Joe Elmore

Joe Nesbitt Elmore, 89 of Lake Bowen, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022 at Spartanburg Restorative Care after over a month’s long battle with COVID. Born April 24, 1932 in Cherokee County, he was the son of the late Charles Monroe and Clara Kirby Elmore.

Mr. Elmore served in the US Air Force, enlisting in 1951 and received the Occupational Medal in Germany. A 1951 graduate of Hickory Grove High School and attended Limestone College.

Joe and his wife, Pat, were former owners of the Peddler Steak House in Spartanburg. He was a long-time member of the Piedmont Club where he held many board and committee positions.

Mr. Elmore was the office manager of Campbell Limestone Company & Vulcan Materials for many years. He then went to work in textiles with Marion Dyers in Gaffney. He was the owner and operator of a textile export business, Elmore Products, LLC in Pacolet which continues to be in operation today.

An avid South Carolina Gamecocks fan and member of the Golden Spurs Gamecock Club. A member of the Draytonville Baptist Church softball team many years ago and the old-timers softball gang. He was active for many years in sports, playing football, softball and coaching girls’ fast pitch softball with Max & Company Fast Pitch Softball Team, traveling with the team to many games across the southeast and to the Fast Pitch World Series. He played a huge part in the Fast Pitch League of Spartanburg County. The girls all admired and loved him.

Joe was a former member of Hejaz Shriners and was a former Mason.

In the 1970’s, he owned a Sportsman Race Car, known as “car 74” with Chuck Piazza as the driver. Many races were won around the Gaffney, Concord, and Charlotte Metrolina area.

A former Fire Commission Board member of the Glendale Fire Department in Spartanburg County.

Joe was a past member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Spartanburg.

Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Patricia Little Elmore, daughters, Brenda Elmore Azzara (Jerry) of Chesnee, Donna Elmore Wilson of Summerton, SC, Megan Stephens (Daniel) of Boiling Springs and Lauren Pecci (Angelo) of Boiling Springs, SC, his granddaughters, Jolie Sparks Smiley (Chad), of Gaffney, Bella Stephens of Boiling Springs; great grandson, Seth Smiley (Macie) and great granddaughter, Lexi Smiley of Gaffney; great-great grandson, Tucker Reid Smiley. He was predeceased by a grandson, Brad Sparks and siblings, Charles Elmore, Floyd Elmore, Wade Elmore and Minnie Ethel Huggin. He was previously married to the late Molly Hughes Elmore.

A Memorial service will be at 3:00 PM Sunday, February 6, 2022 at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29307, with Rev. Jacob Roberts officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Steps of Hope, P.O. Box 518 Columbus, NC 28722.

Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel