Keith M. Honeycutt

Keith Milton Honeycutt, 92, of Simpsonville, widower of Mildred Lovely Honeycutt, passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Brookstone Terrace in Simpsonville, SC. Keith was born in Cornelius, NC, on April 8, 1930, the son of the late Shirley Marshall Honeycutt and Lorene Propst Honeycutt.

Keith was raised in Cornelius, graduating from Cornelius High School in 1948 where he played baseball, basketball, was a member of FFA and was voted “Best Dressed.” His yearbook stated, “He’ll find a way, for he is a folly good fellow, which nobody can deny.”

Keith served in the Army National Guard as a Sargent First Class, from 1948 to 1950, as part of the 378th Engineer Combat Battalion-US Army. He was called to active duty in August of 1950 and received his basic training at Ft. Lewis in Washington State prior to combat duty in Korea. During his service in Korea, Keith received the Korean Service Medal, with two Bronze Stars and the United Nations Service Medal. His military separation took place at Ft. Jackson, SC in April of 1952.

Prior to his military service, Keith was employed by Atkinson Motor, Inc in Charlotte, NC. After his Army discharge, he went to work for The Goodyear Tire Company in Charlotte, NC.  In 1960, he relocated to Greer, SC where he continued employment with Goodyear. In 1961, the opportunity came about for him to partner with J. Verne Smith and formed a corporation called The Tire Exchange of Simpsonville, a full-service gas, tire and automobile business. Keith moved to Simpsonville, SC to open and manage this second location of The Tire Exchange. The business grew and in 1967 he and Verne opened a third Tire Exchange in Mauldin, SC. Keith continued as managing partner of The Tire Exchange locations in Simpsonville and Mauldin until he fully retired in 2008 at the age of 78.

Keith was an avid gardener, with both flowers and vegetables, and loved a home-grown tomato sandwich. He had a wood shop at his home where his creative and detailed mind was put to use designing, building and refinishing any type of furniture. He loved all genres of movies, having an extensive collection and always wanted to watch movies with family. Keith was a great cook, loved food and enjoyed a good hot sauce. He always enjoyed fishing, spending many hours on the lake over the years.

Keith was always active in church, serving in different capacities over the years. He was a member of both the Presbyterian and Methodist denominations. He and Mildred, his beloved wife of 43 years, were members at New Hope Baptist, now known as Upstate Church Mauldin. He was a Deacon, chairman of the finance committee, active in Sunday school and served in many other areas. He rededicated his life to his Lord and Savior in 2001 and was baptized at New Hope, securing the hope and knowledge that he would spend eternity with Him.

As a family, our hearts are full of sadness, along with rejoicing, knowing that Keith is now forever secure in the presence of our Living God. Mr. Honeycutt is survived by seven children, Keita Himes (Ken), Sherri Hachee (Mike), Brian Honeycutt and Greg Honeycutt all of Simpsonville; Lisa Honeycutt of Fountain Inn; Sandy Conway (Jerry) of Kannapolis, NC; Diane Burgess Etters of Pelzer; ten grandchildren; seven great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

In addition to his wife, Mildred, and his parents, Keith was preceded in death by his sister, Shirleen Figaro Reiss.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at 1:30 pm at Upstate Church Mauldin, 509 S Main St, Mauldin, SC with Pastor Ashley Moore officiating. Entombment will follow the service at Greenville Memorial Gardens in Piedmont, SC.

The family will receive friends at the church starting at 12:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to: Meals on Wheels of Greenville County, 15 Oregon Street, Greenville, SC 29605.