Eldridge Emory Jr.

1935 - 2023

Eldridge Emory Jr.
March 19, 1935 - February 20, 2023
Lancaster , South Carolina - Eldridge Robert Emory, Jr. went to his Heavenly Home on February 20, 2023 at the age of 87. He was born March 19,1935, in Lancaster, SC. He was a devoted husband, loving father, wonderful grandfather and a caring community leader. Eldridge graduated from Lancaster Senior High School in 1955 and was the captain of the Lancaster Hurricanes football team. He was the King to his Homecoming Queen, Perry Lee. His love of football would last his whole life, playing football at Wingate College, and watching his brothers and nephews play high school and college football throughout his life. Eldridge loved BIG. He LOVED his God and his church, Immanuel Baptist, teaching a Sunday School class until he was near 80 years old, was a deacon and was on numerous committees. He LOVED his state, serving as a State Representative in the SC State House for nine years. He LOVED his county and served on Lancaster County Council for 19 years, a member of Chamber of Commerce, member and President of the Catawba Regional Council of Governments, a member of the Catawba Regional Development Corporation, a member of SC Council of Governments and Junior Chamber International. Also, over the years he held various positions as a member of the Lion's Club, the Rotary, and the Masons. He was President of the Jaycees, Sertoma Club, Shriners, and Lancaster Co. Red Cross. He was a recipient of the Order of the Palmetto, which is the state's highest honor awarded by the governor and chose not to make it public.
He thought Lancaster was the best place to live, and never wanted to live anywhere else. Eldridge began his career working for Retail Credit Company, now known as Equifax in 1958. In 1966, he became Manager of the Lancaster Springmaid Credit Association, one of 6 credit unions serving Springs Cotton Mill employees. The 6 Credit Unions merged into one and which is now Founders Federal Credit Union. He worked for Founders for 34 years. The last two years of his tenure with Founders, he was Vice President of Special Projects. Eldridge LOVED his job and enjoyed helping people through his work, and his coworkers became like family over the years. Most of all, Eldridge LOVED his family. The family of his youth, often speaking of his early years on the family farm with his parents, brothers, and sister. Then later working in the family store, Emory's Grocery. He LOVED being Uncle Eldridge to many special nieces and nephews over the years, and he LOVED being a Dad. It was the joy of his life, raising Kathy, Rob, and Christi. Then, he LOVED being a Paw-Paw to Zach and Max, building treehouses, giving rides on lawnmowers, and teaching yet another generation how to swim in their backyard pool. Above all, though, Eldridge LOVED Perry Lee Faile Emory. They met in grade school and married soon after high school graduation. They were married for 65 wonderful years. His eyes lit up when around her, and he so enjoyed making and hearing her laugh. He was predeceased by his parents, Eldridge Robert Emory, Sr. and Eunice Hawkins Emory; his wife Perry Lee Faile Emory; his daughter, Kathy LeAnn Emory; sister, Joanne Emory Edwards; brother, Edward Emory; and brother, Maurice Emory. Eldridge is survived by his son, Rob Emory and his wife, Lisa Hammond Emory of Lancaster; his daughter, Christi Emory Brewer and her husband, Michael Brewer of Columbia, SC; his grandchildren, Zach Emory of Little River, SC; Max Emory and his wife Sedona Smith Emory of Waynesville, NC; his brother, Melvin Emory and his wife Jeannie Emory of Lancaster, as well as many nieces and nephews.The Celebration of Life Funeral Service for Eldridge will be 11:00 Saturday, February 25, 2023 at Immanuel Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Tim Anderson. Private burial will take place at Lancaster Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:00 am – 11:00 am, one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, for those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, General Fund, 1152 Great Falls Rd, Lancaster, SC 29720.