Maj. Darwin LaVerne Haines, U.S. Army (Ret.)

COLUMBIA – Darwin LaVerne Haines, 82, Maj, US Army Retired, passed away on Tuesday, January 19, 2016. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 10:30 am at Dunbar Funeral Home Northeast Chapel. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial with full military honors will follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. Born in Dixon, Nebraska, he was a son of the late LeRoy Albert Haines and Mildred Iva Stanley Haines. Darwin grew up in Iowa and Minnesota. Major Haines proudly served his country for 20 years in the US Army and was a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, where he received two bronze stars. He was devoted to his family and well loved by all. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and attended the First Baptist Church of Conway. Darwin was dedicated to serving his fellowman with his wisdom, caring and strength in their times of need with his wife, Gerry, and then quietly helping so many others. He was a friend of Bill W. for over 36 years and served as a SC State Delegate. He was a gifted cross stitch artist lovingly decorating the homes of his children and grandchildren with wedding samplers, birth announcements and Christmas stockings. He delighted all with continuing his Mother’s tradition of homemade ginger snaps. He is survived by his loving wife, Geraldine “Gerry” Haines; sons, Rodger Haines and his wife Tammy of Loachapoka, Rodney and his wife Diane of LaGrange, GA, Stan Haines and his wife Carol of Columbia, SC, Scott Haines and his wife Tara of Conway, SC; grandchildren, Stacie (Evan), Mason, Liz (Kevin), Vivian, Tommy, Stanley (Lisa), Jonathan (Elizabeth), Katherine (Brad), Collin (Chelsea) and siblings, Mary Scribner, Beverly Hagen (Alroy), Steve (Carol), and Michael (Sue) and six great grandchildren, Jada, Emma, Landon, Nolan, Ellie, Tatum as well as a sister in law, Donna Haines, and large family of loving nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister in law Billy Haines (JoAnn) and Richard (Dick) Haines. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.