James Dupre Fanning Sr.

James (Jim) was born on April 14th, 1941 in Columbia, S.C. to William Herbert Fanning Sr. and Louise Nettles Fanning. Jim grew up with two siblings, William (Bill) Herbert Fanning Jr. and Irene Fanning Smith. Jim graduated from Columbia High School in 1960. While at Columbia High he was a member of the Les Truands Fraternity; he and several of his high school friends still met for lunch once a month. Jim attended Clemson University. While working part time at White’s Department Store he met his wife, Barbara Railton Fanning, with whom he shared 43 years of marriage until her death in 2007.

Jim was a devoted father and husband. During the early years Jim worked in retail sales and that position moved the family to four different states. The family moved back home permanently to Columbia, SC in 1978. Once back in Columbia Jim spent 28 years as an insurance underwriter with both State Farm and Farm Bureau. He held the position of State Director for the FEMA flood insurance program before retiring from Farm Bureau in 2006 to take care of his wife until her passing.

While living out of state, when the children were young, the family spent many long hours driving home to SC for the holidays in the “old” country squire station wagon. Jim loved to take his family on trips to the beach and the mountains. He especially loved spending time at his cabin in Saluda, NC. Jim was an avid Clemson Fan and attended Clemson Football games for over 40 years. Go Tigers! He loved his family, and he was the happiest when he was spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Jim was a member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in downtown Columbia where he sang in the choir and was often the lay reader during church services.

Jim is preceded in death by his wife Barbara Railton Fanning. His parents, William Herbert Fanning Sr., Louise Nettles Fanning and his granddaughter, Emma Louise Fanning.

Jim is survived by his partner of 15 years, Connie Austin. His five children: Susan (Danny) Nabors of West Columbia, SC, Sheri (Hammond) Edwards III of Columbia, SC, James (Cindy) Fanning of Lexington, SC, William (Martha) Fanning of Lexington, SC, and Tammy (Larry) Benton of Decatur, Alabama. Eight grandchildren, Lee (Lauren) Nabors, Lexington, SC, Hammond Edwards IV, Pawleys Island, SC, Anna (Allen) Louthian, Blythewood, SC, Grace Fanning, New York, NY, Sam Fanning, West Columbia, SC. Madeline (Madi) Fanning, Columbia, SC. Jimmy Fanning, Lexington, SC and Danielle (Wesley) Warren, Decatur, AL. Three great grandchildren Harrison, Railton and Dartha (Dottie). His brother Bill (Nita) Fanning of Jackson, Mississippi. His sister Irene (Jim) Smith of Charleston, SC. Sister in law, Dianne Railton Bunnell and Sister in law, Debbie Chapman Edgerton, along with numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 27, 2024 at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, with burial in Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 26, 2024, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorials be made to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 900 Calhoun Street, Columbia SC 29201.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com