Ernie McCullough Counts, 89, of Kinards, Thursday, died April 23, 2026 at Lexington Medical Center.

Born on June 19, 1936 in the Long Lane Community, Mr. Counts was a son of the late William Ernest and Otlie McCullough Counts. He was a 1954 graduate of Bush River High School. He worked with Sears and Roebuck for a number of years and was a retired turkey farmer. He loved to hunt and fish and was an avid fan of the Clemson Tigers. His greatest joy however was spending time with his great-grandchildren. Mr. Counts was a member of St. James Lutheran Church where he was a former church councilman and was a former Sunday School treasurer. He was a member and former president of the Bush River Young Farmers,  the Bush River Activity Association. He was also an honorary member of the Bush River Fire Department.

Mr Counts is survived by his wife, Sue Wise Counts; sons, George (Kay) Counts of Kinards and Ray (Linda) Counts of Newberry; a daughter, Cathy Counts Stone of Whitmire; grandchildren, Christopher (Megan) Counts, J.C. (Bethany) Counts, and Abby (Barry) Kesler; great-grandchildren, Summer Kesler, Savanna Kesler, Kylyn Counts, Haddie Counts, Charlie Counts, A.J. Counts, and a great-grandson due in September; a sister-in-law, Julia Counts; and a special nephew, Jim Counts.

He was predeceased by brothers, Alvin Counts and Bobby Counts.

Funeral services will be conducted at 4:00 PM Sunday, April 26, 2026 at St. James Lutheran Church by the Rev. Rodney Gunter. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the Bush River Fire Department.

Active pall bearers will be Christopher Counts, J.C. Counts, Kevin Dunlap, Blair Long, and Jimmie Lee Shaw.

Honorary pall bearers will be members of the Bush River Fire Department, Dr. Mark Davis, Wayne McCullough, and Joyce Suber.