‘An act of service’: Greenville mortuary offers free rides to polls in funeral cars

GREENVILLE, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Watkins, Garrett and Woods Mortuary is giving voters free rides to the polls in a funeral car, and several voters have booked a ride for Election Day.

The funeral home’s president said the rides are a way for every voter’s voice to be heard.

Tradition began about 40 years ago

Fred Douglas Garrett Jr., who goes by “Dugg,” is president and manager of Watkins, Garrett and Woods Mortuary. He said his father started the tradition about 40 years ago.

“As an act of service, we try to give back,” Garrett said.

Garrett said people request the rides for different reasons.

“The novelty of it for some people, there’s a reason they call us, and then some of it is just a group of people may call and get their friends and want to go,” Garrett said.

The funeral car can seat seven people.

Drivers make dozens of trips

Michael “Sully” Sullivan, a driver for the mortuary, said it’s a unique way to vote.

“We get a lot of comments about the car. The car is always clean, always shiny. A lot of people don’t want to sit in the front, they want to sit in the back. They want to enjoy the ride,” Sullivan said.

This year, the mortuary said they’ve driven hundreds of people to early voting. Sullivan said he’s made dozens of those trips.

“The poll workers have been coming out to the car and some of the people are able to vote while in the car,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan said voters that can go inside have only taken five to 10 minutes and they’re on to the next route. He said the rides are about more than getting to the polls.

“It’s about the community and what they see in their future. It’s not only about them, but their grandkids and the way we’re paving for them,” Sullivan said.

If you need a ride in Greenville to vote, call the mortuary at (864) 242-1144.

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