Randolph Murdaugh, III
Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home
Mr. Randolph Murdaugh, III, 81, of Varnville, died peacefully Thursday afternoon, June 10, 2021, at his residence.
Mr. Murdaugh was born October 25, 1939 in Savannah, Georgia, son of the late Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh, Jr. and Gladys Marvin Murdaugh. Randolph graduated from Wade Hampton in 1957 where he was very active in sports. It was here that he began dating his future wife, Libby. After graduation he attended the University of South Carolina, graduating in 1961 with a BS Degree in Business Administration. That summer he married Libby. In the fall of that year he enrolled in University of South Carolina School of Law and graduated in 1964. After graduating he returned to Hampton to work in his father's Law Firm and became an Assistant Solicitor for the 14th Circuit. Upon the retirement of his father in 1986 he became the Solicitor of the 14th Circuit where he served until the end of 2005. For 87 consecutive years three generations of the Murdaugh family served as Solicitor of the 14th Circuit. This 87 years of service in one office, by the same family, is the longest in the history of the United States. In 2006 he rejoined the law firm which is now Peters, Murdaugh, Parker, Eltzroth & Detrick, P.A.
Randolph was President of the South Carolina Solicitor's Association during 1995-1996, he served on the National District Attorney's Association Board of Directors from 1998 - 2005 and received the Order of the Palmetto (South Carolina's highest civilian honor) from Governor Henry McMaster in 2018. Over his lifetime he achieved many awards including induction into the Wade Hampton Athletic Hall of Fame.
Left to cherish his memories is his wife of 60 years, Elizabeth "Libby" Alexander Murdaugh; his daughter, Lynn Murdaugh Goettee (Allen) of Summerville; his sons, Randolph "Randy" Murdaugh , IV (Christy) of Hampton, Richard Alexander "Alex" Murdaugh of Islandton and John Marvin Murdaugh (Liz) of Okatie; grandchildren, Mills Goettee, Trey Goettee, Buster Murdaugh, Reeves Goettee, Mary Elizabeth Murdaugh, Caroline Murdaugh, Mary Marvin Murdaugh, Liza Grace Murdaugh and Randolph Murdaugh, V; sister, Brenda Young (Tommy); sister-in law, Janet Cotter; brother-in-law, Don Alexander (Lisa); and special family member, Barbara Mixson, as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. Mr. Murdaugh was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Margaret "Maggie" Branstetter Murdaugh; grandson, Paul Terry Murdaugh; and brother-in-law, Arlen Cotter.
A private service will be 1 PM, Sunday, June 13, 2021, at Varnville United Methodist Church for family members. Friends are welcome to attend the burial service at 2 PM at Hampton Cemetery conducted by Rev. John Culp and Rev. Tyler Strange and directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home.
Visitation will be at Randolph's home, 2175 Yemassee Highway, Varnville, SC, following the service at the cemetery.
The family suggests that those who wish may send memorials to Varnville United Methodist Church, PO Box 45, Hampton, SC 29924 or The Randolph "Buster" Murdaugh Scholarship Fund, c/o PMPED, PO Box 457, Hampton, SC 29924.
