Russell R. Kicklighter, Sr.

Mr. Russell Riley Kicklighter, Sr., 92, of Islandton, entered into rest Thursday morning, July 24, 2025, at Piedmont Midtown in Columbus, Georgia.

Born June 12, 1933, at home in Islandton, South Carolina, he was a son of the late Jessie Franklin Kicklighter and the late Gerheu Owings Kicklighter.  Drafted into the United States Army on November 6, 1953, he served in the Military Police Corp until November 5, 1955, after completing Basic training at Camp Gordon, Georgia.  He then worked at Westinghouse in Hampton for almost ten years before he began a career with the Charleston Naval Shipyard that spanned almost thirty years, (March 1965 to March 1991), having started as an apprentice machinist marine and retiring as a General Foreman Machinist Marine.

A lifelong member of Rice Patch Christian Church – Disciples of Christ in Islandton, he served faithfully in many capacities of the church’s work, some of which lasted fifty years.  At Rice Patch, he served as Chairman of the Deacon Board, was an Elder, and taught Sunday School from 1972 until 2019.  He was a member of Hudson Masonic Lodge No. 373 in Islandton – Ancient Free Masons, where he was recently recognized with his sixty-year pin.  He served faithfully as the Lodge’s secretary for his nearly sixty years of membership.  He was installed as the District Deputy Grand Master for the 3rd Masonic District in April 1970.   He was also a member and Past Worthy Patron of the Community Chapter No. 206 – Order of the Eastern Star in Islandton.  He was also a member of the Scottish Rite having joined in 1969.  Russell also served on the Board of Directors of the Andrew Jackson Academy.

Surviving are: his wife  of sixty-eight years, Mrs. Naomi Tuten Kicklighter; a daughter, Melissa Kicklighter Hilbert and her husband Randy of Fortson, Georgia; five grandchildren, Mandy Spencer (Stephen), Hope Collins (Colby), Alex Hilbert, Andrew Hilbert, and Anna Riley Hilbert; and five great grandchildren, Thomas, Mary Margaret, Stephen, H.B., and Liddy, as well as a large host of nieces and nephews.   He was preceded in death by his two sons, Russell Riley Kicklighter, Jr. and Richard Wayne Kicklighter; a daughter-in-law, Mitzi Kicklighter Snipes; three brothers, Roland Kicklighter, Elton Kicklighter, and Milton Kicklighter; and four sisters, Marvis K. Polk, Iris K. Johnson, Evelyn K. Lanier, and Wilma Kicklighter.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed in his memory to the following: Rice Patch Christian Church, 15246 Sniders Highway, Islandton, South Carolina 29929; or to, Survivors Park Alliance, 52 Cleveland Street, Greenville, South Carolina 29601.

The Relatives and Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Riley Kicklighter, Sr., are invited to attend his funeral services which will be conducted at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning, July 30, 2025, from Rice Patch Christian Church – Disciples of Christ, 15246 Sniders Highway, Islandton.  The Reverend Larry Smith officiating.   Interment will follow in the churchyard.

Friends may call from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock this Tuesday evening at THE BRICE W. HERNDON AND SONS FUNERAL HOMES AND CREMATORY, WALTERBORO CHAPEL, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408.  Visit the registry online at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com.