JoAnne Kennedy Owens
JoAnne Kennedy Owens, 72, of Barnwell, died Sept. 17, 2010 at her residence.
Graveside service was held Sept. 23 at the Barnwell County Memorial cemetery at the airport. Mole Funeral Home of Barnwell was in charge of arrangements.
She was the daughter of the late James Robert and Florrie Mae Sanders. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include five daughters, Ann M. Owens, Lisa McLamore, Patricia Odom, Shirley L. Clark and Deborah P. Chavis, all of Barnwell; three brothers James Etheridge Kennedy, Jesse Kennedy and Thomas Kennedy; two sisters, Joyce Kennedy and Deloris K. Moore; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Henry Lucius "Luke" Laffitte
Dr. Henry Lucius "Luke" Laffitte died Sept. 23, 2010 at the Allendale County Hospital after a brief illness.
A memorial service was held Sept. 26 at the First Baptist Church in Allendale. Keith Smith Funeral Service of Allendale was in charge of the arrangements.
Dr. Laffitte was born July 9, 1923, in Estill. He was the son of the late M. Tucker and Elizabeth Lucius Laffitte. His entire class was called for active duty during World War II, he was not accepted for service because of the damage to his leg caused by osteomyelitis in his childhood. He then attended and graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1944 and from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1947.
On July 12, 1948, Dr. Laffitte began practicing medicine in Allendale County. He had been on the medical staff of the Allendale County Hospital since it opened in 1950, and served as the Chief of Staff for several terms. He was a Family Practice Board Certified physician.
He had been an active member of the First Baptist Church of Allendale where he had served as a Deacon. He participated in numerous local service and civic groups.
He was a member of the South Carolina Medical Association, and a past Delegate to that Association. He was a member of the South Carolina Association of Family Physicians where he served as a Director and Vice Chairman of the Board. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, the Seaboard Coastline Railroad and Southern Railway Medical Societies. He was a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. He was an active member of the Allendale County Lions Club and was recognized with a fifty-year service award.
In 1974, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree from the Baptist College of Charleston-now Charleston Southern University. That same year, he was named Outstanding Citizen of Allendale County by the Fairfax Jaycees.
Dr. Laffitte served as Medical Control Physician for the Allendale County Rescue Squad for over 30 years.
The Salkehatchie Campus of the University of South Carolina honored him in 1976 with the Outstanding Contribution to the Community Award.
In 1983, the Service to Humanity Award, given by the March of Dimes, was presented to Dr. Laffitte for his delivery and care of over 3, 000 babies in Allendale County since he started his practice. The South Carolina Chapter of the American Academy of Family Physicians named Dr. Laffitte the Family Physician Of The Year in 1987.
Dr. Laffitte had been a member of the South Carolina State Department of Vocational Rehabilitation since its inception in 1957 and had held various offices in that department since he began his service. He had been awarded a Citation for Meritorious Service, Loyalty, and Devotion to the Cause of Handicapped Citizens by that department. In 1985, the Agency dedicated its Staff Development Room in his honor. In 1989, The Agency honored him by naming its new building in Beaufort the H. Lucius Laffitte Building. In 2003, he was recognized with the Commissioner's Medal of Excellence-noting that during his tenure, five Commissioners and an untold number of people with disabilities have benefited from his wisdom, guidance, caring and compassion.
In 1996, he was honored by the Allendale County Hospital for his devotion to the people of the Allendale area with the ceremonial unveiling of his portrait and the dedication of a furnished patient room. The portrait was commissioned by a grateful patient.
In 1998, the members of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina recognized Dr. Laffitte with a Resolution recognizing his fifty years of outstanding, dedicated service to the citizens of Allendale County and the medical community. That same year, he was honored by being awarded the Order of the Palmetto from the Governor of the State of South Carolina.
Dr. Laffitte served on the Boards of The Exchange Bank, the Carolina Commercial Bank, and the Palmetto State Bank and those banks honored him by establishing a scholarship in his name at the Salkehatchie Campus of the University of South Carolina in recognition of his service to the citizens of Allendale and the surrounding counties.
In 1999, Dr. Laffitte was presented with the Physician of the Year for Outstanding Service from the Lower Savannah Health District Award by the South Carolina Medical Association. On the Nomination Form for the Award, the Health Director noted that the Allendale public health staff described Dr. Laffitte as having love and concern for his patients and the citizens of the county. He is described as a Christian professional. "Always busy, but never too busy to listen" were the words of one staff member.
