George Burnett Brockenbrough, 95, of Greenwood, SC, passed away on Sept. 4th at Wesley Commons. Born in Tryon, NC, he was the only child of George Hawkins Brockenbrough and Helen Burnett Brockenbrough.
After moving to Kinards, SC at the age of 6, George made lifelong friends, including Thornwell and his sister, “Sissy,” who became the love of his life and bride in 1953. He attended Clinton public schools, the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, and Davidson College before enrolling and graduating with honors from Clemson University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Engineering.
Following graduation, George served two years in the Army Ordinance Corps at Aberdeen, Maryland, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant. Following his military service, George was at the forefront of technological history, beginning his career with IBM in Endicott, New York, in 1956, then later in Atlanta, Georgia. As an early computer pioneer, he helped develop and refine the first generation of commercial computers, helping to build the first mass-produced computer in the world. This exciting era of innovation shaped his entire professional life and instilled in him a lifelong passion for technology and problem-solving.
Because of his desire to return to his hometown to be near family and childhood friends, George accepted a position at Clinton Mills in 1961, installing the company’s first computers. He then moved his family to Greenwood, SC in 1969, where he led the Greenwood Mills Data Processing Department, directing an increasingly large and challenging operation until retiring in 1996.
George loved music, first joining church choirs in high school, playing clarinet and saxophone with the Clemson Jungaleers, and later singing with community choruses, including as an original member of the Greenwood Festival Chorale. He was also a proud member of the choir in each of the seven churches he attended throughout his life. His love for the Arts brought him to Greenwood Little Theater, now known as Greenwood Community Theater, where he shared his love of theater with his family for many years. It also served as an entrance into and a love for the Greenwood Community.
George’s love of the Greenwood and Clinton Communities moved him to volunteer and hold leadership roles in myriad local organizations, including the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, Greenwood County Library, Greater Greenwood United Ministry, Greenwood Kiwanis Club, Greenwood Performing Arts, and the Lander University Docent Program. His devotion to his faith and church led him to First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood, where he was a Ruling Elder and served on the Trinity Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry.
George was preceded in death by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Mildred ‘Sissy” Dunlap Brockenbrough, and his son-in-law, Mark Patterson.
He is survived by three daughters; Mary Lee Kirkpatrick (Pat) of Woodstock, GA, Mildred Patterson of Charlotte, NC and Helen Brockenbrough of Greenwood, SC; four grandchildren, Anna Patterson Patel (Chirag) of Charlotte, NC, Rachel Patterson of Charlotte, NC, Austin Kirkpatrick Spradlin (Bryan) of Covington, GA and Alex Kirkpatrick (Sara) of Asheville, NC as well as eight great-grandchildren; Grayson, Landon and Carter Patel; Jacob, Joel, Eva, Atticus and Eliza Jane Spradlin.
A Celebration of George’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026 at First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, with Dr. Brad Christie officiating.
The service will be live streamed on the First Presbyterian Church of Greenwood’s YouTube Channel.
The family will receive friends following the service in Alexander Hall. A private internment will take place in Clinton at a later date.
The family requests memorials be made in lieu of flowers to Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont, 408 Alexander Ave, Greenwood, SC 29646.