OBITUARIES
THE SUMTER ITEM
ARNETT BURGESS Arnett Burgess, husband of Dorothy Burgess, was born Jan. 28, 1937, in Sumter County to the late William and Ailene Lee Burgess. He departed this life on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, at BURGESS Tuomey Regional Medical Center. He received his education at Lincoln High School and Central Carolina Technical College. He became a member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter at an early age. After a four-year term in the United States Navy, he began working at VB Williams from where he retired. He was a member of the Liberty Hill Masonic Lodge No. 357. He leaves to cherish his memories: his son, Ronald (Lisa) Burgess; four grandchildren, Rolandra (Derrick) Williams, Ronzlynn Burgess, Rhonda (Desmond) Blanding and Roland Burgess Jr; two great-grandchildren, Daymian and Damiyah Burgess, all of Sumter; one brother, Harry Burgess, of Sumter; one sister, Ann Burgess of Washington, D.C.; two sisters-inlaw, Sally (David) Hasty and Irabelle Choice; three brothers-in-law, Raffield (Willie Mae) Choice, Colel (Francis) Choice and Larry (Gloria) Choice, all of Sumter; and a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Willie Mae and Barbara Burgess; one brother, Ollie “Brother” Burgess; and in-laws Raymond Choice, Louise Anderson Raffield and Minne Choice. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. on Monday at Job’s Mortuary. Mr. Burgess will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Tuesday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Willie Wright officiating. Interment will follow in Walker Cemetery. Family receiving friends at 429 Albert Drive, Sumter. Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., 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.
JEFFREY H. GUNTER JR. HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Jeffrey Hare Gunter Jr., 44, died Saturday, June 27, 2015, at the Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, North Carolina. His death stemmed from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in 2011. Born in Columbia, he was
the son of Jeffrey Hare Gunter Sr. and the late Dolores Boykin Gunter of Horatio and Hendersonville. GUNTER Jeff was compassionate and kind. He could bring a smile to your face with his funloving spirit. He loved unconditionally and was loyal to his family. Jeff looked for the good in people and was a true friend, expecting nothing in return. He will be remembered as a loving father, son and brother who touched our lives with joy and laughter. He is survived by his father; three children, Collin James Marshall, William Edwards Gunter (Melissa Edwards) and Lily Elizabeth Gunter (Kelly Taylor); and two sisters, Lisa Bryant (Chris) and Kim Smoak (Spencer). An informal memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25, 2015, at High Hills of Santee Baptist Church, 6840 Meeting House Road, Dalzell (S.C. 261, Statesburg). The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to High Hills of Santee Baptist Church, in care of Pastor Ron Underwood, 6593 Francis Marion Ave., Dalzell, S.C. 29040. 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) 775-9386.
JAMES M. GODFREY HICKORY, N.C. — James Michael “Mike” Godfrey died on June 27, 2015, in Hickory, North Carolina, after an extended illness. He leaves behind his wife, Marti; son, Kai Schneider of Norderney, Germany; GODFREY daughter, Julia; granddaughters Sophia, Eva and Nova; and sons Sam, Steven and Sabe. Funeral services will be held at Bethel Baptist Church, Sumter, at 11 a.m. on Monday. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2401 Bethel Road, Sumter, S.C. 29154 or Catawba Regional Hospice, 2975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658. Condolences may be sent to the Godfrey family at
www.bennettfuneralservice. com The Godfrey family is in the care of Bennett Funeral Service of Conover, North Carolina. (828) 465-2111.
