LUCIUS MARION GULLEDGE SR.
Lucius "Lu" Marion Gulledge Sr., 90, widower of Jean Geer Dobson Gulledge, died on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at Solomon's Home.
Born Sept. 21, 1928, in Wedgefield, he was a son of the late Edmund Thomas Gulledge and Lucy Coulter Gulledge. He was raised on the family farm in Wedgefield, graduated from Edmunds High School and graduated from Clemson A&M (1951) with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Economics. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army Reserve. He met the love of his life, Jean (Alcolu) and was married for 64 years.
Mr. Gulledge's career included farming in Wedgefield, Alcolu and Manning, until interrupted by a farming accident. He was an accountant and assistant manager at EC Kneece Tractor and Trucking Co. He also owned and operated Gulledge International Harvester Truck Co. and John Deer Farm Equipment in Orangeburg. In 1979, he retired and, with his wife, moved to North Myrtle Beach.
An avid Clemson football fan, he began participating in "I Pay Ten a Year" in the early 1960s and attended Clemson football games with family and friends until his 80th birthday.
Mr. Gulledge was an active member, serving as teacher and deacon, at Alice Drive Baptist Church during the early years of the church's history and upon returning to Sumter in 2009. He was one of 24 founders and builders of Bible Fellowship Baptist Church in North Myrtle Beach, serving as teacher and deacon. He was a man of his word and studying and teaching the Holy Word was his first priority. He currently led a weekly Bible study with friends at Solomon's Home.
Mr. Gulledge is survived by sons, L.M. "Mike" Gulledge (Pat) of Summerville, Bob Gulledge (Michelle) of California and Richard Gulledge (Beverly) of Wedgefield; three grandsons, L.M. "Luke" Gulledge (Hope) of Lexington, Whit Gulledge (Meg) of Edgemoor and Clint Gulledge (Michelle) of Lexington; three granddaughters, Leslie Day Gulledge Caughman (Bryan) of Mayesville, Alison Gulledge of Rock Hill and Kelly Gulledge of Charleston; 11 great-grandchildren, Reagan, Delaney, Summer, Winnie Day, Hunter, Ryleigh, Lyla, Ella, Maxwell Lucius, Madison and Jayne and great-grandchild Gulledge due this month; a dear sister, Florede Gulledge Carter of Greenville; beloved brother, C.O. "Buddy" Gulledge (Barbara) of Sumter; and loving nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Steve Gulledge; and brothers, E.T. Gulledge Jr., C.J. Gulledge Sr. and Gordon Gulledge.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, officiated by Dr. Clay Smith and the Rev. Todd Flemming. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church prior to the service and other times at the homes of Richard Gulledge and/or Buddy Gulledge.
The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff and residents of Solomon's Home, Amedisys Hospice of Sumter and caregiver Angie Cunningham for the exceptional care they provided.
Memorials may be made to the Open Door Fund of Alice Drive Baptist Church, 1305 Loring Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29150; Bible Fellowship Baptist Church, 462 State Hwy 57 S, Little River, SC 29566; or Jews for Jesus, 60 Haight St., San Francisco, CA 94102.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.