Obituary of Ramon Schwartz III

Ramon Schwartz III (Ray), 69, died peacefully at National Healthcare, Sunday, November 7, following a long illness. He was a beloved son of the late Ramon Schwartz, Jr. and the late Rosa Weinberg Schwartz and beloved brother of Barbara Schwartz Burchstead (Harry), Milton Schwartz (Caren) and Bill Schwartz (Meg). Ray was a lifelong resident of Sumter. He was a graduate of Edmunds High School, attended Wofford College and graduated from Francis Marion University. He was a member of the Church of the Holy Comforter. He worked for the South Carolina Employment Security Commission until his retirement. There he had many close friends. Ray loved sports and was an avid fan of the South Carolina Gamecocks. He enjoyed working out at the YMCA and playing sports trivia with his friends. He spent his last years before he entered nursing care at Solomons Home for the Aged. There Ray was mutually loved by those who crossed his path, in particular the Solomons Home staff, residents and his caregivers. In addition to his sister and brothers, Ray is survived by nieces and nephews Michael Burchstead (Megan), Matthew Burchstead (Torrey), Sarah Nagy (Travis), Hughes Schwartz (Jessica), Reid Schwartz (Katherine), Grier Schwartz (Catherine Kelley, fiancée), Maggie Cantey (Mason), and Page Schwartz. He is also survived by eight grandnieces and grandnephews. A memorial service will be held at 4 P.M. Wednesday at the Church of the Holy Comforter with the Reverend Paul Fuener and the Reverend John Sosnowski officiating. Committal of the ashes will be in the Church Memorial Garden following the memorial service. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall following the memorial service and the committal of the ashes. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Solomons Home for the Aged (620 North Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150) or to the charity of one’s choice. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad Street, is in charge of the arrangements.