Hospice of Rutherford County doing business as Hospice of the Carolina Foothills conducted the first of what will become an annual memorial service remembering hospice patients served by the organization in the last year in its South Carolina division.

There were 203 patients served by the organization in Cherokee, Greenville and Spartanburg counties from April 1, 2016 through March 31.

Patients were memorialized and their caregivers honored during the service conducted by staff and volunteers at Inman First Baptist Church May 23 at 6 p.m. Approximately 100 family members and friends attended the service. Reverend Rick Ables delivered the message of hope. The patients names were read and pictures of them were displayed in a moving presentation.

Hospice will conduct its annual memorial service for Polk County patients June 15 at 6 p.m. at First Baptist Church Tryon located at 125 Pacolet Street, Tryon. Everyone in the community is invited to attend. Patients served in the last year in Polk County will be remembered at this service. The organization also conducts two memorial services, one in the spring and one in the fall at the Carolina Event and Conference Center in Forest City, to remember hospice patients served in Rutherford and McDowell Counties.

For more information about hospice and palliative care services or grief counseling, call 864-457-9100 or 800-218-2273.

– article submitted by Heidi Owen