Well-known South Congaree businessman passes away

South Congaree, SC (Paul Kirby) – “Kenny” Kenneth Halter of South Congaree passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2020. He was 78 years old.

Kenny was a well-known South Congaree businessman who developed, owned, and operated many mobile home parks and rental properties in the southern portion of Lexington County with his wife of 57 years, Naomi. They also had a cabin rental business in the mountains of Tennessee, an area he thoroughly enjoyed visiting with his family.

Kenny loved working with his hands and being outdoors. He built cabins in Tennessee himself and repaired many of the properties they owned around Lexington County for years with the assistance of just a helper. He could build just about anything and loved to shop at Lowe’s. There, you’d often bump into him as he wandered the aisle. If you took the time to stop, he’d tell you all about his most recent projects and give you little tips about how to make them easier to complete.

Kenny also enjoyed operating his machinery and once said that riding on a tractor was often his best time to think and pray. He loved his family very much and spent all the time he possibly could with them.

He was also a devout Christian who never put on airs even though as he got older, he was a man of means. He was a member of South Lexington Baptist Church where he had been a deacon. When you’d see him, he’d speak of God while standing and talking with you in faded blue jeans that were rolled up at the bottom. He often wore a plaid overshirt or jacket and work clothes. He almost always had on a well-worn ball cap. Sometimes, his gray hair stuck out from under his cap in a way that just made you feel comfortable with him. This look made any message of Jesus Christ he worked into the conversation more relatable. In short, he was just a common man, one of us, and never acted as if he were better than anyone he was ever around.

According to his obituary, graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday Aug. 13, in Bowman Cemetery, with the Rev. Jeff Wright officiating. The family will receive friends with open casket one hour before services. COVID-19 rules per CDC guidelines will be observed with masks and social distancing.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Naomi Irick Halter; a son, Carleton Keith Halter (Kim) of Lexington; two daughters, Tracy Ducker (Michael) of Lexington and Susannah Rast (William) of Lexington; two brothers, Glenn Halter of Brevard, North Carolina, and Michael Halter of Walterboro; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorials can be sent to In Touch Ministers, P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta GA 30357 (www.intouch.org).

Ott Funeral Home in Branchville is assisting the family.