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Joseph Kenyon “Papa” East Sr.

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Birth	:	16 Feb 1913 Lineville, Clay County, Alabama, USA
Death	:	15 Feb 2011 Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, USA
Burial	:	Bush River Memorial Gardens, Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate	:	34.0565080, -81.1749850
Description	:	Joseph Kenyon East, Sr. COLUMBIA - Services for Joseph Kenyon East, Sr., 97, will be held Saturday, Feb. 19th at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Columbia, 1306 Hampton St., Columbia, South Carolina. Entombment will follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Rd., Columbia. The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 18th 5-7 P.M. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel, 5400 Bush River Rd., Columbia, S.C. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, Tuesday, Feb. 15th, the day before his 98th birthday. Mr. East was an innovative public educator whose work at the... Read More	Joseph Kenyon East, Sr. COLUMBIA - Services for Joseph Kenyon East, Sr., 97, will be held Saturday, Feb. 19th at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Columbia, 1306 Hampton St., Columbia, South Carolina. Entombment will follow in Bush River Memorial Gardens, 5400 Bush River Rd., Columbia. The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 18th 5-7 P.M. at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel, 5400 Bush River Rd., Columbia, S.C. He died peacefully at home surrounded by his family, Tuesday, Feb. 15th, the day before his 98th birthday. Mr. East was an innovative public educator whose work at the local, state and national levels contributed to significant improvements in public educational opportunities. He was born Feb. 16, 1913, near Lineville, AL, the eldest of ten children of Z.R. and Eva East. He graduated from Berry College in Rome, GA, and later earned a Masters Degree from Wofford College and completed graduate studies at Duke University and Columbia University in New York City. Mr. East moved to Horry County in 1936, where he began his 48 years of public education as principal and teacher of Horry Elementary School, soon moving to Aynor as principal of the high school. In 1942, he was Superintendent of Schools in Cottageville and then in 1946, became superintendent of city schools in Blacksburg. While there he created in l950 the first tax-supported kindergarten in S.C., 20 years before the S.C. General Assembly enacted legislation requiring a statewide kindergarten system. In 1953, he came back to Horry County as Director of Instruction for the Horry County Schools where he established the first countywide audio-visual library for public schools in our state and also was instrumental in improving adult literacy in the county. Mr. East was greatly responsible for the founding of what is now Coastal Carolina University. As soon as he returned to Horry County he began working with a few other key leaders who envisioned establishing a local junior college to enable students to achieve college credits without having to leave the area. He played a leading role in persuading the College of Charleston to sponsor an extension program in Conway, which was a novel concept in S.C., and also in the arduous efforts to make it a reality, serving as first secretary of the Coastal Educational Foundation and working to create the curriculum and recruit the faculty. Coastal Carolina Junior College, our state's first tax supported junior college, began classes in September, l954, with enrollment of 53 students. He was the last survivor of the original founders. While in Conway he served as assistant scoutmaster for a local Boy Scout troop. He was called to Columbia in l959, to establish and supervise the first Audio-Visual Education program for the S. C. Department of Education, where he established S.C.'s first statewide library of free films for public schools. It was during this time that he became heavily involved in planning and establishing our state's Educational Television (ETV) system. In 1965, he was appointed Director of Adult Education for S. C. when less than 6,000 were enrolled in the program. During his eighteen years of leadership more than 850,000 students enrolled in adult education classes and S.C. had one of the highest rated programs in the United States. He initiated a statewide Adult Basic Reading Campaign which served as a model adopted by many other states. His name is in the South Carolina Adult Education Hall of Fame - he is recognized as "The Father of Adult Education in S.C". After his retirement from the state of S.C. in 1983, he was appointed by the US Office of Education to serve as Adult Education Consultant for the Southeastern States where for several years he provided guidance and leadership to improve adult education throughout the southeast. Mr. East frequently testified before US Congressional committees as well as S.C Legislative committees on behalf of adult education. In 1974, he was elected Chairman of the National Council of State Directors of Adult Education. In 1975, the National Association of Public, Continuing and Adult Education presented him with their coveted Outstanding Service Award. His alma mater, Berry College, awarded him their highest honor, the Distinguished Achievement Award. In 1983, he received The Order of The Palmetto from S.C. Gov. Richard Riley. The American Institute for Public Service recognized him in 1987, with their coveted Jefferson Award. In 1992, he was awarded an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Education from the University of South Carolina. He taught Sunday school for 68 years, beginning at age 14, and was a life deacon of First Baptist Church of Columbia. Mr. East was a Rotarian for 61 years, served as president of the Blacksburg club, and since 1964, was a member of the Columbia Rotary Club. His life's creed was to respect and love his fellowman. He was a humble, unpretentious man with a warm, gentle smile that reflected his love for others. He worked tirelessly to improve educational opportunities for all, especially minorities, disadvantaged children and adults. While he received many honors for his accomplishments, his motivation was not for personal ambition – his mission was to help others "be all they can be". Mr. East grew up in a rural life in Alabama and never lost his love for growing things. He was an early proponent of organic vegetable gardening and harvests were shared with family, neighbors and friends. Propagating heirloom roses was his special passion. As a young man he spent many hours afield hunting quail with his bird dogs, often from horseback. His legacy is the countless persons his work enabled to achieve an education and better themselves. The Family thanks the caregivers, physicians, and also the staff of Tri-County Hospice for the loving care and comfort they gave to our "Papa". He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Leona Strickland East; and sons, Bill East (Jane), Ken East, Jr. (Linda), and Louis East (Nikki), all of Columbia, and Larry East (Bonnie) of Aiken, SC; grandchildren, Kenyon East (Ashley), Kevin James (Pamela), Terry James (Lynn), Lynn Elias, Paul Elias (Amy), Greg Elias (Kelley), Aleta Spezialetti, Tammie Bryan (Nathan), Celestiel Batson (Oliver), Trey Weir (Susan), Vicki DeFelice (Tom), Ginger Yost (Eric), Dana Johnson (Mike); 25 great- grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He is also survived by 2 sisters, Eulalah Williams (John) and Ruby Porter (Jimmy); and 3 brothers, Theron Bill East, John East (Louise), and Ed East (June). He is predeceased by four sisters, Thelma Page, Lucille Whitley, Nell Blair, and Bobbie Littleton. Memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. Caughmanharmanfuneralhome.net

