Donald R. Royster

Rev. Dr. Donald R. Royster, 85, of Orangeburg died on Tuesday morning, October 31, 2017 at Riverside Rehabilitation.

He was born in Shelby, N.C. on August 27, 1932.  He was the only child of the late Paris and the late Virginia Royster.  At the age of 14, he joined the National Guard and two years later he was inducted into the United States Air Force.  He served as an air traffic controller and received awards and commendations too numerous to mention.  He loved his country and served proudly in both the Korean and the Vietnam Wars.  In 1966,  he was named the chief controller of the Saigon International Airport at the height of the Vietnam War.  At the time the Saigon Airport was the busiest airport in the world.  He attended the University of South Carolina and Columbia International University.  In 1983 he was awarded a Doctorate in Theology degree by Clarkesville School of Theology.  On October 31, 1967,  Rev. Royster was called to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.  In 1968,  he retired and walked away from the military service that he so loved, to serve his Lord as a minister for fifty years to the day.  He pastored twelve S.C. Baptist churches, was associate pastor at three others and preached numerous revivals, prisons, nursing homes and other venues throughout those fifty years. 

He is survived by his wife of sixty-five years, Carolyn Cogburn Royster of Morningside Assisted Living; three children, Rev. Donny Royster of Cope, S.C. (Sondra), Rev. David R. Royster of Rowesville, S.C. and Debra Susan Royster of Fairfax, S.C.; He also enjoyed four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at Rowesville Baptist Church, 605 River Drive in Rowesville, S.C. at 3:00 P.M. on Friday, November 3, 2017.  The casket will be placed in the church at 1:30 P.M. for viewing and greeting the family.  Rev. Steve Scott of Bowman First Baptist Church and close family friend will be officiating.  Burial will follow at Fellowship Baptist Church Cemetery on the North Road in North, S.C.

In Lieu of flowers a memorial may be made in Rev. Royster’s memory to Rowesville Baptist Church Building Fund at P.O. Box 214 Rowesville, S.C. 29133. 

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