J. Fred Sprouse

J. Fred Sprouse, 84, resident of 2810 Highway 702, husband of Cecile Russell Sprouse, passed into his eternal home on August 5, 2022. Born in Hodges, he was the son of the late Ralph and Katie M. “Kitty” Linnenkohl Sprouse. He was a 1956 graduate of Greenwood High School and a 1960 graduate of Erskine College. He achieved a dual degree in Science and Mathematics. He retired from the Monsanto Company having served for over 31 years in supervision at both the Greenwood, SC facility and at the Sand Mountain, AL facilities. He was the Night Superintendent upon his retirement. A member of Coronaca Baptist Church, he was a member and former teacher of the Lightbearers Sunday School Class, a former deacon, and a member of the choir. He was also actively involved in other churches at which he was a member. In addition to his wife at the home, he has two sons, J. Russell “Rusty” (Beth) Sprouse of Albertville, AL, and F. Scott Sprouse of Greer, SC. He has two grandchildren, Brett (Melissa) Sprouse, and Lauren (Grant) Wood, and two great-granddaughters, Emery and Madilyn Wood. He has a brother, R. Theron (Emma) Sprouse of Savannah, GA. He has numerous nephews and nieces. Among his favorites were his four-legged “family members” with Maddie bringing him the most joy and comfort. Mr. Sprouse was active in both fishing and golf. He had been a charter member of the Greenwood, SC and of the Sand Mountain Bassmasters, as well as a member of the Boaz, AL Bass Club. He had served as president of all three clubs, as well as been on the Board of Directors for the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Federation. He was a charter member of Star Fort National Golf Club, an active member o The Fort at 96 Seniors, a former member of the Midlands Senior Golfers, and served on the board of directors of the Midlands Senior Golfers for six years. During his golfing years, he had eight (8) holes-in-one and had the good fortune of having two (2) of these occurring in a single round of golf. In addition to fishing and golf, his hobbies included tying custom-made fishing rods, and building and repairing golf clubs. During the USA’s Bicentennial year, he tied over 30 fishing rods with red, white and blue guide wrappings to honor this event. He was an avid Clemson Football and Baseball fan attending as many home and away games as possible. He also served on the City Planning and Zoning Board of Albertville, AL while living there. Mr. Sprouse served eight (8) years in the SC National Guard. Additionally, he and his wife were volunteers at the Ninety Six National Historic Site where both were honored for twenty-five (25) years of faithful volunteer service. The family would like to offer gracious thanks to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont for their care and support. Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 pm Monday, at the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood, with Reverends Chuck Sprouse and Todd Polatty officiating. Private interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be James Berley, Jim Coursey, Jerry Duncan, Colby Payne, Curtis Rowland, Brett Sprouse, Matt Thornton and Grant Wood. Alternate pallbearer: J.B. Calliham. Honorary escort will be Preston Sprouse, Stanley Sprouse, Jimmy Sprouse, Rick Sprouse, Gerald Sprouse, Bobby Stoudemire, Joan Calliham, Sylvia Rowland, Mike Carson, Jackie Jennings, Anne Alewine, Libby Thruston, Freida Lark, Julia Lark, Bird Shirley, Jerry Carver, Benton George, members of the LIghtbearers Sunday School Class, and members of the Coronaca Baptist Church choir. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.