Presiding Elder George A. Ashford Sr.

Presiding Elder George Ashford, Sr., was born in Winnsboro, South Carolina, June 23, 1929 and was the fifth of ten children born to the late Richard and Pearl Leitner Ashford. Presiding Elder Ashford departed this earthly life on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at his residence. He was not only a loving husband to his wife, loving father to his children, but by nature and age acted as a second father to his siblings. He began his ministry while in his teens, role playing throughout the community. Having received a vision from God, he accepted his call to the ministry and preached his first sermon entitled “Go Preach my Gospel Saith the Lord” at Mt. Zion AME Church, Winnsboro, South Carolina. He started in ministry in July 1948. He was a graduate of Lake View High School and attended Allen. While attending Allen, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving his country during the Korean War, and received three Bronze Service Stars and a United Nations Service Medal. He received a Bachelor of Science degree at Allen University after serving in the armed forces. He later had a teaching career where he taught throughout the state of South Carolina. He received theological training from Dickerson Theological Seminary, Allen University and Columbia Bible College. After a brief teaching career, he continued preaching but also had a career as a top salesman with North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company for 31 years. He pastored throughout the state of South Carolina for over sixty years. He was the Presiding Elder of the Wateree District of the 7th Episcopal District of the SC African Methodist Episcopal Church. He also served as secretary of the AME Church. After retiring as presiding elder, he became a faithful member of Bethel AME Church. He loved the Lord, his community and neighbors, cooking, gardening, “taking charge,” and was very forthright and knew where he stood on issues. He leaves to cherish precious memories, his children, Vanessa Ashford of the home, Valerie A. Brown (Alvin) of Burke, VA and George A. (Olisa) Ashford, Jr. of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, George Adrian Ashford, III, Arielle Brown, Geordan Alexander Ashford, and Alanna Brown; sister, Helen Cain (Shedrick) of Baltimore, MD; special cousins, Florence Ashford Gaston of Winnsboro, SC and Levell-Lee Ashford of Columbia, SC and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by eight siblings: Isiah Ashford, Lindsey Ashford, Lila Mae Ashford Geter, Daniel Ashford, Richard Ashford, Jr., Theodore Ashford, Roberta Ashford and Elizabeth Ashford. Services will be held 12 noon Monday, December 2, 2013 at Bethel AME Church, 819 Woodrow Street, Columbia, SC, with interment to follow in Memorial Gardens of Columbia. The family will receive friends 5-7 pm Sunday, December 1, 2013 at Palmer Memorial Chapel The family request that condolences and memorials be made on their web page @www.palmermemorialchapel.com.

Presiding Elder George A. Ashford Sr.

June 23, 1929 - November 26, 2013