PROSPERITY — Surrounded by his loving family, Carroll H. Gregory, 79, departed this life to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012.

A native of Union County, S.C. and in declining health for several weeks, Mr. Gregory died while in the Palmetto Health Heart Hospital in Columbia, S.C.

The son of the late Sara Frances and Broadus Gregory, Carroll (as he was known to all his friends), 633 Bonner Baxter Pl., Prosperity, S.C. (Lake Murray), is survived by his much loved wife of 25 years, Carol Greene Patterson Gregory; one daughter, Julie G. Gallman (David) of Union; a sister, Mrs. Dora G. Bell of Union; and a brother, Jerry Gregory (Beverly) of Columbus, N.C.

Also surviving are two dear granddaughters, Rebecca and Carolina Gallman; and a sister-in-law, Joan G. Edwards Johnson (David) of Spartanburg. In addition are stepchildren, David G. Patterson of Union, Vickie S. Edwards of Surfside Beach, John R. Patterson (Heather) of Union; step-grandchildren, Jessica Henderson (Leif) of Murrells Inlet, Dale Patterson, Cori Ward and Cathryn Patterson, all of Union; one step-great-granddaughter, Hazelei Henderson; nieces Amy Henderson (Gerald) of West Columbia and Cindy Bell of Atlanta, GA.

Mr. Gregory was a 1952 graduate of Union High School where he played football and basketball. He also attended North Greenville Jr. College where he continued playing football. He retired from Cone Mill, Carlisle Plant, after 39 years of service. He was a member of Hebron Baptist Church in Union and also attended the Chapel by the River on Lake Murray. A Mason and a former officer in the Shriners, he was also a former officer in the Elks Club of Union.

Carroll had a great love for his wife, his children, grandchildren, and all of his extended family. He knew how to enjoy life, loved sitting on the porch at his lake home, watching the sunsets, listening to both religious and country music (especially Patsy Cline), visiting with friends and neighbors. He was a friendly, self-proclaimed “people-person” and proved it in his relationships. In his prime he was an avid fisherman and hunter. All the family enjoyed the results when he “cooked up a batch” of his fishing catch of the day.

The family will be at the home of his sister, Mrs. Dora G. Bell, 2839 Whitmire Highway, Union, S.C.

Visitation will be held at Holcombe Funeral Home on Monday, Oct. 8, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m, with the funeral being held at Hebron Baptist Church on Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2012, at 2 p.m. Burial will immediately follow in the Church Cemetery.

A memorial service for his friends at the lake will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, at 8 a.m. at the Chapel by the Lake on Lake Murray.

Pallbearers will be Rudolph Kneece, Miles Riley, Richard Sanders, Dale Patterson, Leif Henderson, and Tony Bailey. The Cone Mill retiree group will act as honorary pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to Hebron Baptist Church, 143 Hebron Church Road, Union, S.C.

The S.R. Holcombe Funeral Home, Inc.

(www.holcombefuneralhomes.com)