Rev. David C. Surrett

Waynesville, NC - Rev. David C. Surrett, 65, passed away, Sunday, January 21 2024, at his home with his loved ones by his side.

A native of Aiken, he is the son of Davie Kelly Surrett and the late Forest Surrett.  

David was a graduate of Aiken High School and went on to graduate from college at the University of South Carolina in Aiken and Duke Divinity School.  

David served as a United Methodist minister; he was in active ministry for 39 years in South Carolina. He was a beloved husband, father, uncle, pops, brother, mentor, scouter, and minister. 

David is survived by his loving wife of 40 years Donna Mercer Surrett; one daughter, Lydia Surrett Bauer (Aaron); two sons, Myles David Surrett (Erin) and Alec Taylor Surrett (Erin); one sister, Kelly Eiflander (Ric); one brother, Dale Surrett (Michelle); two grandchildren, Forest & Thea Surrett; niece Caroline Surrett and nephew Bennett Surrett; his dear cousin Gloria Wilson; close friends and caregivers Patricia Parrish, Gary Phillips, James and Evelyn Correll; countless “adopted” children he met along the way; and scouting friends near and far.

David spread his heart all over South Carolina through almost four decades of ministry. He comforted so many people through the worst or best times of their lives. Much of how his children live and work is influenced by the way they saw him enter churches, greet people in hospital rooms, and share of himself. The legacy he left was not simply one of sermons preached or churches built, but rather it is the profound and lasting impact he made on the thousands of people he loved. 

David also helped so many youth grow through a lifetime of volunteering with the Scouts. He was an Eagle Scout, a Lodge Chief, Vigil Honor Member, SR-5 Section Chief, Founders Award Winner, OA Distinguished Service Award Recipient, District Award of Merit, and Silver Beaver Award. In 2022, he was awarded the Silver Antelope award to recognize his service to scouting. 

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2pm on Friday, January 26, 2024, at Central United Methodist Church, Newberry, South Carolina with the Reverend Gary Phillips and Bishop Thomas Bickerton officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to ALS United of Raleigh NC, 4 N Blount St #200, Raleigh, NC  27601 or Atrium Health Neuroscience Institute, 1010 Edgehill Road N., Charlotte, NC  28207 or Boy Scouts of America / Order of the Arrow, PO Box 152079, Irving, TX  75015-2079 or God’s Abundance For All People (GAPP), PO Box 675, Newberry, SC 29108 or Lake Junaluska / Friends of the Lake, PO Box 67, Lake Junaluska, NC  28745

The care of Rev. Surrett has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.