Graveside services for The Reverend Harry Ernest Lawhon, Jr. will be held at 10:00AM in Quaker Cemetery on Saturday, June 21, 2008 followed by a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. in Grace Episcopal Church, 1315 Lyttleton Street, Camden, SC. conducted by the The Rt. Rev. Dorsey F. Henderson, Jr., Bishop and The Rev. William M. "Scotty" Brock. There will be a reception following the service in Richardson Hall at Grace Episcopal Church.

The Reverend Harry Ernest Lawhon, Jr., who died on June 17, 2008, was born in Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 29, 1918, the son of the late Mildred Jenifer (Noble) and Harry Ernest Lawhon. Growing up in Birmingham he was closely affiliated with St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. He attended Birmingham Southern College, Oklahoma A & M College, the University of South Carolina, and graduated from Virginia Theological Seminary.

Mr. Lawhon first worked for the General Electric X-Ray Corp. before resigning to volunteer for the Army's Aviation Cadet Program during WWII. Upon leaving the military, Mr. Lawhon joined the sales force of Libby, McNeill & Libby. After ten years he resigned to pursue his dream of becoming an Episcopal priest. While studying at Virginia Theological Seminary he worked on the U.S. Capitol Hill Police Force.

After graduating from seminary in 1958, The Rev. Lawhon served the congregations of the Church of Our Saviour, Trenton, SC, and Trinity Church, Edgefield, SC. In 1961, he accepted a call to Camden, SC, as Rector of Grace Episcopal Church. He retired as Rector Emeritus in 1985 and continued to live in Camden. After retirement he spent several years supplying various churches in both The Upper Diocese of SC and The Diocese of SC. He then served at Church of the Ascension, Hagood, SC, and St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Pinewood, SC. The Rev. Lawhon delivered his last sermon on May 4, 2008.

His ministry also included service with Church Home for Children (York Place), Commission on Ministry, Diocesan Foundation, Trustee of Porter Academy, Standing Committee, Dean of the Columbia Deanery and Camden Ministerial Association. He was Chairman of the Camp Gravatt Commission and spent many summers working as Chaplain and Camp Director. In addition, he devoted countless hours sharing his carpentry skills by constructing several buildings at the summer camp. His carpentry skills were also shared with St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, Boiling Springs, SC, where he designed and handcrafted the altar that was dedicated to the memory of his daughter, Helen.

In addition to his ministry, The Rev. Lawhon was active in many community and service organizations including United Way, Salvation Army, Kershaw County Medical Center Board of Visitors, and the Kershaw County Hospital Board of Trustees. He was a member of the Santee-Wateree Regional Mental Health Board for 36 years. He devoted many hours to Rotary Club International of Camden where he served as Sergeant at Arms. The Rev. Lawhon is survived by his wife of 67 years Josephine Smith Lawhon, three daughters Kathleen L. Fletcher, Donna L. Trapp, Jenifer L. Lake; grandchildren Ashley Nalls DiLorenzo, Gregory Fletcher, Stephen Fletcher, Mark Evans, Jr., Harry Evans; great grandchildren Michael DiLorenzo, Isabella DiLorenzo, Imogen Fletcher; and his sister, Elizabeth (Bibba) L. Kendley. He is predeceased by his daughter Helen L. Nalls, his sister, Jenifer (Nam) Jenkins Hammeal and his parents. Obit – Lawhon

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Bishop Gravatt Center (Chapel of the Transfiguration), Church of the Ascension, Hagood, SC, or Grace Episcopal Church, Camden, SC.