Betty D. Rucker
Mrs. Betty D. Rucker, 78, of Clearwater, wife of the late Crosby Thurmond and the late Thomas Rucker, died Saturday, May 14, 2011.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Wednesday, May 18, at 2 p.m. at Bath Pentecostal Holiness Church in Bath, with Pastor Bill Branch officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Graniteville. Pallbearers will be Tim Rucker, Danny Thurmond, Ola Hard, Glenn Thurmond, Anthony Rackard and Chad Hyler. Honorary pallbearers will be deputies from the Aiken and Edgefield County Sheriff Departments.
born in Aiken County and a lifelong resident of Clearwater, she was a daughter of the late Hubert and Eva Kneece Hallman. “Miss Betty” was third shift manager at S & S Truck Stop on Highway 25 for 26 years. She was known and loved by many people there. She was said to have a knack for cheering people up or making them laugh. Deputies from the Aiken and Edgefield County Sheriff Departments as well as the Highway Patrol had a special place in her heart and she had a table reserved especially for them. Prior to her health declining, she enjoyed reading, shopping, going to singings and playing a hand of Rummy with her family. She was a member of Bath Pentecostal Holiness Church and enjoyed gong to the Ethel Mason Bible study. She was a member of the V.F.W. Ladies Auxiliary in Aiken.
In addition to her late husbands and parents, family members include her five sons and two daughters, Glenn Thurmond, (Pat) Bath, Danny Thurmond, Clearwater, the late Sonny Thurmond, Donna King, (Bill) Clearwater, Sherry Hard, (Ola) Trenton, Randy Rucker, Clearwater, and Tim Rucker, Loganville, Ga.; siblings, Tony Hallman, Clearwater, and the late Roland Hallman; 17 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Bath Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Drawer H. Bath, SC 29816 or the Shriner’s Hospital for Children (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org).
Friends may call at the family residence.
Hatcher Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Langley, is in charge of arrangements.
Henry “Buck” Smith
Mr. Henry “Buck” Smith, of Hempstead, N.Y., died Monday, May 2, 2011 at St. Francis Hospital in Port Washington, N.Y.
Funeral services were held Friday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at Carl C. Burnett Funeral Home Chapel in Hempstead. Burial was May 7 in Greenfields cemetery.
Mr. Smith was born March 30, 1935 to Anna and Willie Smith of Johnston. His mother died when he was 2 years old and he was reared by John and Margaret Green. He attended public schools in Johnston. In 1953, he moved to Hempstead under the guardianship of his aunt, Jessie Moore and cousin, Diane Green. He was baptized at Antioch Baptist Church and sang in the Youth Choir. As an adult, he worshipped under the Muslim faith until illness in 1995. He was employed with Empire Clothing Store and Northrop Grumman. He retired in 1995 under disability. He had worked two jobs to have his dream house built. He loved to fish and garden, and was known for using his home to shelter those who had no place to live.
Survivors include a son, Gerald Williams (Ruth), Johnston; two granddaughters, Jessica Thomas and Monelisa Williams; two great-granddaughters, Briana Shania and Brittney Thomas of Johnston; a sister, Sandra Scott of Pennsylvania; two special cousins who were reared as his sisters, Queen Ester Smith and Elease Green of Hempstead, N.Y.; close friends, Virginia Oliver, William Bell, Fannie Williams and Issimie Maxwell; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carl C. Burnett Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Guy V. Crouch, Jr.
Mr. Guy V. Crouch, Jr. 86, died Saturday March 6, 2010 in Florence, S.C. He was born in Edgefield, S.C., the son of the late Guy V. Crouch, Sr. and Flossie Lamb Crouch. He graduated from Edgefield High School in 1941 and served in the Army during WW II. He worked in the textile industry most of his life. He was plant manager of Turbeville Manufacturing Company for almost twenty-five years. Mr. Crouch will be remembered by many for his generosity and sense of humor. His friends at The Carolinian Retirement Community in Florence will miss his comforting smile and encouragement.
Mr. Crouch is survived by two children, Jane (Rick) Dias of Pawleys Island and Betsy (Bobby) Luquire, of North Augusta. Three Grandchildren, Megan Luquire, Grovetown, Ga., Katie L. (Kyle) Rushton, North Augusta and Ginny (Andy) Dias- Strickland, Pawleys Island. Three Great-Grandchildren, Peyton and Parker Rushton, North Augusta and Tyson Dias, Pawleys Island. Special Friend and nephew Randy Thames, Florence. Mr. Crouch was predeceased by his sister, Meda Crouch Crumley, his first wife, Margaret Sharp Crouch and his second wife Ann Coker Crouch.
