Newspaper clipping: Lister Has Fifteen Years In Policing; Was Magistrate · Greer Heritage Museum collection

Title

Newspaper clipping: Lister Has Fifteen Years In Policing; Was Magistrate

Accession Number

2026.31.47.5

Accession Date

1 September 2026

Accession Creator

Sophie Pendergraft

Depositor

Kala Kennemore

Description

Newspaper clipping containing article titled "Know Your Police: Lister Has Fifteen Years In Policing; Was Magistrate"

Storage Location

Box 78, Folder 2

Text

Know Your Police

Lister Has Fifteen Years In Policing; Was Magistrate

(Editor’s note: This is the seventh in a series of special articles designed to familiarize residents of this area with members of their law enforcement agency.)

Roy, as he is known to his host of friends, chose law enforcement as a career in March, 1934 when he became a Migistrate* in Spartanburg County. Two years later he assumed the duties of Deputy Sheriff until 1947, when he came to this city.

Mr. Lister has been very active in the affairs of his community, holding membership in the Bailey Lodge, A.F.M.; Woodmen of the World; and the Woods Chapel Methodist Church, in addition to playing a major part in curtailing law-breaking here.

He was born August 21, 1905 near Greer, the son of David and Ella Lister, both of whom still reside on the Lister homestead on Greer Route 1. Both Roy’s parents are in fairly good health.

Reared on a farm, he is familiar with all the workings around rural homes, and now has two places of his own, where he raises steers for his family’s use. Lt. Lister’s hobby is operating these farms and overseeing production.

The officer attended grammar school at Maple Hill and graduated from Greer High, where he lettered on the football squad as a guard. He attended the University of South Carolina, playing freshman football there.

After leaving college, he was engaged in the mercantile business until 1934 when he became Magistrate.

Lt. Lister married Miss Agnes Van Patton, of Duncan, in November, 1933. They have two children, Larry, 11, a student in the 6th grade and Betty Jane, who’s just past her third birthday. The Listers reside on the Apalache Road.

Roy says without hesitation that his favorite food is beef, which he raises on his farm. He also finds fried chicken “mighty hard to beat”.

The veteran of 15 years “policing” says he’s glad he served as a Magistrate, for it helps him see both sides of an issue when he’s on a case.

Lt. Lister has been shot at several times, but he’s never been forced to shoot anyone himself. On one occasion, a fellow officer accompanying him on an investigation was slain in line of duty, our Roy came out of the fracas without a scratch.

*Typo in text: Magistrate