Alton Haynes

Aiken, SC. – Alton Winfred Haynes, 80, of Herndon Dairy Road, entered into rest Thursday, December 20, 2012 at Aiken Regional Medical Center. Alton Winfred Haynes was born in Old Fort, NC on July 22, 1932 to the late Oliver Dennis and Willa Mae Watkins Haynes. He was a 1950 graduate of Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, NC. In 1951 he joined the United States Marine Corp and honorably served during the Korean War until 1954. He then returned to Asheville and worked at the Asheville Citizen Times newspaper. He decided to continue his education and graduated from North Carolina State University in Raleigh with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. In 1961 he moved his family to Aiken to pursue a career at E. I. DuPont de Nemours Co., Inc. Savannah River Plant during the Cold War. He worked on numerous projects there mainly in F-Area, H-Area, and the Naval Fuels Project, retiring in 1989. Mr. Haynes had a green thumb and lovingly grew a wonderful garden every year, which he shared with friends and family. He was an avid golfer, a member of Palmetto Golf Club, and won many amateur tournaments over the years. He was a longtime supporter of the Aiken Community Playhouse, the Aiken Kidney Benefit productions, and the Aiken Women’s Heart Board productions, graciously sharing tickets with friends and family every year. Survivors include his loving wife of 39 years, Harriet Elizabeth Bunch Haynes; his daughters Karen Ruth (Jack) Alexander of Edgefield, SC; Lauren Elizabeth (Tom) Hester of Martinez, GA; Erin Denise (Gregg) Parker of Aiken; Cathryn Alicia (Mike) O’Leary of Irmo, SC; Cassandra Jane Dean of Aiken; sisters Betty (Rod) Adams and Greta (Roy) Marozas both of Aiken. Grandchildren are Stephen Brooks (Shanna) Alexander of North Augusta, SC; Matthew Reid (Sarah) Alexander of North Augusta, SC; Sarah Elisabeth Alexander of Edgefield, SC; Amanda Elizabeth Parker of Aiken; Rachel Victoria Parker of Aiken; Shannon Nicole O’Leary of Irmo, SC; Bryan Michael O’Leary of Irmo, SC; Meagan Allison O’Leary of Irmo, SC; Ian Patrick O’Leary of Irmo, SC; Christopher Dean Franklin of Aiken; Jackson (Grace) Alexander of Chattanooga, TN; and Lydia Hester of Martinez, GA. Great-grandchildren are Judith O’Leary of California and Elijah Reid Alexander of North Augusta, SC; and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family. Mr. Haynes was pre-deceased by his oldest daughter Sharon Ann Haynes; infant sister Rita Jean Haynes and brother Preston Francis Haynes. A memorial service will be held 1 PM Thursday, December 27, 2012 in the Shellhouse-Rivers Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Mike Philips officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Great Commission Alliance/the Ezra Project in Haiti, 4700 SW 188th Avenue, Southwest Ranches, FL 33332 (http://ezraprojecthaiti.wordpress.com). The online guest registry may be signed at www.shellhouserivresfuneralhome.com SHELLHOUSE-RIVERS FUNERAL HOME, 715 EAST PINE LOG ROAD, AIKEN, SC To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Alton Haynes, please visit our flower store.