Merritt Githens

Merritt Harding Githens, 87, of Spartanburg, died March 2, 2011 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home after a long illness. He was the husband of Sara Jo Ray Githens. Mr. Githens was born August 8, 1923, to the late Harold and Nellie Branson Githens in Vincentown, NJ. He graduated from Pemberton High School in Pemberton, NJ and was a retired safety supervisor at Hoechst Celanese. He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church, a member of the Fellowship Club, a past president of the Fellowship Sunday School Class and was a life member of Calhoun Masonic Lodge #81 in Pauline. He served in the U.S. Army Air Force during WWII and spent three years on Guam. Mr. Githens was a skilled craftsman in wood working and made many beautiful pieces of furniture, tables, bookcases, doll houses, etc. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three sons and their wives, Frederick and Ileen of Franklin, TN, Jeffery and Libby of Chesnee, and Monroe and Susan of Conway; one step-daughter, Alicia Kay Webb of Boiling Springs; two grandchildren, Nicholas and Elizabeth Githens of Franklin, TN; two step-grandsons, Jason and Aaron Webb of Spartanburg; and two great-grandchildren, Sam and Norah Webb of Spartanburg. Mr. Githens was predeceased by two brothers, Howard and John Githens of Vincentown, NJ. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM Sunday, March 6, 2011 at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Kevin Dalton. The family will receive friends following the service at the graveside. The family will be at their respective homes. Memorials may be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 213 Lanford Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301 or Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home, 686 Jeff Davis Drive, Spartanburg, SC 29303 Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Merritt Harding Githens please visit our Sympathy Store.