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SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2017
HAROLD G. KIRK Harold G. Kirk, retired U.S. Air Force, 91, of Sumter, passed away on Dec. 29, 2016, two days shy of his 92nd birthday, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. He was born a second son, on the very last day of 1924 in Glencoe, Minnesota, and entered a world on the KIRK verge of massive changes. In the nearly 92 years of his life, he was destined to see many of these changes firsthand and even participated in many. Shortly after his birth and the birth of his youngest brother, Alvin, his family moved to St. Louis, Missouri. The year 1929 ushered in the era of the Great Depression and the Roaring Twenties came to a screeching halt. Life was a struggle; the times were hard and these events took their toll. His parents divorced, but there was a silver lining when his mother, Blanche, met and married Cecil C. Kirk, the man Harold would call his father for the rest of his life. Growing up during the Depression was difficult, but in those challenges Harold learned many important life lessons, many of these as he rose through the ranks of the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He also learned the importance of hard work, commitment, frugality, charity and compassion and that everything and everyone had worth. Soon after the United States entered World War II, Harold graduated from high school. In July of 1943, at the age of 18, he enlisted in the United States Army. Harold served as a crew member on an M-10 tank destroyer and participated in the liberation of Europe during 1944 to 1945. During the harsh winter of that time period, he also learned another lesson that stayed with him throughout his life … he did not like snow or cold weather. Interestingly, his family represented all branches of the military during this war. His father served in the U.S. Marine Corps, his older brother, Jack, in the Army Air Corps and his younger brother, Alvin, in the U.S. Navy. Everyone became members of the Greatest Generation. With the German surrender, he became part of the Army of Occupation until March 1946, when he returned home and was discharged from the Army. Like most returning from the war, he looked forward to the opportunity of realizing his full potential and living the American Dream. He met his wife, Barbara, and they married in March 1947. They had their first child, Linda, in 1948. His dream was becoming reality. When the Korean Conflict began, Harold once again answered his country’s call. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and would continue this service for the next 26 years. The constant moving with the Air Force found him in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1954, where his second daughter, Karen, was born and in Alexandria, Virginia, in 1955, where his son, Mark, was born. In 1956, the family moved to Japan and returned to the United States in 1960. This return would be to Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, and would be the place he called home for the majority of his life. He would serve tours at Clark Air Force Base, Philippines; F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Cheyenne, Wyoming; and at the age of 45, his third war at Phu Cat, Vietnam. On April 30, 1976, he retired from the USAF and began the pursuit of a goal he had since high school. He earned his bachelor’s degree and then his master’s degree in public administration. Another goal took more time ... he wanted to fly. At the age of 60, he began flying lessons and eventually soloed. Harold and Barbara enjoyed retirement and used their time to travel and see the world together. Their trips took them to several European countries, China, Turkey, Israel and the Middle East, and numerous areas of the United States. In 1997, they celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary. In 2005, Harold lost Barbara to leukemia. His certainty that she was in a better place and his faith in God guided him through this painful experience. On Dec. 29, 2016, Harold was reunited with his wife, Barbara, and the Greatest Generation lost another member. His passing will be mourned by those he left behind. His life, however, will be celebrated for the love he had for God, his family and friends, and the service he gave to his country and community through nearly 30 years of active military duty and more than 70 years as a member of the American Legion. He was a true American patriot, a loving husband, a caring father and a true friend. There is now an empty spot in the world. He is survived by his daughters, Linda Kirk Parker (Larry) of Summerton and Karen K. Schultz (Mark) of Charleston; his son, Mark A. Kirk (Lorri Poss) of Valparaiso, Indiana; his “adopted” children, David and Earleen Sylvia of Suffolk, Virginia; grandchildren, Maureen Waldrop-Elam (Justin), Ashleigh Shivers Johnson, Craig Schultz (Paige) and Kyle Schultz; great-grandchildren, Whitney Elam, Bryce Elam, Hanna Parker Johnson, Kirkley Johnson, Campbell Johnson and Luke Schultz; one brother, Alvin Kirk of Florida; and numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday at the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel, Sumter. A private interment will be held later. The family will meet friends at 10:30 a.m. at Bullock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make donations to the Parker Miracle House Foundation, 2322 Gingko Drive, Sumter, SC 29150; St. Lukes Lutheran Church, 206 Central Ave., Summerville, SC 29483; or a charity of your choice. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.
