OBITUARIES
THE SUMTER ITEM
MARY WILDER Mary Wilder, age 56, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, at Palmetto Health Richland hospital, Columbia. Born on June 2, 1958, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of Louise Adger Wilder and the late Pinckney Wilder. She was a member of St. Mark WILDER Missionary Baptist Church, Silver. She leaves to mourn her passing and grow from her memories: her mother, Louise A. Wilder; two sons, Kelvin (Alleyah) Wilder and Hykeem Riley; four brothers, Felix Boston, Pinckney (Shellyanne) Wilder III, Harold (Nanako) Wilder and Kenneth Wilder; nine sisters, Bessie Spence, Barbara Wilder, Thelma Wilder, Cora Shannon, Dorothy Wilder, Betty Lou Richardson, Brenda Watkins, Marguerite Wilder and Linda Shannon; and a host of other close relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Silver, with the Rev. W.J. Chandler, pastor, officiating. Final resting place will be the St. Mark Church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. today at Dyson’s Home for Funerals Chapel. Ms. Wilder will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service (noon). The family is receiving friends at the home of her mother, Louise Adger Wilder, 1143 Coard Road, Panola community, Pinewood. Online condolences may be sent to www.dysonshomeforfunerals.com. Professional services entrusted to Dyson’s Home for Funerals, 237 Main St., Summerton, (803) 485-4280.
MARY H. PRINCIPE KEYMAR, Maryland — Mary Hugh Price Principe, 93, died on Friday, Nov. 28, 2014 in Banner Elk, North Carolina, surrounded by her family. Born on July 31, 1921, in Lineville, Alabama, she was a daughter of the late Shadrick Levoid and Nannie Mae Linderman Price and the sister of the late Deward D. Price. She was predeceased by her husband, Chief Warrant Officer 4 Louis F. Principe. They married on Sept. 25, 1943, and she was his lifelong companion during his 22 years of United States Air Force service during World War II, the Occupation of Japan, and the Korean War, as well as his 20 years of service with Sumter Area Technical College and until his death. They were residents of Sumter for more than 33 years and of Columbia and Greenville in retirement. Mrs. Principe worked for Pi Kappa Phi National Fraternity when it was headquartered in Sumter. She volunteered tirelessly at various organizations in all the communities in which they lived. She is survived by her daughters, Donna Principe Dicks and husband, Bill Dicks, of Banner Elk and Nan Principe Crockett and husband, Dennis Crockett, of Keymar; grandchildren, Jennifer Marie Dicks Cantrell and husband, Doug, of Lebanon, Tennessee, Chief Warrant Officer 3 David William Dicks and wife, Tiffany, of Montgomery, Texas, and 2nd Lt. Kathleen Principe Crockett of Keymar; and greatgrandchildren, Madelyn Rose and Jaxon William Cantrell of Lebanon. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove Road, Lineville, AL 36266; The Literacy Council of Sumter, 220 Hasel St., Sumter SC 29150; or the Palmetto Chapter of the American Red Cross, where she served as a bloodmobile volunteer for two decades. A graveside service will be held in the spring of 2015 at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery in Sumter.
JOSEPH WILSON Joseph Wilson, also known as “Jo-Jo,” was born on Dec. 10, 1957, in Lee
County, to the late Willie Sr. and Elizabeth G. Wilson. He departed this life on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014. He was a 1977 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Elliott. Joseph was employed by Florence Concrete Inc. for many years, until his health failed. He had a passion for football as his favorite sport. Joseph leaves to cherish his memories: one son, Terrance Cosby of Bradenton, Florida; five sisters-in-law, Viola Jefferson, Ella (Herman) Brunson of Mayesville, Queen (Raymond) Shaw, Ethel (John) Brunson of Sumter, and Patricia Wilson of the home; two brothers, Willie Jr. (Connie) Wilson of Sumter and Sammie Lee Wilson of the home; one aunt, Lillie Mae Mack of Sumter; one grandaunt, Ethel Cotton of Sumter; two special friends as brothers, Melvin Plowden and Elijah Williams; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Mr. Wilson will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, with Brother Sylvester McCray officiating. Interment will follow in Mayesville Community Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends at the home of his sister, Ethel (John) Brunson, 1910 Saltertown Road, Sumter. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements. Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.
