Philip Michael Cinnamon

Philip Michael Cinnamon, Sr. passed away July 1, 2026. He was born May 25, 1941 in Knoxville, Tennessee, a son of the late Thomas Estil and Frances Wright Cinnamon of Knoxville.

Mike attended the public schools of Knoxville, Chattanooga and graduated from Tennessee High School in Bristol, Tennessee and also attended East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Pursuing a career in the field of journalism, Mike worked in radio-TV in four southeastern states and prior to his move to South Carolina, served as News Director of WJHL-TV in Johnson City. He moved to Columbia in 1969 to serve as News Editor-Anchorman for WIS-TV. He left WIS-TV in 1971 to become Director of Research, Information and Planning for Richland County. Following a controversial and contested general election in 1972, Mike was assigned the task of administering elections as part of his office and implementing needed improvements. After a smooth and successful general election in 1974, he was appointed Executive Director of Elections for Richland County, a position he held until his retirement in 2011.

Recognized by his peers as an informed, knowledgeable authority on elections, he served in various leadership positions in the election area. He served as President of the SC Association of Registration and Election Officials in 1978, 1979 and 1980. He served as Director at Large for Election Officials of the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers in 1983 and was re-elected in 1984. He received the prestigious Moore Award presented by the SC Association of Registration and Election Officials in 1998 as the Outstanding Election Official in the state.

He had numerous articles on election administration published and his innovative training program for election workers began in 1976 and was used by the Federal Election Commission as a model for jurisdiction across the country. A member of the Federal Election Commission’s Advisory Board on Voting Systems Standards, Mike also served on a congressional committee in the nation’s capital in 1984 that drafted Public Law 98-435, “The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984.”

He was listed in Who’s Who in Local Government Management by the International City Management Association; was honored by the South Carolina State Senate with a resolution honoring his long service to the citizens of Richland County and was also presented a key to the city of Columbia by Mayor Bob Coble. He was known throughout his career as having a non-biased opinion on politics and till his death, his children never knew whether he was a Republican or Democrat. He took his role seriously to ensure each and every voter had the opportunity to exercise their right to vote.

He was a faithful member of Shandon United Methodist Church. Generous with his time in the community, he served with the United Way, the Employment Advisory Committee of the Columbia Urban League, and the Easter Seal Society among other organizations. He also served as a former President of the Trenholm Park Athletic Association.

He was a doting grandfather who loved to spend time with his grandchildren and was an avid golfer until ill health curtailed his activity. He was also an avid fan of the Tennessee Volunteers and enjoyed spending time with his family in the mountains of Blowing Rock, NC or at the beach.

Mr. Cinnamon is predeceased by his beloved wife of 57 years, Barbara Hill Cinnamon and his brother Thomas Edward Cinnamon. He is survived by his son Philip Michael Cinnamon, Jr. (Rosa) of Washington, DC; his daughter, Alicia Cinnamon Buffum (Matt), of Columbia, South Carolina; beloved grandchildren: Guy Collier Buffum, William Estil Buffum, Olivia Frances Buffum of Columbia, SC and Michael Thomas Cinnamon and Gabriela Sophia Cinnamon of Leesburg, VA. He is also survived by his sister Elizabeth Anne Templin of Lake City, Tennessee, brother James Stephen Cinnamon (Sheila) of Knoxville, Tennessee, brother-in-law Edwin Franklin Hill of Kernersville, NC, sister-in-law Janet Church Hill of Charlotte, NC and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 18 at 11:00am at Shandon United Methodist Church. Visitation will be held immediately following the service at the home of Alicia and Matt Buffum at 1626 Shady Lane, Columbia, SC, 29206. All friends and family are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shandon United Methodist Church, 3407 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205.