E. Randolph Shives III

Ernest Randolph Shives, III, 52, of Columbia, died on Tuesday, July 4, 2023. Born in Lincolnton, NC, on January 11, 1971, he was the son of Ernest Randolph Shives, Jr. and Teresa Sigmon Shives. He graduated from Lincolnton High School and earned the rank of Eagle Scout, as did his son, Alexander. Randolph was a 1993 graduate of North Carolina State University and a 1995 graduate of Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science in Atlanta, GA. After graduation, he moved to Columbia and joined the Shives Funeral Home family. He instantly became a vital part of the Columbia community making many friends and meeting his wife, Brandon. Randolph assumed management of Shives Funeral Home in 1999 and ownership in 2012. He was a member of the South Carolina Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors Association, as well as the Selected Independent Funeral Homes.

Randolph’s dedication and care for the families of his community continued throughout his recent health challenges. His legacy will remain with his family as they continue serving through the funeral home. In addition to his service to grieving families, Randolph was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon. One of Randolph’s proudest affiliations was with the Executive’s Association of Greater Columbia (E.A.G.C) for 20 years. He served as president of the E.A.G.C from 2017-2018 and in 2021 was awarded The David Kinder Courage Award. He was also a member of the Rotary Club of Columbia and the Advisory Board of Home Works of America.

Randolph was also a member of many other social and historical groups including Forest Lake Club, The Tarentella Club, Saint Andrew’s Society of Columbia, The South Carolina Ball, National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and The Contemporaries of the Columbia Museum of Art and was a past president of The Dance Club.

In addition to his parents, Randolph is survived by his wife of 23 years, Brandon Davidson Shives; son, Chalmers Alexander Shives; daughter, Eliza Madison Shives; his steadfast canine companion, Sydney; uncle and aunt, William Wallace “Bill” Shives and Barbara Bourne Shives; father and mother-in-law, Robert Gage Davidson and Jane Thompson Davidson; brother and sister-in-law, Robert “Bob” Gage Davidson, Jr. and Donnelly Runyon Davidson; as well as nephew and nieces, Robert Gage Davidson, III, Alice Graham Davidson, and Dorothy Grace “Gracie” Davidson.

The funeral service for Randolph will be held at 11 o’clock, Monday, July 10, 2023, at First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, with Rev. Dr. Derek W.H. Thomas, Rev. David H. Lauten and Rabbi Jonathan Case officiating. Following the funeral service, burial with family will follow in Elmwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4 o’clock until 6 o’clock, Sunday, July 9, 2023 at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext. in Columbia.

The family would like to acknowledge their appreciation to Rebecca McKnight, Beverly Frazier, Carrie Alston, Doris Medders, Jill Polhemus and Charlene Young for their unwavering care and compassion to Randolph.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1324 Marion Street, Columbia, SC 29201.

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