CHARLES T. FRANKLIN Charles Tony Franklin was born on April 16, 1956, in Sumter, to Vivian B. Franklin and the late Bennie Lee Franklin. He departed this life on Monday, Nov. 24, 2014, in St. Augustine, Florida. He was a 1974 graduate of Sumter High School, where he played basketball and football. After high school, he joined the United States Air Force as a security force specialist. He traveled nationally and internationally while in the military to include Texas, California, Arkansas, Turkey, Belgium, North Dakota, Washington, D.C., North Carolina and Florida, where he was called home to be with the Lord. He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife, Mary P. Franklin of Palm Coast, Florida; one daughter, Tekella (Lee Ray) Franklin; one son, Elliott (Khalea) Hayes of Fort Knox, Kentucky; two stepdaughters, Allessa (Cedric) Peeples and Marie N. (Francisco) Archbold of Tampa, Florida; two brothers, Bennie J. Franklin of Sumter and Samuel Q. (Cynthia) Franklin of Columbia; two sisters, Sharon Brown of Wilberforce, Ohio, and Vivian (Douglas) Bankston of Dickson, Tennessee; a host of other relatives and friends. Memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., Sumter, with Pastor Napoleon Bradford officiating. The family will be receiving friends at the home of his brother, Bennie Franklin, 10 S. Magnolia St., Sumter. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements. Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.
MARY JANE SMITH BISHOPVILLE — Mary Jane Smith, 84, passed on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Hartsville. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home, 522 N. Heyward St., Bishopville. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Square Deal Funeral Home of Bishopville.
EARNEST CENTRY BISHOPVILLE — Earnest Centry, affectionately known as “Charlie,” entered eternal rest on Nov. 29, 2014, at McCoy Memorial Nursing Center, Bishopville. Visitations will be held from 1 until 6 p.m. today at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at St. John AME Church, Bishopville, with the Rev. Don Robinson Sr., pastor. Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements.
WILLIE LEE BROWN POMPANO BEACH, Florida — Willie Lee Brown, 62, died on Nov. 20, 2014, a son of the late William Sr. and Mary Emma Baxter Brown. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Rock Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 6569 Old Georgetown Road, Manning, with the Rev. Dr. Leon Winn, pastor. Burial will follow in the churchyard cemetery. The family is receiving friends at the home of his brother, William Brown Jr., 706 Lawson St., Manning. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2014 Scott Varney and Taylor Varney; six great-grandchildren, Peter Weems, David McInnis, Sarah Louise McInnis, Wesley Cohn, Jay Henry Cohn and Sophia Feierstein; one sister, Vashti Bearden of Evans, Georgia; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Karen Starr and the Rev. Jerry Watson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday at Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at the home of her daughter, 682 Mattison Ave. Memorials may be made to Lewis Chapel United Methodist Church, 1510 Plowden Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29153 or to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals. com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 773-9386.
PENNIE L. JONES Pennie Louise Jones, 72, wife of Thomas Jones, died on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, in Bronx, New York. Born on Feb. 2, 1942, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Katie Jackson. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of Annie Mae Merdith, 3255 Sargent Road, Dalzell. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
BENJAMIN HICKMAN Benjamin Hickman, 57, departed this earthly life on Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Sept. 27, 1957, in Lee County, he was a son of the late Mable Hickman. He attended the public schools of Lee County. At an early age, he joined Barnettsville Baptist Church, Manville community. Benjamin was employed with Cooper Tool and Harvin Meat Co. He leaves to cherish his memories: one brother, Ira Hickman; one uncle, Benjamin Franklin Hickman; one aunt, Emily Hickman Canty; a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m.. on Saturday at the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Lavaron Johnson officiating, eulogist. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his brother, Ira Hickman, 308 S. Harvin St., Sumter. The procession will leave at 10:30 a.m. from the home of his brother. 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 staff and management of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
VISTA PEEBLES Vista Pearl Keels Peebles, 91, widow of Mason Haynesworth Peebles Jr., died on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at a local nursing center. Born in Lynchburg, she was a daughter of the late Emory Roy and Druie Floyd Keels. Mrs. Peebles was a member of Lewis Chapel United Methodist Church, where she served as a longtime Sunday school teacher and as a member of the Women’s Missionary Society. She retired from Jo Roberts Dress Shop at the age of 88, after many years of service. Surviving are three daughters, Diane P. Parks (Tom) of Columbia, Suzette Britton (Jay) of Sumter and Wendy Varney (Kim) of Columbia; nine grandchildren, Sonny Weems, Scott Weems, Kristi McInnis, Chersten Cohn (Ron), Curtis Bean (Paula), Steven Bean, Kasey Varney,
