Jodie C. Galloway

North Augusta, SC— Funeral Services for Mr. Jodie C. Galloway, 81, who entered into rest September 9, 2018, will be conducted Friday morning at 11 o'clock at Sweetwater Baptist Church. Dr. Paul Noe and Rev. Gene Jennings officiating. Members of the Jesse C. Lynch Memorial American Legion Post 71 will serve as honorary pallbearers. Interment will be in Pineview Memorial Gardens. Jodie Chandler Galloway endeared himself to everyone he met. Overflowing with God’s love, joy and laughter, he was a sincere friend, caring brother, devoted husband, lively and sometimes mischievous son and loving father. He was a picture of health; a strapping specimen of vitality and vigor. He was not your typical 81-year-old, traveling, dancing, biking, kayaking, singing and playing guitar while praising God and making everyone he encountered feel like an instant friend. He was suddenly struck with acute pancreatitis and taken far sooner than anyone expected, given his spice for life and gregarious personality. Jodie was born on April 18, 1937 in Joanna, South Carolina to Albert Bruce (A.B.) Galloway and Alma T. Galloway. He is survived by his darling wife, Mary W. Galloway, his four children whom he had with his loving wife of 49 years, Teresa W. Galloway (deceased), Natalie G. Pierce, her husband Lou Pierce and their sons Ian Pierce and Gavin Pierce of Windber, PA, Brannon Galloway and Shari Bishop of Aiken, SC, Lauren G. Coates and Matthew Coates of Lakewood, CO and Benjamin Galloway of Redmond, OR. Newly welcomed to his family were his step-daughter and her husband, Julie P. and Anthony Stanley and step-grandchildren Ashlyn, Alaina and Alyssa Stanley as well as step-grandchildren Caitlyn and Kyle Coates. A family of educators, his father was superintendent of schools and his mother was a school teacher in Trenton, SC. Stories of Jodie and his brother, Bud Galloway’s playful escapades keep the family laughing still today. Memories of road trips to the beach with the whole family, including his dear sisters Betty Galloway Eklund (deceased) and Sara Galloway Cooper, are full of hilarity. Their long-time neighbor and dear friend, Virginia Burton Kemp, recalls being rocked to sleep at night by the serenades of Jodie and Bud playing guitar and singing songs on their screened-in porch on late summer evenings. The brothers spent summers picking peaches, lifting homemade weights, showing off their gymnastic prowess to impress the girls and escaping the local police while speeding down back roads in their hot rods. Jodie was proud of his degree from Furman University where he threw javelin and discus on the track team. He and his Furman roommate, John Kemp, spent time one summer in New Mexico and Jodie worked in a saw mill in California one summer as well. Jodie enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1959 and was honorably discharged as Lieutenant Junior Grade in 1963, serving over 4 years. He served as the Recruit Regimental Commander during his training with Coast Guard recruit company Gold-40 in Cape May, NJ, giving commands for the Regiment and Battalion Commanders, and was proudly Captain of the Port in Savannah, Georgia, during his service. Jodie followed in his parent’s footsteps as a school teacher in his 20s and found his wife-to-be at 30. Only having known her for a couple months, Jodie Galloway arrived to meet Tess Waldrep’s parents with a basket full of South Carolina peaches on July 4, 1967 and kissed Tess for the very first time that night. They prayed about their decision together, and Jodie asked Tess to marry him that very night. With a 6-week engagement, they married in August of 1967. Thirteen months later, their first daughter, Natalie, was born. Then, Brannon was born in 1970, Lauren in 1973 and Benjamin in 1977. A strong foundation of faith was instilled in Jodie by his parent’s Christian influence. Jodie and Tess were a testimony to God’s love and shared it shamelessly with anyone willing to listen. A strong focus on the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Jodie enjoyed prayer groups, like the Full Gospel Men’s Fellowship. Jodie was prayer warrior and led many to Jesus. And, he was very proud of his years in the Coast Guard as well. He joined the American Legion in the early 2000s and became their chaplain in 2009, melding his passion for Christ and his pride of military service. Jodie was active with the American Legion, attending services and funerals of his comrades regularly, always proud to fit into his uniforms from 50+ years ago. Jodie was well-known in the Aiken and Edgefield County public schools, as he met with teachers regularly through Horace Mann Insurance Company, selling insurance to educators. After nearly 30 years there, he branched off to become an independent financial planner, helping many retire early with his investment insights and offerings. He loved people, therefore loved his work and was still actively helping clients strategize their retirement planning when he passed away at 81. After many years of caring lovingly and tenderly for his dear wife ‘Tessie’, she went to heaven in May of 2016. Jodie happily married a long-time family friend and sweetheart, Mary W. Pinion Galloway, later that year. They lived every moment to the fullest, thoroughly enjoying a trip to Seattle, Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Tetons National Park and Jackson Hole, WY in July. And, having just returned from a long weekend in New Orleans, LA, with a veterans group. They had a loving social network, laughed and danced often and enjoyed their ‘reserved’ seat at Sweetwater Baptist Church together. His passing has shocked all who knew him, as his vibrancy, jubilance and sincerity was infectious. His family is heartbroken but know his legacy of love will continue to live on through them and his many friends here on earth while he praises the Lord with song and dancing in heaven with all who have gone on before him. I will bless thee o Lord, I will bless thee o Lord with the heart of thanksgiving, I will bless thee o Lord... The family will receive friends at Posey Funeral Directors this Thursday evening from 6 until 8 and at the church Friday morning from 10 until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: American Legion Post 71, P.O. Box 6036, North Augusta, SC 29861. Posey Funeral Directors of North Augusta in charge of arrangements (803.278.1181).

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Jodie C. Galloway

April 18, 1937 - September 9, 2018