Retired Master Sergeant James Milton Shealy

Retired Master Sergeant James Milton Shealy, 78, passed away Tuesday, October 03, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, October 6, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Ridge Crest Memorial Park with Masonic Rites and Full Military Honors with Rev. William Padgett officiating. Active pallbearers are Zane Corley, Johnny Carter, Ralph Whittle, Donnie Black, James Gunter, Michael Shealy, Larry Enlow and SW Shealy. Honorary pallbearers are KT Temples, Roland Davis, Calvin Derrick, Junior Smith, Micky Shealy, Jeff Herron, Michael McCormick, Rudy Raborn, Tony Derrick, Marty Henry, Bennie Padgett, David Cato, Jackie Jones, Marsha Black, Jack Roof, Jim Gambrell, Heyward Bouknight, David Oswalt and Gary Oswalt.

Mr. Shealy was born in Batesburg, SC son of the late James Oneal Shealy and Estelle Fallaw Shealy Smith. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church and was a past deacon of the church. He also helped coach basketball and softball with the church league. He served 28 years in the S.C. Army National Guard where he was known as “Boss Hog” to his fellow military brothers. He was treasurer of the Batesburg NCO Club and was very active with the clubs activities, golf tournaments and fundraisers. He was a member of the Batesburg-Leesville Masonic Lodge No. 138 and the Shriners. Mr. Shealy was an avid golfer and was a member of Indian Trail Golf Course and the Ponderosa Country Club. He enjoyed fishing and deer hunting, especially in his early days running his deer dogs at White Tail Deer Club. He enjoyed watching the ballgames, but especially the South Carolina Gamecocks and Atlanta Braves play. Mr. Shealy helped in starting the first B-L Rescue Squad and getting the first ambulance in the community which was located behind the funeral home. He was on the Batesburg Town Council from 1986-1989. He was past member of the Batesburg Fire Department and previously served on the Water Commission. Mr. Shealy’s true calling was being a funeral director, helping families for over 50 years at Milton Shealy Funeral Home where he was the owner and operator since 1968.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Eleanor Waters Shealy; son and daughter-in-law, Darrin Shealy Sr. (Tracy); grandchildren: Lauren (Cory) Harmon, Cooper Gunter (fiancé, Alex Blease) and DJ Shealy; a soon to be great granddaughter; sisters, Loretta Dunham and Juanita Shealy; and his beloved pet, Millie. He was predeceased by a brother, Blandon Shealy; daughter, Lisa Regina “Gina” Shealy Gunter; and step-father, Carl Smith.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM Thursday, October 5, at Milton Shealy Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to the Retired NCO Club, 226 East Columbia Hwy, Leesville, SC 29070 or a Charity of One’s Choice. The family would like to thank Dr. William “Bill” Sawyer and staff, Lexington Medical Center, MSA Home Health Care and Hospice Care for all their care and support.