MARY JANE MURRAY FORESTON — Mary Jane Murray, 92, widow of Leo Murray, died on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning. She was born on Sept. 3, 1922, in Greeleyville, a daughter of the late George and Janie Keels Green. The family is receiving friends at the residence, 4777 S. Brewington Road, Foreston. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
RUTH R. RICHARDSON PINEWOOD — Ruth Ragin Richardson, 90, widow of Charlie Buster Richardson, died on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014, at her residence. She was born on Dec. 18, 1923, in Summerton, a daughter of the late Edward Hollomon Johnson and Laura Ragin. The family is receiving friends at her residence, 4384 Old River Road, Pinewood. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
AARON RHODES GABLE — Aaron Rhodes, 85, widower of Vivian McFadden Rhodes, died on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014, at his residence. He was born on Nov. 24, 1929, in Florence County, a son of the late Robert and Annie Frances Rhodes. The family is receiving friends at the residence, 2627 Black River Road, Gable. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
CARRIE LEE WELLS PINEWOOD — Carrie Lee Wells, 74, widow of Robert Well Sr., died on Dec. 3, 2014, at the home of her daughter, Regina (Ronnie) Colclough, 901 S. Main St., Sumter. She was born on Oct. 17, 1940, in the Silver section of Clarendon County, a daughter of the late David Chatman and Anna Bell Pugh Conyers and reared by her stepfather, the late James Conyers. The family is receiving friends at her residence, 1066 St. Mark Road, Pinewood. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
BETTIE M. MONTGOMERY Bettie Ann McBride Montgomery peacefully departed this life on the morning of Dec. 3, 2014. She was a daughter of the late Thomas and Lucinda McBride. Bettie was born on Aug. 17, 1943, in Sumter County. She was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. Bettie retired from Sumter County School District 17 in 2007 after 13 years of service. She was also a dedicated
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member of New Birth COGIC. Throughout her life, Bettie was a very diligent, devoted, compassionate and supportive mother. Her humor and humility were incomparable. As she singlehandedly reared nine children and one special grandson, Bettie remained humble and optimistic throughout life’s various circumstances. Bettie leaves cherished memories to her eight children, Betty (Frank) Bennett, Shirley Pressley, John Montgomery and Johnny Montgomery, all of Sumter, James (Karen) Montgomery of Manning, Brian (Debra) Montgomery of Arlington, Texas, and Almetis (William) Bolden and Tonya Scott, both of Fort Worth, Texas; two brothers, Ellision (Jeanette) McBride and Roosevelt Ingram; four sisters, Racheal Ritter, Willie Mae Sharpe, Rosa (Charles) Seymour and Nora Lee McBride; a son-in-law, Darryl Simmons; four sisters-in-law, Thelma (Rubin) Billie, Dianne Kelly, Ivory (Ernest) Rose and Cynthia (Leroy) Wilson; one brother-in-law, Richard (Shirley) Lowry; a special grandson, Jordan Montgomery; a special goddaughter, Wanda (Lenn) Ramsey; a host of nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Bettie was preceded in death by her husband, James Ervin Montgomery; her daughter, Tracelyn Denise Montgomery Simmons; two brothers, Thomas McBride Jr. and Major Lee McBride; two brothers-in-law, Jimmy Lowery and Terry Lowery; her parents; and her paternal and maternal grandparents. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at New Birth Church of God in Christ, 307 W. Oakland St., with Elder Julius C. Ragin, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Wells Cemetery, Alcolu. Public viewing will be held from 2 until 6 p.m. today in the Robert Scriven Jr. Memorial Chapel. The family is receiving family and friends at the residence of her son-in-law and daughter, Frank and Betty Bennett, 1106 Daisy Drive. Ephriam D. Stephens Funeral Home, 230 S. Lafayette Drive, Sumter, is in charge of arrangements, “Where Dignity is the WatchWord.”
ELEASE H. LEVY MANNING — Evangelist Elease Hicks Levy, 67, wife of Robert Lee “Brother” Levy, died on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital in Manning. Born in the Foreston section of Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie Council Hicks and Carrie Weathers Hicks. At the age of three months, Elease’s family migrated to Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from the Baltimore City Public School System. Elease retired from Weston Electric, Baltimore. Evangelist Levy was a former member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Baltimore, until she and her husband relocated to Manning. Evangelist Levy later joined Holly Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Manning. While serving at Holly Hill, she was licensed to preach under the pastorage of the Rev. O’Donald Dingle. Elease leaves to cherish her memories: her husband, Robert L. Levy of the home; two children, Lisa D. Goodwin and Brian A. Levy; four grandchildren, Chase, Cross, Moriah and Zaria; four sisters; and a number of other relatives and friends. Public viewing will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Fleming and Delaine Funeral Home Chapel. Evangelist Levy will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Saturday at Society Hill AME Church, 1030 Morello Road, Manning, with the Rev. O’Donald Dingle officiating and the Rev. Mary F. Rhodes, eulogist. Interment will follow in the Society Hill AME Church Cemetery, Manning. The family will receive friends at 1266 Tara Lane, Manning. Fleming and Delaine Funeral Home and Chapel is in charge of arrangements.