OBITUARIES
THE SUMTER ITEM
M. GRAHAM DRAYTON BISHOPVILLE — Marion Graham Drayton, 72, was born in 1942, in Bishopville, husband of Frances Green Reeves, and died Oct. 9, 2015, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. Mr. Drayton was a son of DRAYTON Agnes Graham Drayton, 96, and the late Edward Raynor Drayton Jr. Paternal grandparents were Edward Raynor Drayton Sr. and Gertrude Alexander and maternal grandparents were John Marion Graham and Mai Eloise Banks. Survivors besides his wife of 46 years include his two children, Susan Robinson Drayton Brunson and husband, Curtis Dowling Brunson, and Marion Graham Drayton Jr. and wife, Shannon Elaine Jordan; two brothers, Edward Raynor Drayton III and wife, Linda Daub, and Thomas Addison Drayton and wife, Ami Matthews; brother-in-law, Chester Quillian Reeves and wife, Linda Elaine Paulson; three grandchildren, Alexander Dowling Brunson, Susannah Cabot Brunson and Callahan Gray Drayton Brunson; and numerous nieces and nephews. He graduated from Wofford College in 1965 with a bachelor of arts in history and was commissioned into the United States Army as a second lieutenant in the military police. His military service included assignment at Airborne School, Fort Benning, Georgia; Korea, Helmstead; West Berlin, Germany, where he met his wife Frances; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Long Bien and Da Nang, Vietnam; Fort Lewis, Washington; the Presidio Language School of Monterey, California; Fort Gulick, Panama; and Frankfurt, Germany. He also served in the South Carolina National Guard. After retiring from the military, he then became vice president of City Nursery Farms Inc., where he had a long, wonderful career. He was president of the South Carolina Nursery and Landscape Association in 1992 and was named nurseryman of the year. In 2005, he was named a SCNLA Fellows, the association’s highest honor. He was a longtime member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church, all of his life. While residing in Charleston, he was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church. He served his church as past president and treasurer of the Sunday school program. He served his community as past president and treasurer of the Bishopville Optimist Club; past chairman and longtime member of the Lee County School Board; member of Santee Lynches Council on Governments; and past member of the board of visitors for Coker College. As past chairman and director of Lee County Cooperative Ministries Care Center, he spent many hours helping others. Graham was a loving and devoted husband and father. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and watching them play. He always made people laugh and would often say “There is some truth in everything I say.” He would always make everyone feel like they belonged. Graham enjoyed playing golf, talking about and watching Clemson football, and spending time joking with his many friends at the golf club and Hardees. He would often say not to forget the five P’s: Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance. Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. today at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Watson officiating. Burial with military honors will be in Bethlehem United Methodist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. today at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home, 2116 Sumter Highway. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010; Lee County
Cooperative Ministries-Care Center, P.O. Box 464, Bishopville, SC 29010; or to the Lee County Arts Council-Opera House, P.O. Box 714, Bishopville, SC 29010. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.
WILSON MCELVEEN Wilson McElveen died on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2015, at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He was born on Friday, May 5, 1950, in Pamplico, to the late Woodrow and Lou Annie McElveen. The family will receive friends at the home, 444 Main St., Pamplico. Mr. McElveen’s mortal frame is peacefully resting in the professional care of King-Fields Mortuary, Summerton, (803) 485-5039.
TRUDIE H. MCLEOD Trudie Hudson McLeod, 96, died on Saturday evening, Oct. 10, 2015, at Bethea Baptist Retirement Community nursing center in Darlington. Born in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Hattie Shorter Hudson. Trudie attended public school in the Bethel community of Sumter County and was a member of New Salem Baptist Church. She retired from Korn Industries after 43 years of service. Surviving are two sons she dedicated her life to, Iley Ervin McLeod (Gail) of Florence and Jimmy Lee McLeod (Donna) of Irmo; five grandchildren, Melanie McLeod, Andy McLeod (Janice), Wendy Waites (Chris), Chris McLeod (Kim) and Bryan McLeod (Amber); 10 greatgrandchildren, April De Troye (Chris), Adam, Anna and Amanda McLeod, Makenzie, Grayson and Bryce McLeod, and Shelby, Katie and Beth Waites. Also surviving are two sisters, Docia Keech and Mildred Lumpkins; a brother, J.T. Hudson (Josie Leigh); and numerous nieces and nephews. Trudie was preceded in death by one brother, Marvin Hudson; and five sisters, Mae Rogers, Ruby Geddings White, Ruth Rogers, Ida Geddings and Lila Elmore. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to noon on Wednesday at ElmoreCannon-Stephens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Kevin Massey officiating. Burial will follow in Sumter Cemetery. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Bethea for their excellent care. Memorials may be made to New Salem Baptist Church, 2500 W. Oakland Ave., Sumter, SC 29154. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
WILLIAM DIXON William Dixon, 88, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Elmcroft Assisted Living, Florence. Born on May 20, 1927, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Robert and Ida Davis Dixon. The family will receive friends at the home of his daughter, Belista Freeman, 2994 Lee State Park Road, Bishopville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.
