Kenneth Lee Cleland

Kenneth Lee Cleland, 88, of Ridgeland, SC passed away on June 29, 2022. Kenneth was born on May 15, 1934, to the late Mr. Walter and Mrs. Daisy Lowther Cleland in Ridgeland, SC.

Kenneth was the owner and operator of Ken’s Tire Service in Ridgeland for many years. Kenneth always put his family first and supported his grandchildren in all their sporting events and activities. He never met a stranger and was always willing to help someone in need and would offer money when it was needed.  He loved his late-night snacks, being bare footed, collecting baseball hats and growing flowers. Raising Chickens and watching them feed in the yard was a favorite past-time for he and Mrs. Doby.  He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed pike fishing and coon hunting in the Great Swamp Run. Coon hunting was his passion, but most of all he enjoyed teasing other people about their dogs being a “lying” coon dog, that could only catch Opossums.  Wheeling and dealing were another one of his hobbies.  The “deal” is what he lived for and was always buying, selling, or trading cars and coon dogs.  It didn’t matter where he had to go, if he wanted it, he was on the road. What made Kenneth so unique was his ability to make up words no one else knew, and use them in conversation, confusing the listener trying to figure out what he was talking about. 

Left to cherish his memory is his wife of over 60 years, “Doby” Malphrus Cleland; a son, Kenny Cleland (Teri); a daughter, Phyllis Draper (Bruce); five grandchildren, Cheryl Tanner-Bolibar (Camilo), Forrest Tanner (Jessica), Garrett Cleland (Katie), Sean Draper (P-Nut), Brooke Finley (McNeal); four great grandchildren, Kinsley Williamson, Logan Tanner, Brynlee Tanner, and Miller Finley; and one sister, Eileen Mock.

Kenneth was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Megan Williamson; three brothers, Jimmy Cleland, Eloy Cleland, Rabbit Cleland; and two sisters, Edna Peeples and Faye Cleland.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2022, at the Great Swamp Baptist Church, 9009 Tarboro Road, Ridgeland, SC 29936. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:00 pm at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of South Carolina, Attn: SC Gift Processing, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

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