Obituary of Ellerby Delance Poston

BLUFFTON – Ellerby Delance Poston, 88, passed away on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at NHC Skilled Nursing Facility after a long illness. A memorial service and reception will be held at 1 PM on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Johnsonville First Baptist Church, 145 N. Georgetown Highway, Johnsonville, SC.

A native of Johnsonville, SC, Delance was born on March 25, 1934 to the late Fairalee and Percy D. Poston. Over six feet tall, Delance was known for his athletic ability and played on the Johnsonville High All State/All Star basketball and baseball teams his senior year.

After earning a business degree from the University of South Carolina, Delance was awarded the Juris Doctor degree from the USC Law School in 1960. That same year, he opened a law practice in his hometown, specializing in criminal defense, civil law, and Workman’s Compensation cases. A passionate believer in justice for all, “Lawyer Poston” was known for fighting for indigent and minority clients during his 30-year career. His practice eventually spanned five counties in the Pee Dee area. Amazingly, Delance spent a third of his career legally blind – making his accomplishments all the more remarkable.

In addition to his law practice, Delance became a realtor and land developer in the Johnsonville area, often working in partnership with the late John G. Wellman, then CEO of Wellman Industries. Their company, Johnsonville Realty, developed several subdivisions in the community, including Country Club Estates.

Delance was also active in local and county political and civic endeavors. He served as mayor of Johnsonville from 1966-1968 and was a member of the Masons and the Lions Club. He was a co-founder of the Johnsonville-Hemingway Alcohol and Drug Commission and a member of the Florence County Alcohol and Drug Abuse Commission, Recreation Commission, and Hospital Board. Delance was also a former member of Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International and of Johnsonville First Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon and Sunday School teacher in the 1970s.

A car lover, Delance drag-raced in college and became involved in competitive go-kart racing with his son Lance and Dewey Brewer as drivers. His souped-up engine design helped him to win the Grand National Go-Kart Association trophy in 1969. In later years, Delance spent many hours restoring classic MOPAR cars, enjoying boating trips with his friends John E. Taylor and Rick Newell, and traveling in the western United States.

Delance was married twice, first to the late Linda Sue Howard Poston of Aiken and secondly to the late Robi Brewer Poston of Daniel Island. In addition to his wives, Delance was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Betty Jo Parr of Newberry; and his son, Lance Poston of Florence. He is survived by his sisters, Louise Mace and Fairlyn Odom, both of Johnsonville; a daughter, Leslie (Patrick) Rowell of Beaufort; a step-son, Chip Brewer of Daniel Island; grandchildren, Lauren Poston Morris of Goose Creek, Daniel Rowell of Clemson and Kristen Rowell of Charlotte; step-grandchildren, Alyssa and Dylan Brewer of Charleston; a step-great-grandchild, Rose Morris of Florida; and former daughter-in-laws Susan Turner Poston of Florence and Jessica Brewer of Charleston.

Memorials can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 701 Gervais Street, Suite 150-195, Columbia, SC 29201. You are invited to sign the guest registry at www.lowcountryfuneral.com. The family would also like to thank Caris Hospice, Corinne Ingle of Senior Health Associates, and the staff of NHC for their compassionate care.