Joseph Randolph Trussell

Joseph Randolph Trussell, known to all as Randy, peacefully passed away at home in the presence of his family on October 29, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther Oliver Trussell and Thelma Gilchrist Trussell, as well as his elder sister Mary Eva Swift and his beagle Cornbread. He is survived by his elder brother Stan Trussell, his sister in law Martha Trussell, his brother in law Capt. Lloyd Francis Knapp Swift (USN, ret.), one nephew, five nieces, and seven grandnieces and nephews including his namesake Leo Randolph Culligan. He has many more dear family members who will also sorely miss him until we all are united again.

In addition to his relatives, he had many friends who will remember him as one of the best people they ever knew. He inspired all with his kindness, generosity, and indefatigable good humor and resilience.

Randy was an ardent and loyal fan to his alma mater (Clemson ‘76), inspiring his nephew and three of his nieces to attend in his footsteps. In keeping with his gentle nature, he forgave the other two nieces who went to schools in Virginia. Because of him, however, their favorite color will always be orange.

Randy, along with Stan and their father, owned the Piggly Wiggly in Hanahan until 1994, and were at the center of their community for decades. He then started work with MUSC in the Grants and Accounting division, where he worked for almost 30 years, and developed friendships that were as close as family.

Randy unhesitatingly dedicated his life to others. He spent over 30 years caring for his elderly father, mother, and aunt until their passing. For years he was a full time caregiver as well as for his brother Stan, until Randy was diagnosed with the aggressive cancer that would claim his life less than two months later.

Some of Randy’s favorite things were meeting new people, hound dogs, donuts, lemon chess and key lime pies, giving gifts, college basketball and Braves baseball. He loved meals out with friends at Music Man BBQ, Easterby’s, Page’s Okra Grill, as well as Lowcountry restaurants of years past like Morrison’s Cafeteria and Mama Brown’s. He always kept a cut of brisket ready for smoking whenever his nephew Ernest visited.

His funeral service will be on Monday, November 3rd at 11 AM at Yeamans Park Presbyterian Church in Hanahan, South Carolina. There will be a reception at the church following the service. Burial will be at Carolina Memorial Gardens in North Charleston following the reception.

Prayers requested for family, Dabo Swinney and the future of Clemson Football.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent online to Water Mission at watermission.org or to Yeamans Park Presbyterian Church at 5931 Murray Dr, Hanahan, SC 29410.