Bennie Spires

Bennie Spires, Jr. "Buddy" GASTON—Celebration of Life Service for Bennie "Buddy" Spires, Jr., 82, of Gaston, will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2011 at the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Rd., Lexington, SC 29073. Officiating will be Rev. Robert Hawkins and Dr. Larry Harrison. Burial will follow in Sandy Run Lutheran Church Cemetery, 1927 Old State Road, Swansea, SC 29160. Pallbearers will be her grandsons, Ben Spires, Walker Spires, Brad Bozard, John Hendrix, Chris Phillips and Luke Fallaw III. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home. Mr. Spires passed away on Saturday, December 3, 2011. Born in Gaston, he was the son of the late Bennie Spires, Sr. and Kathryn Ellaree Dowd Spires. He was a longtime area resident and a member of Park Street Baptist Church in McKeesport, PA. He was an avid fan of NASCAR and Clemson Football. He worked as a brick mason for many years. Surviving are his daughter, Linda S. Bozard (Harry) of Swansea; son, Keith E. Spires (Debbie) of Pelion; grandchildren, Jolynne R. Phillips, Amber S. Hendrix, Sabrina R. Fallaw, Brianna N. Prince, Ben R. Spires and Brad P. Bozard; great-grandchildren, Walker Spires, Christopher Phillips, Garrett Phillips, Adalynne Fallaw and Ellaree Hendrix; sister, Mary J. Spires of Gaston. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Mae Dell Ott, Lessie Sharpe, Erhline Spires, Lila Harsey and a brother, Johnnie Spires. Memorials may be made in Buddy's honor to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210 or charity of one's choice. Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com