In 2000, he had the distinction of being the South Carolina Rural Health Association's first Pioneer Award recipient for the new millennium. The award is presented annually to an individual who has dedicated one's personal and professional life to caring for the health need of their patients and their community. At the presentation, it was stated that "Dr. Laffitte truly represents what is best about ‘doctoring' in rural South Carolina. At the presentation, his friend and medical partner, Dr. T. B. Warren, Jr., spoke of his many years of outstanding service and said "I have never known a person as dedicated to his patients and his community as Dr. Laffitte."
Dr. Laffitte was presented the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award by the University of South Carolina in 2003. The award recognizes and honors excellence of character and humanitarian service.
He retired from "office hours" in 2001, and then spent 10 days in Honduras assisting at two clinics supported by Barnwell United Methodist Church and his friend, Dr. Henry Gibson. He continued to see patients at the Allendale County Nursing home and to work with the Rescue Squad until he completely retired at the age of 80.
"Luke" dedicated his life to his profession. He missed numerous family and social obligations to tend to his patients and, oftentimes, to help those who were not his patients. His work was his hobby. He was predeceased by his brother, Charles A. Laffitte, and his sisters, "Sue" (Mrs. S. L. Allen), "Pidge" (Mrs. A. S. Anderson), "Lu" Laffitte, and Lalla Lee (Mrs. H. M. Dalton).
Survivors include his wife of 61 year, Ann Cassels; daughters Elizabeth Ann, Rosalie and her husband Daniel M. Johnson, of Allendale, and Becky of Columbia; son, Henry Lucius, Jr, and his wife Darryl Reynolds; grandchildren, Henry Lucius Laffitte III and JaneAnn Laffitte of Beaufort; brothers, R. Montague Laffitte and his wife Lib of Estill and M. Tucker Laffitte, Jr. and his wife Emma of Columbia; and a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 582, Allendale, SC, 29810; Luke Laffitte Scholarship Fund, USC Salkehatchie, PO Box 617, Allendale, SC, 29810; or CPR (Caring People Revitalizing Fund), Allendale County Hospital, PO Box 218, Fairfax, SC 29827.
O Dell Green Huffman Patterson
Mrs. O Dell Green Huffman Patterson, 91, of Blackville, died Sept. 10, 2010 at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg.
Funeral service was held Sept. 12 in the Mole Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bert Petty officiating. Burial was in the Barnwell County Memorial cemetery at the airport.
Mrs. Patterson was born Dec. 5, 1918 in McCool, Miss. She was the daughter of the late Walter Hamilton and Lena Lucy Brown Green. She was predeceased by her first husband and father of her three children, William Buford Huffman, and sisters, Eunice Green Huffman and Lottie Lavelle Green Minton.
Survivors include her husband, Ernest Patterson of the home; two daughters, Dorothy H. (Leighton) Elkins of Blackville and Nell H. King of Walterboro; one son, Walter W. (Pam) Huffman of Gilmer Texas; ten grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
On lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Alzheimer's Association or your local Battered Women's Shelter.
Ernest Tyrone Hutto Sr.
Ernest Tyrone Hutto Sr., 71, of Denmark, died Sept. 20, 2010 at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg.
Funeral service was held Sept. 23 at Ghents Branch Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Petty officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mercer Funeral Home of Denmark was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Hutto was born June 22, 1939 in Orangeburg. He was the son of the late Thomas J. "TJ" Hutto and Elma Smoak Hutto. He was a member of Ghents Branch Baptist Church and he formerly owned and operated Modern Dry Cleaners and Laundry and Hutto's Gym in Denmark. He was predeceased by a granddaughter, Tabitha Hutto.
Survivors include three sons, Ernest Tryone (Barbara) Hutto Jr., Scott Jefferson (Brenda) Hutto, Lee (Shannon) Hutto, all of Denmark; one brother, Wayne (Vicki) Hutto of Denmark and 11 grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the Ghents Branch Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1974 Ghents Branch Rd., Denmark, SC 29042.
Lillie Ellen Murdaugh Simmons
Lillie Ellen Murdaugh Simmons, 77, of Allendale, died Sept. 20, 2010.
