John Jacob Singleton passed away peacefully Friday morning, December 8th in Wake Forest, NC. He is predeceased by his wife, Elmina Black Singleton, parents, Edwin Sloan Singleton and Nollie Pressley Singleton and two sisters, Anne Singleton Hall of Huntsville, AL and Mary Singleton Bhore of Milwaukee, WI. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, John Robert Singleton and Nancy Forsyth Singleton of Wake Forest, NC, and grandson, Christopher Scott Singleton and his wife Jennifer Neufeld Singleton of Youngsville, NC.
John was a truly good man. His kindness and generosity was unwavering and his honesty guaranteed. His Christian faith sustained him throughout his 100 years. John served in WWII as a surgical nurse in the 62nd Portable Surgical Hospital in the Philippines, where he saw combat and helped to save many lives. His fellow soldiers came to rely on John as their ‘de facto’ chaplain.
Following WWII, John continued his military service in the Army Reserves and attended Clemson University and The Citadel. He joined the FDA as a field inspector, eventually becoming an assistant to the Deputy Director and was awarded a PhD in Chemistry. He retired from the Army Reserves in 1970 with the rank of Major specializing in hospital administration. He retired from the FDA in 1980 and moved to Barnwell, SC.
On December 22, 1951 John married Elmina (Mina) Black who was, in his words, “the most beautiful woman I have ever seen”. He and Mina spent many wonderful years on their five acres in Barnwell, SC. John will be deeply missed but his presence and influence on his son and daughter-in-law’s lives and the lives of those he touched is an everlasting gift.
A funeral service will be held Monday, December 11, 2023 at Youngsville Baptist Church with Rev. Charles D. Stratton, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Barnwell County Memory Gardens in Barnwell, SC date and time will be announced.
Bright Funeral Home is serving the Singleton family.