A. The Unexpected Path to a Coroner’s Office
B. Death and the Coroner:

The office was filled with a chaotic mix of bodies, medical records, and paperwork. The scene was a far cry from the calm, organized environment she had envisioned for her career. This initial experience, coupled with her own personal experiences with loss, shaped her perspective on death and the role of the coroner. Dr. Marshall’s journey to becoming a coroner was not a straight path.

The renovation was a collaborative effort between the city, county, and non-profit organizations. The project aimed to transform the old detention center into a community center, a place where people could come together and build relationships. The renovation of the old detention center’s kitchen was a significant step in this transformation.

The coroner’s office is facing a critical shortage of space, according to Marshall. The coroner’s office is responsible for investigating deaths and determining the cause of death.

This goal has been a long-time dream for her, and she has been working towards it for years. She has been advocating for this change for years, and she has been working tirelessly to make it a reality. The Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office has been operating out of a rented space for years.

The coroner’s office most recently shared a building with Orangeburg County Emergency Services and Orangeburg County Emergency Medical Services on Ellis Avenue. The former coroner’s office will now be used as office space for the county’s 911 Emergency Communications Center. Orangeburg County Emergency Services Director Billy Staley called the new coroner’s office a blessing. “This is a great asset not only to the county but to the region,” he said. Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said, “This is long overdue. For Orangeburg County, this is something that is going to benefit all of us.” Former Orangeburg Department of Public Safety Chief Wendell Davis reflected on coming to Orangeburg in 1993 when the coroner’s office was a single office. He said the new facility looks like the Taj Mahal compared to that.

“All this certainly is a tribute to her dedication and persistence,” he said. Fogle, who was not in attendance at the ribbon-cutting, said via email that the new space is a first for the county’s coroner’s office. “For the first time ever, the Orangeburg County Coroner’s Office will have their own facility independent of other departments or agencies,” Fogle said. “As well, this will be the first time actual morgue space will be available independent of the coroner’s office using the hospital morgue for decades.” Fogle said he began working on the project with county administration on back in 2021. Planning and configuration began in 2022 and work began in 2023.

“We were very excited about this project,” Fogle continued. “We were confident that it would be successful, and we were working hard to make it happen.

Georgianna’s Kitchen food truck was on hand and attendees were also treated to red velvet cupcakes.