Clifton Rodgers

Jesse Clifton Rodgers, 90, of Williston, South Carolina, passed away on April 6, 2026. A visitation will be held from 10 am to 11 am on Friday, April 10, 2026, followed by a Celebration of Life Ceremony at the Folk Funeral Home Chapel in Williston, SC with Dr. T. Bart Kelley and Reverend Walter Cantwell officiating. Interment will be private. Honored to serve as pallbearers are Walter Cantwell, Josh Streed, Stuart Burton, David Wolfe, Austin Sandifer, Brett Rodgers and Honorary Pallbearers are Bruce Bates, Wythe Powell, Carlton Lemmond, Otis Frazier, Gayle Wolfe, Mary Burton, Libbus Sanders, Debra Lemmond and Weesie Fickling.

Born February 23, 1936, in Columbia, SC, he was the son of Jessie Rodgers and Thelma Givens Rodgers and was raised from age two by his maternal grandparents, Walter Givens and Olive Bolen Givens, of Williston. Cliff was a graduate of Williston-Elko High School (class of 1954) and attended Clemson University (formerly Clemson College). He was an active member of Barnwell First Baptist Church, where he was one of several key sponsors of the Young at Heart program and organized numerous senior trips over the years ensuring that everyone got an opportunity to see something new, get out and be active and enjoy fellowship.

His leadership career included service as the Manager of the Barnwell Employment Security Commission office and as Human Resources Manager of Carolina Metals – Starmet CMI Nuclear Solutions in Barnwell, SC. These roles contributed to the community for more than twenty years. In 1992, he became the owner of the Village Inn Restaurant in Allendale, SC, where his flair for detail and dedication to families helped shape weddings and other special occasions across South Carolina for ten years. After selling the business, he served as the Manager of the Winton Inn Restaurant in Barnwell, SC before retiring.

Having been raised on a farm, he developed a love of horseback riding, which continued into adult life as a member of riding clubs and a carriage driving club. After their retirement, he and his brother enjoyed riding bicycles on bike trails throughout South Carolina.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Patricia Rodgers; his sons, McCuller Rodgers and Tradd (Andrea) Rodgers; grandchildren, Morgan Rodgers (Austin Sandifer) and Brett Rodgers; a brother, John Walter Cantwell; a niece, Laura (Josh) Streed and a nephew, Walter (Christiana) Cantwell.

In addition to his parents and grandparents, he was predeceased by his sister-in-law, Sandra Cantwell.

Memorial donations may be made to Barnwell First Baptist Church, 161 Allen Street, Barnwell, SC 28912, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or www.memorials@stjude.org.

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