Veneta Simpson Renner of West Columbia, S.C., formerly of Mexico, Missouri, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Jan. 23, 2024, at the age of 95. She was born March 9, 1928, in Martinsburg, to James R. Simpson and Georgia May Simpson.
Veneta grew up on a farm in Martinsburg. She moved to Mexico, where she was employed by AP Green Refractories and met her husband, Willard (Bill) Raymond Renner, Jr. They were married on October 17, 1953, and resided in Mexico, Mo. There they had two children, Cynthia (Cindy) Renner (Lail) and Willard (Ray) Raymond Renner III. In 1959, they moved to Macon, Ga. where they stayed until moving to West Columbia in 1966. Other than some years toward the end of Bill’s career spent in Pennsylvania and Michigan, the remainder of her life was spent in West Columbia, S.C.
Veneta was very active in her church, Providence Presbyterian, where she was a member since 1966. She volunteered at the office, where for many years she put together the bulletin on a typewriter and produced it on a mimeograph. Veneta was very active in Presbyterian Women’s Circle #1 and was the chair for many years. She received a Presbyterian Women’s Honorary Life Membership in 1993.
Veneta loved to help friends and others in need and volunteered for God’s Helping Hands. Veneta’s greatest joy came as a dedicated wife and mom who kept her household running. She loved and took care of her husband and children, making delicious homemade meals and sewing many of her children’s clothes. Much of her time was spent taking her children to and from many activities and appointments. Veneta was also an avid gardener and spent much of her spare time working in her outdoor gardens and with her indoor plants.
Veneta was a long-time garage sale guru, and she loved taking her grandchildren on the garage sale experience. Together, they found many treasures. She loved her grandchildren and created many special memories with them.
Veneta was preceded in death by her parents; her husband of 62 years, Bill; and her siblings, Polly Waller, Elizabeth Frazee, Lucy Hinton, Jim Simpson, and Rollie Simpson. Veneta is survived by a brother, Joe Simpson (Marty); daughter, Cindy Lail; son, Ray Renner (Sandy); granddaughters, Lauren Finnegan (Michael) and Jessi Libicer (Cole); grandson, Jordan Renner; and great-grandchildren, Naomi Finnegan, Olivia Finnegan, Paul Michael Finnegan, Greysen Renner, and Landon Renner.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 3, 2024, at Providence Presbyterian Church in West Columbia. Burial to follow in Woodridge Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials/checks may be made out to Providence Presbyterian Church with a memo dedicated to the Mary Lou Sease Music Fund. PPC mailing address is 1112 Hummingbird Dr., West Columbia, SC 29169.
