Obituary of Eugene Glenn Hallman

AIKEN, SC-- Eugene Glenn “Gene” Hallman, age 90, died peacefully on April 6, 2018 at Trinity on Laurens with his daughters and his companion, Irene, at his side.  He was born on Mother’s Day May 8, 1927 in Williston, South Carolina.  He was the son of the late Donie Mae Givens Hallman and Harvey Jiles Hallman. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his two sons, Eugene Glenn Hallman, Jr., and Glen Edward Hallman, his greatgrandson John Eliot Holt, and his sister Anita Fritz. 

Gene was the Valedictorian of the Class of 1944 at Williston Elko High School.  He received an IPTAY scholarship to attend Clemson College where he was proud to have played football under Coach Frank Howard.  There were several Eugenes on the team so Coach Howard referred to him as “Elko”.  In 1945 he left Clemson during WWII and joined the Merchant Marines Cadet Corp (Coast Guard).  He remained a lifelong Tiger fan and often wore his Clemson Tiger baseball cap.  He was also very proud to attend the graduation of his granddaughter Sarah from Clemson.  At the end of the war he returned to Aiken where his family now lived.  There he met and married the love of his life, Nellie Lybrand, on November 17, 1946.  They were married for 55 years until her death in 2002.  Nellie and Gene were the proud parents of three children, Sheri, Janet and Glen, who they both taught strong family values, to love their Lord and each other and everyone they met.  The family spent many happy times together in their home, camping and engaging in many activities at St. Paul Lutheran Church.  Gene was a member of St. Paul since 1948 and served on Church Council for many years, as an usher, as Superintendent of Education, taught Sunday School and on various committees.  He also served as PTA President when his children were younger and was very involved in their education.

Gene was employed by The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company for 35 years and was known to many in Aiken as “Mr. A&P”.  He served as manager of a store for 33 years and had many faithful and long serving employees.  He was known as a tough guy to many employees but he never expected anything but their best work, the same as he was willing to give.  Following the closing of the last A&P store in Aiken in 1981, he worked at H&R Block during the tax seasons and later as a rural mail carrier for the Post Office. 

Following the death of Nellie, Gene was married to her older sister, Mattie Lybrand Jackson in 2003 until her death in 2010.  He loved to joke that he was married to two sisters for 62 years, but to only one at a time. 

Gene is survived by his two daughters, Sheri (Larry) DeWitt and Janet (Herb) Mattocks, his seven grandchildren, Amanda (Royce) Blackmon, Lara (Jeff) Moore, Misty (Ray) Cooper, Jeff (Shannon) DeWitt, Sarah (Josh) Holt, Glen Hallman and Brad Hallman.  He was also the proud greatgrandfather of Emmie, Lawson, Colson, and Elizabeth and was looking forward to the birth of two more greatgrandchildren in July.  Gene is also survived by his brother, Wallis Hallman, his sister, Deloris Bodie, his two brothers-in-law Edward Lybrand & Charles Fritz, and by Leon Lott, Jr, Linda Hallman and a number of nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his loving companion, Irene Rabun-Overman.   

Gene’s forgiving and loving spirit and gracious manner will live on forever in the hearts of his family and others who knew him.  He was always trying to get others to smile, especially with one of his favorite sayings when he was asked how he was doing – “If I felt any better, I couldn’t stand it.”  Now his family and friends know he is at peace and resting in the loving arms of his Lord with no more pain or struggling to breathe but enjoying the eternal life he knew was his as a faithful and loving servant of God. 

The family wishes to acknowledge the loving care and attention he received from the staff at Trinity on Laurens and more recently BeWell Services ladies and employees of Regency Hospice.  Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church or to the Employees Assistance Fund of Trinity on Laurens.

Visitation with the family will be held on Tuesday evening, April 10, from 4:00-6:00 PM at George Funeral Home.  A Celebration of his Life will be held on Wednesday, April 11, at 2:00 PM at St. Paul Lutheran Church with the Reverend Jeff Erbskorn and the Reverend Adam Carnell officiating.  Burial will follow at Aiken Memorial Park.  Pallbearers will be Jeff DeWitt, Josh Holt, Glen Hallman, Brad Hallman, Royce Blackmon, Ray Cooper, Jeff Moore & Leon Lott, Jr.

Expressions of sympathy for the Hallman family may be left online at www.georgefuneralhomes.com