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OBITUARIES
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2015
WENDELL M. LEVI JR. Wendell Mitchell Levi Jr., M.D., F.A.C.S., surgeon, farmer, naturalist, died at 88, on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015, from a brief battle with cancer, at his home surrounded by family. LEVI Born on Sept. 13, 1927, he was a son of the late Wendell Mitchell Levi and Bertha London Levi of Sumter. He graduated from Sumter High School Class of 1944. He briefly attended The Citadel, before enlisting at the age of 17 in the U.S. Army Infantry. He was on board a ship en route to the Japanese invasion when Hiroshima was bombed. He was among the first troops to arrive in Occupied Japan. Upon his return, he enrolled at the University of Virginia, where he received his bachelor of arts degree in 1950. He earned his medical degree from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1954 and completed his internship at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. He completed his surgical residency at MUSC and was chief resident from 1959 to 1960. During his residency, he married Kathryn Weinberg of Frederick, Maryland. He practiced in Sumter for 40 years as a general and thoracic surgeon, founding Sumter Surgical Associates, P.A. “He dedicated his life to saving lives in the Sumter community,” says his wife of 57 years, Kathryn. They were charter members of Les Trente and members of The Assembly in Sumter. He was a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the South Carolina Surgical Society. Upon his retirement at the age of 72, he became a full time farmer at his beloved Sans Souci Plantation, the 18th century summer home of the Rutledge Family, signers of the Declaration of Independence. He also wrote and published his memoirs, “Fifty Years of Surgery, A Personal Experience,” in 2011. Over the years, he raised Brangus cattle and hay, along with his personal vegetable garden and a variety of fowl. He also designed and built a large pavilion and lodge, which is used for weddings and private parties at the farm. He placed Sans Souci in a Conservation Easement so that it would always remain undeveloped and forever a green space in Sumter County. Dr. Levi served on the boards of The Congaree Land Trust, Shaw Air Force Base Restoration Advisory Board, Temple Sinai and Palmetto Pigeon Plant, founded by his father. He raised money to establish a fund for the maintenance and preservation of the historic Sumter Jewish Cemetery. In keeping with his philanthropic nature, Dr. Levi and his wife established three nursing scholarships through The Tuomey Foundation for Central Carolina Technical College, in honor of three nurses, Frances Driver, Betty Caulkins and Fair Edmunds. Each of these scholarships was awarded for the first time this year to deserving
nursing students. “He was truly a good man, an honest man, who always tried to do the right thing,” says his son, Dr. Mitchell Levi. “He loved God; he loved his family; he loved helping people and his community through medicine, and after retirement through philanthropy. He loved the outdoors and his farm.” Dr. Levi is survived by his wife, Kathryn Weinberg Levi; twin sister, Patricia Levi Barnett; children, Kathryn Levi Hoover (Michael), London Levi Andes (Jerry) and Wendell Mitchell Levi III (Domini); five grandchildren, Kathryn McAllister Hoover, Anna Marshall Hoover, Alexandra London Andes, Sophia London Levi and Wendell Mitchell Levi IV; and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister, Estella Levi Kirscheimer. Pallbearers will be Dr. James Ellett, Dr. Gene Dickerson, Dr. Henry Moses, Dr. Mark Crabbe, Rocklin Hoover, Heath Hoover, Todd Hoover, Brent Hiott and Gene Dickerson Jr. The family would like to thank the caregivers, Saretta Burns, Linda White, Herlonda Washington, Stacey McConico, Viola Magazine, Jonelle Jefferson, Dorothy Marion and Caris Hospice, who all showed such love and compassion for Dr. Levi and the family. A Celebration of the Life of Dr. Levi will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at The Pavilion at San Souci Farm with a reception following. A private burial will be held at the Sumter Jewish Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Tuomey Foundation’s “Levi Nursing Scholarship Fund,” 102 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150; to Wilson Hall School, 520 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150; or to a relief agency of your choice for flood victims of Sumter County. Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com. Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
KEITH E. CANTY Keith Edward Canty was born on Nov. 18, 1968, in Tacoma, Washington, to Eugene and Annie Canty. He died on Nov. 11, 2015. Keith was a graduate of Sumter School District 17. He participated in the Show Choir, Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers, earning him national acclaim as best male vocalist among high school students. After high school, Keith enrolled at Morris College in Sumter, where he participated with the Morris College Chorale. Keith also was instrumental in restructuring and revamping the Morris College Gospel Choir, serving as its director. He was involved in many community choirs, events, and theatrical musicals. He starred as Joseph in “Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Sumter Little Theater. Keith’s travels took him to Europe and Anchorage, Alaska, where he served first as assistant and then director of music for Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, one of Anchorage’s most prominent churches. With all of his accomplishments, Keith had his struggles. He never let go. In his humanness, he still maintained an unshakeable blind faith that he would overcome. Keith was a loving soul. Lasting memories of Keith will be cherished by his parents, Eugene and Annie Canty of Sumter; his sibling; and other relatives and friends. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary. Mr. Canty will be placed in the church at noon on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Canty Memorial COGIC Sumter with the pastor, Superintendent Eugene Canty, eulogist, and Elder Calvin E. Peterson officiating. Entombment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 1843 Kolb 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.
