Dr. Lannis E. Huckabee

Dr. Lannis E. Huckabee, 70, of Bethune died, Monday, June 1, at his home following a brief battle with cancer. Graveside services will be held Friday, June 5, at 2:00 P.M. in the Brannon Cemetery, Bethune. Masonic rites will be recited by the Lynchwood Lodge # 197 at 6:30, Thursday, June 4, in the chapel of Baker Funeral Home with visitation to follow until 8:00 P.M.

Born in Sumter, SC, he was the son of the late Ellison C. and Mollye Baker Huckabee. Dr. Huckabee was a 1957 graduate of Bethune High School, then served on active duty in the US Air Force from 1958 until 1964. He was employed for 10 years with the Kendall Company in Bethune. He graduated from Coker College with a BA degree in chemistry in 1975. He was accepted into the Medical University of SC in Charleston, earning a Doctorate of Medical Dentistry in 1978. He had a private practice for 15 years as Bethune's first resident dentist.

Dr. Huckabee was commissioned in the SC Army National Guard in 1981, serving until 1999 as the first state Dental Officer in SCARNG history. While serving in that capacity, he was Medical Section Leader within the Mobilization Division. He designed and implemented the first computerized dental screening program for National Guard Soldiers.

He retired in 1999 from federal service with the rank of Colonel. He continued his service with the SC State Guard as Chief Medical Officer and member of the Commanders Special Staff at SC State Guard Headquarters, Columbia, until his retirement from active duty in 2005. In November of 2005 he begin serving with the Joint Service Detachment Medical Affairs Section, SC Military department, in the rank of Brigadier General, until 2007 when he requested to be moved to inactive status. He was a life member of the SC Army National Guard Association, the National Guard Association of the US and the State Guard Association of the US.

Dr. Huckabee retired as a dentist from the SC department of Corrections where he worked at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville from 1993 - 1998 and from 1999-2004 as Dental Health Director at Kershaw Correctional Institution in Kershaw.

He was a member of Bethune Baptist Church, life member and Past Master of Lynchwood Lodge # 197 and a member of the American Legion. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, Beach Music and keeping in touch with his family and friends on his computer. He had a avid interest in biblical and military history.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years; Phoebe Oliver Huckabee of the home, four children; Amy Jones and her husband Kent of Dublin, CA, Lesley Dockweiler and her husband Ed of Summerville, Brett Huckabee of Atlanta, GA, Craig Huckabee of Johns Island, five granddaughters; Beth and Megan Pate, Erin and Paige Jones and Abby Dockweiler, a brother; Dr. Eddy Huckabee and his wife Gigi of Lexington, a sister; Karen Hales and her husband Gary of Boaz, AL, his faithful Jack Russell terrier; Jay and a number of nieces and a nephew.

Memorials may be made to Bethune Baptist Church, PO Box 326, Bethune, SC, 29009 or SC Army National Guard Scholarship Foundation, Inc., One National Guard Road, Stop 36, Columbia, SC 29201.