Carl Richard Thackston

He was proud of his upbringing in the Dunean community and graduated from Parker High School, Furman University, and the George Washington University School of Law. He served his country as a Naval Specialist First Class in World War II and as a Special Agent in the FBI. He served as a Dean for Greenville Technical College and helped start the Criminal Justice program. For decades, he met the needs of his community as a lawyer more apt to exchange his work for home repairs than for exorbitant fees. He led Sunday school classes at Earle Street Baptist Church and was a member of several civic organizations, including his American Legion Posts 3 and 214, the Exchange Club, the Rotary Club, and the Sam Poe 284 Masonic Lodge.

Most important is how Carl left a positive impact on everyone he met. His heart was full of love and sincerity, his spirit always uplifting. Each newspaper and magazine had an article he would clip and send to someone he thought would enjoy it. He was a wealth of knowledge and full of stories from his life experiences, but he had more joy hearing about the accomplishments of others than focusing on himself. There could be no better husband, father, grandfather, brother, or friend. For those lucky enough to know him, smile when he crosses your mind, and honor his spirit by always being kind.

Mr. Thackston is survived by his daughter, Barbara-Ruth Thackston Gross, his grandson, Jason McMullan and his wife Kate, and his great-grandchildren Ori and Thackston McMullan. He was preceded in death by his parents, Albert J. and Lillie Mae McCauley Thackston; his wife Ruth Bryson Thackston; his daughter Elizabeth “Betty” McMullan; his sisters Maxine Harden Cartee, Gwen Jameson, and Eunice Gilbert; and his brothers William and Leonard Thackston.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Meyer Center for Special Children.

A visitation for Carl will be held Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Earle Street Baptist Church, 225 W Earle St, Greenville, SC 29609, followed by interment at Woodlawn Memorial Park, Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC 29609.

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