Allen Capers

Edward Allen Capers, Jr., 81, passed away on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Florence, South Carolina. Visitation will be held at Darlington Presbyterian Church from 1:00 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 p.m. celebrating Allen's life. A private interment will take place as Mr. Capers requested that his ashes be spread among his favorite locations.

Mr. Capers was born in Columbia, SC, on September 18, 1943, son of the late Josephine Philson Capers and Edward Allen Capers, Sr. He grew up in Darlington, SC, and attended St. John's schools and the University of South Carolina, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha Social Fraternity. Allen had both the good fortune and common sense to marry the love of his life, Greta Sue Shealy Ward Capers. After a courageously fought battle with lung cancer, his loving wife ultimately passed away on March 12, 2017, shortly prior to their celebration of fifty years of marriage.

Along with his father and wife, Mr. Capers owned and operated Central Drug Store, formerly located on the Darlington Square. Allen worked at Central Drug Store as a child and became an integral part of the business for 42 years before his retirement. He also held positions with the Department of Social Services and Carolina Pines Hospital.

Allen earned the coveted Boy Scout Eagle Award and served his country from 1964-70 in the South Carolina Air National Guard medical unit. Mr. Capers was a past member of the Darlington Rotary Club and served on the Wachovia Bank Advisory Board and the Darlington County Board of Health. He was a member of the Darlington Presbyterian Church. Additionally, Mr. Capers was a charter member of the Darlingtonian Dance Club and was a member of the Darlington Men's Club. While considered to be an upstanding citizen, Allen was notoriously mischievous by nature and was known to enjoy a good ride in a street sweeper.

Allen was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend. His sense of humor was unparalleled and his common sense and remarkable memory were often helpful to his family and friends. Allen enjoyed history, hunting, boating and fishing on the South Carolina rivers and beaches, and riding around on the backroads. If a sport was being broadcast on television you could be sure Allen was watching, from cheering on his beloved Gamecocks (that cheering was not always positive but fun tailgating memories) to auto racing to golf and tennis, and any other kind of sport on television.

Surviving are his beloved children, son, William Van Ward, III (Ann) of Darlington, and daughter, Elizabeth Susan Shealy Capers Hart (Daniel) of Greenville; his 6 grandchildren who constantly kept him entertained and youthful: Jennifer Nicole Ward Pettigrew (Will), Zachary Van Ward (Danielle), Garner Allen Hart, Ava Grace Shealy Hart, Sophie Capers Hart, and Drummond Monroe Hart; and his favorite sister, Adelaide Capers Johnson (Jim) of Greenville. Allen was predeceased by his beloved cat, Bob.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the wonderful caregivers and staff at The Manor for their compassionate, loving, and patient care provided to Allen over the last year. Memorials may be made to the Susan Johnson Memorial Fund, c/o Darlington Presbyterian Church, 311 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532, or a charity of your choosing.