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The Reverend George Allen Lemons, 63 died November 3, 1989 in Oakmont Nursing Center in Union.
A native of Lockhart, he was the husband of Susie Mae Vanderford Lemons of the home and the son of the late James Marshall and Daisy Dickerson Lemons. He was a member and served as Pastor of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Union from 1976 until 1987 when he retired due to health problems. He also served as pastor of Enoree Free Will Baptist Church from 1968 until 1972 and Grace Free Will Baptist Church in Fort Mill SC...
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The Reverend George Allen Lemons, 63 died November 3, 1989 in Oakmont Nursing Center in Union.
A native of Lockhart, he was the husband of Susie Mae Vanderford Lemons of the home and the son of the late James Marshall and Daisy Dickerson Lemons. He was a member and served as Pastor of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church in Union from 1976 until 1987 when he retired due to health problems. He also served as pastor of Enoree Free Will Baptist Church from 1968 until 1972 and Grace Free Will Baptist Church in Fort Mill SC from 1972 until 1976. He was a member and Past Master of Lockhart Masonic Lodge, Disabled American Veterans, American Legion and the National League of Postmasters.
Reverend Lemons was born in Lockhart but spent most of his early life growing up in Whitney, SC. He was employed with Community Cash Stores for 25 years and retired as manager of the Lockhart Store. After his retirement from Community Cash he served as Postmaster of Lockhart. He was elected as Postmaster of the Year for South Carolina in 1978 and South Carolina Retired Postmaster of the Year in 1986.
He was one of seven brothers who served in the US Navy during World War II. He entered active duty on April 25, 1944. Thirty minutes younger than his twin brother, George Allen was only 17 at the time of his enlistment. He served aboard the USS Drew, a troop transport ship. Allen saw serious combat conditions, and for 30 days he was not able to remove his shoes or clothing. He received his Honorable Discharge on December 15, 1945. His other citations included the American Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Navy Occupation Medal with ASIA Bar and the World War II Victory Medal. His rank when he retired was Storekeeper Third Class.
Reverend Lemons attended Spartanburg High School and was a graduate of Beaver Creek Bible Institute and rececived an Associate Degree from the Piedmont Bible Institute.
Also surviving are one daughter, Edna Sue McKee of Union; two sons, The Reverend Stephen Allen Lemons of Union and Phillip Arthur Lemons of Lockhart; Three sisters, Jennie Reece of Spartanburg (d.2007), Helen Richards of Whitney (d. 1998) and Nada Miles of Lexington, SC; Three brothers, Joseph LeMons of Largo, Florida (d. 2004), Henry Lemons of Whitney (d. 2000) and Ernest Elvon Lemons of Sping Hill, Florida (d. 2006); he was predecased by three brothers; Homer (d.1973), his twin brother Albert (d. 1971) and Marion (d. 1965) and one sister Etta Edmonds (d.1972); Five grandchildren; Brian Harris, Susan Harris Gilstrap, Jason Lemons, Kimberly Eubanks and Scott Lemons (d. 2011). Visitation was held from 7 to 9 at S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home in Union.
Services were held at 4 PM on Sunday, November 5, 1989 at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church by the Reverends Calvin Smith and Howard Johnson. The body was placed in the church at 3 PM. Burial was held in Union Memorial Gardens. Memorials were made to Calvary Free Will Baptist Church, Rt. 7 Union.
SR Holcombe Funeral Home was in charge of all arrangements.
George Allen Lemons
written by his sister: Nada Lemons Miles
There is a hymn which begins with "Precious Memories, How They Linger." There are some memories that one cannot part with, but because they aren't needed at a certain time, they are stored away to be brought back and relived another day. Today we are bringing back and reliving some of the memories of Allen Lemons that we hold dear.
Allen and his twin brother, Albert, arrived on the scene on June 16, 1926, to join the other eight children in the Lemons family. Albert was born first and Allen's arrival was about 30 minutes later. They were fraternal, rather than identical twins. Of the two, Allen was larger and also healthier at birth.
