Cecil Barnwell Kearse

Cecil Barnwell Kearse, 95, of Charleston, South Carolina, husband of Belva Lynch Kearse, entered into eternal rest Thursday, May 14, 2015. His Funeral Service will be held, Saturday, May 16 , 2015, in Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Hwy, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church. Interment will follow in Live Oak Memorial Gardens. Arrangements by J. HENRY STUHR INC., WEST ASHLEY CHAPEL, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway, Charleston SC.

Cecil was born February 12, 1920 in Bamberg County, SC, son of the late James Herbert Kearse and Vie Breland Johns Kearse. He received his education in the Bamberg County Schools and The American Institute of Banking. Cecil served in the US Army Air Force during World War II and two years in the Foreign Service. He was a charter member and past president of the West Ashley Civitan Club and also a member of the Charleston Civitan Club. He served as chairman of the Budget and Finance Committee. Mr. Kearse was past president of the West Ashley Junior Chamber of Commerce, was Jaycee Man of the Year in 1955, and was awarded The Distinguished Service Award of The National Junior Chamber of Commerce. In the citation, it was brought out that a manager of the Citizen and Southern Bank of SC West Ashley Office, he had been particularly helpful in advising and assisting newcomers to the community and solving many problems of housing and finance as well as other personal and business problems. His leadership program for the West Ashley Jaycees won first place in both state and national competition.

The first Bank West of the Ashley, opened February15, 1950. Cecil was manager of the Citizen and Southern Bank's West of the Ashley office in Avondale from February 1950 until March of 1960. He received the Charleston Jaycee Boss of the Year award in 1965. He also received the West Ashley Jaycee Boss of the Year award in 1971.Mr. Kearse was past president of the Huntington Woods Civic Club in the 1965 and 1970, past treasurer of the St. Andrew's Pony League, past treasurer of the St. Andrew's Businessman Association and the Charleston County Junior Deputy League. He was also treasurer of the West Ashley Civitan Club. He also served as member of the Executive Committee and was treasurer of the Metro Charleston Chapter of the March of Dimes for 26 years.

He served on the Board of The Trident United Way and the Charleston Retail Merchant Association. He assisted in the Annual Fund Drive for the Trident United Way, the T.B. Association, The Red Cross, The Cancer Society Fund, The Boy Scouts, and the local colleges. In January 1960, he was promoted by Citizens and Southern to vice president and manager of the 284 King Street Office. Mr. Kearse retired in 1982 as vice president of the bank's business development in West Ashley. Cecil enjoyed several hobbies: hunting, fishing, golf, woodwork, traveling and writing poems. He was also a member of the American Legion and the West Ashley River Baptist Church, where he served on several committees.

He is survived by his wife, Belva Kearse of Charleston, SC; son, Cecil B. Kearse, Jr.; and daughter, Cecilia Kearse Montgomery. He is preceded in death by his first wife of 47 years, Margaret McGee Kearse; his brothers: Henry Jackson Kearse, Herbert Baldwin Kearse, Bobby Kearse, Clarence Merrel Johns, Dalma Breland Johns, and Henry Calhoun Johns; and also his sisters: Gladys Johns Beasley and Myra Johns Mayfield.

Memorials may be made to Ashley River Baptist Church, 1101 Savannah Highway, Charleston, SC 29407.