LANCASTER, SC ~ Mr. James "Jimmy" E. Cauthen, age 84, passed away Monday, February 10, 2020 at his home.  He was born July 6, 1935 in Lancaster, SC, a son of the late E. Odell Cauthen and Beatrice Harper Cauthen and was the husband of Betty Sims Cauthen.  Mr. Cauthen was very active in his community.  He was one of the original members of the Elgin Volunteer Fire Department, served as Fire Chief from 1988-1995, and received an award for 55 years of service. Mr. Cauthen served as Scout Master with Boy Scout Troop 180 and received the Boy Scout Palmetto Award.  He worked at Springs Bleachery for 11 years before going into construction with his father, building many homes in Lancaster and surrounding areas.  Mr. Cauthen was a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church where he served on the Board of Trustees, attended Salkehatchie Summer Service for 27 years, went on many mission trips with UMCOR to Haiti and Jamaica, member of St. Luke Men's Club, and Friends in Christ Sunday School Class.  He enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling with his wife.  Together they traveled all 50 states and several countries.  Mr. Cauthen shared his carpentry skills throughout his neighborhood, building wheelchair ramps for many and other carpentry projects around the church.  He loved all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, spending endless hours with each of them making memories in the shop behind his house.

Mr. Cauthen is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Cauthen; a daughter, Susan C. Jeffers (Johnny); seven grandchildren, Bridgett Epperson (David) of Manning, SC, Amanda Carnes of Kershaw, SC, Brady Cauthen (Christy) of Simpsonville, SC, Elizabeth J. Rape (Justin), Emily Jeffers, both of Lancaster, Gabrielle Jeffers of Heath Springs, SC, and Chloe Jeffers of Lancaster; fourteen great grandchildren, Harper Epperson, Maggie Epperson, Olivia Carnes, Lauren Carnes, James Cauthen, Aubrey Cauthen, Claire Rape, Cooper Rape, Jantzen Jeffers, Harvey Mize, Mya Mize, Hunter Lucas, Steven Lucas, and Coraline Lucas, a daughter-in-law, Teresa Cauthen; a sister, Ruth Sims (Al) of Matthews, NC, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Cauthen was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Cauthen; his parents; two sisters, Julia Kirk and Doris Davidson; and two brothers-in-law, Billy Kirk and Tommy Davidson.

The Celebration of Life Service for Mr. Cauthen will be 3:00 pm Wednesday, February 12, 2020 at St. Luke United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Perry Evatt and Rev. Eddie Usher.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00 pm Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at Burgess Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke United Methodist Church, 128 Providence Rd., Lancaster, SC 29720.