Anderson Historian Fred Marshall Whitten, age 94, of Anderson, SC, passed away his residence at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home on Tuesday.
He was born in Anderson, SC on December 28, 1918 to Miles Norton and Mary Ellen Harbin Whitten. He attended Concord and Hammond schools and graduated from Boys High School in 1935. Fred graduated from Spartanburg Methodist College and also the School of Commerce where he subsequently taught accounting after graduation. He proudly served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a Radioman 2nd Class. He served as the assistant Treasurer of Anderson County for 30 years and delighted us with many courthouse stories. Fred also faithfully delivered the Anderson Independent for 25 years. He was instrumental in helping his delivery boys attain as much education as they desired. He was a member of Midway Presbyterian Church.
There were two things that Fred dearly loved, playing basketball for various teams in his younger years and establishing the Anderson County Museum. He started the museum with his own artifacts in the basement of the historic courthouse. As it grew, he would manage to find more space there and finally his dream came true, the beautiful new Anderson County Museum on Greenville Street was opened. He also started the Anderson County Historical Society and served many terms as president and treasurer. He served on the Pendleton District Historical
Commission and on the board of directors of the Anderson County Museum. He was privileged to receive the Annie Dove Denmark award from Anderson University for his contributions for local history. He was affectionately known as “Mr. Anderson”, for his vast knowledge of Anderson history. He was often contacted from all over the country with questions about Anderson. He loved to recount stories of our history.
Fred was the last surviving member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by eleven brothers and sisters and special friends, Wayne and Nadine Broadwell. Left to cherish his memory are several nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews and special helper and caregiver, Bob Green.
The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Thursday, July 18, 2013, from 10:00 AM until 11:30 AM. Services will be held at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery, with military honors by Campbell Patriots, and officiated by Reverend Steve Cannon at 12:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Anderson County Museum, 202 East Greenville Street, Anderson, SC 29621 or to Richard Michael Campbell Veterans Nursing Home, 4605 Belton Hwy, Anderson, SC 29621.
A fitting tribute to Fred would be to visit the Anderson County Museum and feel and see his presence there.
The family would like to thank the staff of Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home for the kind and faithful care that he received.
A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com