Lewis Voyne Stepp, Sr. of Dillon passed away peacefully on August 1, 2012 after a long illness with his family by his side. Born June 30, 1927 in Hendersonville, NC, he was the son of the late Hannah McGuinn and Charles Odell Stepp. The Stepps were one of the pioneer families of Western North Carolina.

Surviving are his wife of fifty-seven years, Lawanna Roberts Stepp; sons, Lewis Voyne Stepp, Jr. (Susan) of Jacksonville, FL, David Richard Stepp of Los Angeles, CA, Christopher Roberts Stepp (Ches) of Marion, SC; grandchildren, Ann Chandler Stepp, Sarah Huntley Stepp, Christopher Roberts Stepp, Jr., Catherine Morgan King, Justin Brent King; brothers, Ronald Bruist Stepp (Betty) of Hendersonville, NC, and Thomas Grover Stepp of Seneca, SC; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mr. Stepp attended Hendersonville schools and graduated from Hendersonville High School where he played varsity football for the Hendersonville Bearcats. He then joined the United States Navy before returning home to attend preparatory school at The Blue Ridge School for Boys. In 1951, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and Business from Furman University where he was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity. He played four years of varsity football for the Furman University Purple Hurricanes now the Furman Paladins.

He began his business career by joining a training program with John Morrell and Company, an international meat packing firm. The family lived in North Carolina and Virginia before moving to Morrell Corporate Headquarters in Ottumwa, Iowa. The Stepp family moved to Dillon, SC, in 1967 when he entered into business partnership with Laurens W. Floyd at Dillon Provision Company. He retired at the age of 80 after overseeing many years of growth and successful expansion to the business. He was president of the Dillon Lions Club, Dillon County Cotillion Club, a member of the Royal Order of Masons Mackey Lodge # 77, District Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America, former board member of the St. Eugene Community Hospital, member of the first board of directors of the newly formed Community Bank and remained a member of the now First Bank Board. He has also served on many other boards and commissions through the years. He was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Dillon where he served as Deacon, Elder, and Elder Emeritus. He touched many lives with his compassion for his fellow man. His entire adult life he had a private mission that was unknown to others for many years. He provided financial help to many young men who were down on their luck or needed assistance by securing them food and lodging when they were homeless. He found them jobs and educational opportunities to enable them to start a new and better life. He was also helpful in the start-up of several businesses that are still prosperous and operating today in Dillon County. Stepp and Floyd founded Carl’s Food Center to provide a hometown supermarket for the citizens of Dillon.

The family will receive friends in the Ladies parlor at the First Presbyterian Church in Dillon one hour prior to the funeral service which will begin at 2 o’clock Saturday, August 4, 2012, with the Rev. Dr. John O. Bumgardner officiating. Kannaday Funeral Home is assisting the family during this time.

In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to The Stepp Fund at the First Presbyterian Church in Dillon, 200 E. Harrison St., Dillon, SC 29536

Lewis Stepp, loved by his family, his church, his friends, and community will be deeply missed by many.

” Nature might stand up and say to all the world-This was a man!”

You may sign the online guestbook at www.kannadayfuneralhome.com.