Henry M. Tuten

Mr. Henry M. Tuten of Highland Street, in Varnville, died Saturday afternoon at the Medical University Hospital in Charleston.

Surviving are his wife: Annette Bridges Tuten of Varnville; sons: Timothy W. Tuten of Mount Pleasant, and James H. Tuten and wife Belle of Huntingdon, PA; two grandsons: Thomas H. Tuten and Oscar A. Tuten of Huntingdon; two sisters-in-law, Miriam Ausburn and husband Billy of Powdersville, and Kathy Melton and husband Alan of Waynesboro, VA; mother-in-law Mary Bridges of Powdersville; and four nieces and a nephew.

Mr. Tuten was predeceased by his sister, Mary O. Linnean, and a niece, Shelley Linnean Spake.

Mr. Tuten was born in Florence, SC on Feb. 26, 1942, a son of the late T. H. Gilbert Tuten and Myrtle Vaughan Tuten. He farmed for his entire adult life, raising cattle, swine, grains and watermelon. He served the Town of Varnville as an elected official for 29 years, including a term as Mayor, and on the Town Council where he was currently serving a term. He also served the town as Director of Public Works during the 1990s, from which he retired. Henry remained active in wildlife management professionally and for his pleasure, and was president of the Huggin Oak Hunting Club for 44 years. He was a decades-long member of the Varnville Fire Department. He was a member of Varnville First Baptist Church for 53 years, where he was a member of the Railroad Sunday School Class as well as serving as a deacon.

Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the Varnville First Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Tommy Kelly and the Rev. Terry Wilder, with burial in the Sandy Run cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home, located at 300 Mulberry Street West in Hampton, and Wednesday beginning at 2 p.m. at the church, where the casket will be placed prior to services.

The family suggests that those who wish may send memorials to the Varnville First Baptist Church Family Life Center, P.O. Box 306, Varnville, SC 29944.