Ardis Jr, Fred Mathis

COWARD: Mr. Fred Mathis Ardis, Jr., 65, husband of Elaine Lee Ardis, died Wednesday, December 1, 2010, of heart complications at his residence. Mr. Ardis was born December 1, 1945, in Manning, South Carolina, a son of Frances Thigpen Ardis and the late Fred Ardis, Sr. He graduated from Manning High School and attended Columbia Business College. He was a licensed contractor and master carpenter for 46 years and his craftsmanship is widely known in the area. Mr. Ardis worked with his father, Fred, Sr., and later in his own construction business, “Fred‘s Home Repair”. Fred always had a story and a smile, both for his friends and for new folks that were soon to be friends. He loved to talk and help others and his skill at carpentry is evident in a multitude of homes and businesses throughout the community. He was a member of Sand Hill Free Will Baptist Church and Bridging the Gap Sunday School Class. Fred married Elaine Lee Ardis on August 27, 1983. Surviving besides his wife, Elaine, of Coward include: His mother, Frances Thigpen Ardis of Manning; son, Mike Ardis of Fernandina Beach, Florida; step-daughter, Dawn Johnson and her husband, Rodney of Florence; grandchildren, Stephen Ardis, Garrett Ardis, Beth Ardis and Michael Ardis of Fernandina Beach, Florida, and Sara Johnson of Florence; sisters, Patty Rogers and her husband, Dargan of Charleston and Sandra Floyd and her husband, JC of Manning; brother, William LeGrande “Billy” Ardis and his wife, Debbie of Manning; and special friends, Walter Lee Frieson, Shawn Wilson, T.L. Welch and a host of other family members and associates. He was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Todd Ardis. Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, December 4, 2010, at Sandhill Free Will Baptist Church. Burial, directed by Carolina Funeral Home, will follow in the Matthews Cemetery, Coward, S.C. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Friday, December 3rd, at Carolina Funeral Home, 215 E. Highway 378 ByPass, Scranton. Memorials may be made to the Free Will Baptist Children‘s Home, 5232 Turbeville Highway, Turbeville, SC 29162.