OBITUARIES
THE SUMTER ITEM
BEN OLIVER JR. Ben Oliver Jr., 87, died on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Aug. 3, 1927, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Ben Sr. and Susan Ragin Oliver. He leaves behind to mourn his OLIVER passing and cherish his memory: two loving and devoted daughters, Sharon Oliver of Sumter and Esma (Johnny) Dennis of Middletown, Connecticut; two adored grandsons, Kai and Koi Dennis of Middletown; one sister, Comilla Green of Hartford, Connecticut; three sisters-in-law, Viola Whitt of Baltimore, Maryland, Sarah “Red” (Frampton) Mathews of Summerton and Hattie Gamble of New York City, New York; a brother-in-law, Ernest Johnson of Maryland; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The family wishes to acknowledge the very special devotion given by his nieces, Mary “Mae” Singleton and Rosena “Bee” Briggs, both of Summerton, particularly during the past couple of years. Funeral services for Mr. Oliver will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at St. Mark AME Church in Summerton. The Rev. A. Johnson is the pastor and Dr. Leslie J. Lovett will serve as eulogist. Burial will follow in the Historic Liberty Hill AME cemetery. The remains will be placed in the church at noon until the hour of service. Online condolences may be sent to summertonfuneralhome@gmail.com. Viewing will be held from noon until 6 p.m. today. The family will receive friends at the home of his niece, Sadie Junious, 116 Clifton Road, Summerton. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Summerton Funeral Home LLC, 23 S. Duke St., Summerton, (803) 485-3755.
WILLIE JACKSON Retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Willie Jackson departed this earthly life on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, at his home in Sumter. He was born on May 20, 1945, in Jeanerette, Louisiana, to the late John and Gracie Louis Jackson. JACKSON He was educated in the public schools of Jeanerette. At an early age, he joined Saint John Baptist Church in Jeanerette. In later years, Willie joined Saint Paul AME Church, Sumter, where he served faithfully. In 1965, Willie joined the United States Air Force and completed tours of duty abroad and stateside including McCoy Air Force Base, Florida; MacDill Air Force Base, Florida; Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana; Langley Air Force Base, Virginia; Shaw Air Force Base; Osan Air Force Base, Korea; Hahn Air Force Base, Germany; and Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He received numerous decorations and awards for his outstanding services to include National Defense Service Medal W/1 Service Star; Meritorious Service Medal W/2 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Commendation Medal W/3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award W/3 Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Good Conduct Medal W/Silver and 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Vietnam Service Medal W/2 Service Stars; and a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He retired in 1992 from Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, after 26 years of service. Following his retirement from the United States Air Force, Willie was employed by Bosch Braking Systems as a business team leader / supervisor in Sumter. Affectionately known as Mr. Willie, he was an excellent leader and highly respected by all. Willie was a fun-loving and caring man. He loved helping others and shared his many talents with family and friends. Willie adored his children and grandchildren and spoiled them at every opportunity. Precious memories will be shared by his loving wife, Barbara Roman Wilson Jackson;
children, Torri Jackson (Troy) Polk of Orlando, Florida, Corey T. (Suzanne) Jackson of Midlothian, Virginia, McKinley L. (LaKisha) Wilson Jr. of Duluth, Georgia, and Jarvais A. (Nessan) Wilson of Midlothian; grandchildren, Charles Polk, Taylor and Zoe Jackson, and Kennedi, Chase, Aria and Roman Wilson; sister, Barbara J. (Melvin) Preston of Houston, Texas; brothers, Raymond (Juanita) Jackson of Glencoe, Louisiana, and Frank Jackson of St. Louis, Missouri; motherin-law, Jessie L. Green of Orlando, Florida; sisters-in-law, Daisy R. Brogdon, Sadie R. (Willis) White, Mildred R. Jinwright, Flora R. (Thomas) York, Gloria R. (Lucius) Felder and Rebecca Carson, all of Sumter, and Mary Elliott, Ira M. Green and Gloria Green, all of Orlando; brothers-in-law, Johnnie L. (Miriam) Roman Sr. of Sumter, Robert (Eva) Lester of Chicago, Illinois, and Bobby (Mary) Green, Johnny (Mary) Green and Ronnie (Deborah) Green, all of Orlando; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, 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 Friday for viewing until the hour of service. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with Pastor Robert Galloway officiating. Entombment will be at Evergreen Memorial Park. The family is receiving friends at the home, 1510 Radical Road, Sumter, SC 29153. 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.
