OBITUARIES
THE SUMTER ITEM
JACKIE R. DUIGNAN STRAWBERRY PLAINS, Tenn. — Jackie “Jack” Roland Duignan, of Strawberry Plains, passed away on Feb. 23, 2015. Jack owned and operated Carolina Detective Agency in Sumter but worked for the American Kennel Club until he retired in 2007. His passion for both horses and hounds won him numerous awards and accolades throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his father, Mike; a brother, Albert “Al;” and a very dear friend, Jerry Brown of Sumter. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Sandra; his mother, Thelma; a brother, Chuck and wife, Johnnie; four sons, Aaron Duignan and wife, Kellie, Rodney Duignan, Stacey Duignan and wife, Deanna, and Jackie Duignan II and wife, Stephanie; daughter, Kim Wilson; a stepson, Grady Caraway and wife, Debbye; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday at Holston Memorial Baptist Church, 2701 N. Old Andrew Johnson Highway. A celebration of life service will begin at 5 p.m. with the Rev. Arthur Pedigo officiating. The family wishes to especially thank the staff at Summit View of Rocky Top for the sincere support, compassion and love they showed our loved one as well as our entire family. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made payable to Meghan Surgenor, Activities Director at Summit View of Rocky Top — please specify Jack Duignan in the memo. All donations will go toward a memorial garden and courtyard adjoining the Dementia Unit. Donations may be mailed to Summit View, Attention: Meghan Surgenon, 204 Industrial Park Drive, Rocky Top, TN 37769. A memorial trail ride will be held later this spring, and details will be disclosed at a later date.
MATTIE G. JONES Mattie G. Jones was born on Oct. 11, 1937, in St. Charles, to the late Harry Sr. and Bertha Washington Copeland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Jones; three children, Bobby Earl Gaymon, Harry Lee Gaymon Jr. and Gloria Greene; two grandsons, Corey Henry Copeland and Jovon Rokeen Gaymon; one sister, Cornelius Dantzler; and two brothers, Harry Lee Copeland Jr. and Nathaniel Copeland. Mattie G. Jones departed her earthly journey on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. She leaves behind to cherish her precious memories: her loving children, Isaiah Copeland, Nathaniel G. Copeland (Gwendolyn), Henretta G. Gadson (James), Bertha G. Benbow (Gerald) and Gloria Green (Jeffrey) of Jacksonville, Florida; her stepmother, Maggie Copeland; grandchildren reared in the home, Jaleesa Benbow, Janel Benbow, Ashley Gadson and Alexus Gaymon; 10 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren;
four sisters, Anna Copeland, Marie Scarborough (John), Bertha Mabry (Olen) of Baltimore and Ruth Ann Hampton (Alonzo); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with Marion H. Newton, pastor, officiating. Interment will follow in Bradford Cemetery. Visitation will be held from noon to 7 p.m. today at the mortuary. Online messages of sympathy can be made at www. whitesmortuary.net. Services entrusted to Whites Mortuary LLC, 517 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, (803) 774-8200.
PATTY NELSON ALCOLU — Patty Nelson, 52, died on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, at her residence, 1060 Sammy Nelson Road, Alcolu. She was born on March 31, 1962, in Norwalk, Connecticut, a daughter of Mary Ramsey Nelson and the late Henry Nelson Jr. The family is receiving friends at the residence. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
LILLY C. GRANT Lilly Pearl Choice Grant, wife of Elijah S. Grant, died on Wednesday night, Feb. 25, 2015, at Palmetto Health Richland hospital, Columbia. She was a daughter of the late Charlie and Ethel Lee Choice. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by Sumter Funeral Service Inc. The family will receive friends at the home, 317 Pioneer Drive, Sumter.
GEOFFREY A. ALSBROOKS Geoffrey A. Alsbrooks, 59, husband of Harper Hill Alsbrooks, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Services will be announced by Elmore-CannonStephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
ROBERT LEE COCKLIN Robert Lee Cocklin, 58, entered eternal rest on Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, at the Dorn VA Medical Center, Columbia. Born on Jan. 13, 1957, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Abraham and Minnie Lee Reese Cocklin. He was a 1975 graduate of Sumter High School and a veteran of the United States Air Force and Army. He received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Central Missouri University in 1984. He attended Salem Missionary Baptist Church, where he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior. Survivors are two brothers, James E. Cocklin of Omaha, Nebraska, and Charles A. (Kelly) Cocklin of Boca Raton, Florida; three sisters, Clinnie Wilder and Floretty (Curtis) Nelson of Sumter and Eva (Carl) Vaughn of Charlotte, North Carolina; a host of other relatives and friends. Viewing for Mr. Cocklin will be held from 2:30 to 7 p.m. today. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the Chapel of Community
Funeral Home with the Rev. James Green, the Rev. Joseph D. Ricks and Bishop Leroy T. James. The family is receiving visitors at the home of his sister, Clinnie Ruth Wilder, 8 Davis St., Sumter. Online memorials can be sent to comfhltj@sc.rr.com. Community Funeral Home of Sumter is in charge of these arrangements.