DOROTHY WILSON MANNING — Dorothy “Dot” Long Wilson, 94, widow of Robert “Ears” Ernest Wilson Jr. died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Morningside Assisted Living. Born Oct. 6, 1922, in Laurens, she was a daughter of the late Otimas and Ola Culbertson Long. She was a memWILSON ber of Manning United Methodist Church and was a former member of the Manning Women’s Tennis Team. She is survived by a son, Robert E. Wilson III (Kelly) of McClellanville; a daughter, Dorothy Victoria “Vicki” Wilson of Anderson; two grandchildren, Robert E. Wilson IV and Erica Salek Wilson; and two great-grandchildren, Jack Salek and Wilson Salek. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home, with Dr. George Wilkes officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pruitt Health Hospice, 1510 N. Fant St., Anderson, SC 29621. Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome. org
NAOMI P. WALKER Naomi Ruth Pitts Walker, widow of the Rev. John C. Walker, was called from labor to reward on Feb. 15, 2017, at her home in Sumter. She was born on March 14, 1925, in Sumter County, a daughter of the late Clayborn and Fannie Pitts. Mrs. Walker was educated in the public schools of Sumter County.
OBITUARIES She was united in holy matrimony to the Rev. John C. Walker on May 29, 1948. To this union, they were blessed with six children. Mrs. Walker was a consummate cook and was employed by Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C., Sunset Country Club and Holiday Inn of Sumter. Mrs. Walker distinguished herself as a Christian at an early age. She began her Christian service at St. Paul AME Church, serving faithfully in numerous capacities. After marriage, she joined her husband in service at Unity Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Upon returning to Sumter in 1969, the Rev. and Mrs. Walker continued stellar service at Enon Baptist Church. They later completed their Christian service at New Fellowship Baptist Church. She served in the following ministries: the choir, as an usher, as a missionary, as a deaconess and as a minister’s wife. Mrs. Walker was well-known for her hospitality, delicious meals, and her love and dedication for God and her family. She was well known for her proverbial wisdom and sayings that accompanied them such as, “Baby, you got to take what you have to make what you want,” and “Don’t ask God for something else when you are not using what He already gave you.” She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her children, Audrey (Artie) Williams of Sumter, Joyce Barbara Mack of Bronx, New York, Kathy Renee Ricks of Sumter, the Rev. Ernest (Marlene) Pitts Jr. of Charlotte, North Carolina; five brothers, Albert Pitts of Indianapolis, Indiana, the Rev. Ernest (Clara) Pitts Sr. of Maryland, Sam (Rhunetta) Pitts of Sumter, James Reuben (Bernice) Pitts of Sumter and Ervin (Lottie) Pitts of Sumter; 10 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; two sons, Calvin LaVance Walker and Ricky Rogers Walker; seven brothers, Herbert, Louis, Kernel, Marion, Clayborn, Elijah and Howard; and four sisters, Rachael, Elizabeth, Mae and Julia. Funeral service will be held at noon on Monday at New Fellowship Baptist Church with the pastor, the Rev. Dale Edwards, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Sammie D. Simmons, the Rev. Anthony Taylor Sr., the Rev. Ernest Pitts Sr. and the Rev. Dr. Lewis Walker Jr. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park. The body will lie in repose from 11 a.m. until the hour of service. Public viewing will be from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the chapel of Sumter Funeral Service Inc. The funeral cortege will leave the home at 11:20 a.m. on Monday. The family will receive friends at the home, 355 Dechamps Road, Sumter. Sumter Funeral Service Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
JOSEPH H. NEAL HOPKINS — The Rev. Dr. Joseph H. Neal, of Hopkins and pastor of Calvary Baptist Church, died on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, in Columbia. Service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Calvary Baptist Church in Chester and at 1 p.m. on Monday at First Nazareth Baptist Church, 2351 Gervais St., Columbia. Public viewing will be from 11:30 until the hour of service. Burial will follow at St. John Baptist Church in Hopkins. Funeral services are entrusted to Christopher King’s Funeral Home, 703 Old York Road, Chester. Messages of love may be sent to the family at www. christopherkingsfh.com. In lieu of flowers, the Neal family has asked that memorials be sent to the South Carolina Progressive Network, www.scpronet.com.
JAMES B. SNOW James Bernard Snow, 52, died on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, at his residence. Born on April 6, 1964, in Sumter County, he was a son of Harry and Lue Ethel Bowen Snow.
THE SUMTER ITEM The family is receiving relatives and friends at 2295 Blue Jay Lane, Rembert. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.
ELOUISE GAYLE Funeral services for Elouise Gayle will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at St. Luke AME Church, 2355 N. St. Pauls Church Road, Sumter. Ms. Gayle transitioned on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at Carriage House of Sumter. Ms. Gayle will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. for public viewing until the hour of service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. See www.PalmerMemorialChapel.com for more details. Professional services rendered by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.
