"...Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves" - Genesis 11:4 Oscar Haynes was born on July 13, 1921 to Tom and Isabella Haynes of Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Oscar was the fourth of seven children. He departed this life on Wednesday, May 6, 2009 at his residence. His early years were difficult for both him and his siblings. Oscar learned quickly the values of hard work and the worth of a dollar. Being taught carpentry by his father and learning the trade, he and his father successfully built homes and other structures in the local area. Armed with a seventh grade education and wanting to see the world, he joined the United States Navy and proudly served in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After being injured, he returned home and received an honorable discharge. He was educated in the church and public school system of Berkeley County. Oscar decided education was the key to success and enrolled at South Carolina State College in 1945 where he studied carpentry and woodworking. He moved to Gary, Indiana where he was employed as a framer with a local contractor and later started in business as a bathroom renovator. In 1952, he returned to Moncks Corner and stayed the course in his chosen field and became a Licensed General Contractor and the founder of Haynes Construction Company. During his distinguished career, he designed and built over five hundred homes and commercial buildings. He mentored and taught countless individuals a trade or skill related to construction. Oscar was a trailblazer and played an influential part in the Black History of Moncks Corner and Berkeley County, by being the first Black to design and develop the first subdivision in Moncks Corner and the first apartment complex in Moncks Corner; the first Black to provide mortgage financing for Blacks in Moncks Corner; the first Black licensed contractor in Moncks Corner; the first Black owned independent water system in Moncks Corner and the first Black member of the Berkeley County School Board of Education. Oscar was an avid fan of the Carolina Panthers. It was known that all of the calendars surrounding him had all of the local games (Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA) marked on them. His routine was to take his "home-made fried chicken, potato salad and Pepsi" for his lunch at each and every game. He and nephew, B.T. Vanish, would always leave at 6:00 a.m for a 1:00 p.m. game in Charlotte, NC. They would stop to eat breakfast at their favorite "greasy spoon" in Chester, SC and would stop in Rock Hill, SC on the way back home to support education - by buying a lottery ticket. Oscar's telephone manners were the mirror image of his mom. He was known to call, say what he needed to say, and "click" - the telephone conversation ended. He always wanted a Ford Expedition. His "white truck" and "fried fish" were his heart's desires. He was also known to control situations. Even when his health was failing, one could see him on the job-site, sitting on his stool, pointing his finger, giving directions. He loved working. Mr. Haynes had two children to precede him in death: a son, Melvin Lawrence and a daughter Quinnie Juanita Haynes. Mr. Haynes leaves to cherish his memories: a beloved wife, Elise Heyward Haynes; the children and grandchildren he loved dearly: three sons, Oscar (Mona) Haynes, Jr., Roscoe (Paulette) Haynes and Tommy (Maryanne) Haynes; four daughters, Barbara (Richard) Daniels, Margie Haynes-Smith and Carolyn (Joseph) Smith all of Moncks Corner, SC and Cynthia Haynes of Valdosta, GA; eighteen grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; two sisters, Alma H. Rorie and Mabel H. Session both of Moncks Corner, SC; a dedicated loyal employee and a son by choice, Charles A. Hamilton; his aunt, Dr. Lela Haynes Session; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He will be sorely missed by this community. "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock." - Matthew 7:24 To leave an online memorial message for the family, please click on "Sign the Guestbook" below. Thank you.