Lawrence Rudolph "Rudy" Sturkey

Lawrence Rudolph "Rudy" Sturkey, 91, of Swansea, passed away on Wednesday, January 11, 2022.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Sunday, January 15, 2022 at Swansea First Baptist Church with Rev. Matt Elmore and Rev. Terry Wilder officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 PM, Saturday evening at Swansea First Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Burial will follow the service at Melrose Memorial Garden in Swansea with military honors.

Lawrence grew up in Swansea and soon after high school he joined the United States Air Force, where he served and retired after 20 years of service.  He traveled throughout the world while in the Air Force and returned to Swansea in the early 1970’s.  Upon his retirement from the military, Lawrence enjoyed an almost 40 year career employed by the NAPA Corporation.  He worked full-time until the age of 80 years old.

In addition to being a hard working individual, he also attended Swansea First Baptist Church.  He for many years, served the Church as a Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Head Deacon, and is one of only six Deacon Emeritus in the history of the Church he valued so much.  Lawrence also has a church named after him in Kenya, Africa.  In his spare time, Lawrence really took pride in his backyard garden, growing all sorts of vegetables to include peanuts.

Lawrence was a very generous man, always willing to share anything he had with whoever needed anything.  He was very loyal and dedicated as evident by his 66 year marriage to the love of his life.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Billie Tindal Sturkey; a son, Randy (Jennifer) Sturkey; grandchildren, Katelyn Meyer, Henry Sturkey and Jayden Rucker; sister in-laws, Sandra Heatley and Linda Chavis; and a nephew, Johnny Heatley. He was predeceased by his parents, Lawrence and Small Mack Sturkey; and siblings, Ed Sturkey and Rose Whitaker.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to caregivers, Flora Robinson, Lesvia Gamez, and Ann Leisure.

Memorials may be made to Flowers for Bibles, P.O. Box 550, Swansea, SC 29160 (www.swanseafbc.com/donate).

Culler-McAlhany Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.