George M. Creel, Sr.

George M. Creel, Sr.\ Florence\ \ George McLaurin Creel, Sr., 86, passed away Friday, August 5, 2011 at Briar Hill Nursing Home. Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. today and 10-11 a.m. Monday at Chancellor Funeral Home in Florence. Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel with burial to follow in Florence Cemetery.\ \ Mr. Creel was the oldest of twelve children. He served in the Navy. During his service to our country, he fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII as a gun captain aboard the USS Lexington. He was presented a Bronze Medal by Harry S. Truman for his and his crew's heroic actions. \ \ Mr. Creel loved hunting with his grandchildren. He was also a member of Marvin United Methodist Church.\ \ He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Edith Creel; and sons, Michael and Ken Creel; and 3 siblings. \ \ He is survived by his children, George Creel, Jr., Robin L. Creel, Darlene Scanlon, and Tami Ledgerwood; 8 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; siblings, Guy Creel, J. B. Creel, Marion Creel, Kenneth Creel, Goldie Purvis, Emily Hughes, Vicky Jackson, and Vesta Pitts.\ \ The family would like to thank the staff of Briar Hill Nursing Home for the excellent care they provided. They would also like to give a special thanks to Mr. Creel's niece, Penny Thedford, for the loving care she gave him, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Buck and Opal Wilson and sister-in-law Dain Smiddy for the care they provided. A special thank to all neighbors and friends for the care shown him.\ \ The family guest book can be signed at www.chancellorfuneralhome.com. \