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OBITUARIES
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2014
FRANCIS L. COPELAND Francis Leon Copeland, age 81, beloved husband of 36 years to Virginia Sylvia Melgosa Copeland, died on Nov. 30, 2014, at Providence Hospital. Born in Lee County, he was a son of the late Jiles P. and Frances Prescott Copeland. Mr. COPELAND Copeland joined the United States Navy shortly after high school. After serving his country, he began working for Dupont, where he worked and retired after 40 years. After retirement, he and his wife Virginia purchased an RV and traveled the country for three years. After their travels, Mr. Copeland went to work with H&R Block as a tax preparer for 15 years. He also owned and operated a mobile home rental business. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather and friend. He will be missed by all who knew him. Surviving in addition to his wife are four sons, Russell Copeland of Charleston, Phillip Copeland and his wife, Rhonda, of Charleston, David W. Cotton and his wife, Jo Ann, of New Mexico and Gerald A. Cotton of North Carolina; four daughters, Deborah Copeland Wald of Isle of Palms, Karen Copeland Vazquez and her husband, Tony, of Blythewood, Karen J. Cassey of Colorado and Cheryl Cox of Virginia; three sisters, Myrna Tarasjewich and her husband, Edward, Gwen Copeland and Sara Copeland and her husband, Roy; 11 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Copeland was preceded in death by two brothers, Langford Copeland and Marion Copeland; and two sisters, Mary Darr and Myrtle G. Copeland. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery with military honors. Pallbearers will be Phil Copeland, Phillip F. Copeland, Sam Copeland, Gerald Cotton, Christopher Cox, Steven Cox and Matthew Vazquez. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Bullock Funeral Home. You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.
JAMES BRADFORD III James Bradford III, 68, departed this earthly life on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Jan. 16, 1946, in Lee County, he was a son of the late James II and Elease Gallishaw Bradford. He was educated in the public schools of Lee County and BRADFORD was a graduate of Ebenezer High School Class of 1965. “Brad,” as he was affectionately called, was raised in a Christian home. He was a lifelong member of Mt. Olive AME Church, where as a teenager he was a Sunday school teacher and later a class leader, member of the male chorus and inspirational choir. He was also a member of the Woodrow Elite Cub. He was employed with Barnay Inc. for many years, prior to his retirement.
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Brad was generally a quiet person and the times that he did engage in conversations he provided comedy that everyone under the sound of his voice enjoyed and will never forget. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: three children, Debra Bradford of Irvington, New Jersey, James Edward Bradford IV (Jennifer) of Newark, New Jersey, and DeAndre Prescott of Dalzell; four grandchildren; one great-grandchild; three brothers, Elijah (Geneva) Bradford and Warren (Dorothy) Bradford, both of Sumter, and Samuel (Stephanie) Bradford of Charlotte; three sisters, Ella Mae (Rochelle) Martin of Dalzell, Carolyn Mickens of East Orange, New Jersey, and Sadie Bradford of Sumter; Shantrell Prescott with whom he shared a special relationship; 10 nieces; eight nephews; a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Hammitte Bradford; one niece, Barbara Martin Isaac; and one grandniece, Sophie Jenkins. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Timothy A. Johnson Sr. officiating, eulogist. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of his sister, Sadie Bradford, 6210 Dubose Siding Road, Sumter. The funeral procession will leave at 12:30 p.m. from the home of his sister. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in the family plot at Colclough Cemetery, Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
ELIZABETH S. JOSEY LYNCHBURG — Elizabeth “Betsy” Spencer Josey, 69, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Walker Gaither Spencer and Ethel Meacham Spencer. Betsy’s involvement in her community and church impacted all whom were fortunate enough to be a part of her life. Upon graduation from Columbia College, she began her educational career at Mayewood School, followed by 33 years of teaching first grade at Thomas Sumter Academy. She was instrumental in molding the lives of many generations of young children. Betsy was a lifelong member of Mayesville Presbyterian Church, having served as president of the Women of
the Church and as a Sunday school teacher for many years. In addition to her school and church involvement, one of her greatest joys was serving as a board member for the Sounds of Grace Music Ministry. Survivors include four children, Rainey Josey (Shand) of Lynchburg, Spencer Josey (Tara) of Conway, Courtney Gamble (Steven) of Gable and Elizabeth Ann Geddings (Tommy) of Manning; eight grandchildren, Ann Collins Josey, Wilson Josey, Lane Josey, Cale Gamble, Walker Gamble, Pierson Gamble, Sarah Elizabeth Geddings and Cecil Geddings; and an eagerly anticipated grandchild, Capers Josey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cecil L. Josey; a brother, Gaither Spencer; and a sister, Melly McElveen. A graveside service will be held at 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the Mayesville Black River Cemetery with the Rev. Chuck Owens and the Rev. Gordon Reed officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home. Memorials in Betsy’s honor may be made to the Sounds of Grace Music Ministry, 3 Crowson St., Sumter, SC 29150 or to a charity of one’s choice. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. www.ecsfuneralhome.com
Mattie Montgomery, Clotell Way and Patricia (William) Jefferson, all of Sumter, Ethel Jones of Orangeburg, Willie (Gladys) Grant of Sumter, Donald Ray Grant of Dalzell and Timothy (Carbia) Grant of Nashville, Tennessee. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Willow Grove AME Church with the pastor, the Rev. Wallace Preston, officiating. Internment will follow in the church cemetery. Mr. Yates will be placed in the church for public viewing from 1 p.m. until the hour of service. The public may view Mr. Yates from 1 to 8 p.m. today at Palmer Memorial Chapel. The family will receive friends at the Yates residence, 4491 Lynnay Drive, Rembert. The family requests that all memorials and condolences be made on their tribute page found at www.PalmerMemorialChapel.com.
