Luther Clay Elrod Iii

Luther C. Elrod, III, 69, of Rock Hill, SC passed away Sunday, March 10, 2013. He was born November 28, 1943 in Greenville, SC. Luke was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Greenville High School in 1961. In 1966 he graduated from Furman University. He earned the degree of Juris Doctorate from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1969. Like began his legal career as a Captain in the US Army JAG Corps in Worms, Germany. After completing his military service, Luke joined the John Bolt Culbertson Law Firm in Greenville, SC. He moved to Rock Hill, SC in 1978, to open an office for the Culbertson firm as a partner, then started his own law practice in Rock Hill in 1979. Luke's specialty was worker's compensation and personal injury with partners Tony Jones, Jack Leader, David Benson, Tommy Pope, Harold Staley, Drew Creech, and Gloria Locklair, his legal assistant of 32 years. Luke displayed a tremendous focus and determination for being productive, for getting things done and for his discipline as a managing partner, counselor, advisor, teacher, brother, and friend. Luke was a brilliant strategist in very big and small settlement cases. The office motto is "Helping Injured People". He was well known and a respected member of the SC Bar Association, the Injured Workers' Advocates, and the SC Trial Lawyers Association. Luke served in many important roles as a Christian friend and mentor at church and the YMCA in Rock Hill. He supported the YMCA, sponsored memberships and encouraged physical fitness by challenging his friends in weight-loss contests, basketball, handball, and racquetball competitions. He led weekly Thursday morning prayer group in his home for 20 years. At church Luke taught Sunday School for 25 years and was a church leader at Eastside Baptist Church with his beloved friend and pastor, the late Rev. Bully Faulkenberry. He was a trustee, leader, and teacher at West End Baptist Church and Impact Community Church with his close friend and pastor, Rev. Mike Lowery. He had a passion for reaching out to individuals who might be led to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Luke was very devoted to his personal prayer ministry, his discipleship ministry and his encouragement ministry. He led over 1,000 prayer groups and mailed out tens of thousands of prayer lists and prayer grams to those with the greatest need for prayer support. Luke loved to hand out "Jesus Loves You" cards and gifts in his encouragement ministry. Luke's favorite pastimes were gardening and fishing. He was notorious for getting the most, largest and best tomatoes, cantaloupes, okra, and beans out of his home garden. He is also know at Litchfield Beach for his superb skill in catching multiple and very large flounder. He is preceded in death by his father, Luther Clay Elrod, Jr.; his paternal grandparents, Luther Clay Elrod, Sr. and Eva Marie Williams Elrod; his maternal grandparents, Artie Tell Fouche` and Josephine "Dodie" Faggoni Fouche`. He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Linda Allen Elrod and his mother, Thelma Fouche Elrod (Greenville, SC). He is survived by his brothers and sisters: Jamie Elrod and wife, Martha Anne Elrod (Greenville, SC), Candy Cochran and husband, Rev. Neil Cochran (Greenville, SC), Mark Elrod and wife Jan Elrod (Greenville, SC), Evie Harrison and husband, Randy Harrison (Greenville, SC), David Elrod and wife, Cristel Elrod (Atlanta, GA). He is survived by sons, Luther Clay Elrod, IV and wife, Holly Elrod and grandson, Luther Clay Elrod, V (Atlanta, GA), and Linda's sons Wesley Peace (Rock Hill, SC), and Tim Peace and wife, Angela Peace, grandsons Seth Peace and Cole Peace (Rock Hill, SC). The family will receive friends from 1-3pm Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Impact Church, 5115 Old York Road, Rock Hill, SC. A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Elrod will be 3pm Wednesday, March 13, 2013 at Impact Church with Rev. Mike Lowery and Rev. Neil Cochran officiating. Pallbearers: Wayne Helms, Steve McNeely, Leonard McNeely, Jack Leader, David Benson, Bruce Ghent, and Chip Dempsey. Honorary Pallbearers: Tony Jones, Lee Smith, Steve Ballenger, Ned Duncan, Larry Gregory, Bob Benson, Tommy Pope, Harold Staley, Drew Creech, and Bill Mohle`. Memorials may be made to Impact Community Church, the Rock Hill YMCA, or Hospice and Community Care.

Visitation Details

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Impact Church

Service Information

Wednesday, March 13th, 2013 3:00pm, Impact Church

Interment Details

Rock Hill Memorial Gardens