RIDGELAND - Mr. Melvin Laverne Dempsey, 58, of Smith Crossing near Ridgeland, died Thursday evening, June 25, 2009 in the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center in Mobile, AL.
Born Sept. 11, 1950, in Hampton County, he was the son of Mrs. Irma Mixson Adams and the late Melvin Frederick Dempsey. He served his country in the United States Army, was the owner and operator of Plantation Station at Sea Pines Center on Hilton Head Island and was a very active member of Great Swamp Baptist Church in Ridgeland, . He will be remembered by all who knew him as a wonderful son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.
Surviving besides his mother of Varnville is his beloved wife, Janet Gatlin Dempsey of the home; one son: Melvin Christopher Dempsey and wife Veronica of Ridgeland; two daughters: Sheila "DeDe" Nettles and husband Eddie of Ridgeland and Heather Lynn Dempsey of Hilton Head, ; two brothers: Randy Adams and Wendy Adams, both of Varnville and two sisters, Nita Gooding of Hampton and Dr. Shirley Dempsey, Chaplain of Opelika, AL. There are four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, July 1, 2009 at 11 AM in the Sand Hill Baptist Church near Varnville, conducted by Rev. Ralph Lee and Dr. Shirley Dempsey, Chaplain. Burial was in the Sand Hill Cemetery.
Memorials in his memory may be directed to: Sand Hill Cemetery, PO Box 863, Varnville, 29944 or Great Swamp Baptist Church, PO Box 446, Ridgeland, SC 29936.
Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton was in charge of the arrangements.