ERNEST CENTURY
RUFUS BENNETT
BISHOPVILLE — Ernest Century, affectionately known as Charlie, entered eternal rest on Nov. 29, 2014, at the McCoy Memorial Nursing Center, Bishopville. The family is receiving friends at the home of his sister, Lucy Hickmon, 117 McIntosh St., Bishopville. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.
Rufus Bennett, 60, husband of Debbie Watson Bennett, died on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at Orangeburg Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg. Born on Sept. 8, 1954, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Charles “Mann” and Mary Rivers Bennett. The family will receive friends at the home, 1968 Jim Ross Road, Summerton. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Summerton Funeral Home LLC, (803) 485-3755.
TALLIS D. YATES III Tallis D. “Tee” Yates III, 48, husband of Terry Williams Yates, died on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Sumter County, he was a son of Corine Nickens Yates and the late Tallis Yates Jr. He was a member of Willow Grove AME Church and a graduate of Hillcrest High School Class of 1986. Mr. Yates was employed by Becton Dickinson Co. for 28 years. Surviving are his wife, Terry Yates of the home; two children, Shayla G. Yates of Sumter and Tallis (Stephanie) Yates IV of Dallas, Texas; one granddaughter, Michaela G. Yates; his mother, Corine Nickens Grant of Dalzell; four brothers, Harold Dawson, Roosevelt (Tracy) Nelson Jr. and Travis Yates, all of Rembert, and Tony (Shantae) Yates of Dalzell; one sister, Teresa (Jerry) Washington of Sumter; seven stepsiblings,
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MARY WILDER Mary Wilder, age 56, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at Palmetto Health Richland hospital, Columbia. Born in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of Louise Adger Wilder and the late Pinckney Wilder. The family is receiving friends at the home of her mother, Louise Adger Wilder, 1143 Coard Road, Panola community of Pinewood. Professional services entrusted to Dyson’s Home for Funerals.
HELENE P. LIVELY Helene Pendleton “Miss Penny” Lively, 71, died on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, at NHC Healthcare. Born in Alexandria, Virginia, she was a daughter of the late George Pendleton Lively and Sarah Katherine Jones Lively. Survivors include two daughters, Carolyn Lawrence (Tom) of Sumter and Debra Welch (Bill) of Rembert; eight grandchildren, Sarah Hannon (Richard), Thomas Lawrence, Michael Lawrence, Matthew Lawrence, Andrew Lawrence, Daniel Lawrence, William Welch III and Heather WelchSoto (Juan); and three greatgrandchildren, Natalie Hannon, Haley Hannon and Zariella Soto-Welch. She was preceded in death by a grandson, David Huckabee Lawrence.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday in the Church of the Holy Comforter with the Rev. Marcus Kaiser, Rector Church of the Holy Comforter, and the Rev. Charles F. Walton Jr., Associate Rector Church of the Holy Comforter officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the home of her daughter, 926 Club Lane. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 950 48th Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 or to Hospice Care of Sumter, 100 Broad St., Sumter, SC 29150. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of NHC Healthcare, the staff of Hospice Care of Sumter, and especially to Carol Hatcher for all of their care and compassion. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. www.ecsfuneralhome.com
CHARLES A. FRANKLIN Charles Anthony Franklin, 58, husband of Mary Peeples Franklin, departed this life on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in Augustine, Florida. He was born on April 16, 1956, in Sumter, a son of Vivian Brown Franklin and the late Bennie Lee Franklin. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
EMMA DARGAN Emma Louise McClam Dargan, 59, was called home to rest on Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, following an extended illness. Born on July 19, 1955, in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Mitchell and Icybell McClam. Louise leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Lewis Dargan of the home; one daughter, Audrianna Dargan of Sumter; one son, Darrell (Cindy) Wendell McClam of Sumter; seven grandchildren; three sisters; three brothers; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Jeannette Jenkins officiating, eulogist. The family is receiving family and friends at the home, 134 Carolina Ave., Sumter. The procession will leave at 3 p.m. from the home. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in the Joshua Baptist Churchyard cemetery, Dalzell. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www. williamsfuneralhomeinc.com. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
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