George Cullen Dyches, Sr

G. Cullen Dyches, Sr. HOLLY HILL - George Cullen Dyches, Sr., 85, widower of Evelyn Watkins Dyches, died September 19, 2011, at his home at 1857 Branchdale Highway in Holly Hill surrounded by his family after a brief illness. The funeral will be held at Target United Methodist Church, Holly Hill, on Thursday, September 22, 2011, at 11:00 A.M. conducted by the Rev. Barry Allen and the Rev. Cooper Stonestreet . Visitation will be held at Avinger Funeral Home in Holly Hill from 5:00-8:00 P.M. on Wednesday, September 21, 2011. At other times, friends may call at the home. Pallbearers will be Thomas Hay, Carlton Connor, Larry Marchant, T. W. Murphy, Sammy Pritcher, Wayne Hart, and Nicky Goodwin. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Holly Hill Lions Club, members of the Po Chance Eating and Hunting Club, and the Class of 1945 of Eutawville High School. Mr. Dyches was born in Barnwell County on July 31, 1926, the son of Harry Samuel Dyches and Margaret McClendon Dyches. Cullen married the former Evelyn Elizabeth Watkins, the love of his life, on January 18, 1951. They built their home on Branchdale Highway and lived there during their entire marriage. They raised five children together and were married for 55 years before her death on February 10, 2006. Mr. Dyches spent his entire career with the South Carolina Department of Transportation as an electrical supervisor. He retired after 43 years of service at age 61. He also retired as a self-employed electrician. He was a very active member of Target United Methodist Church for 44 years, where he served as chairman of the administrative board, lay leader, lay member to the annual conference, head usher, and on the cemetery and building committees. He was an active member of the Holly Hill Lions Club, having served as president for five different terms, served on the board of directors and as treasurer from 1995 to 2011. He worked tirelessly year after year for the annual Lion's Club Fish Fry fundraiser. September, 2011, marked his fortieth year as a Lion. He was a 1945 graduate of Eutawville High School and was in charge of arranging their class reunions. He was a member of the Po Chance Eating and Hunting Club where he held the title of Most Helpful Cook's Assistant, a member of the Eastern Orangeburg County Fishers of Men, and supported the work of and made countless friends at the Hebron-Grace Home in Santee. He was secretary-treasurer for life of the Dyches Family Reunion held annually in Barnwell County, was a board member of the South Carolina Highway Department District 7 Federal Credit Union for 20 years, and was a charter member of the Tri-County Regional Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the former Holly Hill Wildlife Club where he served as secretary-treasurer for 28 years and was a member of the former Holly Hill Young Farmers Club where he served as president and secretary-treasurer. Throughout his 24 years of retirement, Mr. Dyches enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, auctions, flea markets, going to the beach, and spending time with his family. He was a respected member of the community and never met a stranger. In addition to his wife, Evelyn, he was predeceased by a brother, Charles Edward Dyches, baby sister Mary Elizabeth Dyches, brother-in-law, Bernie L. Watkins, and sons-in-law, Jimmy Osborne and Michael Smoak. He is survived by his children, Dianne D. Osborne Smoak of Holly Hill, George Cullen Dyches, Jr., of Eutawville, Donna D. (Jimmy) Clayton of Dorchester, Ellen D. (Charles) Sutton of Holly Hill, and Mary Lynn D. (Scott) Owen of Eutawville; grandchildren, Karen C. (Russ) Morris, Melissa Renee Clayton, Holly Elizabeth Clayton, all of Dorchester, Heidi S. (Josh) Mitchum of Dorchester, Adam Ryan Sutton of Holly Hill, Hunter Tyler Dyches of Eutawville, and Remington Michael Owen of Eutawville; and a great-grandson, MacKenzie James Morris of Dorchester; sisters-in-law Alice Simmons Watkins of Holly Hill, and Betty McClure Dyches of Lakeland, Florida; special friends, Larry and Annette Marchant and family of Holly Hill, Jackie Gulley of Orangeburg, the Sammy Pritcher family of Holly Hill, and a number of nieces and nephews. The family wishes to thank Amedysis Hospice and special caregivers Linda Simmons and Albertha Void. Memorials may be made to Target United Methodist Church Carpet/Building Fund, PO Box 1303, Holly Hill, SC 29059; Holly Hill Lions Club, PO Box 1093, Holly Hill, SC 29059; or Hebron-Grace Home, po Box 407, Santee, SC 29142.