When they were babies, because Albert was frail and sick much of the time, Mama let him sleep with her. Allen slept with Jennie. On those nights when he would wake up hungry, Allen would slide out of his bed, head for Mama's bed to nurse, then he would come back to the bed he and Jennie shared. She would have to help him climb back in.
With ten children at that time, Mama needed all the help she could get in caring for the children, and especially with the arrival of twins. When they lived on Long Twelve, Stella would rock Albert and Elvon would rock Allen. Most of the time, Elvon would go to sleep while rocking Allen, so Stella would put Albert to bed, and then come back and get Allen from Elvon's arms and rock him until she got him to sleep.
Allen was always industrious. When he was very young, he began working for the Community Cash Grocery Store in Whitney as a bag boy. It didn't take the store personnel long to find out that Allen had leadership abilities because he worked his way up to become a manager of one of their stores.
During those early years of working for the stores, Allen's resistance was lowered from having to be out in the inclement weather and he developed a severe case of pneumonia. He had a reaction to some medication that caused him to have problems with his ears and later on with his hearing. This would plague him from time to time throughout his life.
Allen always had a proclivity for a weak stomach. It didn't take much to make him start gagging. One morning at the breakfast table, Allen noticed a black spot in his grits. With that, his hands covered his mouth, and Mama looked up to see his stomach and throat muscles contracting. Asking, "What's the matter, Allen?" he pointed to that black spot in the grits and between tags, he managed to say "Roach."
When he was just a young boy, Allen would often pretend to be a preacher; however, when he got a little older, he took an interest in the girls. One incident involving an old flame of his occurred while Allen was driving a truck for the grocery store. The weather on that particular day was real bad, but as he was making his rounds, it just so happened his girlfriend's house was on that route. Hoping to catch a glimpse of her, Allen kept his eyes off the road and on the house a little too long, causing him to wreck the truck. Albert happened to come along moments after the accident occurred. He jumped out of his car, ran over to where Allen was and said, "Lard, tell me what happened, I'll lie for you."
Allen's work with the Community Cash was interrupted during World War II. When he was 17, he, along with his six brothers, joined the U.S. Navy within a week of one another. At that time, Mama received a medal from the Governor for having the most sons in service. A year or so before his death, the Lemons' brothers were honored at a recognition service in Charleston, S.C., for the family who still had the most family members to serve in the military. It came about when Allen was attending a postmaster's convention, and met an official from the naval base. Allen told him the story of our family having seven brothers to serve in the navy. This official became curious, checked the records and when he found out that the brothers still held this distinction, the brothers were cited at this special ceremony.
Allen was in combat the entire time he was in the navy. Once, during an intense battle in Okinawa, he said he didn't take off his shoes for thirty days. It was also at that time, that Allen saw Albert's ship get hit by a bomb. Once the fighting settled down, the captain gave Allen permission to go check on his twin brother. Albert wasn't hurt, but Allen's already weakened eardrum had received an injury from the blasts of gunfire.
Following his stint in the Navy, Allen resumed his work with the Community Cash. In 1948, he was transferred from Spartanburg to their Lockhart store. It was here that he met Mae Vanderford, who would become his wife on June 26, 1948. Mae's family became Allen's family and he quickly became a part of them.
When he met Mae, she operated a café which was located in the same complex as the supermarket. Allen liked to tease Mae and say that she was the one who proposed to him. The scenario went something like this … Mae was cutting up chicken for homemade chicken salad. Allen walked in; Mae looked at him and said, "Do you want a knife?" Allen said, "A WIFE?" Mae was so embarrassed that Allen actually believed she had asked him if he wanted a wife instead of a knife. Allen got a lot of mileage out of this, and always teased Mae about it.
They built their first home on Highway #9 in Lockhart in 1949. The following year, Edna Sue was born. Steve came along in 1954, and Phillip in 1956. By this time they had outgrown that house so in 1960, Allen and Mae built their beautiful brick home which is located behind Lockhart School. Both Allen and Mae took great pride in their home and it became a showplace to passersby. Allen spent many hours planting azaleas, trees, tulips, roses and flowers of every color. Each season brings its own beauty, but their yard is especially lovely in the spring.
