He married Betty L. Slane on May 14, 1960 in Peoria, Illinois. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1976 with 20 years of service. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #152, a past Commander in Chief of VFW Post 8738, and past Chief of the Provost Guard with the Jamil Shrine Temple.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty L. Steele; daughters and sons-in-law, Donna and Scott McClaran, Sandy and Nelson Hendrix; grandchildren, Katie McClaran, Christian and Amanda McClaran, Haven Hendrix, Harliann Hendrix, Trinity McClaran, Harmony Hendrix; great grandchild, Kali Bowman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Andrena and Don Garland, Ruthie and Ron Padgett; brother, Edward Jones; brother-in-law, Jansen Everitt. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Vontay Shumpert Steele, Luther Moses (LM) and Sarah Steele; sister, Millie Everitt; sons, Eddy Steele and Michael Steele.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Entombment will be in Southland Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. The family has requested, in lieu of flowers, a donation be given to Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605 or VFW Post #8738, 424 Cedarcrest Dr., Lexington, SC 29073.
