John Douglas Culbreth

John Douglas Culbreth January 27, 1969 – February 15, 2023, Spartanburg, SC

John was born January 27, 1969 in Columbia, SC. He passed away on Wednesday, February 15,
2023 due to complications of Crohn’s Disease. He was the son of the late William and Georgie Lee
Culbreth of West Columbia, SC.

John was a truly kind, humble, and selfless man. Throughout his entire life he routinely sacrificed
his own wants, needs, and desires for others. As a child and an adult, John always wanted to please
others. If you were happy, he was happy. Overwhelming kindness was part of his personality and
character. Stranger or friend, John always treated everyone the same with a kind word and a helping
hand.

Life on earth is not fair. John suffered from Crohn’s disease for over 20 years. He never
complained about pain or discomfort. His only complaint was that it diminished his ability to work.
Most folks would have quit and accepted an early retirement upon diagnosis of Crohn’s. Not John!
He continued to labor for over 15 years with this debilitating disease. He always took pride in an
honest day’s work and he wanted to set a good example for his sons, the light of his life. He
continued to work until a few years ago when he was literally forced to retire because of physical
limitations.

With everything going on in his life (family, work, illness), John found time to be the primary
caregiver for our parents as they aged. He continued to honor our parents after they passed by
maintaining a close relationship with each parent’s surviving sister. He regularly called and visited
each elderly aunt until they passed. This was important to him. He wanted to make sure they knew
they were loved and not forgotten. This generosity of time and love was extended to neighbors and
friends as well.

To a fault, John would put others needs and wants above his own. John was the embodiment of
goodness. If there is a heaven, and I firmly believe there is, John is there now welcoming new
arrivals and asking them what he can do for them.

John’s sons Austin and Nick Culbreth are his pride and joy. He loved these young men with all his
heart.

He met his wife, Lucy Culbreth, later in life. They were a great match. He loved her dearly.

John was a deeply religious man. He actively sought any opportunity to serve God and his fellow
man. He was a member of Catholic Church of Jesus Our Risen Savior, City of Hope Worship
Center, and the Knights of Columbus.

John was preceded by his father, William D. Culbreth; mother, Georgie Lee (Griggs) Culbreth;
brother, Phillip W. Culbreth and brother-in-law Ronnie Chavis. He is survived by his wife, Lucy
Culbreth; sons, Austin P. Culbreth and Nicholas W. Culbreth; brother and sister-in-law, Major
Michael Culbreth, USA (Retired) and Patricia B. Culbreth; sister, Nancy E. Chavis; niece, Blair K.
Culbreth; nephews, Alexander M. Culbreth and Andrew C. Chavis.

The family will receive friends Friday, March 3rd, 1:00PM until 1:45PM at Jesus Our Risen Savior
Catholic Church. A funeral mass will follow at 2:00PM.

Burial will be Saturday, March 4th, 2:00 PM at Celestial Memorial Gardens, West Columbia, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.