John Compton
SENECA-Reverend John B. Compton, Jr., born to and preceded in death by his father, John B. Sr. and mother, Annie Mae Smith Compton, of Oconee County, SC, was welcomed into this world on April 30, 1934. John was their only child and, led by the example of his father’s faith, answered the call to the ministry at the young age of 16. He was an honor Graduate of Winyah High School, Georgetown, SC. John spent his school years driving the school bus and his summers as a local lifeguard. John then went on to graduate with his Bachelor’s Degree from Presbyterian College where he was president of the local Baptist Student Union (BSU) and treasurer of the State BSU. John also served as the Chaplain of his fraternity, Pi Kapa Phi.
The young Reverend started his ministry in 1954 at Union Baptist Church in the Temperance Hill Community in Marion, SC, while he earned his Master’s Degree in Theology from Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, NC. It was there, he met and married Anne (Sutton) Compton in June 1959. Suffering the loss of a child early on in their marriage, John attended Bowman Gray Medical School to earn his certificate in Grief Counseling. John’s pastoral ministry continued at Bethel Baptist Church in Monetta, SC, where he served for eight years as he and his bride welcomed three of their four living children into this world. Lovingly known as Preacher Compton, he went on to serve at several churches, including Fourth Street Baptist Church in Hartsville and Washington Baptist Church in Greer, before moving to Westminster where he and his family settled down, faithfully served the Lord and the congregation of Westminster First Baptist Church for 18 years.
John further served the Lord as he worked at Sandifer Funeral Home and through Interim Pastoral positions too numerous to name. He continued to make hospital visits, serve his community, preach funerals, and officiate weddings including those of his children and grandchildren. He was loved and trusted by many local Pastors throughout Oconee and Pickens Counties to serve in their temporary absence. While Preacher Compton retired from his pastorate in 1996, his ministry outlives his life.
The legacy of John B. Compton Jr. is deeply rooted in his faith in His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This legacy lives on through the blessing of his union with Mrs. Anne Compton through their five children, John B. Compton III (deceased), Rachel Peters (Eric), Sharon Ray (Chris), Jeannie Schwartz (Matt), and Christy Nicholson (Steve). John leaves behind his wife and his daughters to carry the torch of faith, along with his grandchildren, Bo Cheek, Erica Covington (Zach), Jacob Cheek (Liz), Kathryn Hardy (Brandon), Mark McDonald, Kayla Mahoney (Andrew), James McDonald, Brandon Ray (Erin), Dakota Peters, and Alex Ray. He also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren, Cayden and William Webb, Sutton Whitt, Jackie Cheek, Tucker Whitt, Liam Covington, Noah Cheek, Ephraim Covington, and Hudson Hardy.
When he was not at church or serving his community, you could find John at home gardening. John was blessed by his mother with a green thumb and a love for flowers. John was a wonderful host and enjoyed entertaining his family through many gatherings each year. John’s enjoyment was spending time with his family, at his summertime cookouts, which were made complete with homemade peach ice cream. John’s love for his family was only superseded by his love for Jesus Christ, and the desire for all to know that God sent His One and only Son to suffer and die upon a cross; to be buried and brought back to life, so that we could live for eternity in Heaven with Him.
“If people only understood about the power of the Holy Spirit, this world would be a different place.” – Reverend John B. Compton, Jr. If you do not know or understand, the family would love to share Jesus’ love with you, and further carry the legacy of this great model of our faith.
The funeral service will be held 2pm, Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 at Westminster First Baptist Church, with a private burial to follow where John will be laid to rest at Heritage Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 prior to the service at Westminster First Baptist Church.
The family is at their respective homes. Flowers will be accepted, and memorials can be made in John’s memory and honor to the Residence at Park Place, 115 Gillespie Road, Seneca, SC 29678.
The family would like to express their most sincere appreciation to the staff of the Residences at Park Place for their exceptional care and kindness.
A message of condolence may be written to the family by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.