Community says goodbye to 'Mr. East Clarendon'

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Former Clarendon County Fire Chief Carter Jones first met Van Green in the early 1970s, when the latter began instructing others in the ways of the fire service.

"He was the assistant chief in Turbeville over there," said Jones. "Over the years our friendship grew, and as discussions took place about starting a county-wide fire system, I went to Mr. Van for advice and some direction about who to contact over there to gain support."

Green, Jones said, was instrumental in garnering support from those in the eastern portion of Clarendon County in getting the county-wide system started. That system just celebrated its 40th anniversary in July.

"He took me under his wing," Jones said. "He bought into the idea of rural fire protection. He knew how important that was. Later on, when the county system was established, he was appointed to the Fire Advisory Board. He was an instrumental part of the early days of the department."

Van Green Sr., 90, died Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at his home, after an illness.

Born in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Gleaton Euston Green and Sally Leviner Robinson Green.

He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and was the former owner and operator of Green’s Gulf Service in Turbeville.

He was the chief for the Turbeville district of the Clarendon County Fire Department, from which he retired in 1999. He was Clarendon County Firefighter of the Year in 1991 and was inducted into the Clarendon County Hall of Fame in 1991. He was an honorary member of the East Clarendon Booster Club from 2013-14.

He was a member of Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church. He received a proclamation from the South Carolina House of Representatives in 2001. The Turbeville Fire Station was named the Coy Green Fire Station after him.

"His leadership was just invaluable on the Fire Advisory Board," said Jones. "He was a big part of our county-wide system and getting that fire protection on the north end of the county."

Personally, Jones said Green was a "man of great integrity and character."

"He loved serving the community," said Jones. "He was a member of the Turbeville Rescue Squad, and he stayed busy. Somehow, he was able to balance his work and family and church and the fire service and the rescue squad. He was a busy man, but a great one."

Former Turbeville Mayor Jeannie Turbeville agreed.

"He was just so important to our community," said Turbeville. "He was the heart of this community."

Mike Buddin worked for Green at the old Green's Gulf Station while in high school.

"He was 'Mr. East Clarendon,'" said Buddin in a memorial message at Floyd Funeral home. "He has done so much for the athletic program at East Clarendon that he should have his picture hanging in the locker rooms."

Kent Coker agreed.

"Not only have you, his family, lost a great father, the town and community of Turbeville lost a great man who did as much to support everyone he met as anyone who ever came in contact with him," Coker said. "He did it willingly and without an expectation of even a 'thank you.' He was Mr. Turbeville and Mr. East Clarendon, and he will be missed."

Phillip Purvis Sr. remembered Green as one of his biggest supporters when the younger man played East Clarendon football.

"He treated me as a son," said Purvis. "He was a great father figure and mentor. He will be missed, but I will always have in my thoughts some wonderful memories."

Survivors include his daughters, Sharon Green Floyd, Connie Green (Fred) Huth, Tammy (David) Sullivan and Cheryl Green Barwick, all of Turbeville, and Terri Green (Ronny) Tabor of Manning; a son, Coy Evander “Van” (Barbara) Green Jr. of Turbeville; two sisters, Shirley Green (Sam Jr.) Knight of Lake City and Sara Green Poss of Gainesville, Florida; 16 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 19, 2017, at East Clarendon High School’s gymnasium, with burial in the Horse Branch Free Will Baptist Church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Neil and Mandi Morgan Mission Fund, C/O Horse Branch FWB Church 1097 Horse Branch Road, Turbeville, SC 29162

Online condolences may be made at www.floydfuneral.com.

Floyd Funeral Home of Olanta is in charge of services.