Our History

“Woodfin Richardson Ballenger (1912-2001), nicknamed ‘Monk’, son of Grady Woodfin (1880-1964) and Eleanor Richardson Ballenger (1882-1958), was a Seneca native and lifelong resident of Seneca, husband to Elizabeth Marett Ballenger (1913-2003), and brother to Marion Ballenger (1920-1979). A graduate of Seneca High School, he attended The Citadel, graduating in 1933 with a degree in English and a commission as an officer of the U.S. army.

 

In 1935 'Monk' completed legal studies at Cumberland School of Law, now Samford University, and returned home to marry his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Marett. He was 23 and ‘Lib’ was 21. In 1941 he was called to active duty in WWII as a Second Lieutenant, with responsibilities for domestic coastal artillery and barrage balloon defense. When the War ended, he was a Lt. Colonel. In 1972 he retired from the Army as a Colonel.

 

'Monk' returned to Seneca after the war to run the family business, Ballenger Hardware, founded in 1903. He was a champion of downtown Seneca and the virtues of neighborly small-town living. He twice was elected to Seneca's City Council and served as the Chair of the Hospital Board during the development of plans for the building of the new hospital and the renovation of Lila Doyle. Following Lib's leadership he helped establish a new library in Seneca. Upon the death of his sister Marion, he and Lib gave the Ballenger family home on 212 East South 3rd Street to the Seneca Woman's Club for use by all citizens.

 

The home continues with that mission today, honoring four generations of family members in the Woman's Club and Once-A-Week Club. In 1989, for their service to the community, Monk and Lib were honored as Citizens of the Year by the Sertoma Club. He believed in loyalty and duty and love of family, community, nation and God.” The Greenville News, Nov 29, 2001 Page 33