L. Hoke Parris

1927 - 2021

Gaffney, SC-Lemuel Hoke Parris, 94, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, June 13, 2021, at his residence.

Born in Gaffney on June 12, 1927, he was the husband of Shirley Upton Parris for 68 years and the youngest son of 13 children of the late Robert Edward (Boss) and Eliza Parris Parris. He grew up and resided in Draytonville Community. Hoke was a graduate of Gaffney High School. He retired from Boren Clay Products in 1989, was a part-time farmer, and was a U.S. Army Korean War veteran.

Hoke was a member of Draytonville Baptist Church since childhood and there he served as deacon chairman, as Broad River Baptist Associational Training Director, and in numerous church offices during his life. These included Sunday School Director, Training Union Director, Sunday School teacher, and various church committees. He especially enjoyed serving as the director of the 4-F (Friends, Fellowship, Food, and Fun) Group which met monthly and involved men from all over Cherokee County. This group was famous for chicken stews and donations to charitable organizations.

Hoke was a former member of Woodmen of the World and in 1960, he was honored with the title Mr. Woodman for the local camp. Hoke was a former Mason and served as president of Draytonville Water Works since its establishment in 1979 until he retired in 2011. He was a retired president of Cherokee County Fast Pitch Softball Old Timers' League and was named to their Hall of Fame in 1999.

Hoke was elected to Cherokee County Council in 1988, and retired December 2016. During his tenure, he served as chairman for many years, served on numerous committees, and was inducted into the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 2008. Hoke worked diligently with state and county officials to bring a campus of Spartanburg Tech (later renamed Spartanburg Community College) to Cherokee County. On May 16, 2012, the L. Hoke Parris Business Training Center was dedicated in his honor.

Surviving in addition to his wife is a son, Chris Parris (Lisa) of Gaffney; a daughter, Holly Parris Jollay (Lyle) of Gaffney; a grandson, Preston Parris (Tori) of Chesnee; one great-granddaughter, Scarlett Parris of Chesnee; three step grandchildren, and three step-great-grandsons of Gaffney; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Shirley Anne Parris, his brothers, Ed Parris, Boyd Good Parris, Lloyd Parris, Wade Parris, Elbert Parris, Derbin Parris, Bob Parris, Sidney Parris, Tank Parris and Guy Parris, and his sisters, Letitia Parris Barnhill and Janelle Parris Moss.

Private graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Draytonville Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:00 PM until 4:00 PM on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, at Draytonville Baptist Church with a celebration of life service following at 4:00 PM. Dr. Keith Harrill, Dr. Robert Ivey, and Reverend Delos Blanton will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Draytonville Baptist Church, 179 Draytonville Church Road, Gaffney, SC 29340 or to Agape Care, 110 Dillon Drive, Spartanburg,

SC 29307.

The family will be at the residence.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC