Ernest Dargan Stanton, Jr.

Ernest Dargan Stanton, Jr. Florence, SC Ernest Dargan Stanton, Jr. of Florence went home to be with the Lord at the age of sixty-four on Wednesday, November 3, 2011. He survived by two sons, Dargan Stanton of Florence and Spencer Stanton of Greenville, SC, a brother, John Stanton and his wife, Linda of Jacksonville, FL. He is also survived by a large and loving extended family. He was predeceased by his grandparents: Albert Lee Mays and Mary Elizabeth Shepard Mays; Ernest Woodley Stanton and wife; parents, Ernest Dargan Stanton, Sr. and Mildred Mays Stanton; and two sisters Mary Hope Stanton and Mary Catherine Stanton. Ernie was born August 3, 1947 in Florence, South Carolina. He graduated from McLenaghan High School and attended USC extension in Florence. He entered the United States Army in 1968. He served his country in Vietnam, and was awarded many metals, including the Combat Infantry Badge. He later attended Rhema Bible College in Tulsa, OK. Ernie was best known in Florence as a haberdasher, beginning a long carreer in that business at Dick Ames Men's Shop and later Singletons Men's Store, succeeding Harold Creel as owner of that business. No one could assemble clothing better than Ernie. He later worked at Hunter and Keith in Florence, Stanley Welch in Sumter, Socar, Inc. in Florence and most recently at Butler's in Florence before his retirement. He was an avid fisherman all of his life, fresh water or salt water-it did not matter. He was a NASCAR fan and bar-b-que connoisseur. However, his biggest pleasure in life was his two sons, Dargan and Spencer. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes that memorials be made to Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home, PO Box 12870, Florence, SC 29504 to assist the family with funeral arrangements. Graveside services will be held 12:00 p.m. Monday, November 7, 2011 at Florence National Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. The family will receive friends 5-7:00p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Please sign the online guest registry for Mr. Stanton in the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com .