Funeral service was held Sept. 23 at Mt. Arnon Baptist Church with the Rev. Mike Catoe and Dr. Tommy Kelly officiating. An Eastern Star Service followed at Swallow Savannah cemetery. Keith Smith Funeral Service of Allendale was in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Simmons was a native of Allendale. She was the daughter of the late Jessie and Lillie Gibson Murdaugh. She was the wife of William E. "Bill" Simmons, Sr. She was a member and Past Matron of Fairfax Chapter 65 Order of the Eastern Star and a member of Mt. Arnon Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband William E. "Bill" Simmons, Sr.; three sons, William E. "Bubba" (Dianna) Simmons, Jr., Anthony C. "Tony" (Margaret) Simmons and Tommy A. Simmons, all of Allendale; one daughter, Patricia S. Hankins of Allendale; two sisters, Elizabeth M. Petrea of Springfield, Ga. and Louise M. Ponds of Allendale; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mildred Driggers Williams
Mildred Driggers Williams, 87, of Blackville died Sept. 6, 2010.
Funeral service was held Sept. 8 at Pinehill Freewill Baptist Church of the Pentecostal Faith with burial in the Springfield cemetery. Folk Funeral Home of Williston was in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Williams was born in Orangeburg County. She was the daughter of the late Henry and Dovie Spires Driggers. She was the widow of Obie Williams. She was a homemaker, a member of Pinehill Freewill Baptist Church, the ladies auxiliary and helped in many other departments at the church. She was preceded in death by sons, Curtis and Joseph Williams; sisters, Bertie Driggers, Willer D. Still, Allease D. Williamson; brothers, Clyde, Athel, Manciel and Arlin Driggers; grandson, Allen Jerome Hutson.
Survivors include five daughters, Julia Mae (Wesley) Fail, Marie Ann (Etheredge) Hutson, Christine (Larry) Richardson, Linda Kay (Bill) Elledge and Lounette (Dickie) Hendrix; three sons, Noah Obie (Shryll) Williams, Evelee Williams and Tommy Joe Willams; one sister, Ruby Riefenauer; 25 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and seven great-great grandchildren.
Frances Still Zorn
Frances Still Zorn, 76, of Barnwell, died September 7, 2010 at her residence.
Funeral service was held Sept. 10 at the Mount Lebanon Christian Church with burial in the church cemetery. Mole Funeral Home of Barnwell was in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Zorn was born July 22, 1934 in Barnwell County. She was the daughter of the late Luther and Ida Ray Still. She was married
to the late Johnnie Zorn Sr. She was predeceased by a son, Terry Aaron Zorn. She was a former employee of the Milliken and Co.
Survivors include three sons, Francis Danny Zorn, Johnnie Zorn Jr. and Kenneth LaVern Zorn of Barnwell, Dennis O’Neal Zorn of Allendale; two daughters, Cheryl Lynn Z. Gatlin and Christy Z. Blackwood of Barnwell; two brothers, Ruby Still and C.B. Still of Barnwell; five sisters, Irene Bessinger, Becky Wall, Linda Still, Katherine Still and Martha Sanders of Barnwell, 19 grandchildren and 53 great-grandchildren.
Moses Allen Sr.
Moses Allen Sr., 87, of Blackville, died Aug. 29, 2010 at his residence.
Funeral service was held Sept. 4 at Macedonia Baptist Church with burial in the Hope Memorial Park. Guinyard and Sons Funeral Home of Barnwell was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Allen was the son of the late Bert Jamison and Marie Reed.
Survivors include two daughters, Willie Mae Sabb of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and Lummisha (Ernest) Wroten of Blackville; three sons, Moses (Varetta) Allen Jr. of Blackville, Marvin (Sereta) Allen of Walnut Creek, Calif. And Stevie (Angela) Washington of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; eight brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; 17 grandchildren and number of great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
Crawley Grubbs
Crawley Grubbs, 79 of Barnwell died Aug. 30, 2010 at his residence.
Funeral service was held on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Reach Out Ministries with the Rev. Don McCormack officiating. Burial was in the Barnwell County Memorial cemetery. Mole Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Grubbs was born on Nov. 2, 1931 in Barnwell County. He was the son of the late Monroe “Doc” and Ethel Still Grubbs. He was a member of Reach Out Ministries and a retired farmer.
Survivors include two daughters, Tammie D. Rowell and Patricia Sturkie of Barnwell; two brothers, Junior and Allen Grubbs of Barnwell; four sisters, Ellen Sanders, Zelma Still, Hazel Sanders and Beulah Collins of Barnwell; seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Gertrude Hogg Rice
Gertrude Hogg Rice, 94, died Aug. 27, at Riverview Health in Savannah.
Funeral service was held Aug. 31. Burial was at Cave Methodist Church Kline. Mole Funeral Home of Barnwell was in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Rice was born Feb. 16, 1916 in Kline. She was predeceased by Father, James Wilson Hogg, Mother, Gertrude Newman Hogg, siblings, Thomas Franklin Hogg, Eugene Newman Hogg and James McDonald Hogg.
