Rev. Francis Dennison

Rev. Francis Dennison was 80, and departed this life Tuesday March 3, 2020 in Charleston. He was the husband of Evangelist Arletha Dennison. You may visit the family at 3806 Hwy. 501 N. Marion. 

Wake services will be held at the Jackson & McGill Memorial Chapel 612 S. Main St. Marion on Sunday March 8, 2020, 5pm-6pm. Staff Of Life Lodge # 341, Myrtle Beach, will be in charge of rites. 

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Mt. Olive  AME Church 1108 Carver St. Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Monday March 9, 2020 at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest at the Devotion Gardens Cemetery, Mullins, SC. 

~ Obituary~ 

“ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.”   II Timothy 4:7

Reverend Francis Dennison peacefully transition to his new life, early Tuesday morning on March 3, 2020, at Rutledge Tower MUSC Charleston, South Carolina after a brief illness.

Francis was born on September 11, 1939 to the late Deacon John and Mrs. Sarah Grate Dennison in Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, Georgetown County. He was the sixth sibling of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother Charles Dennison, and one sister Ethel Grate Dennison. 

Francis attended the public schools of Georgetown County and was a graduate of Howard High School Georgetown, South Carolina. He also attended Georgetown Vocational Center and was certified in Brick Masonry. He worked a few years as a brick mason, and could not continue the job because of inclement weather conditions. Francis relocated to Miami Beach, Florida. He attended Miami School of Culinary Arts, where he received his diploma. After a few years he returned to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and became employed as a Chef/Restaurant Manager at The Sea Mist Resort Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for twenty-three years.

Reverend Francis Dennison received his call into the ministry in 1965, and attended Allen University Seminar Extension on the campus of Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina. In 1970 he was ordained as an iterant Elder under the leadership of the late Bishop Fred Ball, Sr. He attended Allen University Columbia, South Carolina where he majored in Religious Studies. 

Reverend Francis Dennison pastored the following churches:

St. Stephen’s A.M.E. Church Loris, South Carolina – Six years

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church Zion, South Carolina – Eight years

Magnolia A.M.E. Church Bingham, South Carolina – One year

Zion Hill A.M.E. Church, Lakeview, South Carolina – Two years

The Floydale Circuit; St. Paul A.M.E., Floydale, South Carolina and Greater Fork Chapel A.M.E, Marion, South Carolina- Eight years

Soul Chapel A.M.E. Church, Gresham, South Carolina – Four years

St. Peter A.M.E Church, Maysville, South Carolina – Six years

Lodabor A.M.E. Church, New Zion, South Carolina, for ten years until retirement, a total of 45 years of ministry. 

After retirement from The Sea Mist Resort, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he attended Wagoner School of Truck Driving Concord, North Carolina, where he received a diploma from the United States Department of Transportation Washington, DC. Afterwards he was employed for 17 years at Pee Dee Block/Florence Concrete Company, Florence, South Carolina. He also attended Florence Darlington Technical College Florence, South Carolina, Defensive Trucking Class course study Passenger Endorsement. 

Francis met the love of his life Arletha Fling on March 3, 1978. They were united into holy matrimony on April 19, 1980, at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Zion, South Carolina. After twenty-five years of marriage they celebrated their Silver Wedding Anniversary at Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and a fabulous reception at the Myrtle Beach Convention Center.  

Frances leaved to cherish fond memories~ a loving and devoted wife; Arletha Fling Dennison of the home; Three daughters~ Ms. Loretta Wooden (Michael-deceased) Columbia, South Carolina, Mrs. Treva (Von) Johnson, Conway, South Carolina, Ms. Keya Brown of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina; five grandchildren: Shenise, Quantrell, Josh, Taylor and Mikayda, One great-grandson:Shane Matthew; Two sisters: Mrs. Hattie D. Smith, Mrs. Thomasina Askew both of Phila,, Pa.; Three Brothers: John (Lillian) Dennison of Pawley’s Island, South Carolina, Josephus (Gloria) Dennison and Jerry Dennison of Phila. Pa.; Two brother-in-laws: Johnny (Joan) Crawford of Philadelphia, Pa.., William McNeil Fling of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Five Sister-in-laws; Hattie Foreman, Georgia (Linwood) Greene, Reverend Berletha (Johnny-deceased) Taylor, 1SG (Ret) Linda Fling(Command Sergeant Major) Otis Norfleet all of Marion, South Carolina, Vivian Fling of Apopka, Florida. Godmother: Mrs. Maebelle Williams of Marion, South Carolina; One Spiritual Sister:Elder Barbara Ashley Williams of Fayetteville,  North Carolina; God-sons: Toney, Will, Gene, Joe and Dewayne; God-daughters: Major Dr.(Ret) Nicole Lopez of Killens, Texas, Jolanda, Kathy, Sondrafe, Sonya, Doris, Stacey, Vikki, Bernice, Jasmine, Apostle Hattie Weathers, Joan and Michele. 

A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great-great nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends that loved Reverend Francis Dennison, he will be greatly missed. 

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