DAYTON J. WALKER Dayton Junior Walker, 98, died on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Sumter Health and Rehabilitation Center. Born in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Clarence and Lula Davis Walker. The family will receive friends at the Walker’s home, 105 N. Tondaleia Drive, Sumter SC 29153. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc.
LOLA WHITE Lola Davis White, 102, widow of Robert White, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Sumter East Health and Rehab Center. Born July 4, 1914, in Lee County, she was the daughter of Johnnie Davis Sr. and Ruth Walker Davis. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of Walter and Ernestine McQuillar, 8795 Black River Road, Rembert. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.
BETTY MCCAULEY Betty Mae McDuffie McCauley, 63, entered into eternal rest peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at her home. Born on Jan. 24, 1954, in Lee County, she was the daughter of the late James and Rebecca Stukes McDuffie. She was united in holy matrimony to Jerry McCauley for 46 blessed years and to this union nine children were born. She was educated in the public schools of Lee County. She was a dedicated employee at Manchester’s Farms in Hopkins for 10 years. Afterward, she became an employee at Pilgrim’s Pride manufacturing plant in Sumter and retired after 22 years of devoted service. Betty accepted God as her personal Savior at an early age. She was a member of Beulah AME Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, Ladies’ Club, Lay Organization and her heart string, the Harmonaires Choir. Her precious memories and legacy will forever be cherished by: her husband; her children, Betty Jean (Anthony) Rembert, Jeannette (Joseph) Hickmon, Jerry McCauley Jr., Frank (Sondra) McCauley, Lorri Ann DeLay, Joseph (Chihoko) McCauley, James McCauley, Jennifer McCauley and Christy McCauley; six sisters and one brother, Shirley McDuffie, Irene McDuffie, Eloise (Matthew) Jennings, Joyce McDuffie, Jeannette (Edward) Richardson and Pearline McDuffie, Willie (Elease) McDuffie, all of Sumter; 25 grandchildren, Alexia and Diamond McCauley of the home; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives and friends. The homegoing celebration was held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Beulah AME Church, 3715 Florence Highway, with the Rev. Dwayne Bruce as senior pastor and the Rev. Herbert Temoney as eulogist. The family received relatives and friends at the family home, 6040 Martinville Church Road. The procession left the family home at 12:20 p.m. Floral bearers and pallbearers were family and friends. The burial was in the Beulah AME churchyard ceme-
tery. These services have been entrusted to the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc. 821 N. Main St. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.
KEVIN WALLACE Kevin Wallace, 64, died Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017, at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital, Columbia. Born March 20, 1952, in Washington, D.C., he was the son of the late Edward Bill Williams and Aralee Coles. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.
PAUL C. HAWES Paul Charles Hawes, 57, husband of Cindy Lynette Arnold Hawes, died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. Born Aug. 6, 1959, in Medford, Massachussetts, he was a son of the late Warren R. and Mary K. Morrison Hawes. He retired from the U.S. Air Force after 24 years of service and was an Operation Desert Storm veteran. He was an avid motorcyclist and loved being “Pop Pop” to his grandchildren. Survivors include: his wife of 24 years; two children, Evelyn Hawes of Sumter and Tamera Hawes of Conway; two grandchildren, Gabriel Hoffmaster and Michael Hoffmaster; three brothers, Donald Hawes (Patricia) of New Hampshire, Daniel Hawes of Massachusetts and Mark Hawes of New Hampshire; a sister-in-law, Tammy Hawes of Massachussetts; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Hawes. A memorial service will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Elmore-Cannon Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
MILES J. KEPNER CHARLESTON — Miles James “Jim” Kepner, age 77, beloved husband of Star Hunter Kepner, died on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at MUSC. Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter.
WILLIAM B. FORD William B. Ford, 53, son of the late Juanita Ford, was born on April 28, 1963, in Sumter. He departed this life on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017, at Palmetto Health Tuomey. The family will receive friends at the home of his brother, Robert Brown, 1503 Copley Drive, Sumter, South Carolina 29154. Job’s Mortuary Inc. 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
SPENCER MCFADDEN Spencer McFadden, 73, son of the late Bennie McFadden and Lurie Colclough, was born on April 29, 1943, in Sumter County. He departed this life on Friday, Feb. 17 , 2017, at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia. Job’s Mortuary Inc. 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
EDITH BROWNING Edith Hollene Bayless Browning, 95, widow of Millard Ernesrt Browning, died Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at a local nursing center. The funeral services will be announced by the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad St. (803) 775-9386.