Born a fraternal twin on February 9th, 1943, in Pickens County, Doyce, barely 2.5lbs at birth, beat the odds of survival at that time along with his sister Dorothy by staying warm next to a wood burning stove at his grandmother’s house in Pickens County.
Doyce and his family moved from place to place as a small boy finally settling down in the Poe Mill area for most of his teen years. His father worked in maintenance in textiles and his mother was a homemaker. In his late teens, Doyce managed Billups gas stations in Greenville, South Carolina and Athens, Georgia until he gained employment in the textile industry (JP Stevens, Lyle Industries & Mohawk Industries) in the early 1960’s. Doyce worked in the textile industry as a Fixer, Maintenance Technician, then as Department Manager and Maintenance Manager. Doyce also worked multiple second jobs over the years to provide for his growing family. It was common to see Doyce arrive at home for dinner after a full day of work only to head back out the door an hour later to work a second job until 11pm. This sacrifice continued for over two decades.
Doyce had many interests. He always liked cars and at just a glance could tell you make and model plus other interesting facts about them. He also loved food and was willing to try anything. Doyce’s biggest interest, however, was family. His participation and involvement in family events are too many to name. He was always present, always interested and openly excited whenever his family was by his side. You rarely asked where is Dad or where is Papa?
In 1999, he and Barbara moved to Dalton, Ga for a new job opportunity. There they built a beautiful new home where all the kids and grandkids made more fond memories. In 2006, Doyce and Barbara returned to Taylors, S.C. for a few more years of work and finally retirement.
At his core, Doyce was a problem solver. If there was a repair, emergency, rebuild, transportation issue or health crisis anywhere in the immediate family, extended family, or even an acquaintance, you could find him there lending a hand or in most cases putting things back together for whoever was in need. There was very little idle time in Doyce’s life.
In the case of his children, he spared no expense and sacrificed his personal time regularly to see to it that his children’s needs and grandkids needs were met. The stories that could be told regarding his various “rescues” of those in need are too numerous to enumerate.
Over those years, he, and his beloved wife (Barbara) of 60 years raised three children that gave them six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.
Our hearts are broken but we’ll fill that void with remembered joys, a laugh, and a kiss.
Dad, we love you dearly!
A Memorial Service for Doyce will be held Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 7 Shannon Drive, Greenville, SC 29615. A Service of Committal will follow the Memorial Service at Memorial Mausoleum in Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1901 Wade Hampton Blvd. Greenville, SC 29609.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Doyce's honor to the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.woodlawn-fh.com for the Elgin family.
