ROBERT DELLINGER WALDEN

Funeral services for Robert Dellinger Walden, 93, will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Bishopville. The Rev. Fran Connell will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home.

Mr. Walden entered into rest on Saturday, Feb. 15, 2020.

Born in Charlotte, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Walter Ancel and Edna Dellinger Walden. He was raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He served in the United States Army during World War II in Germany, France and England. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He graduated from Wake Forest College in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He was a graduate of The School of Banking of the South, Louisiana State University, Class of 1964. He was a banker for 36 years with 30 years at The Peoples Bank of Bishopville, serving as executive vice president, cashier and a member of the board of directors. He retired from First Citizens Bank as vice president and city executive after 6 years. He was a member of the Bishopville Advisory Board. He served on the State Board of Directors of the South Carolina Bankers Association and the South Carolina Independent Bankers Association. He also served as president of the Bishopville Jaycees, president of the Bishopville Rotary Club, chairman of the Bishopville Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Bishopville Great Town Program. He also served as the director of the South Carolina State Chamber of Commerce 1967-1968. He was a member of Bishopville City Council from 1983 until 1987 and served as mayor pro tem 1984 -1985. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, where he was a former member and chairman of the administrative board and chairman of the board of trustees. He was president of the men's Bible class for more than 25 years. He was a member of the board of directors of Robert E. Lee Academy and was one of the original organizers and builders of Bishopville Country Club. He enjoyed golfing, traveling and working in his yard.

Surviving are his wife of 69 years, Frances Payne Walden of the home; children, Donna Beckham, Emily (Brooks) Stuckey and Timothy (Cary) Walden, all of Columbia, and Beth (Ken) Kirkland of Florence; grandchildren, Ryan (Aly) Stuckey, Marshall (Kathryn) Stuckey, Madison Walden, Brandon Walden, Hampton Walden, Ashley (Garrett) Ryan and Andrew (Rachel) Walden; and great-grandchildren, Payne Stuckey, George Stuckey, Charlotte Stuckey, Sam Ryan, Claire Ryan, Mary Frances Walden and Robert D. Walden III.

His six grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert D. Walden Jr.; and a son-in-law, Steve Beckham.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010 or to a charity of one's choice.