Not too long after Allen was transferred to Lockhart, Albert decided to pay him a visit, and of course, all of you know that it wouldn't be the usual "how do you do." He decided to play a trick on Allen and his co-workers at the store. Wearing a trench coat and a hat pulled down over his head, Albert began going up and down the aisles pretending to shoplift. The workers became suspicious. Imagine Allen's surprise when he discovered the "shop lifter" was his twin brother.
Thursdays were always hectic for Allen when he was with the grocery store. His day began at 5:00 a.m. in order to let the delivery truck bring the merchandise to the store. Some mornings were more difficult than others. One such day, Allen had to get up in a hurry, and it was only at lunch time when he sat down to eat that he realized he had worn two different types of shoes to work. One was a loafer and the other laced up. Mae laughed so hard and teased Allen about it, but the tide was turned when they were on their way to church one day when she looked down and saw that she, like Allen had previously, was wearing two different styles of shoes.
The work at the Community Cash while rewarding was also very demanding, so when the opportunity for postmaster became available, Allen was ready to make the change. This would give him more time to spend with his family and to pursue other activities. Almost immediately, Allen began making a name for himself in the postal organization. It wasn't long before Allen became State Postmaster of the Year. That required traveling throughout the United States which he thoroughly enjoyed. Edna Sue remembers especially the time a convention was being held at Myrtle Beach. Allen had invited her to accompany him. She wore a beautiful red evening gown to the affair and felt so special as she and Allen were seated beside Mr. William Bolger, who was then the United States Postmaster General, and a member of the President's cabinet.
In addition to his job as postmaster, Allen was a bi-vocational pastor at three churches: Enoree Freewill Baptist Church 1969-1972; Grace Freewill Baptist Church in Fort Mill, S.C. 1972-1976; and Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in Union, S.C. from 1976 – 1987. The people in all these churches responded to his able leadership and grew into great churches.
Sometimes, being the child of a minister can make life a little hard for them. When Steve and Phillip were small, they learned early on that they had better behave in church. They also knew not to sit with anyone who would misbehave. If they did, they were in for a real embarrassment.
Phillip and the First Baptist minister's son decided to make some muscadine wine on one occasion. They put too much yeast in it, and screwed the lid on too tight. During the night, the yeast started rising and it erupted causing a gigantic explosion under the house, just underneath Edna Sue's bedroom. Allen got up to see what had happened. As soon as he opened the door, he knew that his son had been making wine. It was dripping from the beams and a wonderful fruity aroma was wafting through the air.
Allen could sometimes be moody and Edna Sue would tease her daddy about what kind of mood he was in according to the color of socks he was wearing that day. If his socks were black, everything would be A-okay, but if he was wearing another color, then they knew they had better walk the chalk line.
Allen wasn't always one to mince words — even with members of his own church. During his last pastorate at Calvary Church, there was one particular lady who seldom attended church, and when she did, she was usually late. On one occasion this lady came in after the business conference had begun. She became inquisitive as to what was happening. "I don't know what's going on," she said. Allen quickly responded, "If you would come more often, then you would know what was going on."
Allen learned that he had diabetes in 1969, and had to take oral medication for it twice daily. He tried to keep his weight under control and to watch his diet. However, if Mae cooked one of his favorite pies (butterscotch, apple pie ala mode, or egg custard), then he would take an extra sugar tablet and indulge.
As time passed, the diabetes began to take a toll on his health, and he eventually had to have both legs amputated. I think for most of us that would have brought us pretty close to the depths of despair. Allen handled this with grace and dignity most of the time and set an example for us to follow. I think his deep and abiding faith in God as well as the love of his family, church family and friends helped him during these times of trial and suffering as well.
The year prior to having his legs amputated, Allen and Mae took a trip to Florida. They visited many places but one of the highlights of their trip was their visit to the Kapok Tree Inn Restaurant near Tampa on their wedding anniversary. During their meal, a singer/guitarist strolled over to their table and Allen requested that he sing the Wedding Song. Needless to say, this was a cherished moment for the two of them.
