Charles Henry Rabon, 80, former director of pastoral ministries for the South Carolina Baptist Convention, died Feb. 8, 2011, at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte.
RabonBorn Sept. 7, 1930, he was a graduate of Camden High School, Gardner-Webb College, and Furman University. He received his master of divinity degree from Southern Seminary and was bestowed an honorary doctor of divinity degree from Charleston Southern University in 1981.
Rabon was ordained to the ministry in 1954. His career as a pastor spanned 19 years, during which he served as minister at churches in Indiana and North Carolina, and at Kershaw First Baptist and Boiling Springs First Baptist, Spartanburg.
In 1972, Rabon joined the leadership of the South Carolina Baptist Convention as its first director of the pastoral ministries office, and served in that role until 1994. He participated in gospel mission trips to the Bahamas, Cuba, Panama, Alaska, the Philippines, Brazil and Kenya.
Rabon served as interim minister at the following South Carolina Baptist churches: Duncan First, Salley, Ridge Spring, Lugoff First, Lakeview, Timrod, Mt. Pisgah, Sand Hill, Bethany, Kershaw Second and Grace Crossing.
He was a past president of the South Carolina Baptist Pastors’ Conference, moderator for several Baptist associations, and member of the SCBC General Board and its nominating committee. He also served as trustee at Bethea Baptist Home, seminary extension representative, advisory council for North Greenville College, board of directors and alumni association, Gardner-Webb University. In his later years, he assisted Connie Maxwell Children’s Home as an ambassador and fundraiser.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Jo Lena Bridges Rabon, four children, eight grandchildren and a great-granddaughter.
Memorials may be made to the Charles and Jo Rabon Scholarship Fund, Gardner-Webb University, Boiling Springs, N.C., or to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, Greenwood.