued to care for others as a devoted caregiver to elderly patients in her community.

 Throughout her life, Julia’s faith remained strong and steadfast. Her spiritual anchor was Psalm 23 and The Lord’s Prayer, which she carried in her heart through life’s many seasons. At the age of 9, she joined Mt. Olive Baptist Church (currently New Mt. Olive Baptist Church) where her walk with Christ began. She became a member of the Usher Board at the age of 19 and went on to serve as its Treasurer.

 Julia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph Pringle Jr.; her parents, Ulysses and Evelyn Higgins Lee; her granddaughter, Little Miss Omega Pringle; her sisters, Annie Lee and Edith McKay; and her cousin-sister, Johnnie Mae McBeth.

 She leaves to cherish her memory: her devoted daughter, Cynthia Ann Murphy; her bonus son, James McLemore; three grandchildren: LeTerria (Jason) English, Candice (Kevin) Roberts, and Cicero Murphy III; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; four sisters: Barbara Bowdry, Eva Joe, Lula Lee, and Evelyn Lee; two brothers: James (Verna) Lee and Ulysses Lee Jr., three in-laws; Dora Smith, Fredia Dorsey, Robert Pringle, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and friends.

Julia Mae Pringle’s life was a legacy of love, strength, service, and faith. Her presence was a blessing, her words a comfort, and her heart a refuge to many. She lived gracefully and gave generously—always trusting in God’s plan. Though she is now at rest, her legacy will continue in every life she touched.

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