Leesville, SC- Reverend Hollis Edward Bonds, 79, went home to Heaven on Wednesday, December 9, 2009.
He was born in Lula, GA on March 21, 1930, son of the late James Edward Bonds and the late Irene Cantrell Bonds Scott. He first married Margaret Ellis of Charleston in 1949. He was also married to Marie Motte from 1974 to 2002, when she passed away. Pastor Bonds was reunited with Margaret in 2004.
He graduated Charleston High School, Mars Hill College and Carson Newman University. Reverend Bonds was ordained in Charleston and served as pastor of several Southern Baptist churches in the Charleston and Beaufort/Jasper Associations before retiring. Rev. Bonds was a master checker player, avid golfer, and played baseball at a competitive level. He served the Lord in ministry and loved his family who surrounded him at the time of his impending passing.
A Celebration of Life service was held at Convent Baptist Church on Sunday, December 13, 2009, at 2 p.m., with burial following in the church cemetery. Visitation was Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at Blizzard Funeral Home, 153 Main St., South, Wagener, SC 29164 (803) 564-5333. Pallbearers were Mark Bonds II, Bradley Bonds, William Weaver, Mark Smith, Henry Bice and Johnny Preston. with G. Dwaine Malphrus serving as honorary pallbearer.
In addition to his current wife, he is survived by his children, David Hollis Bonds, Mark Ellis Bonds Sr. (Keesha), Paul Clifford Bonds (Tammy), Deborah Bonds Myers (Daniel),of Lexington Elizabeth Bonds Weaver and Kimberly Bonds Goodyear (Tony); 8 step-children, a cousin, Carol Rikard; 18 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his former wife, Marie Mott Bonds, a sister, Emily Evans, step-father, Emory Scott, a son, Larry Lea Bonds, grandson, Christopher Hollis Bonds, and a daughter-in-law Nancy Hann Bonds. An online register is available at www.blizzardfuneralhome.com.