Faye Marlow, 88, co-owner of iconic Pawleys store
February 14, 2019
Faye Jewell Rials Marlow of Pawleys Island, who ran a general store with her husband for nearly 40 years, died Tuesday at Waccamaw Community Hospital. She was 88.
She was born April 20, 1930, in Columbia, the daughter of Walter Talmadge Rials and Janie Mae Hood Rials. She was a graduate of Columbia High School. She married Frank Marlow in 1949 and moved to Pawleys Island. Together they ran Marlow’s Store on Highway 17. It was started by Mr. Marlow’s father in 1943. He took over after his father’s death in 1947.
The store sold groceries and just about everything else islanders needed, from kerosene lamps to crab pots. It was known for its Pawleys Island caviar and its country hams.
The couple lived on the north end of Pawleys Island. On Oct. 15, 1954, they spent the night at the store, sleeping behind the meat counter while Hurricane Hazel battered the island. In an interview on the 50th anniversary of the storm, Mrs. Marlow recalled going out during the eye of the storm and seeing the house rising and falling with the storm surge. It was later spotted floating in Pawleys Creek. It was towed back to their lot and the roof, which had blown off, was replaced.
The couple retired in 1988. Their house was pushed into the street by Hurricane Hugo in 1989. “We realized we couldn’t keep doing that,” Mrs. Marlow said. They moved to Pawleys Retreat.
Marlow’s Store became Frank’s restaurant. Mr. Marlow died in 2001.
Mrs. Marlow served as a president of the Eastern Star and was a communicant of All Saints Church, Waccamaw, serving on the vestry, in the choir and on the archives committee. She also attended Christ the King Waccamaw Episcopal Church. Mrs. Marlow loved traveling, chatting with people and enjoyed going out to dinner, especially at Frank’s.
She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Gail Marlow-Inman and her son in law, Marvin Duane Inman of Rome, Ga., many nieces including Patsy Burns Kornharens of Summerville, Bobbie Burns Hawkins of Columbia and Kristi Kornharens of Fort Mill; and a nephew, Daniel Rials of Columbia.
Memorial services will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at the graveside in All Saints Churchyard, conducted by the Rev. Tim Surratt. There is a guest book at mayerfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Martha’s House, P.O. Box 434, Georgetown SC 29442; Miss Ruby’s Kids, P.O. Box 1007, Georgetown, SC 29442; All 4 Paws, 708 Petigru Dr., Pawleys Island, SC 29585; or Teach My People, P.O. Box 2848 Pawleys Island, SC 29585.
