Roger Earl Poston

ROGER EARL POSTON FLORENCE, SC Roger Earl Poston, 87, retired police chief for the City of Florence, passed away on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the McLeod Hospice House. Mr. Poston was born in Florence, SC, a son of Alger David and Rosa Lee Humphries Poston.He was a veteran of the US Army and served as a member of the Military Police.Mr. Poston retired as Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for the city of Florence in 1983. He began his law enforcement career with the Florence Police Department in 1951. He served as Chief of Police for the cities of Beaufort, Orangeburg and North Charleston, where he was that city's first chief.He also served as the Assistant Director of the SC Law Enforcement Assistance Program in the Office of the Governor.He was a graduate of the Southern Police Institute and the FBI National Academy.Mr. Poston was a past president of the NC/SC Law Enforcement Officers Association and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.He was a long time member of Calvary Baptist Church and a past member of the Florence Lions Club. In addition to his parents, Mr. Poston was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Nonie Scott Poston; a brother, Thomas D. Poston, and sisters Margaret P. Matthews and Juliet P. Dority.He is survived by his son, Roger D. Poston and grandson, Philip B. Poston of Denver, CO; daughter- in-law, Dianne Truluck Poston of Columbia; brother, W. Hallahan Poston of Florence; sister, Mary P. Smith of West Columbia; brothers-in-law, Bill Dority of Hartsville and Woody Hughes of Florence; close friends Margie and Larry Thomas of Camden as well as nieces and nephews. The family would like to express its appreciation to Dr. Daniel Hyler and the staffs of Bethea Baptist Retirement Community, Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee and McLeod Regional Medical Center for the excellent care they provided to Mr. Poston. Members of the Florence Police Department will serve as pallbearers. A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, March 22 at Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Pee Dee Area, 310 W Roughfork St, Florence, SC 29506. Please sign the tribute wall for Mr. Poston at the obituary section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.