Obituary of Charlie Arthur McDuffie, Jr.

Charlie Arthur McDuffie, Jr., 92, of Columbia, died Tuesday, January 25, 2022.  Born May 6, 1929 in Bennettsville, South Carolina, he was the son of Charlie Arthur McDuffie and Nell Cleo Dailey McDuffie. 

Charlie was a graduate of the University of South Carolina, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, and retired from the South Carolina Highway Department as State Utilities Engineer after 36 years of service.  After retiring, he opened a local office for Baker Engineering and ran it for 3 years before working in real estate for a few years. He then retired for good. Charlie was a member of St. Andrews Baptist Church, and served in many roles during his 54 years there. Mr. McDuffie was a US Army veteran of the Korean War, and an active member of Optimist International where he served a year as Lieutenant Governor. Mr. McDuffie was a firm believer that it was his responsibility to care for his family and to be an example for the next generation.  He stayed true to his beliefs. 

Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years, Jo Ann Royals McDuffie; daughters, Diana M. Harder and Lisa Jo Pierce (Billy) and son, Charlie A. “Chuck” McDuffie, III; granddaughters, Stefanie H. Hagan (Tyler) and Tammie L. Harder; grandsons, Jonathan R. Harder (Amy), Joseph D. Harder, III (Rocio), Charlie A. McDuffie, IV (Angela), Levi Franklin Pierce and Cody Arthur Pierce; great-grandsons, Charlie James "LC" McDuffie, Hudson Brooks Hagan, and Archer Lee Hagan; great-granddaughters, Adalynn Louise McDuffie and Millie Ann Harder.  He is also survived by a sister, Virginia Williamson.  In addition to his parents, Charlie was preceded in death by siblings Bea Matthews, Doris Mills and Fletcher McDuffie.

Services for Mr. McDuffie will be held Monday, January 31, 2022 at 2:00 pm at St. Andrews Baptist Church, 230 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC.  Burial will follow the service at Woodridge Memorial Park, 138 Corley Mill Road, Lexington, SC. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 1:00 pm in the church sanctuary (see NOTE below).

NOTE:  The family is requesting that you wear a mask for the visitation and funeral service.  If you are experiencing COVID symptoms and/or running a fever, please do not attend.  We will understand and look forward to hearing from you once you are feeling better or you may reach out to the family in other ways. 

Memorials may be sent to: Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, PO Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648-1178 (conniemaxwell.com); American Heart Association, 190 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 29033; Alzheimer’s Association, 140 Stoneridge Drive, Suite 640, Columbia, SC 29210.