John Barnett Ashley, Sr.

Honea Path – John Barnett Ashley, Sr., widower of Nancy Virginia Saxon Ashley, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, June 5th, 2008.

Mr. Ashley was a longtime resident of Central Avenue.

Mr. Ashley was born on the family farm of his parents, the late Jesse Thomas Ashley, Jr. and Florence Lillian O’Dell Ashley in the Turkey Creek Community near Ware Shoals. He was the youngest of twelve siblings. He was educated in the public schools of Ware Shoals, graduating in the Class of 1942. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during World War II.

Mr. Ashley was retired from MetLife after 32 years and 4 months as an agent. Upon completing this career, he was appointed a summary court judge for the Honea Path area of Anderson County. He served in this position for 17 years. After that, he was appointed to serve as the Town Judge for Honea Path, a position he held for 10 years. Mr. Ashley was a charter member of the Honea Path Rescue Squad and served as the Treasurer and Chaplain and later on the Board of Directors. He also served on the school board of Anderson County School District 2 and the combined Board for the Dist. 1 and 2 Career Center. He was presented the Order of the Palmetto in December of 1997. He was a 50 year plus member of Centre Lodge in Honea Path and a member of the Honea Path Presbyterian Church (PCUSA).

He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years in 2007. He is survived by his two sons, John B. Ashley, Jr. and his wife Elaine and Phillip Saxon Ashley of Honea Path. Also, two granddaughters and their husbands, Melissa Ashley Frady and Danny, and Mary Elizabeth Ashley Lothridge and Will, of Honea Path. Mr. Ashley also has _3_ great grandsons, Jackson Riley Frady, Jordan Daniel Frady, and Wyatt Charles Lothridge of Honea Path.

Two sisters survive Mr. Ashley, Mrs. Fannie Ashley Black of Shelby, NC and Mrs. Thelma Ashley Young of Ware Shoals and one brother, William Earl Ashley of Honea Path.

Mr. Ashley was predeceased by sisters, Pearl, Corinne, Nan, Ellen, Mary and Louise. A brother Harold and an infant baby brother also predeceased him.

The family will receive friends on Saturday from 6 P.M. until 8 P.M. at Pruitt Funeral Home. Services will be held on Sunday at 3:00 P.M. at the Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Rev. James E. Moss. Burial will follow in the Garden of Memories Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Honea Path Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 512, Honea Path, SC 29654 or to the Honea Path Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 593, Honea Path, SC 29654.