Marion "Buddy" Biggs

Marion Richard “Buddy” Biggs, 90, of Springfield Place died June 2, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Biggs was born July 7, 1918 in Cheraw, South Carolina, son of the late William Monroe and Eva Kimrey Biggs. He was predeceased by his devoted first wife of forty-four years, Elizabeth “Lib” Truesdale Biggs who passed away in December 1985 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Biggs was a graduate of Chesterfield High School and was employed by ABC Theatres and Paramount Pictures for 35 years. He was a pioneer in the theatre industry and loved traveling the Southeast opening and managing movie theaters and drive-ins. The memories of his career brought him great happiness and many wonderful stories to share. Buddy never knew a stranger and touched many lives with his contagious humor and eternal optimism. You were his friend for life if you had the pleasure to meet him. He was an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina where he served in many capacities. Buddy served as President of the Five Points Rotary Club and was recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia. In retirement, he remained active in many civic and community organizations and was one of the organizing founders of the Providence Chapter of Mended Hearts, Inc., where he served as the local Vice-President, and Area Representative for the South Carolina and Georgia Region. Through all of this, he remained a vital part in the life of his family and neighborhood. He was “elected” Mayor of Crestwood Drive where he made his home for many years and served as President of The Laureate Homeowners Association in Forest Acres, SC. He is survived by his wife, Nantce Wright Biggs, whom he married in January 1996; daughter Mary Frances Biggs Watson and husband Joe (Hank) Henry of Columbia; son in law J. Thomas (Tommy) Johnson; grandchildren, J. Thomas (Tommy) Johnson, Jr. and his wife Hope of Columbia; Sarah Johnson Hartung and her husband Andy of Greenwood; Gary Elizabeth Watson of Charleston and four adored great grandchildren J. Thomas Johnson, III, Richard Buckley Johnson, Andrew Joseph Patrick Hartung, Jr., and Elizabeth Aiken Hartung. He is survived by two sisters Eva Mae Pennington (Mrs. C.M.) of Hartsville, South Carolina and Betty Martin (Mrs. Frank) of Columbia, South Carolina and a host of wonderful nieces and nephews. The family is indebted to Mr. Elliot Dominick for his faithful service and friendship. Special appreciation is also extended to the doctors and staff of Newberry County Memorial Hospital. In addition to his wife, Lib, he was predeceased by his daughter Sarah Elizabeth “Libby” Biggs Johnson, his three brothers – Lafond Biggs, LaCoste Biggs, Willie Biggs, and his sister Edith Biggs Fitts. He will be forever remembered with love by his family and friends for his passion for life and the smiles he brought to all who knew him. The family will receive guests Thursday, June 4 at Dunbar Funeral Home, Columbia, from 12:00pm until 1:30pm and funeral services will be conducted at 1:30pm at the Dunbar Chapel on Devine Street in Columbia, SC with interment to follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia. The family suggests memorials be made to Buddy’s favorite charities: Mended Hearts Chapter 189 c/o Providence Hospital, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC 29204, or Greenwood Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 612, Greenwood, SC 29648. Brown Pennington Atkins Funeral Home, Hartsville, SC is assisting the family.

Tributes

Marion "Buddy" Biggs

June 2, 2009