Tributes

John Daniel McLaurin passed away peacefully at home on August 10, 2014. The son of Daisy McDonald McLaurin and Alexander Bethune McLaurin, he was born in Bethune, SC, on November 18, 1921. He was educated in the Bethune schools and the Darlington School in Rome, GA, before attending The Citadel and graduating from Presbyterian College. He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Dorothy Ouzts McLaurin, a brother Alexander Bethune McLaurin, Jr., and two sisters, Mary Ellen Carter and Lorena McDonald Troeger. In early December 1944 he deployed as a staff sergeant to continental Europe with the 22nd Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division, landing in Normandy. By December 23 the division had joined Gen. George S. Patton's US Third Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Before the end of WWII the Battalion had moved through France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and Austria. He was honorably discharged in November 1950. Mr. McLaurin oversaw the initial construction of telephone service for portions of both Chesterfield and Kershaw counties. He was general manager of Sandhill Telephone Cooperative from 1957 to 1992. He served on many statewide committees within the industry and was president of the statewide association from 1982 - 1984. He was inducted into the SC Telecommunications Hall of Fame in 1999, serving on the Board of Directors of the National Telephone Association from 1966 - 1992. A charter member of the Bethune Lions Club, Mr. McLaurin also served on the Board of Trustees for Kershaw County Medical Center from 1988 - 1994 and as Chairman of the Board from 1992 - 1994. Mr. McLaurin was a lifelong member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he was chairman of the Administrative Council, a lay leader, and a respected Sunday School teacher. He is survived by his daughters Ellen McLaurin of Pawley's Island and Mary Anne Norwood of the home; grandchildren Johnathan(Ashley), Lexi, Daniel, Maryanna, Hannah, and Eric; great grandchildren Grayson and Jordan; and a loving extended family. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on August 16 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Bethune, SC, with the Rev. Barbara Seegars, the Rev. Larry Brown, and the Rev. Sanders Read officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service. Committal will be held in Scotch Cemetery, Bethune, SC. The family appreciates the tender love, care, and support from the Hospice staff, Renda Hodges, Melinda Phillips Williams, Brian Ogburn, Megan Quigley and his caregivers Charity Canty, Brenda Commander, and Marvin King. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 103 King St. E., Bethune, SC 29009 or Scotch Cemetery Association, 603 S. Walton St, Bethune, SC 29009. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home, Hartsville, SC, is serving the family.

Tributes

Mr. John Daniel McLaurin

November 18, 1921 - August 10, 2014