ALEXANDER P. OLDHOUSER Alexander P. Oldhouser, 25, son of Susan Grigg Oldhouser and the late Wilson H. Oldhouser Jr., died on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2015. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
HELEN C. HODGE Helen Christine Carter Hodge, 86, beloved wife of the late Travis Leon Hodge Jr., died on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015, at Covenant Place. Born in Moselle, Mississippi, she was a daughter of the late Royal Ray Carter and Laura Dee Lula Hill Carter. Mrs. Hodge retired from Campbell Soup Co. after 27 years of service. She was a charter member of Crosswell Baptist Church. Surviving are one son, Michael Hodge and his wife, Nancy, of Sumter; one daughter, Joyce Chinery of Sumter; three grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-greatgrandchild. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers and one sister. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday at Bullock Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Amedisys Hospice, 2555 Lin-Do Court, Sumter, SC 29150. You may go to www.bullockfuneralhome.com and sign the family’s guest book. The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.
GO CARTS ARE HERE! Just in time for Christmas. • Sales, Service, and Financing • Christmas Gift Certificates Available
THE SUMTER ITEM
CARRIE MAE WELLS The sunset for Carrie Mae Caesar Wells, 62, came on Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, when God called her home to receive her rewards. At sunrise on Feb. 25, 1953, she was born to Ervin Caesar Jr. and Jessie Mae Sampson Caesar. “Lou,” as she was affectionately known, was a lifelong native of Sumter. Carrie attended Mt. Pleasant High School. She worked for Whitaker Furniture Warehouse in Mayesville for 10 years. Carrie was a member of Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church. She loved her church and served on the choir for many years. She leaves to mourn her memories: her husband, Joseph Wells, of 32 blissful years; one son, Joseph (Aisha) Commander; two sisters, Ella Mae (Thomas) Peterson and Jessie Mae Caesar; six sisters-in-law, Dorothy Mae (Leroy) Toney, Jessie Mae (Charlie) Peterson, Minister Juanita Wells Penn, Evelyn Clark, Sadie Burroughs and Linda (Otis) Wells Wilson; four brothers-in-law, Willie “Jake” Wells, Joseph (Patricia) Clark, James (Phyllis) Clark and Harry (Lois) Wells; three grandchildren, Jaquan, Arrayah and Jaheem Commander; two devoted nieces, Chrisunda Wells Thompson and Alexis McCaskill; a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Mt. Moriah United Methodist Church, 1379 Swimming Pen Road, Mayesville, with the Rev. Wyatt C. Minton III, pastor, eulogist. The family is receiving friends at the home, 10 Hugh Road, Mayesville. The remains will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. The procession will leave at 2 p.m. from the home. Floral bearers will be New Birth 2015 Club. Pallbearers will be Andrew Caesar, Anthony Caesar, Jaquan Commander, Javier Johnson, James Wells and Stanley Johnson Jr. Burial will be in Mt. Moriah Memorial Cemetery. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www. WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com
SALLY MAE MEREDITH Sally Mae Meredith peacefully entered eternity on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2015, in Sumter. She was the wife of the late James Leroy Meredith Jr.; devoted mother of Janice Meredith, Jerome Meredith, Angela Ponder, the late Lorraine Meredith and the late James Meredith III. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today at Job’s Mortuary.
The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at Salem Missionary Baptist Church, 320 W. Fulton St., Sumter. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park. The family is receiving friends at the home of Deacon Lou Ella Singleton, 350 Freedom Blvd., 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.
JAMES L. ROGERS James L. Rogers, 81, transitioned from this life on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, at his home, surrounded by family. Born on April 9, 1934, in Marion County, he was a son of the late Oncel and Susan Brunson Rogers. He graduated from Ebenezer High School, Dalzell. After being drafted in 1957, he served active duty in Korea. He was honorably discharged in November 1961 and moved to New York. He eventually relocated to Paterson, New Jersey. He married his late wife, Albertha Mickens Rogers on May 15, 1963. He worked for more than 39 years at Kessler Plumbing and Heating Supply Co. After his retirement, he returned to Sumter. He leaves to cherish his memories: his children, Leroy Tindal of Paterson, Patricia Abrams of Orange, New Jersey, Alphonso (Elizabeth) Abrams of Sumter, Fran Shelly (Vernon) Williams of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Eric Andre Rogers of Charlotte, North Carolina, Kenton Rogers of Baltimore, Maryland, Rhonda Naicole (Gregory) Curry of Jersey City, New Jersey, and Antwan Markeese (Shanita) Rogers of Fayetteville; a daughter by love, Denise Rogers; two sisters, Annette Howard of Sumter and Josie Brown of Paterson; one brother, Harmon Rogers of Paterson; two brothers-in-law; two sisters-in-law; 18 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; two great-greatgrandchildren; 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. The procession will leave at 10:30 a.m. from the Holiday Inn Express, Broad Street Extension, Sumter. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park, 802 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web at www. WilliamsFuneralHomeInc.com
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church 325 Fulton Street • Sumter
773-3658 • www.mtzionmissionarybc.com “The Little Church with the Big and Friendly Heart”
Junior Missionary Youth Night of Praise
Tuesday, November 24th at 7 PM Guest Preacher
Pastor George P. Windley, Jr. First Baptist Missionary Church
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.) 12:00 Noon Hour of Power (Prayer Service - Wed.)
“The Truck & SUV Specialists”
1255 N. Lafayette - Sumter
5:30 PM Prayer Service (Wed.) 6:00 PM Bible Study (Wed.) 6:00 PM Youth Ministry (Wed.) Rev. James Blassingame, Pastor