The Reverend Jack E. Hames

The Reverend Jack Eugene Hames, age 92, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Born December 13, 1933, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Rev. Hames was the son of the late Oliver Buford Hames and Grace Mabry Hames. He faithfully devoted his life to Christian ministry and pastoral service for almost seven decades, preaching the Gospel, strengthening churches, and serving communities throughout South Carolina and North Carolina.

Rev. Hames graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1951, earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University in 1955, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1959. During his almost 70 years of ministry, he delivered more than 10,000 sermons and conducted approximately 1,100 funerals and 500 weddings, faithfully walking alongside families in both their joys and their sorrows.

He faithfully served several congregations across the Carolinas including Harris Chapel Baptist Church in Hollister, North Carolina (1956-1960); First Baptist Church in King, North Carolina (1960-1961); West Concord Baptist Church in Concord, North Carolina (1961-1966); Northside Baptist Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina (1966-1972); Boiling Springs First Baptist Church in Spartanburg, South Carolina (1972-1999), where he served for 27 years; and Inman Mills Baptist Church in Inman, South Carolina where he began as interim pastor in January 2000 after only two week of retirement and where he continued serving faithfully for 25 years until his retirement in September 2025. Even after his retirement, Rev. Hames remained active in the life of the church he loved, continuing to attend faithfully and offering his encouragement and support the interim pastor who followed him in ministry.

During his ministry at West Concord Baptist Church, the church developed the largest youth program serving the Concord area at that time. While serving Northside Baptist Church in Rock Hill, two missions were established that later became Lakewood Baptist Church and Rock Hill Second Baptist Church.

During his 27 years at Boiling Springs First Baptist Church, Rev. Hames helped lead a major building program including construction of a new sanctuary, administrative wing, and Family Life Center. The church also staffed and funded an area-wide migrant ministry that served thousands of workers with spiritual guidance, food, clothing, and fellowship. Under his leadership the church also was led to fund and build seven churches in Brazil through the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. And lastly under his ministry, plans were developed for the construction of a major Sunday school building, atrium and dining room. The project was completed shortly after his retirement.

Following his retirement from Boiling Springs, Rev. Hames accepted a call to serve at Inman Mills Baptist Church, where he helped strengthen and stabilize the congregation and expand community outreach ministries including a weekly food ministry, clothing assistance program, backpack ministry for local schoolchildren, and outreach to the local high school football team and coaches. A men's prison ministry team serving Livesay Correctional Institution also grew under his leadership.

Rev. Hames served faithfully beyond the local church as well. He held leadership roles within the York County Baptist Association, served as Moderator of the North Spartan Baptist Association, and worked with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. He also served 15 years as a board member with the Baptist Ministry to the Aging and helped establish the Martha Franks Retirement Center, which serves residents across the state and denominational lines. He also contributed leadership support to the Bertha Baptist Retirement Community in Darlington, South Carolina.

In recognition of his lifetime of service and contributions to the State of South Carolina and its people, Rev. Hames was awarded the Order of the Palmetto, the state's highest civilian honor during the Mother's Day service at Inman Mills Baptist Church on May 12, 2018.

During his years of ministry, he also received the Service to Mankind Award by the Sertoma, and upon his retirement in 1999, he was honored with the Order of the Silver Crescent.

Rev. Hames shared 67 years of marriage with his beloved late wife, Dorothy "Dottie" McClellan Hames. Together they faithfully served the Lord and the churches they loved throughout his ministry.

Surviving are his brother-in-law, Dr. Cecil Seagle; nephews, Dr. Mark Seagle and his wife, Susan, and Rev. Donnie Seagle and his wife, Sharon; and a goddaughter, Marilyn Blackwell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dottie, and his sister Peggie Hames Seagle.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday April 1, 2026, at Inman Mills Baptist Church, officiated by  Dr. Cecil Seagle, Dr. Mark Seagle, and Rev. Donnie Seagle. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Dorn, Harold Page, Wilton Miles, Jacob Smith, Caleb Smith, and Eli Smith.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM  on Wednesday at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Inman Mills Baptist Church 22 B Street, Inman, SC 29349.