Carlton L. Pridgen

Sergeant Major Carlton L. Pridgen, USMC Retired, 89, of Florence, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015. Sergeant Major Pridgen was born in Florence, a son of the late John G. Pridgen and Allie W. Holloman Pridgen.He was a graduate of Florence High School.As a member of “Our Greatest Generation”, he was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, serving our country for thirty years.Sergeant Major Pridgen served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, received sixteen military decorations including two Purple Hearts and a Navy commendation medal.He was a life member of Marine Corps League, a life member of Disabled American Veterans, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), a life member of Florence Breakfast Optimist Club, and a life member of Hampton Lodge #204.He was a member of Southside Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon and a Trustee. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Kent Pridgen. Surviving are his wife, Kathleen Conyers Pridgen; two daughters, Kathy (Russell) Merrill and Patricia (Donald) Matthews, both of Florence; two grandchildren, Erik (Crystal) Merrill and Austin Merrill, both of Florence; a great-grandson, Bentley Merrill; a brother, Wittie (Willie) Pridgen of Florence and two sisters, Milvee (Brooke) Godwin of Lake City and Mary Johnson of Hartsville. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 9, 2015, at Southside Baptist Church.Burial will follow at Florence National Cemetery directed by Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Family will receive friends from 12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church Building Fund, 1356 Pineland Drive, Florence, SC29505. Please sign the tribute wall for Sergeant Major Pridgen at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.