Reuben Bunyan Marlowe

SUMTER - The Rev. Dr. Reuben Bunyan Marlowe of Sumter, S.C. died Friday, November 12, 2010, at Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, Ga. He was married to Martha Ann Seymour Marlowe for 59 years.

Dr. Marlowe, who was born April 1, 1928, in Columbus County, N.C., was the son of John M. and Lula Holmes Marlowe. He graduated from Tabor City High School, N.C., and from Asbury University, Wilmore, Ky. He earned Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Emory University.

Dr. Marlowe was a United Methodist minister who pastored churches in South Carolina for over 40 years. He served at Bath; Grace, Faith and Appalache, Greer; St. Mark, Columbia; Trinity, Charleston; Lyttleton St., Camden; First UMC, Laurens; Trinity, Sumter; Aldersgate, Greenville; and First UMC, Conway. After retirement, he served Camp Swamp, Loris, where he was baptized as an infant, as well as Ebenezer and Wampee in the Loris Charge. Dr. Marlowe was the organizing pastor of Grace and Faith. He was a member of a mission team to Costa Rica and an exchange pastor in Bournemouth, England. He was chairman of the Board of Evangelism and served on many other boards and agencies of the United Methodist Church, including Epworth Children's Home.

Surviving are his wife; a daughter, Deborah Ann, Atlanta, Ga.; and sons, Reuben Stephen, wife, Gretchen Levin, and children, Kathryn Anne, Sarah Elizabeth and Reuben James, Wilmington, N.C.; Andrew Philip, wife, Louise Moseley, and children, Andrew Philip Jr., Rebecca Louise, George Dalton and Samuel Galloway, Sumter, S.C.; and Jonathan David, wife, Angela Rogers, and children, Elizabeth Ann and Rachel Marie, Gibsonville, N.C.; a sister, Mae Richardson, Humble, Texas; and a brother, William Paul, Longs, S.C.

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, Sumter, officiated by the Rev. Jonathan D. Marlowe and assisted by the Rev. Dr. Angela Rogers Marlowe and the Rev. Kevin Gorry, pastor. A reception at the church will follow the service. Honorary pallbearers will be clergy members and current and former staff of the S.C. Annual Conference and their families.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Reuben B. and Martha S. Marlowe Endowment to be used for scholarships at Emory University's Candler School of Theology, 1531 Dickey Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322 (checks payable to Candler School of Theology); to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, SC 29150-5195; or to a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.