Saluda, SC

Rudolph Mitchell

Born September 6, 1926, Rudolph Mitchell died peacefully at home on January 29, 2019.The youngest of four sons of Sue Bledsoe and Thomas Spearman Mitchell, Rudolph spent his entire life on their family farm in Saluda County. A graduate of Hollywood High School, and Veteran of WW II, he married his next-door neighbor Lenora Werts in 1949. Together, and with his brother Frank, they established Rudanks Farms – a prize-winning Guernsey Dairy herd.
He began his public service by serving as Master of the Higgins Grange. Under his leadership, Higgins was awarded Top Ten Grange Community Clubs in the United States. In 1962, he was elected to the SC House of Representatives introducing legislation to establish the Saluda County Nursing Home, a fee to support the SC Dept of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and advancement for agriculture and rural communities in SC. In 1973, he was elected to the SC Public Service Commission, served twice as Chairman. He retired in 1998.
He loved Saluda County and worked to improve the quality of life for his neighbors. He chaired the Saluda Pull-It Festival, faithfully volunteered his musical talents to the Saluda Nursing Home patients, and worked to establish the Saluda Dialysis Center.
A self-taught musician, he first played the mandolin as a member of the Silver Dew Boys. For 50 years, he and his late friend, Holly Price, entertained as "The Ivory Keys" – a piano and organ duo. They brought beauty and joy with their opening number - "Down Yonder", waltzes, country classics, gospel favorites, and Rudolph's jokes and recitations.
His home was a place of love, laughter and music. There, he shared his red roses, Christmas light displays, impromptu concerts, and his swimming pool, where hundreds of community children learned to swim.
He was a life-long member of Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent and a member of the choir. His strong voice could be heard each Sunday praising God in song and resounding "Amens".
He received the "Order of the Palmetto" from Governor David Beasley, was named Saluda County Citizen of the Year, and was inducted into the SC Dairy Hall of Fame at Clemson University.
He was predeceased by his parents, brothers – Thomas, J.D., and Frank; his wife of 44 years, Lenora; son, Randy; and grandson,Franklin Spearman. He is survived by his wife of 25 years – Faye Crawford Mitchell, daughter – Molly M. Spearman (Bill), and daughter-in-law Wanda Mitchell; grandchildren – Mitchell Spearman, Katie S. Cornwell (Lee), Amy M. Harper (Brandon), Jason Mitchell (Cory), Lauren and Jeremy Mitchell; great- grandchildren – Ava, Layla, and Revan Harper; Whitney, Madison and Kennedy Mitchell;Molly Brooke Cornwell and her baby sister – due in a few days; sisters-in law Virginia Mitchell and Jessie Werts. He is also loved and survived by Faye's family – children Jimmy Crawford (Elaine), Jewell Scott (Rudy), grandchildren Steve Scott (Kelli), Amy S. Boozer (Art), Jessica C. Trotter (Michael), Kristen and Macy Crawford, great-grandchildren – Cole and Ty Boozer; Harley Faye and Hunter Trotter; and Dylan, Bradley, Ryan and Emma Scott.Uncle Rudolph adored and was loved by his nephews, nieces and their families. He was equally proud of his many Mitchell and Bledsoe cousins. Special thanks to friends and care-takers Nancy McCorkle, Dorothy Ouzts, Barbara F. Sargent and Margie Daniels and Doctors Ralph Riley and Oscar Lovelace.
Funeral Services will be held at Hickory Grove Advent Christian Church, Friday, February 1 at 3:00 p.m. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hickory Grove Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Rudy Scott, 363 Hickory Grove Road, Saluda 29138 or the charity of choice. Ramey's Funeral Home of Saluda, South Carolina is in charge of the arrangements.