Silas Franklin Stephens III
July 30, 1932 – December 24, 2014
Silas Franklin Stephens III, 82, went to be with the Lord on December 24, 2014. The son of Pearl Hatchell Stephens and Silas Franklin Stephens, Jr., Frank was a life-long resident of the Bermuda community in Dillon County and a successful farmer and conservationist of his family’s farm. He was a graduate of Lake View High School and studied Animal Husbandry at Clemson University. Married for 60 years to Betsy Clarice Bullock of Fairmont, NC, he enjoyed serving his community in a variety of ways. He was a deacon at Bermuda Baptist Church and First Baptist Church, Dillon and served on numerous committees at both churches. He served on the board of Production Credit Association for more than 10 years. He was past president of the Dillon County Farm Bureau. He gave 37 years of service to Dillon Soil & Water Conservation District, serving as board chairman for 25 years. He also served on the Lake View District School Board for many years. His love of tractors and restoration led him to join the Mullins Tractor Club where he and Betsy enjoyed time with others who shared his passion for preservation.
In addition to his loving wife, Betsy, Frank is survived by 3 children and their families: Mr. and Mrs. Silas Franklin Stephens IV (Sandy) of Dillon, SC; Dr. Charlotte Stephens of Anderson, SC; and Mr. and Mrs. Arthur William Andrews (Rosa) of Smithfield, NC. Frank and Betsy had a fourth child, Deborah Bullock Stephens, who went to heaven as an infant. Frank and Betsy have five granddaughters: Mr. and Mrs. Matt Buckner (Kristin) of Holly Springs, NC; Mr. and Mrs. Mark Morris (Lia) of Clayton, NC; Joya Sellers and Jamie Sellers of Anderson, SC; Frances Stephens of Dillon, SC; and two great grandsons, Finn Morris and Bowen Morris. Frank is also survived by a brother, Robert Lorin “Skeet” Stephens, also of the Bermuda Community.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 26, at 3pm at First Baptist Church, 400 North 4th Avenue, Dillon, SC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to First Baptist Church, 400 North 4th Avenue, Dillon, SC 29536 or Hospice of Scotland County, PO Box 1033, Laurinburg, NC 28352.
