Richard Michael Cantrell

Richard M. Cantrell

Cowpens, SC

Richard Michael “Ricky” Cantrell crossed the finish line of this life on September 15, 2022. He entered the gates of Heaven to worship and praise his Lord for Eternity.

He was a member of Mt.Olive Baptist Church. He was the son of the late Randolph Webster Cantrell, Sr. and Doris Cash Cantrell.

He is survived by his beloved Bride, Teena Bulman Cantrell, and his treasured Daddy’s Girl, Olivia Cantrell, both of the home. He is also survived by his older children, Jennifer Cantrell and Mickey Cantrell, and his granddaughters, Lauren and Haley Cantrell, all of Cowpens.

In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his only brother, Randolph Webster “Randy” Cantrell, Jr., and his previous wife, Dianne Brown Cantrell.

Ricky worked hard for many years, he began working on cars as a kid, standing on a Pepsi crate, at his Dad’s service station. He worked as a mechanic for decades; if it had a motor, he could fix it. He started as an owner-operator at 18-years of age in a trucking company he owned with his Dad; he drove and worked on trucks, as well as trained drivers and mechanics, his entire working career.

His hobbies were Harley Davidsons, drag racing and fishing. He could tweak a Harley carburetor like no one else around; he gave credit to Nathan McSwain for teaching him how to perfect his craft. He probably loved to race more than anything! He drag raced every opportunity he could until his health forced him to stop; he was never more alive than when he was strapped into his car flying down the dragstrip! He began fishing as a young boy and loved it all his life. He was somehow patient as he plucked hooks & amp; bobbers out of trees for the youngsters, even though he’d spent many hundreds of hours inbass tournaments on gorgeous lakes all around the southeast!

The last 11 years or so of his life were incredibly tough on him physically. He faced so many challenges. He never complained, not when he had that 6th heart attack, or when he broke his back or had to have multiple back surgeries. He didn’t complain when he was in excruciating pain every hour of his life, year after year, that would have broken many men. He was strong; Ricky worked hard while he was able to, he played hard while he could and he loved hard until he drew his last breath.

The family will recieve friends from 3:00 p.m. until 3:45 p.m. Monday, September 19, 2022 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Funeral services will follow at 4:00 p.m. at the church with Dr. Terry Duvall and Rev. Murl Lehman officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Missions Fund, Mt.Olive Baptist Church, 250 Mt. Olive Road, Cowpens, SC 29330.

Family members are at their respective homes.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting www.harrisnadeaumortuary.com

Harris-Nadeau Mortuary

Chesnee, SC.