EUGENE CANTY SR.

Posted

Eugene Canty Sr. was born on May 10, 1939, the seventh of 11 children to the late William McKinley and Carrie Lucinda Willis Canty. He finished that journey and transitioned to life everlasting on Saturday, July 27, 2019.

He was educated in the Sumter County public school system and later enrolled in Morris College. During the year of 1959, at the ripe age of 20, Eugene enlisted in the United States Army. His first assignment was Frankfurt, Germany. Upon returning to the United States, his next assignment was Fort Lewis, Washington. In the early 1960s, he gave his life to the Lord and joined New Jerusalem COGIC. During his membership at New Jerusalem Church of God in Christ, Eugene acknowledged his calling to the ministry. Under the tutelage of the late Bishop T.L. Westbrook of the state of Washington, he became grounded in the biblical word and the truth. After remaining in the state of Washington for many years, Eugene was led by the spirit of God to move back to the state of South Carolina to establish a church in his hometown of Sumter. Under the leadership of Bishop Wilson, jurisdictional prelate of South Carolina COGIC, Eugene began his ministry. Under the leadership of Bishop Wilson in 1970, Eugene was assigned to Manning Temple COGIC as pastor. He remained there for several years, before moving his ministry to Sumter. It was in Sumter that he founded Canty Memorial. There is no doubt that Eugene had the anointing of God on his life. His ministry spread throughout the state of South Carolina. He was a trailblazer. Numerous ministries were born and multiple churches established within the South Carolina jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ. Superintendent Eugene Canty served in numerous capacities in the Church of God in Christ: pastor; choir director; district superintendent; chairman of the pastors and elders council; and dean of education.

Within his local community of Sumter, Eugene served as a board member for the Sumter School District. He stood for justice and wanted the best for administrators, educators and children.

We celebrate the outstanding life of Superintendent Eugene Canty for his godliness, wisdom and eternal legacy that he leaves with everyone that he loved and served.

Superintendent Eugene Canty leaves to cherish his memories: his wife of 58 years, Annie R. Canty of Sumter; five sons, Jewel Baker of Sumter, Walter (Stephanie) Commandest of Seattle, Washington, Eugene (Hope) Canty of Sumter, Legrand Canty of Sumter and Eric (Ericka) Canty of Sumter; six daughters, Phyllis Young (Larry) of Tacoma, Washington, Debra Commandest of Columbia, Delores (Calvin) Peterson, Lula Canty of Anchorage, Alaska, Tammy Canty of Sumter and Princess (Pierre Sh rif) Dorilma of Sumter; five sisters, Lillie Mae Brown, Queen Esther Rembert, Mary D. Johnson and Lindwood White, all of Sumter, and Carrie Johnson of Florence, New Jersey; two brothers, Joseph (Shirley) Canty of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Jake (Carrie) Canty of Rembert; 46 grandchildren, Latonya, Dwayne, Wynona, Carlos, Tawana, Asia, Larriett, Larry, Lavaetra, Shameka, Michael, Coco, Sharon, Shaun, Jeremi s, Calvin, Connie, Candice, Timothy, Mandy, Emmanuel, Rachel, Natasha, Cynthia, Savannah, Jewel, Antwon, Spencer, Kareem, Alexander, Carrington, Matthew, Carlton, Olivia, Nikita, Adelola, Anndejia, Dorian, Dariel, Maliah, Erin, Eriel, Simeon, Reginald, Zipporah and Anna; 49 great-grandchildren; 15 great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, spiritual family members and friends.

In addition to his parents, Superintendent Canty was preceded in death by two sons, Elmer Earl "Sam" Baker and Keith Edward Canty; one daughter, Lynwood Canty; and three brothers, James, Legrand and William.

A wake will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today at Canty Memorial Church of God in Christ.

Superintendent Canty will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Canty Memorial Church of God in Christ, 873 Woodcrest St., Sumter, SC 29154 with Elder Calvin Earl Peterson officiating and Superintendent Ezra D. Kinlow, eulogist. Entombment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the home, 1843 Kolb Road, Sumter, SC 29154.

Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.

Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.