Rev. Daniel Ellis Compton
Rev. Daniel Ellis Compton, 87, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the Hospice House of Laurens County.
A native of Greenwood, S.C., he was predeceased by his parents, John DeVore and Lassie H. Compton and his sister, Sandra Marlene Compton. Surviving are his adopted son, Dr. Justin K. McAlister (Brandy); his brother, Dr. John DeVore Compton, Jr. (Margaret); his nephews John D. Compton, III Esq.(Marianella); Dr. Daniel Burts Compton (Jennie); his niece, Dr. Stephanie C. Turner (Dr. Allan Turner), and ten great nieces and nephews, Chloe M. Compton, Darcey C. DuBose (Will), Mary Grace Compton, Isabella Bazo, Charles DeVore Compton, Samuel Anthony Compton, Elizabeth Margaret Fassler (Bailey), John Pearson Turner, Lydia Margaret Turner, and Anna Elizabeth Turner; also his godson, Kevin A. Smiley (Jody), grandchildren ; grandchildren, Daniel Liam and Stella Kate McAlister, Cody Smiley, Trey Brown (Morgan), Tyler Brown (Ashley), great-grandchildren; Wayne Brown, Coe Brown, and Eliza Brown, plus numerous cousins and special friends, all of whom he greatly loved along with their families.
Rev. Compton was a graduate of Greenwood High School Class of 1956; Mars Hill College, 1958; University of South Carolina, 1960, where he graduated with honors, was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the recipient of the Alston Award in Ancient Languages and the Sullivan Award. After graduation from the Southeastern Theological Seminary at Wake Forest, N.C., 1964, he became the Associate Pastor of the Connie Maxwell Baptist Church in Greenwood, S.C. Later he served as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Ware Shoals, S.C. 1976-85. His special interest in pastoral care inspired him to pursue additional clinical education at the S.C. Baptist Hospital in Columbia; Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh, N.C., and the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky where he was greatly influenced by his mentor, Dr. Wayne Oates.
In 1985 the focus of Compton’s ministry became the pastoral care of senior adults for which he equipped himself with studies in gerontology at North Texas State University, and Long Term Care Administration at the University of Minnesota. In 1985 he became Assistant to the Executive Director of South Carolina Baptist Ministries on Aging, Inc. (SCBMA), and from 1988-2000, served as President and CEO of SCBMA. After his retirement in 2000, he became the Chaplain for Hospice of Laurens County, finally retiring again in January 2021. During the years 1985 – 2020 he also devoted time and leadership in several capital campaigns for the construction and development of Martha Franks Retirement Center in Laurens and the Hospice House in Clinton, S.C. He also served multiple interim pastorates throughout the years.
Dan’s hobbies included golf, fishing, and reading. He embraced a liberal philosophy with the foundation of his faith standing firmly on Matthew 25:31-39 and the Epistle of 1st John, 4:7-12.
A service celebrating Rev. Compton’s life will take place at 3 P.M. on Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Ware Shoals First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Floyd Parker officiating. The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 P.M. Saturday at Ware Shoals First Baptist Church prior to the service.
Memorials may be directed to Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries, PO Box 1178, Greenwood, S.C. 29646, or to the charity of one’s choice.
Messages of condolence may be made at www.ParkerWhitePruitt.com.
