Inez Crim Bair

Inez Crim Bair, 95, of Elloree, South Carolina, peacefully passed away Sunday, June 2, 2024, surrounded by her family who loved and cherished her very dearly.

Inez was born March 31, 1929 in Calhoun County, SC. She was the daughter of the late Frank Allen Crim and Jesse Rucker Crim of St Matthews, SC. Inez was the second oldest of her beloved siblings; the late Geneva Crim Walling, the late Frank "Bill" Crim Jr, the late Ralph Crim (Tommie Crim of Elloree, SC), and Frances Crim Felkel of Elloree, SC. They remained close their entire lives ad enjoyed time together throughout.

Inez graduated from St Matthews High School in 1946, where her best subject was General Business Science. At an early age, Inez began doing what she loved; working with the public. By the age of twelve, she was already working, selling penny candy at the local Isgett's Grocery Store in her hometown of St Matthews, SC. Her last two years of high school, after class and on Saturdays, Inez enjoyed running the Soda Foundation at Knight's Drug Store. A year after graduating, like most young women her age, Inez fell in love, got married, and had 3 beloved children. A few years after the children were born; she started working at Saucony Dress Factory where she worked her way up to Supervisor. In 1957, Inez and her husband had the opportunity to open the first IGA grocery store in Elloree, SC, known as "Elloree Super Market.: For 25 successful years, Inez managed the grocery store, while her husband and children helped whenever needed. In 1973, Inez and the Bair family bought the old railroad depot building of Elloree, SC and turned it into a thriving restaurant. "De Ole Depot" Restaurant served a Southern Style and Seafood Buffet Friday and Saturday evenings, and lunch on Sunday. For years, the restaurant averaged around 1,000 patrons each weekend, and was featured in numerous articles, including The South Carolina Magazine and the local Times and Democrat Newspaper. For the last eight years of Inez's working career, she worked as the Clerk of the Calhoun County Treasurer's Office in St Matthews, SC.

In 1947, Inez married Robert Milton "Rock" Bair, Sr of Elloree, SC. They were happily married for 67 years until his death in 2014. Inez and "Rock" had three children; Sandra Bair Mixson (the late Steve Mixson) of Santee, Robert Milton "Bobby" Bair, Jr (Carol) of Florida, and the late Thomas Allen Bair (Linda) of Elloree.

Inez was a long-time active member of the Frist Baptist Church of Elloree, SC. She enjoyed teaching Children's Sunday school for over 20 years, as well as Women's Bible Study. She enjoyed singing in the choir and helping whenever needed. Inez was fortunate to travel the world with her church friends and family, visiting places such as Europe, Israel, Egypt, Hawaii, Niagara Falls, the 1963 World's Fair in New York, and many more.

Throughout her busy life, Inez enjoyed raising her children, spending time with her family and friends, traveling, gardening, and sewing. She loved attending church, working with the public, and always went out of her way to help the ones around her. Inez was known to exhibit compassion and love to all she encountered...

Inez is proceeded in death by her parents, oldest sister, brothers, husband, youngest son, and one grandchild; the late Shanna Bair of Barnwell, SC.

Inez is survived by a sister; Frances Crim Felkel of Elloree, a sister-in-law; Tommie Crim of Santee, two of her children; Sandra B Mixon of Santee, and Bobby Bair (Carol) of Florida, a daughter-in-law; Linda Bair of Santee, five grandchildren; Melanie Jones (Richie) of Elloree, Angie Stout (Brad) of Illinois, Lora Ann Mixson of Santee, Chris Bair (Savannah) of Elloree, Jonathan Bair (Carlesha) of Orangeburg. Eight great-grandchildren; Dylan Stogner (Emily) of Sumter, Dallas Stogner (Abby) of Sumter, Damien Jones (Heather) of Beaufort, Breanna Jones of Elloree, Brandon Goetter (Kaleigh) of Kansas, Devin Mixson of Santee, J.R. Bair, and C.C. Bair of Orangeburg. And four great-great-grandchildren; Ophelia, Tilly, Kylie, and Kolson Stogner of Sumter.

The family would like to send a heart-felt Thank You to the staff at Calhoun Convalescent Center of St Matthews, The Methodist Oaks of Orangeburg, MUSC of Charleston, and Low Country Community Hospice House of Summerville for all their love and care they have provided over the last few years.

Services will be held Saturday, June 8, 2024 at 3 PM, at the First Baptist Church of Elloree, 6208 Old Number Six Hwy, with Pastor Don Bell officiating. Burial will follow at the Hungerpiller Cemetery in Elloree. Arrangements are being handled by Fogle-Hungerpiller Funeral Home in Elloree. The family will receive friends from 1 PM - 2 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the First Baptist Church of Elloree prior to the funeral service.

Memorials may be sent in honor of Inez Crim Bair to The First Baptist Church of Elloree, SC. (P O Box 387, Elloree, SC 29047) and Hungerpiller Cemetery (262 Horse Pond Rd, Elloree, SC 29047).