LANCASTER, SC ~ Mrs. Julie Watts Ghent, age 67, passed away Saturday, January 23, 2021 at MUSC Health-Lancaster Medical Center.  She was born February 16, 1953 in Union County, NC, a daughter of Mary Watts Garrison and the late J.C. Watts and was the wife of Joe H. Ghent, Jr.  Julie was a graduate of the University of SC.  She started her professional career in the personnel department at Springs Memorial Hospital in 1971.  Her 'can do' attitude and her heart for helping others made this a match made only in heaven.  During her tenure at SMH, she worked across departments to assist employees in understanding and taking advantage of the benefits available to them through the company.  She was promoted to the Assistant Director and then Director of the Personnel Department, where she shepherded 680 employees through the initial purchase of Springs Memorial Hospital by Community Health Systems in 1994. For over 25 years, Julie worked behind the scenes to insure legal and ethical compliance in all areas under her purview.  As astute as she was with compliance and paperwork, Julie enjoyed working with 'her people', Springs Memorial Hospital employees the most.   She was blessed to come full circle to be cared for by numerous MUSC Lancaster employees that she hired 30+ years ago.

Having reached the pinnacle of her career in human resources, Julie left CHS and joined Mid-Carolina AHEC, Inc. in 1997, where she was the first training center faculty for the American Heart Association's Community Training Center.  Under her leadership, the center grew from 50 instructors to over 650!  She became a Basic Life Support Instructor, always in demand for her gifted teaching ability.  In 1998, Julie transitioned into the role of Health Professions Student Coordinator that allowed her the opportunity to work with university faculty, health professions students and preceptors across the continuum.  She coordinated interdisciplinary teams of students across disciplines and colleges/universities in and out of state.  Her ability to read people, situations and opportunities was a significant gift that she used to the fullest to support, encourage and elevate those around her.  While soft-spoken, her words carried tremendous weight, confidence and compassion.

Further expanding her role and opportunity to work with people, Julie became the student coordinator for VCOM's host site Springs Memorial Hospital in 2015.  Faculty, preceptors, and students depended on Julie's magic to make a rich clinical experience.

In 2016, Julie received the South Carolina AHEC Michel Porter Ambassador Award.  This award recognizes a member of the South Carolina AHEC System who has made a major contribution to the enhancement of the South Carolina AHEC. "She exemplifies the spirit of AHEC by always coming to the table with solutions and opportunities to expand and improve current HPS programming. In her positive attitude, helpfulness, empowerment and creativity, she supports the students, providers and institutions that partner with AHEC and has become a "go to" person for anything related to the HPS program at Mid-Carolina AHEC."

Julie loved her family and friends and enjoyed spending time with them, especially her grandboys.  She enjoyed reading, traveling, the beach, baking and shopping.  She was a very active member of New Cut Presbyterian Church.  She served as Elder, Sunday school teacher, past President of the Women of the Church, and especially enjoyed doing the children's sermons.

Julie is survived by her husband of 49 years, Joe Ghent; her mother, Mary Watts Garrison; a son, Justin Ghent and his wife, Stephanie; a daughter, Jennifer Ghent Ortiz; two grandboys, Wyatt and Cade Ghent; a sister, Patricia Lynn Morris; special friends, Julie Bowers and Cheri Plyler; and lots of loving nieces and nephews.

Julie was preceded in death by her father; J.C. Watts; a brother, Ronnie Watts; a nephew, William Tracy Morris and a very special lifelong friend, Virginia Sumner.

The Celebration of Life Graveside Service for Julie will be 11:00 am Tuesday, January 26, 2021 at New Cut Presbyterian Church officiated by Rev. Patrick Clark. The family will greet friends following the service.

For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to New Cut Presbyterian Church, 2617 New Cut Church Road, Lancaster, SC 29720 or The Hope Lodge, 269 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401.