VAN LINGLE HOBBS SR.
Van Lingle Hobbs Sr. died on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at Covenant Place of Sumter, after a brief illness.
Van was 84 years old and lived each day to the fullest. Born at home in Lynchburg, he was a son of the late William Henry and Eunice Stokes Hobbs.
Surviving are his loving and devoted wife of 62 years, Patricia Anderson Hobbs; daughters, Beverly Gulledge (Richard) of Wedgefield and Teresa Clement (Danny) of Florence; son, Van “Vandy” L. Hobbs Jr. (Lisa) of Columbia; granddaughter, Leslie Day Caughman (Bryan); grandsons, Whit Gulledge (Meg), Joseph Clement (Alisha), Jacob Clement (Amanda), Van L. Hobbs III and Cole Hobbs; great-grandchildren, Summer, Winnie, Lyla, Ella, Leona, Jayne and Harvey; 23 nieces and nephews; and sister-in-law, Martha Ann Anderson Blackwell (Bryan).
Van made a profession of his faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord during his youth at Sardis Baptist Church, Sardis, and was baptized in Lynches River. He was proud to announce that he was from “Shiloh,” graduating from Sherwood High School. He attended Spartanburg Junior College on a baseball scholarship. Van provided service to the U.S. Army in occupied Germany as a clerical typist to the general, receiving an honorable discharge in 1958. He began his vocational career in 1959 at the Pure Oil Gasoline Station on South Main Street and, for 37 years, he owned and operated the Gulf and BP full service station at the corner of Liberty Street and Guignard Drive. He claimed several mottos but “Service with a Smile” best depicted him. He was awarded Sumter Jaycees Boss of the Year Award in 1980. He was a member of Alice Drive Baptist Church for more than 60 years, where he was active in fellowship, stewardship and served as a deacon. Van was an avid fisherman, skilled in catching, cooking and serving a fish fry. He was a committed sportsman, hosting little league baseball teams and supporting the USC Gamecocks, winning or losing. He was a Gamecock Club member for 52 years. Van received the Sumter Chapter Gamecock Club Fan of the Year in 1986. Upon retirement in 1997, he continued his passion for life by working with his hands, being generous and helping others.
Van was preceded in death by all of his siblings and their spouses, John, Oswald, Leslie, Moyd, WH, Gene, Nash, Iris Collier, Margaret Tew and Baby Girl Hobbs; nephews, Brooks and Tuck Hobbs; and niece, Amy Hobbs.
Pallbearers will be his five grandsons and Bryan Caughman.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of BC Long Life Group.
The family will be forever grateful for the caring attentiveness to Van by Drs. Strat Stavrou, Phillip Brandt and Jonathan Ashley, the staff of Morning Side, Covenant Place and Caris Hospice of Sumter.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Alice Drive Baptist Church with the Rev. Clay Smith officiating. Interment will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at Alice Drive Baptist Church and other times at the home of Beverly and Richard.
Memorials may be made to Alice Drive Baptist Church, Open Door Mission, 1305 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29150.
You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.