HELEN M. WILLIAMS COLUMBIA—Helen Mack Williams, the eldest daughter of Queen Choice Mack and the late James Mack Sr., was born on November 26, 1956, in Sumter. She departed this earthly life on Wednesday, June 24, 2015, at Palmetto Richland Hospital, Columbia. Helen was converted and joined the Wayman Chapel AME Church at an early age. She was a 1977 graduate of Hillcrest High School, Dalzell. She was previously employed at Lemira Elementary School for many years before becoming ill. Helen was united in marriage to her longtime sweetheart, Moses Lee Williams, on August 24, 1997. She was a people’s person and enjoyed conversations with her family and friends. Helen leaves to cherish her memories; her mother, Queen Mack of Wedgefield; two loving and devoted daughters, Tilhanta Mack of the home, and Santana Mack of Wedgefield; five grandchildren, Honesti Mack, Ky’mani Dow, Ja’laysha Zuell, Jeleah Zuell and Dondria Nelson; two sisters, Margaret Mack and Betty (Patterson) Mellette, both of Wedgefield; one brother, Derek A. Mack of Wedgefield; six aunts; two uncles; two sisters-inlaw; five brothers-in-law; three god children; and a host of nieces, nephews, others relatives and friends. Helen was preceded in death by a brother, James Mack Jr.; a sister, Shirley M. Choice; a maternal grandmother, Leola Choice; and a paternal grandmother, Anna B. Grant. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Mrs. Williams will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Monday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday at Wayman Chapel AME Church, 160 S.C. 261, Sumter, with the Rev. Pastor Laddie N. Howard. Interment will follow in Wayman Chapel AME Church cemetery. Family will be receiving friends at the home of her mother, 4870 Cane Savannah Road, Wedgfield.
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015
Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., 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.
EVA R. BROWN ALCOLU—Eva Ruth Burgess Brown, 76, widow of Charles Brown Sr., died Saturday, June 27, 2015, at her residence, 3969 Alderman Camp Road, Alcolu. She was born April 23, 1939, in Alcolu, a daughter of the late Edward Burgess Sr. and Lou Addie Frances Burgess. Family is receiving friends at her residence. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC, Manning.
PLUMMIE L. KELLY ALCOLU—Plummie Lemon Kelly, 78, wife of Elliott Kelly Jr., died Thursday, June 25, 2015, in Orlando Regional Medical Center, Orlando, Florida. She was born June 16, 1937, in Manning, a daughter of the late Elliott Lemon and Almetter Banister Lemon. The family is receiving friends at the residence, 1141 Ridge Drive, Alcolu. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
SYLVIA H. RICHBURG Sylvia H. Richburg, 70, wife of Patrick Richburg, died Saturday, June 27, 2015, at NHC Healthcare. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
MARIE D. LEE Marie Duffy Lee, 57, widow of Randy Rushton Lee Sr., died Thursday, June 25, 2015, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Jimmy Duffy and Maggie Louise Watkins Duffy. Surviving are a son, Randy Rushton Lee Jr. of Sumter; two daughters, Jessica Lee Rivers (Tom Styczynski) of Evans, Georgia and Lisa Lee (Ritchie Howard) of Thomson, Georgia; two half-brothers, Alton Beasley and Perry Hughes, both of Georgia; two granddaughters, Brittany Marie Rivers and Gabriella Nicole Lee; and her mother in law, Edith Lee, of Sumter. The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Sun-
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day at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. (803)775-9386.
BRIAN W. MEEKS Brian Wayne Meeks, 41, died Friday, June 26, 2015, at the Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Martinsville, Virginia, he was a son of Gary W. Meeks and Sharon Scharton Parker. Mr. Meeks was employed by Swift Trucking Company as a truck driver. He was a member of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Surviving are his father and stepmother, Sally Meeks, of Milledgeville, Georgia; his mother and stepfather, Scott Parker, of California; his paternal grandparents, Dorothy (Dot) Meeks and Wyatt C. of Sumter; a brother, Jay Meeks and wife, Shelly Olin, of Knoxville, Tennessee; his girlfriend, Alison Hillman; and “Pinkie.” Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Susan Webb officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday from at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers donate to ASPCA, www.aspca.org, in Brian’s memory. 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) 775-9386.
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