Joseph R. McFaddin

Joseph Rittiner McFaddin, husband of Violet Elma Jackson McFaddin, of Covenant Place, died on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008, after an extended illness.

Born in Gable on Dec. 16, 1921, he was the son of the late Henry Wheeler McFaddin and the late Bessie Higgins McFaddin. Joe, as he was fondly called, was educated in Gable and Sumter. He attended the University of South Carolina and served in the Army-Air Force from 1942-45.

A top-notch salesman for Nabisco-Kraft Foods, Joe retired in 1983 with 35 years of experience. Joe always demonstrated his love for people in all of his jobs and, after retiring, he worked for the Fuller Brush Co., because he liked to be around people. In his retirement, he also volunteered a number of years at Crosswell Elementary School in Sumter as a teacher’s helper in the classroom. He also worked for a period of time as a precinct captain at the polls.

Joe had a strong Christian faith and served in Holy Cross Presbyterian Church as an elder and member of the choir for many years. While attending First Assembly of God, he had a ministry as an usher and in other areas. After his retirement, Joe sang, preached and shared the love of Jesus in several nursing homes as a volunteer. He was active in the Shepherd’s Center, a senior group in Sumter, in the choir and other areas. As a member of the “Mission to Men Choir,” Joe sang with the group and gave his testimony at many churches in many different towns.

Devoted to family, Joe was married to his beloved wife, Violet, for 60 years. He loved his children and grandchildren and received “The Greatest Grandparent of the Year” Award at the State Fair in 1986 for an essay that his granddaughter, Joye, wrote about him.

Joe is survived by his wife, Violet of Covenant Place; daughter Patty (Jeff) Barnes of Ladson; son Steve (Edie) McFaddin of Columbia; and daughter Jane (Don) Coleman of Charlotte, N.C. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, Rebecca, Debbie, Joye and Esther Barnes; Matthew, Katie and John McFaddin and Christopher, David and Kyle Coleman; a great-grandchild, Jasper Groth; a sister, Wynnette Fraser of Darlington; as well as nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Joshua Michael Barnes, in 2003.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 29, 2008 at First Assembly of God in Sumter with the Rev. Phil Simun officiating.

Pallbearers were grandsons and nephews.

Honorary pallbearers weree members of the Mission to Men Choir.

Burial was in the McFaddin Cemetery in Gable.

Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army, P.O. Box 2229, Sumter, S.C. 29151; or to First Assembly of God, 1151 Alice Drive, Sumter, S.C. 29150.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory of Sumter was in charge of the arrangements.