Natasha Mae Fester, a beloved mother, educator, artist, and community advocate, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2023, at the age of 58, surrounded by her family after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. Her departure leaves a void in the hearts of those who knew her, but her legacy of kindness, resilience, and unwavering dedication to uplifting others will forever resonate in the lives she touched.
Born on March 3, 1965, in the quiet town of Greenwood, South Carolina, Natasha was the youngest of four children to Margaret and Harold Fester. From an early age, she exhibited a curiosity and warmth that drew people to her. Her childhood was filled with explorations of the Appalachian foothills, where she developed a lifelong love for nature. Her parents, both schoolteachers, instilled in her the value of education and the power of empathy. “Learn as if you’ll live forever,” her father often told her, a mantra she carried into adulthood.
Natasha’s academic journey began at Greenwood High School, where she excelled in literature and art. Her oil paintings, often inspired by the rural landscapes of her hometown, earned her local acclaim and a scholarship to the University of South Carolina. There, she pursued a degree in English Education, graduating with honors in 1987. She later earned a Master’s in Curriculum Development, driven by her belief that education should nurture both the mind and the spirit.
A Teacher Who Transcended the Classroom
For over three decades, Natasha dedicated herself to shaping young minds as a high school English teacher in Columbia, South Carolina. Her classroom was a sanctuary for students—a place where Shakespeare’s sonnets and Maya Angelou’s poetry were not just analyzed but felt. She had an extraordinary gift for connecting with teenagers, particularly those who struggled to find their voice. Former students often recalled how she’d stay after school to mentor them, slipping books into their hands with notes that read, “This made me think of you.”
Her approach to teaching was revolutionary for its time. Long before “trauma-informed education” became a buzzword, Natasha recognized that many of her students carried burdens far heavier than their backpacks. She advocated for counseling resources, organized food drives for families in need, and once quietly paid a student’s utility bill to prevent their electricity from being shut off. “Education isn’t just about grades,” she often said. “It’s about showing up for each other, even when it’s hard.”
The Heart of a Creator
Outside the classroom, Natasha’s creativity knew no bounds. She was an accomplished painter, gardener, and writer. Her home, a cottage-style house on the outskirts of Columbia, was a testament to her artistic spirit. The walls were adorned with her vibrant landscapes; the garden bloomed with heirloom roses and sunflowers she tended to daily. She found solace in these pursuits, often describing art as her “meditation.”
In 2010, she self-published a collection of essays and poems titled Beneath the Carolina Sky, a reflection on grief, joy, and the quiet beauty of ordinary moments. The book, though never a bestseller, became a cherished artifact among friends and locals. One essay, “Dancing in the Rain,” detailed her experience overcoming breast cancer in her 40s, a battle that deepened her appreciation for life’s fragility. “We don’t get to choose the storms,” she wrote, “but we can choose to dance through them—muddy shoes and all.”
Community Pillar and Quiet Activist
Natasha’s compassion extended far beyond her personal and professional circles. She volunteered weekly at the Columbia Community Kitchen, where she’d prepare meals and share stories with those experiencing homelessness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she coordinated a neighborhood sewing group to make masks for healthcare workers and vulnerable residents. “If you have two hands,” she’d say, “you have the power to help.”
She was also a fierce advocate for environmental conservation. As a board member of the South Carolina Wildlife Federation, she spearheaded initiatives to protect local wetlands and educate children about sustainable living. Her annual “Nature Journaling” workshops for kids blended art and science, inspiring countless young environmentalists.
Family: Her Greatest Masterpiece
Above all, Natasha cherished her role as a mother and grandmother. She married her college sweetheart, Benjamin Clarke, in 1990, and together they raised three children: Eleanor, Samuel, and Grace. Though she and Benjamin amicably parted ways in 2012, they remained close friends and co-parents. Her children remember her as their “steady compass”—the one who kissed scraped knees, stayed up late helping with science projects, and celebrated their quirks. “Mom didn’t just love us,” her daughter Grace shared. “She delighted in us.”
In her final years, Natasha found immense joy in her grandchildren, Lily (5) and Jonah (3). She’d spend hours building blanket forts, reading picture books, and teaching them to paint. “Gigi,” as they called her, ensured her home was filled with laughter, cookies, and the occasional glitter explosion.
A Legacy of Light
Natasha’s battle with cancer was marked by the same grace and tenacity that defined her life. Even during treatments, she continued to write letters to friends, tend her garden, and host weekly “Tea Time” video calls for her grandchildren. Days before her passing, she quipped to her nurse, “I may be losing this fight, but I’m still winning at life.”
She is survived by her children Eleanor Clarke (spouse: Michael), Samuel Clarke (spouse: Ana), and Grace Clarke; her grandchildren Lily and Jonah; her siblings Robert Fester, Clara Fester-Davis, and Daniel Fester; and her former husband Benjamin Clarke. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harold and Margaret Fester.
A celebration of Natasha’s life will be held on October 21, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Greenwood Community Center. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Natasha Fester Memorial Fund, which will support arts education programs in rural South Carolina schools.
Final Thoughts
Natasha Mae Fester’s life was a tapestry woven with threads of love, service, and quiet courage. She understood that greatness isn’t measured in accolades but in the lives we uplift along the way. Though she has left this world, her spirit lives on in the students who found their voice, the friends who felt seen, and the family who will forever carry her light. As one of her favorite poets, Mary Oliver, once wrote: “To live in this world, you must be able to do three things: to love what is mortal; to hold it against your bones knowing your own life depends on it; and, when the time comes to let it go, to let it go.”