WILLIAM KEITH SR. On Feb. 22, 2015, God saw in His infinite wisdom to call William Keith Sr., 91, home from earthly battles to heavenly rewards. Born on Aug. 6, 1923, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Mays Williams and Estelle Keith. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized, and joined Grant Hill Baptist Church, where he remained a member. He was united in marriage to the late Daisy Carter Keith and to this union nine children were born. He leaves to cherish fond memories: two daughters, Daisy Brown of Plainfield, New Jersey, and Ruby Carter of New York, New York; five sons, William Keith Jr., James Keith and Darryl (Cherlyn) Keith of Sumter, Phillip (Tina) Keith of Oceanside, California, and Willie Lee Gibson of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 29 grandchildren; 36 greatgrandchildren; four greatgreat-grandchildren; one sister, Marie Jefferson of Dalzell; one daughter-in-law, Diane Keith of New York; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 68 years, Daisy Carter Keith; two daughters, Evelyn Keith Butler and Rosa Lee Keith; two sons, Alexander Keith and Mitchell Keith; two brothers; two sisters; and one son-in-law, Joseph Brown Sr. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Grant Hill Missionary Baptist Church, 5401 Black River Road, Rembert, with the Rev. Clifton Witherspoon, pastor, the Rev. R.L. Williams, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Durant Jenkins. The family is receiving family and friends at the home, 3421 Ebenezer Road, Sumter. The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. for viewing. The procession will leave at 10:20 a.m. from the home. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in Mt. Carmel 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., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
RICHARD M. VOHS Richard Maynard “Dick” Vohs, 84, beloved husband of 63 years to Alice Vohs, passed away on Feb. 25, 2015. Dick was born on July 3, 1930, in New York, a son of the late Raymond and Bertha Lund. Dick was a dedicated father and grandfa-
Firm
EuoTop
$349
$419
$419
$469
$479
$519
$799
$839 Plush
PillowTop
$449
$599
$549
$749
$619 $899
$799 $1099
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2015 ther who loved his family. He was a retired long-haul truck driver and an avid member of the McDonald’s morning coffee club. Dick will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and quick wit. Dick was also a member of Green Acres Assembly of God Church. Surviving in addition to his wife are his three sons, Danny Vohs and his wife, Charlotte, Dennis Vohs and his wife, Norma, and Doug Vohs and his wife, Lisa; his dog, Princess; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one greatgreat-grandchild. The Vohs family extends thanks to the staff at Palmetto Health Richland hospital. Memorials and donations may be made to the Palmetto Health Heart Hospital, 6 Richland Medical Park Drive, Columbia, SC 29203. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Michael Bowman officiating. Pallbearers will be Michael Vohs, Brad Vohs, Matthew Vohs and Trevor Vohs. Honorary pallbearers include Jeffrey Vohs, Justun Shapley, Jordan Cauthen, Taylor Finley and Hunter Vohs. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the home of Dick and Alice Vohs. You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.
ALBERT BRADLEY JR. Albert “Buddy” Bradley Jr., widower of Cynthia Henry Bradley, entered eternal rest on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on March 13, 1944, in Queens, New York, he was a son of the late Albert Sr. and Bernice Bradley. Funeral services are entrusted to Community Funeral Home of Sumter.
JERRY SINGLETON Jerry Singleton, 70, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Sampson Sr. and Lucy Singleton. The family will receive friends at 135 Apollo St., Wedgefield. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc. of Sumter.
JAMES E. TEMONEY James Edward Temoney,
|
B5
74, widower of Ruby Mae Jefferson Temoney, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at his residence in Mayesville. Born on Feb. 15, 1941, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Robert and Vermell McCauley Temoney. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home, 2100 Avenue B, Mayesville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
JOBE M. MCLEOD Jobe Manning McLeod, 89, widower of Katie Lee Turner McLeod, died on Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015, at his home. Services will be announced by Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, (803) 435-2179. www.stephensfuneralhome.org
NAOMI CHINA Naomi China was born on Feb. 20, 1947, a daughter of the late Norman and Dorothy DuPont. She departed this life on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2015, in Sumter. She leaves to cherish her memories: five children, Linda (Edwin) Brown, Joseph China III, Beverly Sanders, LaFonda DuPont and Kendrick DuPont; two sisters, Barbara Jean Blanding and Carol DuPont of Sumter; three brothers, Norman (Catherine) DuPont, Reginald DuPont and Marion DuPont; nine grandchildren; 14 greatgrandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph China Jr.; parents; and two sisters, Patricia Croskey and Beverly Stewart. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Mrs. China will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave., with the Rev. Dr. Sammie Simmons officiating. The family is receiving friends at the home, 320 Wyoming Drive, Sumter, SC 29150. 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.
MIRIAM DIXON HARTSVILLE — Graveside services for Miriam Opal Dixon, 71, who died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, will be held at 2 p.m. today in Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. today at Brown-PenningtonAtkins Funeral Home.
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church 325 Fulton Street • Sumter
773-3658 • www.mtzionmissionarybc.com “The Little Church with the Big and Friendly Heart”
Join Us This Sunday March 1, 2015 10:45 AM Worship Celebration/Lord’s Supper Message by the Pastor 6:00 PM First Sunday Evening Worship Evang. Savitrus McFadden, Messenger
Opportunities for Life Enrichment 9:45 AM Church School (Sundays) 10:45 AM Morning Worship (Sundays) 6:00 PM Evening Worship (1st Sundays) 10:00 AM Golden Age Fellowship (3rd Wed.) 5:30 PM Prayer Service (Wed.) 6:00 PM Bible Study (Wed.) 6:00 PM Youth Ministry (Wed.) After School Care - Mon. - Fri. 2:30 - 5:30 PM (K-5th Grade)
Rev. James Blassingame, Pastor