Mr. John Roy Folsom

John Roy Folsom Columbia - John Roy Folsom was born on December 30, 1918, the fifth of the six children of William Arthur and Flora Newsom Folsom. He passed away peacefully on November 4, 2016. John Roy loved Columbia, his birthplace of Hartsville, SC, his alma mater, Furman University but most of all, his family and his Lord. He and his wife, Anita, who predeceased him, were the parents of four children, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren who were the lights of his life. In his early childhood, he was taught by his mother, an unwavering and devoted Baptist, to be a regular at her Hartsville Baptist church. After his marriage to Anita, he became a Methodist, much to his mother’s chagrin! He was a member of Buncombe Street UMC in Greenville for many years and later of Trenholm Road UMC for the last 55 years of his life where he served a term as chair of the Administrative Board and in many other roles. He was a very competitive man which was well documented when, as a 125 pound high school football player, he was described by the Hartsville Messenger Newspaper as the "Rock of Gibraltar on defense". And, John Roy was gregarious and friendly. If he met a stranger, they weren't a stranger for long! He always wanted to know “where are you from?” and most likely he’d been there and knew your family! He attended Furman University and graduated in 1940. That's where he spied Anita dancing with a fraternity brother his freshman year. He told his roommate, "I'm going to marry that girl", and of course, he did-- a beautiful marriage of almost 73 years. After graduation, he briefly worked for the Liberty Life Insurance Company before volunteering for the U. S. Navy in WW II. He completed his service as Lieutenant JG in 1946 and returned to Liberty Life in Greenville where he managed the Mortgage Loan Division. In 1960, he became President and CEO of Home Federal S&L in Columbia. During his tenure, the S&L grew from assets of $35 million to over a $1 billion and it became a statewide organization resulting in a change of the name to South Carolina Federal. He retired in 1988. He was a leader in the savings and loan industry serving on the board of directors of the U.S. League of S&Ls and the SC League of S&Ls of which he was the Chairman in 1969. He was an avid Gamecock fan and supported the University of SC in many ways including serving as an adjunct professor of the School of Business, as a member of the board of the USC Educational Foundation and as President of the University Associates. John Roy also served as a member of the boards of directors of several publicly traded companies including Seibels Bruce Insurance Company, Investors National Life Insurance Co and Giant Portland Cement Co. He was an energetic civic and community servant. He was a member of the boards of the Providence Hospital Foundation, Columbia College, the United Way of the Midlands, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce, the United Negro College Fund and Junior Achievement. He also served as a board member as well as the president or chairman of the SC Chamber of Commerce, the SC Independent Colleges and Universities, the Furman Alumni Association, University Associates, the SC Heart Association and one of his very favorites - the Palmetto Baseball League where his sons, grandsons and great grandsons played baseball. One of his most cherished roles was his service on the Richland/Lexington Airport Commission where he was the chair for many years. He was a member of the Columbia Rotary Club, The Palmetto Club, the Quadrille Club, Spring Valley Country Club and was the founding president of the Summit Club. He was also a member of Forest Lake Club where he enjoyed the game of golf with his buddies well into his 90s. As an acknowledgement of his many contributions to the affairs of the state and the Midlands, he was selected as one of Columbia's Ten Most Influential People in 1979. John Roy was known as "Pop" to his family. He is survived by his children and their spouses, Tinker Folsom, Dale Tate, Johnny Folsom (English) and George Folsom (Suzanne); grandchildren, Brian Boney, Lisa Bradham, Reginald Heinitsh, Dale Walker Roberts (Alex), Katie Folsom Eaddy (Ryan), Andy Folsom (Lucy), Anderson Folsom and Reilly Ann Folsom; great grandchildren, Alex, MacCauley and Tyler Bradham, Alexander and Davies Roberts, Hudson Heinitsh, Emma and Grier Eaddy, Anderson, Heathley, Roscoe and Currie Folsom and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to give special thanks to his devoted caregivers Saundra Turner, Delfrettia Bouie, Sheila Frye, Pat Thompson, LaShelle King and Mary Tobias as well as the staff of Six Heart at Providence Hospital. Since John Roy was so devoted to many organizations, it was his wish that any memorials be made to a charity of one's own choice with his hope that all persons will be steadfast in their passion for the benefit of the well-being of others. The family looks forward to greeting friends in a celebration of "Pop's" life following his memorial service on Monday, November 7th at 4 o'clock at Trenholm Road United Methodist Church. The committal at Greenlawn Memorial Park, with military honors, will be private. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is in charge.

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Mr. John Roy Folsom

December 30, 1918 - November 4, 2016