Odis Fowler: Tabor City

    Odis Fowler of Tabor City passed away Saturday, Jan. 17, at his home. He was 78.
    Mr. Fowler was born Nov. 9, 1936, son of the late Kirby and Eunice Powell Fowler. He was a veteran of the United States Navy for four years.
    After his service he returned to Tabor City High School and finished high school while working at the Piggly Wiggly.
    He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BS degree in Business and became a diehard Gamecocks fan. After graduation, he lived in Columbia for 27 years.
    Odis retired from Merita Bread Company after 45 years to move back home and work on his farm doing what he loved best; tending chickens and goats, and working in his garden and maintaining their homestead. He loved growing collards and turnips. Odis could be seen selling his produce all around Loris and Tabor City. Many people called him “The Turnip Man.”
    He took great pride in being an Omar Shriner and a master mason of Lodge #204 in Florence.
    He was a loving and caring man who enjoyed many trips to the Time Saver and Friendly’s Seafood to chat and visit with a host of friends.
    In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Lou Bullard, brothers, Shelton (Faye) Fowler and Roger (Lucille) Fowler.
    Survivors include his wife of 25 years, Carrie Watts Strickland Fowler of the home; son, Billy Fowler of Florence; granddaughter, Kristi Fowler Sellers and husband Jamie of Effingham; great grandsons, Kodi and Benji Sellers of Effingham; brothers, Jackie Fowler and wife Gloria and Timmy Fowler and wife Nell of Tabor City; sisters, Edna Turbeville (deceased husband David) of Florida, Carolyn Johnson and husband Richard of Tabor City, and Judy Cartrette and husband Don of Tabor City; sisters-in-law Violet Stephens of Tabor City, Betty Wright of Raleigh, and Linda Jacobs of Tabor City; and several nieces and nephews.
    He especially loved spending time with his great niece Lydia Douglas and great nephews Alex Douglas and Logan Sanders and could be seen many times teaching them how to fish and hunt.
    Visitation was planed from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 19, at Inman Ward Funeral Home in Tabor City.
    A funeral service was planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20 at Inman Ward Funeral Home in Tabor City, with burial following in Lake Swamp Baptist Church Cemetery in Loris.
    Pallbearers were to be Richard Johnson, Darrell Fowler, Roger Prince, Michael Stephens, Alex Douglas, Rick Sanders, Richard Strickland, and Garon “Gator” Fipps.
    A guest register can be found here.