Rev. Joe Dempsey

The Rev. Joe H. Dempsey, 83, of Spartanburg, SC, died Monday, October 4, 2021 at home. Born November 1, 1937 in Greer, SC, he was the son of the late Arvel L. and Louise D. Dempsey, and the husband of his beloved Phyllis Howard Dempsey who preceded him in death.

Rev. Dempsey was raised in Lyman, SC. He was a graduate of Byrnes High School, Clemson University Class of 1959, and Southeastern Seminary at Wake-Forest, NC.

Joe served as a Baptist Pastor and Counselor for more than 60 years. His pastorates included Lennons Crossroads (NC), Zion Hill (NC), El Bethel (Greer, SC), Fairforest (SC), Chappels (SC), Downtown Greenville (SC), and Croft Baptist, Spartanburg (SC).

Joe was an avid Clemson Tiger, serving as the Sports Editor of the “The Tiger” and as the Team Chaplain of the Dorman High School football and basketball teams. In Baptist life, he was a member of The General Board (two terms) of the SC State Convention, The Executive Committee, Chairman of the Budget Committee, Chairman of the Baptist Courier Trustee, Chairman of the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home Board, and Chairman of the Camp McCall RA Camp Board at Sunset, SC.

Joe was speaker in many revivals in various churches and preached in the North American Crusade in Canada and The South American Crusade in Brazil. He wrote devotional articles for The Baptist Courier as well as feature articles. He was the aftercare and grief counselor for The J. F. Floyd Mortuary for over 20 years.

In military service at Clemson, he was the company clerk and Guidon bearer. He was a member of The Pershing Rifles and The Senior Platoon. Joe’s motto was “I just want to be a blessing.” He practiced this in his great love for others. He loved his two grands with all his heart, mind and soul. He had great joy and pride in his children. He certainly was a blessing to us all.

He loved to golf and go fishing, flowers, Seabrook Island, The Angel Oak, Charleston and Sarasota, Florida.

Survivors include his daughter, Leslie D. and her husband, James Todd LeMaster of Wellford, SC, his son, David L. Dempsey and his Life Partner, Lawrence W. Adkins of Atlanta, GA, granddaughter, Adeline M. LeMaster and grandson, James “Jamie” David LeMaster, brother, Everett Dempsey (Mary) and sister in law, Priscilla Dempsey, several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brother, Gene Dempsey.

A private family funeral service will be held. The service will be live streamed at 2:00 PM Monday, October 11, 2021 through Inman First Baptist Church through the following links: https://www.facebook.com/ifbc.net/ or https://m.youtube.com/channel/UC6NkzXkxKoIZnqN5iLgVgGg

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Inman First Baptist Building Fund, 14 N. Howard Street, Inman SC 29349 or online at https://ifbc.net/donate or to Fairforest Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 338, Fairforest, SC 29336.

Those who may wish to pay their respects may visit on Saturday, October 9, 2021 or Sunday, October 10, 2021 between the hours of 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel, 235 N. Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel