Matthew 25:21 

His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of the Lord.

It is with profound sadness that Eddie & Jackie Nelson and the Support Staff of Nelson's Funeral Home, LLC announce the death of Rev. Eugene Canty, 87, of Ridgeway, South Carolina. 

Rev. Canty, transitioned away peacefully Thursday evening, June 6 2018, at Providence Hospital  Columbia, South Carolina surrounded by his loving family.  

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, June 16, 2018, 12:00 noon at White Oak Baptist Church, 520 White Oak Church Rd., Winnsboro, South Carolina.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. 

Rev. Canty will be available for  public viewing Friday, June 15, 2018; 2:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Rev. Eugene Canty was born to the late Cary and Lucille-Wilson Canty and the mother whom raised him Biner Johnson Canty on April 6, 1931 in Fairfield County, SC. He departed this life on Wednesday June 6, 2018 at Providence Health in Columbia, SC. 

He accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior at a very young age at Good Hope Baptist Church.

He was educated at the Hanes School from first through seventh grade at a one room building by one teacher, Mrs. Maggie Pickett.  After finishing his 8th grade at Lebanon School, he dropped out at the age of 15 where he entered the pulpwood business and later became a carpenter’s helper. 

At the age of twenty, he was drafted into the Army where he served two years and three days and fought in the Korean War. After finishing his tour, he went back to being a carpenter’s helper, but he just wasn’t satisfied.  So, he decided to enroll in Bethel High on the GI Bill.  While there, he worked hard to achieve good grades and made the Honor Roll.  At the age of 28, he graduated from Bethel High School with a High School Diploma.

During this time, he returned to the states and married the love of his life, the former Willie Mae Harrison and was married for nearly 62 years.

He worked at Craft Farrow State Hospital for 30 years. While working for the hospital, he also received one-on-one training to become a barber and he became a Barber Instructor and Master Barber. Rev. Canty was the owner and co-owner of two barbershops, Killian Barbershop in Columbia, SC and Town Barbershop in Ridgeway, SC. He opened one of the first African-American businesses in Ridgeway, SC.  After receiving his training, he helped 11 people receive their barber licenses.  He stayed in the barbering business for more than 50 years before retiring. During this time, he gave many people spiritual counseling on marriages, jobs, addiction, prayed for many and provided the word of God.  He also had a wood business for over 50 years where he donated wood to many in need.

In the early sixties, Rev. Canty became a deacon at Good Hope Baptist Church. While there, he served as a Sunday School Teacher, sang on the gospel choir, and was very faithful in all of his duties. On May 10, 1988, he became a licensed minister and two years later was ordained by the Fairfield Baptist Association. He graduated from Morris College School of Divinity in 1996. He has preached at many churches in Fairfield County and surrounding areas.

In 2002, Rev. Canty became a pastor at Calvary Baptist Church where he served for over four years. After pastoring at Calvary, the Lord led him to White Oak Baptist Church #1 under the leadership of Pastor Henry Spann. In 2010, the Lord spoke to him about starting a church on Main Street in Ridgeway, SC. Being led by the Lord, Dan Ruff remodeled the room beside his store. The Church of God Jesus Christ was opened, where there he held services for almost two years. Due to health reasons, he decided to close the church in 2013.

He was a great supporter of Golden Rock Fellowship Church and Joy Ministries.  He also was the resident minister at Tanglewood Nursing Home for seven years, resident minister at Fairfield Nursing Home, a jail minister for seven years at the Fairfield County Detention Center, Barbershop Fellowship Ministries, Shoney’s Breakfast Club Ministries and also a lifetime member of #42 Purity Lodge in Ridgeway, SC where he had served as Treasurer and Chaplin.  He was President of #2 Singing Convention. He was a great pillar of faith in his community and was involved in many other ministries.

Rev. Eugene Canty leaves to cherish his memory,; his loving wife, Willie Mae Canty of Ridgeway, SC; four loving daughters, Rev. Loretta Able and Gloria Jean Canty of Blythewood, SC, Pamela Lotricia Canty of Decatur, GA, and Kawaski Iristeddi Canty of Atlanta, GA; two loving sons, Terence Satonio Canty of Augusta, GA and Stacy Eugene Canty of Mebane, NC; two adopted sons, Rev. Dr. Preston (Stacy)Harrison of Columbia, SC and Adrian Harrison of Ridgeway, SC and one adopted daughter, Katie Barber Roach of Ridgeway, SC. He also leaves eleven grandchildren, one grandson-in-law, seven great-grandchildren, six brothers-in-law, seven sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whom will miss him dearly.

He was preceded in death by one sister, Pearl Canty Kennedy; one brother, David Canty; his brother-in-law, Isaac Kennedy, Sr. and other siblings.