Graveside services were held Monday March 8, 2010 at 2 P.M. at Eastview cemetery in Edgefield, S.C. The family will receive friends after the service at the graveside.
Memorials may be made to the Free Will Baptist Home, P.O. Box 229, Turbeville, S.C. 29162.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Martha Ida Bryan
Ms. Martha Ida Bryan, 83, of Darlington, died Aug. 14, 2011 at her home.
Funeral services were held at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home on Friday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. A private burial service was conducted at Little Stevens Creek Baptist Church in Saluda County.
Ms. Bryan was born on Aug.12, 1928 in the Meeting Street Section of Saluda County. She was the daughter of Preston Brooks and Velma Louise Odom Bryan of Edgefield. She graduated from the Edgefield High School Class of 1945. She received a B.S. in home economics from Lander College in Greenwood in 1949. She was a home economics and primary teacher in the South Carolina Public School System in Lake City, Conway, Sumter and Allendale. She worked for many years at the University of South Carolina Food Service Department at the Russell House. She was a member of Central Baptist Church and was an original resident of Indian Creek Apartments, North Main Street, in Darlington and enjoyed many friends there over the years.
She is survived by a sister, Elizabeth Catherine Bryan of Anderson.
She was predeceased by eight siblings: Preston Butler Bryan, Greenwood; Glenwood Bryan, Edgefield; Ellis Beale Bryan, Clinton; Harry Odom Bryan, Spartanburg; Louise Bryan Bartley, Edgefield; Lena Bryan Brown, DePew, N.Y.; Nell Bryan Kelly, Martinez, Ga.; and her paternal twin sister, Mary Corrie Bryan Hobbs, Sardis.
Memorials can be made to the Pastors Discretionary Fund, Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 16, Darlington, SC 29540; or the general fund of Central Baptist Church, 512 Spring Street, Darlington, SC 29532.
Josephine Prescott Garrett
Funeral services for Mrs. Josephine Prescott Garrett were held Sunday, Aug. 14, 2011, at 2 p.m. at Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Leroy Robertson officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, Edgefield, was in charge of arrangements.
John Henry Graham
Mr. John Henry Graham, 61, of Edisto Street in Johnston, died Sunday, Aug. 7, 2011 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011 at 11 a.m. at Willow Spring Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Marshall Hopkins. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Graham was born in Saluda County and was a retired logger and operator of John's Place.
He is survived by his wife, Regina P. Graham; two sons, Maurice Sheppard, Pelion, and Jarvis Sheppard, Edgefield; two daughters, Cassandra McCullough, Ward, and Kimberly Gilchrist, Greenwood; four brothers, Gerald Graham, Aiken, Lawrence Harling, Saluda, James Graham, Columbia, and George Graham, Philadelphia, Pa.; six sisters, Sallie Calhoun, Greenwood, Annie R. Culbreath, Atlanta, Ga., Cora Bell Chinn, Johnston, Deloise Wilson, Columbia, Clara Jones, Fredericksburg, Va., and Shirley Watts, Greenwood; five grandchildren; and other relatives.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, was in charge of arrangements.
Easton Taylor Hodson
Easton Taylor Hodson, infant son of Taylor and Ashley Sexton Hodson, of Warrenville, died Thursday, Aug. 11, 2011.
Graveside services were Monday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. in Sunset Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Jim Kirk officiating.
In addition to his parents, family members include his sister, Kaylee Ann Hodson, and brother, Hagen Asher Hodson, of Warrenville; his paternal grandparents, Ricky and Gail Hodson, Gloverville; his maternal grandparents, Milton and Rechelle Sexton, North Augusta; his maternal great-grandmothers, Lillie Sexton, Grovetown, Ga., and Elizabeth Barrett, Gloverville; his aunt and uncles, Shane and Shannon Hodson, Johnston, and Nicholas Sexton, North Augusta.
Memorials may be made to Mid-Valley Baptist Church Playground, P.O. Box 1323, Langley, SC 29834.
Hatcher Funeral Home, Langley, was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Jane Austin Miller
Mrs. Mary Jane Austin Miller, 84, of Rainsford Road in Edgefield, wife of the late Joe C. Miller, died Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011 at Edgefield County Hospital.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 22, at 11 a.m. at Republican Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery.
Mrs. Miller was born in Tampa, Fla. and was a member of Republican Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and she was retired from Beecham Company.
