Donald Alford Puckett, Union, Sc Sr.

Mr. Donald Alford Puckett, Sr., age 86, husband of Mae Johnson Puckett of 227 Vernon Foster Rd., Union, passed away early Monday morning, September 15, 2014 at his home. Mr. Puckett was born in Chester, SC April 25, 1928, a son of the late John A. Puckett and Minnie Callahan Puckett. He was a retired Residential Contractor, having been self-employed and also working with Henry Turner. Mr. Puckett also worked for a number of years with the Maintenance Department of the Union County School System. A true woods craftsman, there was nothing he could not create out of wood. Mr. Puckett was especially known for making musical instruments and building cabinets. As an avid musician, he loved Blue Grass music. Mr. Puckett used his God given talent playing with musicians and bands that included Don Reno, the Black Mountain Boys, Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs, Roy Chapman and The True Blue Grass, Buddy Hamilton and The Tarheel Partners, and Gospel Grass at Music on Main in Union. He was also a historian of Blue Grass music and had taught fiddle lessons. Mr. Puckett was a member of New Life Baptist Church where he enjoyed playing in the New Life Church Band. Surviving in addition to his wife are a daughter, Donna P. Cudd and husband David of Union; two sons: Dwight E. Puckett and wife Sandy of Seymour, TN and Donald A. Puckett, Jr and wife Debbie of Boiling Springs; a special "son" Kendall Austin and wife Amy of Union; a sister, Betty P. Tollison and husband Lynn of Fort Mill, SC; a daughter-in-law, Mitzi Puckett of Dandridge, TN; nine grandchildren: Candice Hardiman and husband Jeff of Maryville, TN, Jon Cudd and wife Brooke of Adairsville, GA, Randall Puckett of Seymour, TN, Corey Puckett of Seymour, TN, Cindy P. Fennell of Knoxville, TN, Paula Moore and husband Rob of IN, Karen Light and husband Mark of TN, Angie Phillips and husband Travis of TN and Shelley Chambers of TN; seventeen great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild and numerous nieces and nephews. Mr. Puckett was predeceased by a son, Dale R. Puckett, a sister, Mattie P. Owens and a brother, Robert C. Puckett. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at New Life Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Shannon Faulkner, Rev. Rick Dizbon and Rev. Alan Gregory. Burial will be in Fairforest Baptist Church Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Jon Cudd, Jeff Hardiman, Randall Puckett, Corey Puckett, Ron Tollison, Neil McKeown, Tommy Hart and Zach Carter. The following are asked to serve as Honorary Escort: Jimmie & Pat Cantrell, Pearl Crocker, Florence Meadows, Mary Lee Parks, Jennie Sylvester, Mike & Della Benson, Gibby & Jane Arthur, Jeff and Emily Cannon, Wanda Lockaby, Monty Joe Bogan, Frank Garner, Phil Moore, Nanette Jenkins, Mary Ivey and the New Life Band. Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 PM Tuesday evening at the SR Holcombe Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to New Life Baptist Church, 502 Meansville Rd., Union, SC 29379. The family is at the home, 227 Vernon Foster Rd., Union.