Dr. Lucius Pinckney Varn's Obituary
Dr. Lucius Pinckney Varn, went home to be with his Savior, on Wednesday morning, June 8, 2016. He was born in Branchville, S.C., on October 11, 1924. He was the son of Mr. Fletcher Otis and Mrs. Bessie Knight Varn. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Jane Ann Edwards Varn, his brothers, William Creighton Varn, Fletcher Otis Varn Jr., Glenn Lee Varn, and his sister Rose Mary Varn Dukes.
Dr. Varn graduated from Branchville High School in 1941, and attended Clemson A & M College, until he entered the Army. He served in WWII, until April 1st 1946, in various general Army hospitals including Fitzsimmons General Hospital in Denver, Colorado. He returned home after the war and entered Newberry College, graduating in 1949, with a B.S. in Science. Upon graduation, he returned home to serve as principle and head coach of all sports at his alma mater, Branchville High. He then earned a Masters of Public Health at the University of North Carolina, and his Medical Degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He was employed by the US Department of Public Health, serving in Anchorage, Alaska.
He began his family medical practice in North, South Carolina, with Dr. Drayton Nance, and later partnered in Orangeburg, with Dr. W.O. Whetsell, Dr. J.Y. White, Dr. James Brunson, and Dr. Van Beth Shuler. At various intervals during his medical career he served as Medical Director of Public Health of Orangeburg, Bamberg, Barnwell, Greenville, and Charleston counties. After he retired from Family Medicine, he served 10 years as a physician at the J. F. Byrnes Hospital, and his final 5 years with the Department of Mental Health, with patients dealing with Drug and Alcohol Rehab.
He was married to the late Jane Ann Edwards of Mt. Pleasant, SC, for 55 years. They were the parents of Mrs. William T. (Beth) Moore, Mrs. H. Gene (Rose) Smith, Mrs. Robert E. (Janie) Crossland, and Mr. Lucius P. (Allyson) Varn, Jr. Their grandchildren include Thomson, Harrison, and Gracie Moore; Julianna and Hampton Smith; Bobby, Rachel, and Sam Crossland; and Maggie, Trey, and Olivia Varn.
He and his wife Jane were active in supporting various mission organizations throughout the world, regardless of denomination. He was an active member of the Gideons, speaking in many churches throughout the state. He served on various church boards and taught in many churches of which he was a member. In retirement, he and his wife moved to Clemson, SC, where they enjoyed supporting the Clemson Tigers and were also active members at Rock Springs Baptist Church, in Easley, SC.
Dr. Varn was an avid sports fan, having coached and played at several levels. He was one of the founders of the Eastern Carolina semi-pro baseball league which flourished post WWII.
The family would like to extend heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers of Magnolia Memory Care at Longwood Plantation, Senior Solutions, and also Agape Hospice for their compassionate assistance during Dr. Varn's final years. Memorials may be made either to New Tribes Missions, 1000 E 1st Street, Sanford, FL, 32771, or Agape Hospice Foundation, 1624 Main Street, Columbia, SC, 29201.
Visitation will be at Branchville Christian Church at 6907 Freedom Road, Branchville, SC, 29432, at 10am prior to the service at 11am, on Saturday, June 11, 2016.
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