ISABELLE N. BENNETT Isabelle Nora Bennett, 77, departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Palmetto Health Baptist, Columbia. She was born on April 11, 1938, in Darlington, a daughter of the late Willie and Pauline Nelson Bennett. The family will be receiving friends at 413 Albert Drive, Sumter, SC 29150. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.
HENRY A. DICKEY Henry Alvin Dickey, 51, departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at his residence
in Bishopville. He was born on April 23, 1964, in Lynchburg, a son of Luella Gamble Dickey and the late Robert Dickey Sr. The family will be receiving friends at 425 Levi St., Bishopville, SC 29010. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.
RICKY LEE GREEN BISHOPVILLE — Ricky Lee Green entered eternal rest on Oct. 12, 2015. The family is receiving friends at the residence, 107 Egypt Road, Camden. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.
DAVID R. CONYERS David Roosevelt Conyers, 82, husband of the Rev. Lue R. Budden Pitts Conyers, departed this life on Oct. 11, 2015, at his residence. He was born on June 14, 1933, in Pinewood, a son of the late Grant Sr. and Louise James Conyers. The family will be receiving friends at the home, 1410 Morris Way Drive, Sumter, SC 29154. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter.
RAYMOND R. BROWN Raymond R. Brown, 80, husband of Evelyn G. Brown, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Palmetto Health Richland. Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late James L. Sr. and Mary Barkley Brown. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and retired from the Union in Charleston. He was an avid dog hunter and fisherman, but most of all he loved his family. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Dinah B. Swygert (Hans) and Donna B. McCullum, all of Sumter; four grandchildren, Heather McCullum, Austin Pollard, Makayla Swygert and Joshua Pollard; a son-in-law, Michael Pollard; and a brother, James L. Brown Jr. of Lamar. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Dana B. Pollard; and a sister, Mary Alice Ingram. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Bethel Baptist Church cemetery with the Rev. Larry Fraser officiating. The family will receive friends at the graveside following the service. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2401 Bethel Church Road, Sumter, SC 29154. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
HENRY HARVIN Funeral services for Henry Harvin, who died on Oct. 7, 2015, will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 S. Salem Ave. Interment will follow in Bradford Cemetery, U.S. 15 South. 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.
ERNEST MOSES Funeral services for Ernest Moses, who died on Oct. 8, 2015, will be held at 11 a.m. today at Union Station AME Church. Interment will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Florence National Cemetery, Florence, instead of today. 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.
PERNELL BRIGG JR. Pernell “Bobby” Brigg Jr., 57, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at the home. He was born on Aug. 5, 1958, in Clarendon County, to Bertha King Briggs and the late Pernell Briggs Sr. The family will receive relatives and friends at the
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2015 home, 1028 Emerald Drive, Pinewood. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.
DERRY CANTY JR. Derry Canty Jr., husband of Phillis McFadden Canty, entered into eternal rest on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, in Tuomey Regional Medical Center. He was born on Sept. 28, 1935, in Rimini, to the late Derry Sr. and Beatrice Nelson Canty. The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of his sister, Marie Brunson, 220 Kirven St., Pinewood. Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.
JOCELYN BUTLER Jocelyn Butler, 50, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Palmetto Health Richland hospital, Columbia. Born on July 5, 1965, in Jersey City, New Jersey, she was a daughter of Joe Lewis Butler and the late Joyce Marie Butler-Fisher. The family will receive friends at the home, 975 Gaines Road, Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc.