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Joseph Kenyon “Papa” East Sr.'s memorial?
Joseph Kenyon “Papa” East Sr.'s memorial is located at: Bush River Memorial Gardens, Columbia, Lexington County, USA.
When did Joseph Kenyon “Papa” East Sr. death?
Joseph Kenyon “Papa” East Sr. death on 15 Feb 2011 in Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Joseph Kenyon “Papa” East Sr.'s memorial?
Latitude: 34.0565080
Longitude: -81.1749850

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Janie Leona Strickland East

(1915 - 2012)

Siblings

Alice Thelma East Page

(1914 - 2009)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Bush River Memorial Gardens
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0565080, -81.1749850

2. McGregor Presbyterian Church Cemetery
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0641010, -81.1681530

3. Upper Pine Grove Cemetery
Irmo, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0814018, -81.1722031

4. Saint Mary's Episcopal Church Memorial Gardens
Columbia, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0449700, -81.1471890

5. Saint Marys Episcopal Church Memorial Gardens
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0452280, -81.1468430

6. Piney Grove Cemetery
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0671496, -81.1451573

7. Mount Olive Lutheran Church Cemetery
Irmo, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0823300, -81.1907030

8. Pleasant Spring African Methodist Episcopal Cemetery
Irmo, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0645570, -81.2087390

9. Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery
Irmo, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0876671, -81.1793697

10. Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church Cemetery
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0452995, -81.1358032

11. Union United Methodist Church Cemetery
Irmo, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0899410, -81.1845930

12. Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church Cemetery
Blythewood, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0449340, -81.1356750

13. Pine Grove AME Church Memorial Garden
Columbia, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0650430, -81.1343070

14. Corley Family Cemetery
Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0308610, -81.2042430

15. Episcopal Church of St Simon & St Jude Church Ceme
Irmo, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0938590, -81.1629400

16. Lorick Family Cemetery
Irmo, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0934510, -81.1590530

17. Richardson- Beatty Cemetery
Columbia, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0947970, -81.1645350

18. Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church Cemetery
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0341060, -81.1322520

19. Drafts Family Cemetery
Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0140650, -81.1967830

20. Golden Cemetery
Irmo, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1063995, -81.1866989

21. Saint Michael African-American Cemetery
Columbia, Lexington County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0657230, -81.2383160

22. Nates-Geiger Cemetery
Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0453340, -81.1119320

23. Nates Family Cemetery
Columbia, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.0452271, -81.1117630

24. Bethlehem Lutheran Church Cemetery
Irmo, Richland County, USA
Coordinate: 34.1100240, -81.1905580