Neville Samuel John Poots

IRMO - Neville Samuel John Poots, 53, of Irmo passed away Sunday, December 23, 2012. Visitation will be held Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at Caughman Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel in Columbia. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel. Following the service, family and friends will gather at 161 Pilgrim Point Road, Lexington, SC 29072 to celebrate the life of Neville Poots. Born July 13, 1959 in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, he was loved and admired by many people throughout the world. He was the son of Elizabeth “Lily” Poots of Northern Ireland and the late James Poots. Neville came to the United States 31 years ago and began working in the restaurant industry with Krystal Hamburgers and then Cracker Barrel quickly rising to corporate positions at both. He was an owner of Wings and Ale, Restaurant 1-2-3 and Foxfire Grill and was involved in many other ventures including restaurants and real estate. During this time he was president of the SC Restaurant Association for seven years. After leaving the restaurant business he became the national sales manager for Thermal Engineering Corporation. At the time of his death he was an operator specialist for AFM Harvest foods where he received awards for Employee of the Year and Salesman of the Year.

Neville’s biggest pride was his children whom he never tired of bragging about. He is survived by his mother; son, Steven Poots of Augusta; daughters, Karen Poots of Charleston and Ashley Poots of Columbia; brothers, Laurence (Mimi) Poots of Hong Kong and Singapore and Robert (Mandy) Poots of England; sisters, Shirley (Bill) Poots and Elizabeth (Bobby) Down of Northern Ireland; girlfriend, Jennifer “Jeni” Hydrick and was also blessed with numerous cousins, nephews, nieces, and many very close friends.