Obituary of Steve Varnadore

WEST COLUMBIA Steve Phillip Varnadore, 60, of 139 Clubhouse Drive, West Columbia left us to be with his daughter and the Lord on Wednesday, September 29, 2010, after a courageous battle with cancer.A service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Grace Baptist Church, 321 Denhem Ave in West Columbia. Officiating will be Dr. Bill Egerdahl and Rev. John McKeown. Burial will follow in Southland Memorial Gardens next to his daughter. Visitation will be held on Friday, October 1, 2010 at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington from 6-8 p.m. Pallbearers will be Don Schmotzer, Angela Wilson, Stanley Schmotzer, Adrienne Parker, Barry Meyers, William McCracken and David Brazell.Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, SC Chapter, 537 Long Point Road, Suite 203, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464 or to Grace Baptist Church Building Fund, 416 Denhem Ave, West Columbia, SC 29169.Steve was born on February 9, 1950 to the late Ross McKenzie and Mary Ellen Brazell of Columbia. He was later adopted by the late Robert Russell and Hannah Neeley Varandore of Columbia.Steve's greatest love was that of his wife, daughters and his grandchildren. He was a family man and loved them dearly.Steve is survived by his wife, Mary Post Varnadore; daughter, Stephanie Marie and his three grandchildren, Jennifer Michelle, Hunter Phillip and Ansley Nicole of the home in West Columbia. He is also survived by two brothers, David Brazell of Pelion and Ross Brazell, Jr. of Columbia; six sisters, Ruby Smith of Leesville, Joyce Bradberry of Ninety Six, Geraldine Amaker of Orangeburg, Louise Blalock of North Carolina, Lois Shore of Charleston and Cindy Adams of West Columbia.He was predeceased by both his biological and adopted parents, brothers, Charles Brazell of Saluda, Lee Brazell of Greenwood, William Lee Brazell of Columbia and Richard Neeley of Columbia; sisters, Martha Brazell of Columbia, Faye Isabell Brazell of Columbia and Mary Francis Hutto of West Columbia. He was also predeceased by his youngest daughter, Jennifer Michelle Varnadore of the home when she was 21 years old Steve donated a lobe of his lung to her in 2001. She departed this world following complications from surgery.Steve was a giver all his life, loved his many friends, and he loved to work until cancer got the best of his spirit. He retired from BellSouth Telecommunication after 32 years where he worked as a DA operator, Outside Plant Technician, Frame Attendant, Switching Equipment Technician, Electronic Technician and he held several management positions. He loved his time when he taught the Electronic Switching courses for North and South Carolina. He also loved his job as a BellSouth Specialist for the State of South Carolina where he was instrumental in setting up the state's area codes, E911 systems and numerous other projects for South Carolina. He also assisted in the implementation of new Area Codes for other BellSouth states. He also worked for Western Electric as a PBX installer before his marriage to his wife, Mary. After retiring from BellSouth, Steve could not stay idle. He started working with Thompson's Funeral Home and with the University of South Carolina Postal Services. He loved working with the different families at Thompson's and loved and had a smile for all the students and department staff he came in contact with at USC. He was a supporter of USC for more than 35 years; proudly displayed his USC memories in the GameCock room at home. Steve was a member of Grace Baptist Church.Steve held several titles during his life time with different volunteer groups. He was past president of the BellSouth Pioneer, Columbia Council and the South Carolina Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He also served a state judge with the South Carolina Barbeque Association. His hobbies included fishing, golfing, building things and flying remote control airplanes. He received numerous awards during his lifetime. Among them was a Southern Bell Award of Merit for Job Performance in 1985, in The Company of Leaders for BellSouth and an award for the State of South Carolina for his participation in the Year of the Handicap. He also appeared on several radio, television talk shows and signings with the Governor of South Carolina when talking about Cystic Fibrosis. He also played Santa Claus at several venues in the city for the kids and made other donations to support children who were receiving treatments at the Children's Hospital in Columbia.The family wishes to convey their most appreciated thank you to Dr. Steven Madden and staff of Lexington Oncology;Dr. Quillian Davis and staff at Lexington Radiation; Dr. Misty Bost and staff at Lexington Internist; and to the many family members, neighbors and friends that prayed for Steve and kept in contact with him by visiting; the many cards and e-mails during his illness.Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com.