Obituary of George W. Ross

George W. Ross, 95, died Saturday, August 13, 2016, at 5:50 a.m. at Palmetto Health Tuomey, with his wife and daughter at bedside. Born in Sumter County on January 24, 1921, he was a son of the late Oscar Phraser Ross and Nolia Collins Ross. He was married to Mae Allene Griffin Ross, his devoted wife for over 72 years. Mr. Ross was a very valuable employee of the Sumter Machinery Company for 53 years. He re-wound motors of all types, from two inches to over six feet in diameter. He was often called upon to teach the skill to newcomers. His hobbies included keeping an immaculate house and yard; he was very proud of his beautiful, hand plowed vegetable garden every year. He was also an accomplished gunsmith, repairing all sorts of firearms for friends and acquaintances; he could even build firearms from scratch-from a very tiny firing pin to a shiny wooden stock. His interest in guns came from his love of old movies, especially westerns- the Buck Jones, Tim McCoy type. His heroes were Randolph Scott and John Wayne. He knew ALL their names, even their horses’ names. Besides his parents, Mr. Ross, the last sibling, was preceded in death by his brother Harry Johnson; and his sisters Nell Windham, Ola Anderson, and Anna Geddings; also by a great-grandson, James Austin Mathis. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Linda Ross Mathis Myers and husband J.T. of Sumter; his grandson James E. Mathis Jr. and wife Wendy of Birmingham, AL; his great-grandchildren, Cassia Mathis and Callie Mathis of Decatur, AL, and Sean Mathis of Birmingham, AL; and a number of nieces and nephews. Two special friends who will miss him are his beloved cats, Agnes and Isabel. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 16, in the chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home, with the Reverend Greg Pressley officiating. Burial will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Monday, August 15, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Keepers of the Wild, P.O. Box 9169, Pueblo, CO 81008; Habitat for Horses, P.O. Box 3767, Houston, TX 77253; Noah’s Lost Ark, P.O. Box 1967, Youngstown, OH 44506; or Animals’ Angels, P.O. Box 1845, Merrifield, VA 22116. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.