Survivors include three daughters, Patti Turner, Diane (Jim) Webb, Carolyn (Ron) Conley; three sons, Joe (Kim) Turner, Leo Miller, Mike (Etta) Miller; three sisters, Elizabeth Presler, Francis Garmon, Evelyn Jackson; a sister-in-law, Anne Austin; grandchildren, Lauren Turner, Leslie (Matt) Stuckie, Joseph Miller, Andrew Miller, Jesse Webb, Amy (Mickey) Scruggs, Jason (Jamie) Conley; and great-grandchildren, Chase and Bailey Sturkie, Peyton Parker and Paxton Scruggs.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Kitty Poole
Funeral services for Mrs. Kitty Poole, of Ridge Spring, were held Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Ridge Hill Baptist Church, with the Rev. Donald Hall, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
The wife of Mr. Randolph Poole, she died at the Palmetto Health -Richland in Columbia. She was a retiree of the New York City Transit Authority Retirement System.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son, Reginald; her daughter-in-law, Robyn; her granddaughter, Jasmine Renae; her sisters, Billie Parker and Glennie Weaver; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
Amos & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Ned Joseph Sherlock
Mr. Ned Joseph Sherlock, of Heatherwood Drive in North Augusta, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga. The Mass of Christian Burial and Prayer Vigil were celebrated Monday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church, with Father Cherian Thalakulam, celebrant. Burial was in Pineview Memorial Park.
Rowland Funeral Home, North Augusta, was in charge or arrangements.
Edith Johnson Suthers
Mrs. Edith Johnson Suthers, 80, formerly of North Augusta, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2010in Savannah, Ga. after a brief stay in the hospital.Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta, conducted by the Rev. Dr. James C. Adams.
Mrs. Suthers was the widow of Allen Whitaker Suthers. A native of Edgefield, she lived in North Augusta for more than 50 years. She resided in Savannah for the past three years. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina School of Nursing and graduated from the University Hospital Nursing School in Augusta, Ga. She was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church and attended Isle of Hope United Methodist Church after moving to Savannah.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John Earle Suthers and Linder Sipple Suthers and grandchildren, Holly Emmaline Suthers and Daniel Allen Suthers of Savannah; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Allen Suthers and Suzanne Atkinson Suthers and grandchildren, Joseph Michael Suthers and Lindsey Suzanne Suthers of Murrels Inlet; sister, Sara J. Cartledge, McCormick; sister-in-law, Mrs. John T. Suthers Jr. of Roanoke, Va.; and six nieces and one nephew.
Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841 o r to Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406.
Gamble Funeral Service, Savannah, was in charge of arrangements.
Johnnie “Shine” Thomas Jr.
Mr. Johnnie “Shine” Thomas Jr., 93, of W.A. Reel Drive in Edgefield, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 at Edgefield County Hospital.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at Jeter Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Jasper Lloyd officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Thomas, a native of Edgefield County, was a member of Science Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, Willie B. (Georgia) Thomas, Eddie Albert Thomas, and Willie (Sadie) Thomas, Edgefield, Johnnie (Eva) Thomas III, Trenton; two sisters, Fannie Tillman and Chaney Glanton, Edgefield; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Essie Cheatham and Susie Glover; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, Edgefield, was in charge of arrangements.
Marion Erskine Thomas
The Rev. Marion Erskine Thomas, 83, of Liberty, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at his residence. born in Lowell, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Lloyd and Nathalie Lawson Thomas.
Memorial services to celebrate the life of Rev. Thomas were conducted Wednesday, March 3, at 3 p.m. at Norris First Baptist Church, by the Revs. Royce Addis and Bill Rigsby. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will take place next month at Arlington National cemetery will full military honors.
The Rev. Thomas earned a Masters of Theology degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. During World War II he served his country as a Merchant Marine and later in the Korean War as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He was highly decorated, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and was a F-86 fighter pilot for the North Carolina Air National Guard. He was a commercial pilot for Trans World Airlines for many years and was also employed as a private corporate pilot. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and pontificator. He was most recently a member of Norris First Baptist Church. Prior to his move to Liberty, the Rev. Thomas was pastor of Little Stephens Creek Baptist Church in Edgefield and later worked for the Saluda Baptist Association.
Surviving are his wife, Judith Morton Thomas; two daughters, Debra Paysinger and her husband Ben Paysinger M.D. of Columbia, Susan Braun and her husband Eric Braun of Alexandria, Va; a son, Stephen Thomas and his wife Lisa of Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Zanita Thomas of Lake Mary, Fla.; a brother, Jack L. Thomas of Spartanburg; and even grandchildren, Kristen Paysinger M.D., Daniel Paysinger, Meredith Paysinger, Nicholas Braun, Olivia Braun, Lauren Thomas and Samuel Thomas.
He was predeceased by a sister and seven brothers.
Liberty Mortuary of Liberty was in charge of arrangements.
