James E. "Pap" Valentine

December 25, 2017 Mr. James E. "Pap" Valentine, age 84, husband of Alma I. Valentine of 200 E. Hillcrest Ave., Union, passed away, Monday, December 25, 2017 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Mr. Valentine was born on April 27, 1933 in Union a son of the late Kelly and Bertie Lawson Valentine. He was a graduate of Union High School and was retired from Torrington Company-Tyger River Plant. Mr. Valentine was a member of New Life Baptist Church. He was retired from the South Carolina National Guard Union and Spartanburg Units where he served as a Medic for 22 years. He was the assistant Union High School Girls Softball Coach for 11 years during which time his teams won 4 Upper State Titles and 3 State Championships. Mr. Valentine also coached Dixie Youth Baseball, he was a former Volunteer Firefighter with the City of Union for 37 years and was a Shriner. Surviving in addition to his loving wife of 66 years are two daughters, Vickie V. Allen and husband Martin and Patty V. Jenkins; two grandchildren, Chris Allen and wife Mandy and Jennifer Lancaster; three great-grandchildren Michael Lancaster, Kyleigh Allen, and Abby Lancaster; one sister, Sara Geneva Valentine; one brother, Dean Valentine and wife Rowena; and Uncle Pap's Boys who he "unofficially" adopted, John Rogers, Steve Beard, Jackie Allison, and David Lybrand. He was predeceased by two brothers, Earl Valentine and Herman Valentine; two sisters, Hazel Self and Geraldine Morrow; and two sons-in-law, Randy Harbin and Stan Jenkins. Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM Thursday, December 28, 2017 at New Life Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Shannon Faulkner, Rev. Malachi Rogers, and Rev. Mark Truitt. Burial will follow at Union Memorial Gardens. Active pallbearers will be Neil Valentine, Steve Morrow, Kevin Morrow, Lanny Valentine, David Valentine, Robert Valentine, and Brad Valentine. The following are asked to form the honorary escort, John Rogers, Steve Beard, Jackie Allison, David Lybrand, Micky Cranford, Pearl Crocker, Mae Puckett, Jenny Sylvester, and Tommy Calhoun. Visitation will be held from 11:30 AM until 1:00 PM Thursday prior to the services at the church. Memorials may be made to New Life Baptist Church, 502 Meansville Rd., Union, SC 29379. The family is at the home, 200 E. Hillcrest Ave., Union, SC 29379.