E. Randolph Shives III
In Loving Memory
Ernest Randolph Shives, III, 52, of Columbia, died on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Born in Lincolnton, NC, on January 11, 1971, he was the son of Ernest Randolph Shives, Jr. and Teresa Sigmon Shives. He graduated from Lincolnton High School and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Randolph was a 1993 graduate of North Carolina State University and a 1995 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. After graduation, he moved to Columbia and joined the Shives Funeral Home family. He instantly became a vital part of the Columbia community making many friends and meeting his wife, Brandon Davidson. Randolph assumed management of Shives Funeral Home in 1999 and ownership in 2012. He later transitioned to an advisory role in October of 2021 due to his Parkinson's Diagnosis. Through his work, he was a member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, as well as the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
Randolph’s dedication and care for the families of his community continued throughout his health challenges. His legacy will remain with his family and staff as they continue serving through the funeral home. Randolph was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon.
E. Randolph Shives III
In Loving Memory
Ernest Randolph Shives, III, 52, of Columbia, died on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Born in Lincolnton, NC, on January 11, 1971, he was the son of Ernest Randolph Shives, Jr. and Teresa Sigmon Shives. He graduated from Lincolnton High School and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Randolph was a 1993 graduate of North Carolina State University and a 1995 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. After graduation, he moved to Columbia and joined the Shives Funeral Home family. He instantly became a vital part of the Columbia community making many friends and meeting his wife, Brandon Davidson. Randolph assumed management of Shives Funeral Home in 1999 and ownership in 2012. He later transitioned to an advisory role in October of 2021 due to his Parkinson's Diagnosis. Through his work, he was a member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, as well as the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.
Randolph’s dedication and care for the families of his community continued throughout his health challenges. His legacy will remain with his family and staff as they continue serving through the funeral home. Randolph was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon.
Aaron R. Small
In Loving Memory
Aaron Small passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 85. He was the son of the late Harry Smolowsky and Sara Berry Smolowsky. Aaron was a native of Columbia, SC, and a graduate of Dreher High School. He completed his bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
Aaron owned Small Funeral Home in Denmark, SC, and was a partner in McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 55 years.
He was survived by his wife, Bette Hilton Small of Columbia, SC, and was married for 64 years; his two children, Michelle Small of Columbia, SC and Stuart Small of Mt. Pleasant, SC; as well as his two granddaughters, Lila Small and Sadie Belle Small of Mt. Pleasant, SC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Selma Smolowsky, who passed away in 1953, at the age of 18.
Aaron served in the US Army Mortuary Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Although his primary profession was the funeral business, his first love was the fire/rescue service. He was instrumental in establishing volunteer rescue squads in South Carolina, where he served as fire and rescue chief and fire officer for Myrtle Beach Fire and Rescue Departments.
Upon returning to Columbia, SC, he worked with the Richland County Fire/Rescue to reduce fire deaths while serving Richland County. Later he worked with the South Carolina State Fire Marshal’s office to implement legislature to help reduce fire deaths in the state of South Carolina. He was instrumental in establishing the South Carolina Fire and Life Safety Association. The association trained hundreds of South Carolina firefighters in fire and life safety education.
He was employed as a funeral director with Shives Funeral Home in Columbia, SC. Aaron served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and as a flotilla commander of the Lake Murray station. He volunteered for Aluminum Cans for Burned Children, was a member of Forest Acres Rotary Club, and a member of Beth Shalom Synagogue, where he served on the board of directors.
The funeral service for Mr. Small was held at 10:30 o’clock, Friday, February 14th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia, SC, with Rabbi Hesh Epstein officiating. The burial followed at 12 o’clock noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC.
Aaron R. Small
In Loving Memory
Aaron Small passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 85. He was the son of the late Harry Smolowsky and Sara Berry Smolowsky. Aaron was a native of Columbia, SC, and a graduate of Dreher High School. He completed his bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science.
Aaron owned Small Funeral Home in Denmark, SC, and was a partner in McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, SC. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer for over 55 years.
He was survived by his wife, Bette Hilton Small of Columbia, SC, and was married for 64 years; his two children, Michelle Small of Columbia, SC and Stuart Small of Mt. Pleasant, SC; as well as his two granddaughters, Lila Small and Sadie Belle Small of Mt. Pleasant, SC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Selma Smolowsky, who passed away in 1953, at the age of 18.
Aaron served in the US Army Mortuary Division at Fort Bragg, NC. Although his primary profession was the funeral business, his first love was the fire/rescue service. He was instrumental in establishing volunteer rescue squads in South Carolina, where he served as fire and rescue chief and fire officer for Myrtle Beach Fire and Rescue Departments.
Upon returning to Columbia, SC, he worked with the Richland County Fire/Rescue to reduce fire deaths while serving Richland County. Later he worked with the South Carolina State Fire Marshal’s office to implement legislature to help reduce fire deaths in the state of South Carolina. He was instrumental in establishing the South Carolina Fire and Life Safety Association. The association trained hundreds of South Carolina firefighters in fire and life safety education.
He was employed as a funeral director with Shives Funeral Home in Columbia, SC. Aaron served in the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and as a flotilla commander of the Lake Murray station. He volunteered for Aluminum Cans for Burned Children, was a member of Forest Acres Rotary Club, and a member of Beth Shalom Synagogue, where he served on the board of directors.
The funeral service for Mr. Small was held at 10:30 o’clock, Friday, February 14th at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia, SC, with Rabbi Hesh Epstein officiating. The burial followed at 12 o’clock noon at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC.
Michael (Mike) Dillon
In Loving Memory
Michael (Mike) Dillon
In Loving Memory