Survivors include two sons, Joseph S. Rice of Salt Lake City, Utah, Malcolm F. Rice of Savannah; one sister, Mary Agnes Hogg Franklin of Savannah, Ga.; cousins, George Bonnette of Manning and Celeste Daniels of Orangeburg.
JW Williams
Mr. JW Williams, 80, of Walterboro, died August 29, 2010, at his residence.
Funeral services were held September 1, 2010, at 6:00 p.m. at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel. The Reverend Steve Crosby and The Reverend Ken Bailey officiating.
Mr. Williams was born July 11, 1930, in Hazlehurst, Georgia and was a son of the late Bonn Williams and the late Ada Griffin Williams. He served his country faithfully in the South Carolina National Guard and was of the Southern Baptist Faith. He was a heavy equipment operator and will be fondly remembered for his strong work ethic.
Surviving are: his loving wife of sixty years, Mrs. Eva Harrison Williams; four sons, Bobby (Gloria)Williams of Branchville, Jimmy (Brenda) Williams of North, Jerry (Jill) Williams of Harlem, Georgia, and Allen Williams of Lexington, Texas; two daughters, Estelle “Telle” (Jerry) Still of Hilda and Karen (Manuel) Flores of Walterboro; a brother, Albert (Ann) Williams of Hazlehurst, Georgia; and a sister, Annette (Cosby) Harrington of Hazlehurst, Georgia; ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Jack Barwick; and three sisters, Evelyn, Bonnie, and Mary Lee.
In lieu of flowers, the family has respectfully requested that memorials be directed in his memory to: Hospice Care of South Carolina, 198 Bells Highway, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488.
Jackie Tyrone Holman
Jackie Tyrone Holman, 58, of Blackville, departed from this earthly life and entered into eternal rest on Saturday, August 28, 2010.
A visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church, Blackville.
The funeral service will be held at 1 pm. at the Blackville-Hilda High School Auditorium beginning at 1 p.m.
After the service, possibly between 2:30 and 3 p.m., the mayor's casket will be placed on a horse-drawn hearse.
The carriage will proceed down Izlar St. and then turn onto Latrrigue St. The procession will pause briefly in front of the Blackville Town Hall for a ceremonial 21-gun salute.
From town hall, the procession will move towards Main Street and circle the business district, passing in front of the fire department.
From there, the hearse will turn right onto Hwy. 3 (Solomon Blatt Ave.) and then right (west) onto U.S. 78 (Dexter St.).
The procession will stop in front of Macedonia Baptist Church and the casket will be transferred from the horse-drawn hearse to a motorized hearse.
The casket will then be taken to Hope Memorial Park on S.C. 3 for burial.
Holman was born in Orangeburg County on August 11, 1952 to the late Rivers Porter and Fannie H. Parlor. His late Aunt Emma Barnes played a vital role in his child rearing.
Holman was a native of Norway, S.C. where he received his early education from Norfield High School. He graduated in 1974 from Claflin College with a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science. He later received his Bachelor of Social Work from Benedict College in 1990.
Mayor Holman was a faithful member of Macedonia Baptist Church. He worked diligently as a Deacon for more than 20 years.
His political career started as a council member in the early 1990s. He later joined the Lower Savannah Council of Government as a board member. Jackie decided to seek the office of Mayor and won. He was currently serving his third term as the Mayor of the Town of Blackville.
Mayor Holman's employment history included Dean of Men for Claflin College, Human Service Department Case Manager for Allendale County Department of Social Services, Sales Associate in the areas of Insurance and Retail, and Sergeant for Allendale County Detention Center. He was currently employed for Macedonia Elementary School.
Mayor Holman leaved to cherish his memories: his devoted wife Brenda Johnson Holman; a daughter Shawndra Holman (John) Williams; one son Jackie Lamonte (Victoria) Holman; a loving mother Fannie (Thomas) Parlor; an adoptive sister Glenda Youmans; six grandchildren: Arianna Janelle Williams, Alexandria Janae Williams, Jaheim Butler, Jacquel Tyrone Holman, Breonna Chanel Holman and John Preston Williams; two brother-in-laws, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.
Mayor Holman was a wonderful husband, outstanding father and grandfather, friend and mentor. He will be dearly missed among the community he so loved and by all that knew him. His motto was "I will trust in the Lord until I die."
Dash's Funeral Home, Blackville, is in charge of the arrangements.
