WALTERBORO:     Henry J. "Jake" Pellum, husband of Audrey Nettles Pellum, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Saturday, November 9, 2024 at the Veterans Victory House in Walterboro, with his family by his side.  He was 81.

Jake was born April 14, 1943 a son of the late Jacob Henry Pellum and Doris Elizabeth Hiers Pellum.  As a young man he served his country faithfully in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and was stationed in North Dakota and Okinawa, Japan from 1961-1966.  Jake was a well-known fixture in the timber industry of Colleton County and the Lowcountry.  Early in his career he realized the importance of hardwood to the area, and through honesty and integrity, built a reputation that made landowners confident enough to trust their timber management to him for many years.  His profession fit in naturally with his love of hunting and fishing.  He was an avid outdoorsman who spent countless hours in the swamps of the Big Salkehatchie.  His home was on the banks of freshwater, but he also loved being out on the tidal creeks and salt waters of his beloved South Carolina.

Jake possessed a wonderful sense of humor and an outgoing personality.  He was known for "cuttin fool" and loved dancing…and listening to… a variety of music.  He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends at the Deep Bottom Hunting Club, and the "infamous"… Chessey Creek Country Club.  He was a member of the Sertoma Club and was a Mason in the Walterboro Masonic Lodge #55.

In addition to his devoted wife, Jake is survived by his daughters Karen Hellard (Brian) of Chapin, and Jill Cox (John) of Walterboro.  There are six grandchildren:  Tiffany Manges (Chris) and Destin Hellard (Cassie) of Gilbert, SC, and Jacob Cox (Ashley), Jenna Cox (Quay) and Fenn and Finley Cox, all of Walterboro.  There are six great-grandchildren he adored:  Sandra, Paxton, Storm, Knox, Sayer and Sutton.  Jake is also survived by his sisters Barbara Benton (Jim) and Sandra Tyler (Johnny) of Walterboro, and by his special 98 year old uncle Lester Hiers, whom he loved like a father.  In addition to his parents, Jake was preceded in death by a son, Michael David Pellum, and by a daughter, Jodi Pellum.

The family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation to the entire staff of the Veterans Victory House, and especially to the hospice team on the Eugene Lyons Hall, for the excellent care they gave to Jake during his time there. Their caring hearts will not be forgotten.

Funeral services will be held Friday morning, November 15, 2025 at 11:00 at Great Swamp Baptist Church, with burial following in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends during a time of visitation Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 at Parker-Rhoden Funeral Home, 117 Paul Street in Walterboro.