Everyone in and around Lockhart knew of Allen's reputation as a fast driver. Some would say that if you were going with him some place, and he was driving, you'd better be "prayed up, and if you weren't, you would be before you got out!" This reputation continued even after he lost his legs and began driving a motorized wheel chair which was equipped with a horn attached to the steering wheel. The family would take him to one of the malls in Spartanburg, and Allen would become a speed demon when he got behind the wheel. He loved to blow the horn and make people get out of his way.
He continued preaching up until the last year of his life and often he would drive his specially equipped van to visit members to fill in where he was needed. One time he was invited to be the "pre-game" guest speaker for the football team. He rode out to the school on his mobile battery operated three-wheeled chair. His speech that day to the football players, the coaches and the principal, was taken from Samuel 1, about putting on the armor for God. There wasn't a dry eye in the room after he spoke. The football team won their game that night, but it was a day that will be long remembered by everyone in attendance.
His last sermon was preached at the dedication of the new building of Calvary Church, on Sunday, October 22, 1989, just two weeks prior to his death. This was a very special time for Allen and the church family to have their beloved pastor back with them for the day. He had been instrumental in getting this project started and it meant so much to him to be there in the final stages of completion.
Allen poured a lot of love and energy into everything and with everyone whom he came in contact. He took his home, family, work and his relationship with God and his church family seriously. With him, if anything was worth doing, then he believed in doing it well. Mae, his children and his five grandchildren were the lights of his life.
It was a special joy when his son, Steve, became a minister and the two often wound up having discussions concerning issues and problems in the local church. After reading books, they would frequently discuss and swap them.
Allen died on November 3, 1989 and is buried at the Memorial Gardens in Union, S.C. When we think of him, what precious memories they are. How they ever flood our souls. Like Abel, "He being dead, yet speaketh." Hebrews 11:4 KJV
Wife: Susie Mae Vanderford Lemons
Children: Grandchildren:
Edna Sue Lemons McKee/ Jerry Brian Harris & Susan Harris Gilstrap
Stephen Allen Lemons / Jennie Stephen Scott Lemons
Phillip Arthur Lemons/ Anna Jason Lemons & Kimberly Lemons Eubanks
On August 27, 1984, the U. S. Navy and the Charleston Naval Base honored the seven Lemons brothers who served in the same branch of service during World War II. Unfortunately, all the members of the Lemons family could not be present at the ceremony. Mrs. Daisy Dickerson Lemons had died at the age of 64 on November 14, 1958. Mrs. Lemons was still living in the Whitney area, still a member at the Whitney Baptist Church, and had helped with the cafeteria program at Whitney Elementary School. Before the ceremony, the father (Marshall Lemons) and three brothers (Homer, Marion, and Albert) had died. The Florida residents (Joe (d. 2004)and Elvon (d.2006)were unable to attend. James Henry (d.2000) and George Allen Lemons (d.1989) were the only two brothers able to accept the commendation. Cmdr. David W. Cockfield presented the award. A reception and tour of the USS Nichols followed the ceremony.
Sixty years have passed since the service of the Lemons family. Today all seven of the Lemons brothers are gone. Only one sister, Nada Lemons Miles is still alive and lives in Lexington, SC. The rest of the immediate family is gone. But as we recall the events of September 1945, we cannot forget the sacrifices of the Lemons family and the sacrifices of others, many of whom did not return.
THE JAMES MARSHALL AND DAISY LOUISE DICKERSON LEMONS FAMILY
James Marshall Lemons was the son of Benjamin Franklin Lemons (1858–1920) and Martha McGill Lemons (1861-1912). Marshall was married twice. He was first married to Minty Marinatha Woods Lemons (1885-1909). She died at a young age from tuberculosis. Marshall and Minty had two children - Homer (1909-1973) and Etta Edmonds (1908-1972). Marshall then married Daisy Louise Dickerson Lemons. Together they had nine children: Jennie (1913-2007); Joseph (Bud) LeMons (1915-2004): Marion (1919-1965), Henry (1917-2000); Elvon (1923-2006); Helen (1921-1998): Twin boys - Allen (1926-1989) & Albert (1926-1971); and Nada Lemons. |
