Kenneth Legrand Cannon

On Sunday, June 26, 2022, Kenneth Legrand Cannon, was called home to Jesus at the age of 90. Ken was born on July 1, 1931 in Chapin, SC and spent the first 20 years of his life living in the home where he was born on East Boundary Street. After graduation from Chapin High School in 1949, he enlisted in the US Navy and served two years.

On September 19, 1952, he married the love of his life and beautiful wife of 67 years, Ethel W. Cannon. Their marriage was a true example of their wedding vows: to love and to cherish till death do us part.

Ken had an enjoyable career with Winn-Dixie. Beginning as a meat cutter, and later market manager, no one could cut meat like he could. At that time, markets received whole quarters of beef that weighed 150-200 pounds each. Ken would have to “break them down” to the primal cuts that are sold in stores today, already prepackaged. He moved to the Greenville Division headquarters in 1972 when he was promoted to meat specialist. Later, he became deli-bakery specialist and then deli-bakery merchandiser. He was a perishable buyer during his final years with Winn-Dixie. He retired from Winn-Dixie after a 42-year career and moved to Prosperity and Lake Murray where he enjoyed fishing as a young boy. He re-established his membership with Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church and has been an active member ever since.

Ken loved the gift of life and loved living life. He gave his family unconditional love throughout his life. He enjoyed helping people in whatever way he could and always had a kind word for anyone he happened to meet. Ken was an animal rights activist. He did not like seeing any animal, wild or pets, being mistreated or abused. This was evident in the love and attention he gave to his beautiful shelties: Suzy, Casey, Charli, and Dusty. He loved the mountains, pets, animals, wildlife and nature. He often said pets and animals were a gift from God. Pets have unconditional love and loyalty.

Ken loved his trips to the Great Smoky Mountains, which he and his wife would visit three or four times a year. He especially loved visits to the early settlement of Cades Cove and the Museum of Appalachia. He often said that going to these places was like going back to living life the way it used to be. It amazed him how people made use of what they had, not what they could go out and buy.

Ken was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. One of his favorite hobbies was photography. Special friends would often open their emails to find a beautiful Lake Murray sunrise that he had captured that morning. Besides photography, he loved to grill and was known for his smoked beef briskets, barbecue, and Thanksgiving turkey. He also loved baking cakes and sharing them with friends, especially those at Dem’s Jewelers and The Groomin’ Room. If he wasn’t grilling or baking, then you would often find Ken sitting in his recliner or back porch with his devoted Shelties at his feet.

Ken’s faith was very important to him. He was a dedicated Lutheran his entire life and attended church regularly. In his later years, that faith became even more important as he was the caregiver for his wife prior to her death. His study of the Bible continued up until his death. Many thanks to Pastors Ralph Hill and Johanna Gragg for the answers to the many questions he had about the Bible. Thanks also to Rev. Alex Twedt and Pastor Gragg for the pastoral support provided to Ken and his family during his final weeks of life.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Samuel J. Cannon and Emma W. Cannon; brother, SJ Cannon and sisters, Pearl Sease, Lois Flaherty, Gussie Mae Epting, and Annie Ruth Falkner.

Ken is survived by his daughter, Teresa (Barry) Alexander of Lexington, SC; son, Kenneth Michael Cannon of Phoenix, Arizona; 7 grandchildren, Ashley, David, Jeff, Bryan, Justin, Amy, and Brandy; 13 great grandchildren and his beloved Shelties, Charli and Dusty.

A celebration of life service will be held at Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin, SC on June 30, 2022 at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends in the sanctuary one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the Mt. Horeb cemetery following the service.

The family would especially like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Kirk Steptoe and Dr. Asheesh Lal for the wonderful care they provided to Ken over the years. Also, to the nurses and nurse techs on the Oncology floor at Lexington Medical Center. Thank you for the loving care and attention you provided over the past month to Ken and his family.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in Chapin or donations to the SC Sheltie Rescue at PO Box 11414, Columbia, SC 29211.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.caughmanchapin.com for the Cannon family.