French, Gary Lynn

Gary Lynn French, husband of Lillian “Susie” Benenhaley French, died on Tuesday, February 5, 2013, at his home in Dalzell, S.C. Gary was proudly born and raised in Narrows, Va., but spent most of his adult life in Sumter County, S.C., after being stationed as a young airman at Shaw Air Force Base. Gary, or “Frenchie” as he was most affectionately known, was a quintessential jack of all trades and had a career path that included manufacturing, maintenance, long haul trucking, retail and food service. It was late in life when he found his true calling as a reserve deputy with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department. Gary loved to laugh, hated wearing a tie and never met a stranger. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending quality time with his friends and family. Gary was an avid haggler and enjoyed trading things he owned for items of lesser value. Gary is survived by his wife, Lillian “Susie” French, of Dalzell, S.C.; a son, Jonathan of Eatonton, Ga.; a son, Jeffery and daughter-in-law, Susan, of Columbia, S.C.; and three grandchildren, Cooper (10), Julia (5) and Lilly (1), of Columbia, S.C.; two brothers, Michael of Narrows, Va., and Larry of Radford, Va.; and numerous nieces, nephews and loving friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Emory Cecil French Sr.; his mother, Kathryn Louise French; and a brother, Emory Cecil French Jr. Funeral Services will be led by Pastor Steve Miller and held at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 8, 2013, at Springbank Baptist Church in Dalzell, S.C. The family will host an open visitation in the sanctuary beginning an hour prior to the service at 2 p.m. Gary will be laid to rest in the church cemetery with Full Honors presented by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Department. Friends are invited to visit the family at the home and/or drop in to visit Gary during normal business hours at the funeral home. The family would like to thank special friends, Roy and Joan Flynn, along with Leila Styles and her daughters, Madison and Delacy, for their service and dedication. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter, S.C., 803-775-7500, is in charge of the arrangements.