Joe Leake Holcombe

Clinton, SC;

Joe Leake Holcombe, born July 17, 1953 and lifetime resident of Clinton, entered the Kingdom of God on Monday, March 30. Joe was a southern gentleman and an inspiration to all who knew him.
As a 1971 graduate of Clinton High School he was honored to serve as a page in Senator Strom Thurmond’s office. He continued his education and received his degree in Political Science from Presbyterian College.
In his younger years, Joe enjoyed playing the drums for the CHS band and with various bands across the Piedmont.
He was a member of The First Baptist Church, published author, lecturer and South Carolina’s foremost authority on early South Carolina pottery.
In 1968 he began a life-long journey with his family to preserve South Carolina tangible history. He assisted in archeological excavations in Charleston, Columbia and early pottery sites both in the Edgefield District and in upper portions of the state.
He collaborated with the State Museum to create exhibits including “Home Blown”, a tribute to Laurens Glass Works and “Jugware, Johnson Family Stoneware from Laurens County.” Recently he was working on an exhibit of South Carolina pottery that will open at the State Museum in June 2009. Joe is responsible for having the major portion of The Holcombe Family Collection housed at the State Museum.
Joe was the younger son of the late Dr. Fred E. Holcombe and Lillian Speake Holcombe.
Surviving are brother Fred Edward “Scooter” Holcombe II and his wife Janet Hamer Holcombe of Cary, NC; two nephews, Fred Edward Holcombe III, wife Lisa and her daughter Cheyenne of Clinton, SC; and Joe Hamer Holcombe, wife Emily and sons Boman and Stone of Cary, NC.
Visitation will be Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 pm at the Gray Funeral Home. Graveside services will be at Rosemont Cemetery at 2:00 pm on Friday.
Gray Funeral Home of Clinton