James Edward Mcelhannon

James Edward McElhannon, 82, of 23649 Highway 76 East, Clinton, South Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday evening, August 24, 2016. James was born a son of the late Bernice Katherine Prather McElhannon and James Grady McElhannon on April 22, 1934, in Clinton, South Carolina. A lifelong resident of Clinton, James was a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ, the loving, devoted, and faithful husband of 62 years to Betty Jean Samples McElhannon, and the loving, caring father to Kathy Jean McElhannon Owens.
James lived his life centered around his God, his family, his home, and his church. He was always eager to share the Gospel of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He made an impact on many lives throughout the years as he shared his love for Jesus and as he lived the life of a true follower of Christ.
Throughout his life and with the support of his loving wife, Betty, James’s service in his church brought him much joy. A faithful member of Lydia Baptist Church, Clinton, he served as Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, teacher of the Men’s Sunday School Class, Outreach Leader, RA Leader, and choir member. He continued to use his gifts to serve the Lord at Eastside Baptist Church, Laurens, as teacher of the James McElhannon Sunday School Class, Chairman of the Deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, Church Treasurer, and choir member. He also enjoyed delivering Bibles throughout Laurens County as a member of the Gideon Ministry.
James was a graduate of Clinton High School and the Textile Management Program at Clemson University. He had a forty-three year career with Clinton Mills, Inc. James enjoyed his spare time league bowling at Palmetto Lanes. Loving the great outdoors, he was a fisherman and hunter, and some of his fondest memories were the times he spent camping with his grandsons and his best buddies, Ronnie, Jack, Mike, and AC for whom “his love will never die”.
Surviving are James’s wife and daughter; three grandsons, Joseph Larry Owens (Becca) of Fort Mill, James Joshua Owens (Kat) of Anderson, Jonathan Harrison Owens (Amanda) of Greenville; a great-grandson, Cohen Seth Maness of Laurens; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth McElhannon Rickard of Anderson, Billie Pollard McElhannon of Greenwood, Marjorie Samples Stone of Williamston, Martha Bellue Samples of Clinton and Geneva Samples of Ware Shoals; and many nieces and nephews and their families.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two brothers, Joel Mitchell McElhannon and Claude Augustus McElhannon.
The family is at the residence and will receive friends at Gray Funeral Home, Clinton, on Sunday, August 28, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
A celebration of James’s life will be held at Eastside Baptist Church on Monday, August 29, at 3:00 PM with burial following the service at Pinelawn Memory Gardens, Clinton. Honorary escorts will be the James McElhannon Sunday School Class and Hospice of Laurens County.
Memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, 355 Conway Avenue, Laurens, SC 29360, or to Hospice of Laurens County, 1304 Springdale Rd, Clinton, SC 29325.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton