MERRITT, Francis
Mr. Francis Dozier "Top" Merritt, 85, of Moncks Corner, S.C., a retired finance officer for Berkeley County, died Wednesday in a Charleston nursing home.
The funeral will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, Feb. 9, 761-8027Moncks Corner. Interment will be in St. John's Baptist cemetery, Moncks Corner. Friends may call at the Church from 2:00 p.m. until the hour of service on Saturday. Directed by DIAL-MURRAY FUNERAL HOME, MONCKS CORNER. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Lutheran Hospice, 753 Johnnie Dodds Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464, or to the St. John's Baptist Church cemetery Endowment Fund, 112 East Main St., Moncks Corner, S.C. 29461.
Mr. Merritt was born Feb. 27, 1916 in Williston, S.C., a son of Franklin Thomas Merritt and Katherine Jardin League Merritt. Mr. Merritt is a member of the First Baptist Church, Moncks Corner where he taught the men's Sunday school class and was a former chairman of the Board of Deacons. Mr. Merritt was an avid
hunter and fisherman. Prior to his employment for Berkeley County he worked for Flack Jones Lumber Co. of Summerville for many years. Mr. Merritt is a Navy veteran of WWII. He was a graduate of Williston-Elko High School and attended the University of South Carolina. He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Merritt Montgomery.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Louise Irvin Merritt; a daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Lucille and Ron Thompson of Herriman, Tenn.; a son and a daughter-in-law, F. Logan and Ann Collins Merritt of Columbia; a grandson, Mark Francis Merritt of Sylva, N.C.; and two nieces, Martha Kay Montgomery Hunt and Ann Montgomery Morrow both of Bishopville.
GADSDEN, Josh
The relatives and friends of Rev. Josh William Gadsden are invited to attend his funeral services on Saturday, February 9, 2002, 1 p.m. at Emanuel AME Church, 110 Calhoun Street, Charleston, S.C. Interment Carolina Memorial Gardens, N. Charleston, S.C.
Rev. Gadsden is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lucille Heyward Gadsden, his children, Mr. Earl H. Wilson (Brenda), Ms. Carolyn Davis, Ms. Barbara J. Gadsden, Mr. Walter E. Gadsden (Jeanette), Mrs. Bernadine G. Myers, Mr. Josh J. Gadsden, Jr. (Gwendolyn) and Mr. William L. Gadsden (Annett), 13 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren, brothers, Mr. George Alston (Stella), Mr. Charles Smalls (Barnie), and Mr. Thomas Gadsden, and other relatives and friends.
Viewing for Rev. Gadsden will be at the William M. Smith Memorial Chapel, 2 Radcliffe Street, Charleston, S.C. on Friday, February 8, 2002 from 2-5 p.m. and at Macedonia AME Church, 48 Alexander Street, Charleston, S.C. from 6-8 p.m. The family will be receiving friends from 7-8 p.m.
Arrangements by W.M. SMITH-MCNEAL FUNERAL HOME, INC. (843) 722-3676, 1-800-924-5659, or e-mail memorial messages at wmsbmc2@aol.com.
BIRCH, Benjamin
The relatives and friends of Mr. Benjamin Birch and those of his wife, Mrs. Minnie Ruth Birch, sister, Rena Smiley, brothers, George Birch (Lillie), Cyrus Birch and Harrison Birch (Beatrice Marie), nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives and friends are invited to sit with the family on Saturday, February 9, 2002, from 12 noon to 1 p.m., at Walker's Mortuary, committal services will follow at St. James AME Church cemetery, Legareville Road, John's Island, S.C. Friends may call/visit Walker's Mortuary after 3 p.m. today (Friday). Arrangements by WALKER'S MORTUARY "Chapel of Peace" 3407 Old Pond Road, John's Island, S.C. Phone 559-0341.
NESBITT, Eugene
The relatives and friends of Mr. Eugene "One Daddy" Nesbitt and those of his children, Lorrie M. Wilson (Richard), Tony Mitchell, Lavonia Frazier, Shelia Frazier, Eugene Frazier, his father, Mr. Jeff Nesbitt, Sr., sisters, Rebecca El-Amin, Estella Slovney, Carrie Williams and Eunice Picart LeCroix, brothers, Henry Nesbitt, Freddie Nesbitt and Ronald Nesbitt, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, other relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services Saturday, February 9, 2002, 12:00 noon at Greater St. Mark AME Church, 8816 Old Jacksonboro Road, Parker's Ferry, S.C. Rev. Cupid Shaw, officiating. Interment: Church cemetery. Remains will lie-in-state at the church on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the hour of service. Friends may call/visit Walker's Mortuary after 3 p.m. today (Friday). Arrangements by WALKER'S MORTUARY "Chapel of Peace" 3407 Old Pond Rd., John's Island, S.C. Phone 559-0341.
MITCHUM, Lorene
The relatives and friends of Mr. and Mrs. Linwood E. Mitchum of Bethera, S.C., are invited to attend the funeral services for the later, 1 p.m., this Friday afternoon in the CHAPEL OF DIAL-MURRAY FUNERAL HOME, MONCKS CORNER. Interment will be in Berea United Methodist Church cemetery.
KIRKLAND, Mary Jo
Mary Jo Kirkland, 46, of West Palm Beach, Fla., died February 4, 2002, in Wellington Regional Medical Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2002, at 3 o'clock in Summerville cemetery.
Friends may call at James A. Dyal Funeral Home, Summerville, from 12 until 2 o'clock on Saturday.
Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, Gift of Remembrance Headquarters, 1101 N. Lake Destiny Road, #415, Maitland, Fla. 32751-7105.
Mrs. Kirkland was born March 9, 1955, in Jacksonville, Fla., a daughter of the late Joel Kirkland and Mary Wynell Harden Kirkland.
She previously worked for Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches, Inc.
Surviving are, her brother and sister-in-law, Joel and Gloria Kirkland of Terrell, Texas; niece, Megan Kirkland of Terrell, Texas; several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Arrangements by JAMES A. DYAL FUNERAL HOME, 303 SOUTH MAIN ST., SUMMERVILLE, S.C.
HODGES, Evelyn
The relatives and friends of Mrs. Evelyn Choice Hodges, and those of her children, Doris Edwards, Barbara Baker, Robert Hodges, Richard Hodges, Charles Hodges, Patricia Brown, and the late James Hodges, grands, great-grands, brother, Mr. William Choice, sister-in-law, Mrs. Henrietta Choice, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral services, Saturday, February 9, 2002, 12 noon, at St. Stephen AME Church, 2840 Maybank Highway, John's Island, S.C. Friends may call or visit Walker's Mortuary after 7 p.m., today (Friday). Arrangements by WALKER'S MORTUARY "Chapel of Peace, " 3407 Old Pond Road, John's Island, S.C. Phone 559-0341.
STOKES, SR., Lewis
Entered into eternal rest on February 7, 2002, Mr. Lewis Stokes, Sr., of 446 Maggie Road, Mt. Pleasant, S.C., the beloved husband of Mrs. Carrie Campbell Stokes father of Lewis (Susan) Stokes, Jr., Verna (Randy) Faine, Betty (Dennis) Stewart, and Cynthia (Harold) Hughes, brother of Rev. Robert J. Stokes, Joseph Stokes, Leroy Stokes, Betty S. Stokes, and Lawrence Stokes. Funeral notice later.
Arrangements by JOHNSON-HALLS FUNERAL HOME.
EVANS, Cynthia
The relatives and friends of Mrs. Cynthia Doctor Evans, those of her husband Mr. Raymond Evans, Jr. and mother of Mr. Raymond Evans, Jr., children, Dikeisha Doctor and Santonio Doctor, sisters and brothers, Shirley Pinckney, Mable Livingston (Vernon) Deacon Clyde Doctor (Lillian), John Doctor (Sarah) Elder Charles Doctor (Cathy), Theresa Dawson, Darlene Doctor, Vivian Owens (Cedric) and Brenda Outley (Willie), four grandchildren and all other relatives and friends are invited to attend her home-going services, Saturday, February 9, 2002, at Pilgrim Baptist Church, Rivers Ave., 10 Mile, North Charleston, S.C. Rev. Fredrick Hilton, Associate Pastor. Interment, Sunset Memorial Gardens, North Charleston, S.C. 29418. Mrs. Evans will lie in state this Friday evening at the church from 6 until 8 p.m., where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m., and Saturday morning from 11 a.m. until the hour of service. Arrangements entrusted to North Area Funeral Home, 4784 Gaynor Ave., N. Charleston, S.C. 29405. 843-744-7511.
BOYD, Russell
HOLLY HILL - Russell Leonard Boyd, 80, of Bennett Circle, Holly Hill, died Wednesday in Holly Hill.
The funeral will be 11 AM Saturday, February 9, 2002 in the First Baptist Church in Holly Hill with Dr. David Brien and Rev. Earl Behr officiating. Burial will follow in the Holly Hill cemetery. The casket will be placed in the church at 10 AM.
Mr. Boyd was born in Washington, Ga. a son of the late William C. Boyd and Elizabeth Ussery Boyd. He was the founder of Boyd Furniture Company, and operator of Boyd Furniture Company, Harleyville. He was a member of the W.O.W, the Vance Masonic Lodge and a Shriner. Mr. Boyd was a member of the First Baptist Church of Holly Hill.
Survivors include his wife, Margie Owens Boyd of the home; sons, Gene Boyd of Holly Hill, James Boyd of St. George, and Donnie Boyd of Branchville; sisters, Marie Collins of Barnwell, Ethiline B. Grubbs of Barnwell, and Marion Hanson of Heyward, Cal.; brother William C. Boyd, Jr. of Barnwell; seven grandchildren; and 6 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 235, Holly Hill, SC 29059, or to charity of one's choice.
Friends may call at AVINGER FUNERAL HOME from 6-8 PM this Friday, February 8, 2002. Friends may call at the residence and at the funeral home.
CRAVEN, Woodrow
REEVESVILLE - Woodrow Craven, age 84, Reevesville died Tuesday.Funeral Services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday in the Bryant Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Indian Field Church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Woodrow Reynolds, Michael Paul Mraz, Ricky Mraz, Marty Crosby, Steven Stanish, Robert Thompson Mr. Craven was born November 16, 1917 in Walterboro a son of the late George and Jessie Jackson Craven.
Surviving are: wife, Dorothy Reynolds Craven, Reevesville, 3 daughters, Sandra C. Collins, Poland, Ohio, Deborah C. Scofield, St. George, and Winnie Mraz, Dorchester, S.C., 2 Brothers, Luder Marchant, Harleyville, SC and Lewis Marchant, St. George, S.C., 2 sisters, Daisy Carson, St. George and Mae Carolyn Reynolds, Jedburg, SC, 5 grandchildren, Melissa Thompson, Micheal Collins, William Collins, Christopher Scofield and James Scofield and 4 great-grandchildren, Justin Stanfill, Chase Thompson, Jesse Thompson and Austin Scofield.
Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Charleston, INC, 3896 Leeds Ave., N. Charleston, S.C. 29405 and or Indian Field United Methodist Church, . 2030 Hwy. 15 N. St. George, S.C. 29477.
EASTERLIN, Thomas
ST. GEORGE - Thomas D. Easterlin, 57 of 326 Easterlin Road, Bowman, SC died suddenly Wednesday February 6, 2002 at his residence. Funeral Services will be 3 p.m. Friday in the Branchville Christian Church with Rev. Wayne Manning officiating. Burial directed by Bryant Funeral Home of St. George will follow in the Bowman Memorial cemetery. Pallbearers will be Mike Way, Matt Way, Robert Easterlin, Larry Patrick, Perry Smith, and Tim Whetsell. Mr. Easterlin was born December 7, 1944 in Bowman, SC a son of the late Frank Carter Easterlin Sr. and Mattie Mae Knight Easterlin. He was a Farmer and retired Forest Warden with S.C. Commission of Forestry. He was a member of Bowman Southern Methodist Church, served in SC National Guard, and was former Chief and board member of the Cow Castle Volunteer Fire Department. He was pre-deceased by a sister, Carol E. Fender. Surviving : wife, Dottie Bair Easterlin, Bowman, 2 daughters, Mrs. Melissa (Eddie) Judy, Bowman, and Angie Mae Easterlin, West Columbia, SC., a brother, F.C. Easterlin, Jr., Bowman, a sister, Barbara (Oscar) Weathers, Bowman. Memorials are suggested to South Carolina Organ Procurement Aossiciation, 1064 Gardner Road, Charleston, SC 29407.
AMERSON, Idell
ST. GEORGE - Mrs. Idell I. Amerson, 89, of Apt. 4 B Dorchester Village died Wednesday in a St. George Nursing Home. Funeral Services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday in the St. Matthews Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Baptist Church cemetery. She was born in Dorchester County a daughter of Willis and Francis Whetsell Infinger and was the widow of Robert Bradley Amerson. She was a member of St. Matthews Baptist Church. Surviving: a son, William Amerson, Benson, NC, 4 daughters, Ruby I. Hadden, and Katie Sue Brickle, Belle Brickle, all St. George, Blanche DuBose, Simpsonville, SC, 3 sisters, Lucille Huff, Harleyville, Gladys Caddin, Ravenell, SC, Mary Grace Harbeson, Charleston, SC. 10 grands, 16 great-grands, 2 great-great-grands.
LANGE, T.L.
BLACK MOUNTAIN, N.C. - T.L. Lange, 36, passed away, Wednesday, January 23, 2002. He was a native of Oil City, Pa., and a ten year resident of Mt. Pleasant. He attended Wando High School, and was an artist with international recognition. In addition to his parents, Sandy and Tony Lange of Orlando, Fla., he is survived by his wife, Shannon of Black Mountain, a brother, Stephen of Asheville, N.C., a brother, Jeffrey and his wife, Susie of Decatur, Ga., and a maternal grandmother, Helen Hawks of Oil City, Pa.
The family requests that memorials be made to N.D.M.D.A., 730 N. Franklin St., Suite 501, Chicago, Ill. 60610.
Arrangements handled by ASHEVILLE MORTUARY, ASHEVILLE, N.C.
GIBBS, Clarence
The relatives and friends of Mr. Clarence (Strappy) Gibbs, those of his wife, Mrs. Christine Gibbs, children, Michael Clarence B. Gibbs (Kim), Joyce Reid (Michael), Michelle T. Gibbs, Cheryl Dantzler (Thomas), Annette C. Gibbs, brothers, Elder Fred Gibbs, Isaac Gilliard (Emily), James Gillard (Sadie), Anna Mae Richardson (Irvin) and Margaret Edward (Harold) and sisters-in-law, Wilhelmenia Moye and Eva M. Dent are invited to attend his funeral services Saturday, February 9, 2002 at 1 p.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church, USA, 1314 Secessionville Road, James Island, S.C. Friends may call at FIELDING HOME FOR FUNERALS, 722-3348 or 1-800-290-5954. Remains to the church on Friday at 6 p.m. The family will be receiving friends at the church on Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. Remains to the church on Saturday at 12 noon. Interment: Church cemetery.