JANE GEDDINGS Claudia Jane Geddings, 64, wife of Thomas J. Geddings, died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, at her home. Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
ROBERT PEARSON MANNING — Robert Pearson, 86, husband of Hester Ragin Pearson, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at his residence, 1915 M.W. Rickenbaker Road, Manning. He was born on Dec. 8, 1928, in Manning, a son of the late Cicero and Essie Waiters Pearson. The family is receiving friends at the residence. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
THELMA JONES MAYESVILLE — Thelma Ruby Spigner Jones, 85, widow of Robert Edward “Peanut” Jones, to whom she was married 65 years, entered into the glory of her heavenly father on Oct. 11, 2015. She was born on Nov. 5, 1929, in Clarendon County, to the late Labon Chappell Spigner and Jessie Mitchum Spigner. She was once an employee of Polly Prentiss, Pettibelle, and Campbell Soup Co., from which she was retired. She was a Christian and a member of Concord Presbyterian Church. Thelma was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Thelma is survived by her daughter, Linda Jones Hall; her son, Robert Edward “Bobby” Jones Jr. and his wife, Shirley; her grandchildren, Michelle Jones Stamps (Mike), Melanie Jones Williams (Jess), Robert Craig Hall (Leighanna) and Tracey Dawn Hall Timmons (Kirven “Bubby”); nine great-grandchildren, Taylor Johnson, Robert Zane Timmons, Ethan Davis, Grace Ann Hall, Spencer Stamps, Seth Stamps, Hannah Williams, Claire Williams and Isabella Williams; and three sisters, Jessie Spigner McCabe, Lillian Spigner Scurry and Margaret Spigner Whetsell. Thelma is also survived by a brotherin-law, Calvin Jones (Doris); sisters-in-law, Margaret “Toots” Harris, Teresa Jones Thigpen (Bobby) and Naomi Jones Elmore (Alford); and numerous special nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her first grandchild, Gerald Clay Hodge; her son-inlaw, Gerald Hodge; a brother, Edgar Spigner; and a sister, Eunice Clark. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. James Braswell and
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Chaplain Billy Griffith officiating. Burial will be in Brewington Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ricky Clark, Mike Deas, Edward McCabe, Dave Harms, Charles Spigner and Jeffrey Thigpen. Honorary pallbearers will be nephews and great-nephews. The family will receive friend from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home. A special thanks to Dawn Timmons, Christina, and Billy Griffith and the Amedisys Hospice staff. Memorials may be made to the Brewington Cemetery Association General Fund, c/o Patti McElveen, 895 Pleasant Grove Road, Lynchburg, SC 29080. Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
JOE NATHAN GRAHAM JR. LYNCHBURG — Joe Nathan Graham Jr., 52, died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born on March 19, 1963, in Sumter County, a son of Joe Nathan Graham Sr. and Dorothy Mae Nelson Graham. The family is receiving friends at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Minnie Ann and Lesley White, 2690 Old St. John Church Road, Lynchburg. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
GLEN DARNELL DUKE CADES — Glen Darnell “Don” Duke, 60, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015. Mr. Duke was born on April 21, 1955, in Clarendon County, a son of Sadie Roberson Duke and the late Melvin Albertus Duke. He was a graduate of East Clarendon High School and received an associate’s degree in civil engineering from Williamsburg Technical College. He loved being in the outdoors and playing guitar and singing. Surviving in addition to his mother, Sadie, of New Zion, are his son, Cory Darnell (Katherine) Duke of Lake City; his daughter, Jessica Duke (Will) Brown of Kingstree; three brothers, Steve (Robin) Duke of Hartsville, Lyn Duke of Florence and Terrell Duke of New Zion; and one sister, Shirlene Duke Blanton of Florence. Mr. Duke was preceded in death by his father and his brother, Richard Duke. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Midway Presbyterian Church cemetery. The family will be receiving visitors at the home, 1633 McCutchen Road, Cades. Memorials may be made to Midway Presbyterian Church, c/o Wendell Robinson, 2029 Greeleyville Highway, Manning, SC 29102 or Kingstree Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 904, Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www. WilliamsburgFuneralHome. com.
ALONZO R. MCDONALD MANNING — On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, Alonzo Reid McDonald departed this life at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning. Born on Dec. 6, 1931, in Manning, he was a son of the late Charlie Davis and Mary Brown McDonald. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 8 p.m. at the residence of his sister, Blondell McDonald Fargas, 2773 Governor Richardson Road, Summerton. Services are incomplete and will be announced by Fleming & Delaine Funeral Home & Chapel.
JOHN WILSON John Wilson, 65, died on Sunday, Oct. 11, 2015, at Windsor Manor, Manning. Born on Nov. 24, 1949, in Rembert, he was a son of Sammie Sr. and Beatrice Bridges Wilson. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.