Mr. Anderson Belton, Jr.

Wednesday, August 3, 1938 was a monumental day for Mr. Anderson Belton, Sr. and his wife, Pearline Roseborough Belton.  On this day they were blessed with their one and only child, their son Anderson Belton, Jr. in Columbia, SC.  Thus began the journey of a life well-lived.

Anderson Belton, Jr. grew up in Columbia.  He attended C. A Johnson High School and was a member of the Class of 1956. After graduation, he made the military his career of choice.  He signed up for the US Air Force and headed to Lackland Air Base in San Antonio, TX, the sole location for Air Force basic training. His first duty station was Goose Bay, Labrador, the largest military air base in northeastern North America. It was a serious change of climate for the young man.  He served for a while at George Air Force Base in Victorville, CA.   He was also stationed at Aiken AFB, Aiken SC (now closed).   After serving bravely and commendably Mr. Belton eventually retired at Shaw AFB in Sumter, SC after a 20-year career.

While on leave prior to his duty station in California, Mr. Belton had an encounter that changed his life. He was in a clothing store where the beautiful Millie Mae Lee was working.  Being immediately attracted to her, he seized the moment and introduced himself.  She became the love of his life, and the rest is history.  They were married on October 16, 1960. She traveled with him while he was in the Air Force and shared his life journey until her passing in 2004.

After closing the military chapter of his life, Mr. Belton returned to Columbia and made his home in his beloved Farrow Road neighborhood.   He enhanced his professional knowledge by attending Columbia Junior College (now South University). He also worked as a machinist at Cooper Tools in Lexington, SC for a number of years before retiring.

Throughout life Mr. Belton was a passionate sports fan.  He particularly enjoyed watching the University of South Carolina Gamecocks.  He followed the Gamecocks in football, basketball, and baseball and attended many of their games.  He was very proud when the Lady Gamecocks won the national college basketball championship in 2017 and then again in 2022.

In addition to collegiate sports, he was also a fan of the NFL, NBA, and MLB.  The Carolina Panthers were his favorite football team.   He loved the LA Lakers in basketball.   He was absolutely thrilled when his Atlanta Braves baseball team won the World Series in 2021.

Mr. Belton, or Beamus (Beam), as he was affectionately called, never met a stranger.  He maintained his circle of family and friends. He met with “the fellows” for breakfast daily while he was able to drive himself to Lizard’s Thicket, their favorite restaurant.

This chapter of the life journey of Mr. Anderson Belton, Jr. ended on Sunday morning, April 10, 2022, after a brief illness.

He leaves to cherish his memories a loving family which includes his son, John W. Fleming (Carolyn) of Bowie, Maryland; his daughter, Andrea B. Morris (James) of Columbia, S.C.; grandchildren, Donovan J. Morris, Lauren C. Morris, and John W. Fleming; special cousins, Arthur Belton and Pam Belton, who telephoned him daily from Winston-Salem, NC; Francine Boykin, Tonetta McNeil, and Angela Dudley, his caregivers extraordinaire, will also feel the void left by their patient.

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