Franklin D. “Bunky” Varnadoe

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Franklin D. “Bunky” Varnadoe

Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home

 Mr. Franklin D. “Bunky” Varnadoe, husband of the late Catherine Smoak Varnadoe, passed away Friday, February 19, 2021 at his home in Islandton, surrounded by his devoted family, under hospice care.  He was 87. 

Bunky was born in Colleton County March 19, 1933 a son of the late Francis W. Varnadoe and Leila Bishop Varnadoe.  He served in the South Carolina Army National Guard, and for many years worked in construction throughout the Lowcountry, before becoming employed at the Savannah River Plant in Aiken. Bunky worked there for over twenty-five years as a supervisor and general foreman, before retiring in 1995.  He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, loved NASCAR, and was famous for his “Uncle Bunk Juice”.  Bunky was an avid outdoorsman and an excellent shot with a rifle…earning the nickname “Dead Eye” many years ago.  He was a member of the Ruffin Hunt Club.  Recently, he had made a profession of faith, had accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, and was baptized at his home.  He was a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church.

He is survived by his children:  Delano Varnadoe Halter (Michael), LaCrissa Varnadoe Stone (William), Sherrie V. White (Jimmy), Michael W. Varnadoe (Elizabeth), Franklin M. “Frankie” Varnadoe (Cindy), Teresa B. Hatchell, Harold Hatchell, and Wanda Hatchell Ackerman (Wayne).  He has a sister, Shirley Nettles Dulaney (Roy), and three sisters-in-law:  
Fortune Smoak Bishop (Paul), Sally Smoak Bagby, and Diane Smoak.  There are twenty grandchildren, and a host of great and great-great grandchildren.  In addition to Catherine, his wife of fifty-seven years, Bunky was preceded in death by a son, Floyd Darren Varnadoe, by three sisters, Elizabeth V. Benton, Rosa Lee V. Webb, and Betty V. Bastain, and by a granddaughter Wendy Brooke Goodwin.  He leaves behind a special nephew Shane Bastain, and three special friends: Larry Rahn, Tommy Long, and James Benton.  

Funeral services will be held Tuesday afternoon, February 23, 2021 at 1:00 in the chapel of Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, with burial following in the Peniel Baptist Church Cemetery in Islandton.  The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 at the funeral home.  Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro is in charge of arrangements.