Search by Name

Search by Name

FUNERAL HOME

Ramey Funeral Home

202 North Rudolph St.

Saluda, South Carolina

Rudolph Mitchell Obituary

Rudolph Mitchell SALUDA - Born September 6, 1926, Rudolph Mitchell died peacefully at home on January 29, 2019.The youngest of four sons of Sue Bledsoe and Thomas Spearman Mitchell, Rudolph spent his entire life on their family farm in Saluda County. A graduate of Hollywood High School, and Veteran of WW II, he married his next-door neighbor Lenora Werts in 1949. Together, and with his brother Frank, they established Rudanks Farms a prize-winning Guernsey Dairy herd. He began his public service by serving as Master of the Higgins Grange. Under his leadership, Higgins was awarded Top Ten Grange Community Clubs in the United States. In 1962, he was elected to the SC House of Representatives introducing legislation to establish the Saluda County Nursing Home, a fee to support the SC Dept of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and advancement for agriculture and rural communities in SC. In 1973, he was elected to the SC Public Service Commission, served twice as Chairman. He retired in 1998. He loved Saluda County and worked to improve the quality of life for his neighbors. He chaired the Saluda Pull-It Festival, faithfully volunteered his musical talents to the Saluda Nursing Home patients, and worked to establish the Saluda Dialysis Center. A self-taught musician, he first played the mandolin as a member of the Silver Dew Boys. For 50 years, he and his late friend, Holly Price, entertained as "The Ivory Keys" a piano and organ duo. They brought beauty and joy with their opening number - "Down Yonder", waltzes, country classics, gospel favorites, and Rudolph's jokes and recitations. His home was a place of love, laughter and music. There, he shared his red roses, Christmas light displays, impromptu concerts, and his swimming pool, where hundreds of community children learned to swim. He was a life-long member of Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent and a member of the choir. His strong voice could be heard each Sunday praising God in song and resounding "Amens". He received the "Order of the Palmetto" from Governor David Beasley, was named Saluda County Citizen of the Year, and was inducted into the SC Dairy Hall of Fame at Clemson University. He was predeceased by his parents, brothers Thomas, J.D., and Frank; his wife of 44 years, Lenora; son, Randy; and grandson,Franklin Spearman. He is survived by his wife of 25 years Faye Crawford Mitchell, daughter Molly M. Spearman (Bill), and daughter-in-law Wanda Mitchell; grandchildren Mitchell Spearman, Katie S. Cornwell (Lee), Amy M. Harper (Brandon), Jason Mitchell (Corey), Lauren and Jeremy Mitchell; great- grandchildren Ava, Layla, and Regan Harper; Whitney, Madison and Kennedy Mitchell;Molly Brooke Cornwell and her baby sister due in a few days; sisters-in law Virginia Mitchell and Jessie Werts. He is also loved and survived by Faye's family children Jimmy Crawford (Elaine), Jewell Scott (Rudy), grandchildren Steve Scott (Kelli), Amy S. Boozer (Art), Jessica C. Trotter (Michael), Kristen and Macy Crawford, great-grandchildren Cole and Ty Boozer; Harley Faye and Hunter Trotter; and Dylan, Bradley, Ryan and Emma Scott.Uncle Rudolph adored and was loved by his nephews, nieces and their families. He was equally proud of his many Mitchell and Bledsoe cousins. Special thanks to friends and care-takers Nancy McCorkle, Dorothy Ouzts, Barbara F. Sargent and Margie Daniels and Doctors Ralph Riley and Oscar Lovelace. Funeral Services will be held at Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, Friday, February 1 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Rudy Scott, 363 Hickory Grove Road, Saluda 29138 or the charity of choice. Ramey's Funeral Home of Saluda, South Carolina is in charge of the arrangements. Memories and condolences may be shared online at www.rameyfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The State on Jan. 30, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Rudolph Mitchell

Not sure what to say?





2 Entries

Janet Ricard

January 31, 2019

Mr. Rudolph was a wonderful man. I dearly loved to hear him play at many functions, most memorably the Gilbert Peach Festival. I was fortunate to visit his farm and swim in the "community pool" on many occasions. Those are some of my fondest childhood memories. I am sending my heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the family. With Love, Janet Black Ricard

Lewie Shealy

January 30, 2019

I sure am sorry about Mr. Rudolph. He was a great man and always so down to earth and easy to talk to (not a combination you find often). He was the main one that started Saluda Nursing Center back when he was in The S.C. House of Representatives and it has become one of the best nursing homes in the State of South Carolina. It has only been a few years ago (3 or 4) and he came in and sat down at the piano and played for a couple hours. He did so much for so many people and I really enjoyed seeing and talking with him. He will be sorely missed. May God hold his large family in his hands and help them through these hard times.

Showing 1 - 2 of 2 results

Make a Donation
in Rudolph Mitchell's name

Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

Memorial Events
for Rudolph Mitchell

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

Funeral services provided by:

Ramey Funeral Home

202 North Rudolph St. P.O. Box 458, Saluda, SC 29138

How to support Rudolph's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor Rudolph Mitchell's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more