Deacon John Wesley Saxon, Sr.

Life has a beginning and an end. The life of John Wesley Saxon, Sr., began in Hampton County, South Carolina on August 28, 1934, when God gave the late Lewis Saxon and the late Sadie Young Saxon their first child. He was the oldest of twelve children. Deacon John was educated in the Hampton County school system.

Proverbs 18:22 says, “When a man finds a wife, he finds a good thing.” When Deacon John married Essie Bell Taylor on August 28, 1955, he was blessed beyond measures with seven children.

Deacon John was a farmer with Youmans Farms for over sixty years. At the age of twenty-one, he gave his life to Christ and became a member of Furman New Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon for over sixty years. He was a man of a few words, humble, and a giant among men in integrity and spiritual belief. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.

There is an open gate at the end of the road, which each must go alone, and in that light that we cannot see, our loving Father claims his own. Beyond the gate our loved one finds happiness and rest and they will meet other loved ones who have gone before them. Deacon John Wesley Saxon departed this life on August 4, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Sadie Saxon, wife, Essie Bell Taylor Saxon; and two siblings, Justine Smith, and Ethel Mae Sharp.

He leaves to cherish great memories: his children, John Wesley Saxon, Jr., Sadie (William) Newton, Rudolph, Essie Mae Middleton, Joseph (Ernestine) Saxon, Arthur Lee Saxon, and Kenith (Cindy) Saxon; 17 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; siblings, Harold Saxon, Lilly Bell Williams, Clementine Jones, Rosa Lee (Clarence) Cunningham, Lewis (Irabell) Saxon, Jr., Earnest Saxon, James Saxon, Leroy (Shirley) Saxon and Robert Saxon; aunt, Lizzie Etta Wrights; stepbrother, Bishop Peter Jones; one spiritual granddaughter, Regina Housey; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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