MARVIN E. MAGAZINE SR. COLUMBIA — The homegoing service for Marvin Edmond Magazine Sr. will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday at Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, 2930 Colonial Drive, Columbia, with burial at Serenity Memorial Gardens. MAGAZINE The visitation for Mr. Magazine will be held from 7 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Born in Columbia, Marvin was the third son of the late Adell and James W. Magazine. He passed away on Friday, Oct. 10, 2014, at his home. He was 51. A graduate of A.C. Flora High School, Marvin was employed with Grant Electric for many years, until his passing. He is survived by two sons, Marvin Magazine Jr. and Terrence Hunter; four sisters, Denise Magazine Ford, Lydia King, Whitney Magazine and Charlene Summers; a stepsister, Vivian Martin; two brothers, Lonnie Summers and Terrell Magazine; two grandchildren, Taylor Magazine and Tray Hunter; four aunts, Rebecca Johnson, Doretha (Kirby) McGee, Eveta Frazier and Corine Ellison; and a host of other loving relatives and caring friends, all of whom will miss him dearly. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.bosticktompkinsinc.com.
JAMES JONES MANNING — James “Jim” Jones, 76, husband of Hortense E. “Bay” Oliver Jones, died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at his residence, 2626 M.W. Rickenbaker Road, Manning. He was born on March 23, 1938, in the Potato Creek section of Summerton, a son of the late Wash and Sarah Mellerson Jones. The family is receiving friends at his residence. These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
GLADYS REMBERT Gladys Rembert, 73, departed this life on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 17, 1941, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late John and Mary Bracey Rembert. The family will be receiving
friends at 1040 Farmers Circle, Sumter, SC 29154. Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced later by Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
JASPER BENJAMIN Jasper Benjamin, 60, husband of Sandra Weary Benjamin, departed this earthly life on Saturday evening, Oct. 11, 2014, at his home in Sumter. Born on Jan. 7, 1954, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Holliman Gregg Jr. and Julia M. Benjamin. He attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a graduate of Maywood High School Class of 1973, where he enjoyed playing basketball and was very good at it. At an early age, he joined Trinity Presbyterian Church, USA, Mayesville, and later made Bethany Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church his place of worship. He retired from Carolina Furniture Works after serving 24 years. He later joined Tuomey Healthcare System as an environmentalist specialist for 11 years and then Stericycle as a service specialist for 10 years, up until the end of his illness. Precious memories of his life will be cherished by his wife of 37 years, Sandra of the home; three daughters, Sonya (Shaun) Conyers of Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Jessica (David Clea) Weary and Monica Simmons, both of Sumter; one son, Derrick Weary of Sumter; one godson, Rodriquez Bell of Sumter; 13 grandchildren; one greatgrandchild; seven sisters, Patricia (Landis) King of Rochester, New York, Rosalie Benjamin and Gwendolyn (Timothy) Daniels, both of Sumter, Inell Gregg of Chesapeake, Virginia, Wanda Jefferson and Harline Jefferson, both of Mayesville, Alfreda Glover of Manassas, Virginia; seven brothers, Holliman (Angela) Gregg, Willie (Linda) Jefferson, Alfred Gregg of Charleston, Lewis (Verneice) Jefferson and Derrick (Charlene) Green, both of Sumter; his father-in-law, William Weary of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; three sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law; a host of uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Ruth Benjamin, who reared him in her home. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Friday at the Bethany Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, 350 E. Red Bay Road, Sumter, with Pastor Daryl F. McGhaney, pastor, eulogist, the Rev. Daniel McGhaney Jr., presiding, assisted by Elder Othan Franklin, First Lady Minister Vivian McGhaney, the Rev. Leroy Commander and the Rev. Sandra Simmons. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 1050 Tupelo Lane, Apartment 2, Sumter. Public viewing will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. today in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. The remains will be placed in the church at 10:30 a.m. The procession will leave at 11 a.m. from the home. Floral bearers will be nieces. Pallbearers will be friends and nephews. Burial will be in Mayesville Cemetery, Mayesville. Online memorial messages
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2014 may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr. com. Visit us on the web. Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
BLANCHE MILLER CAMDEN — Funeral service for Blanche Miller, 98, of Hamden, Connecticut, formerly of Camden, will be held at noon on Friday at Zion Hill AME Zion Church, 1262 Lockhart Road, Camden, with burial in the church cemetery. She died on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. Collins Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
BETTY ALSTON Betty Alston, 61, died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at her home. Born on Dec. 20, 1952, in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Henry Alston and Samuella Dinkins Riley. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home, 2718 Powhatan Drive, Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
CAROLYN BOLDEN Carolyn Bolden died on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born in Sumter County, she was a daughter of Phillis Spann. The family is receiving friends and relatives at the home of Dwayne Bolden, 70 Annapolis Way, Patriot Village, Sumter. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
DEACON COLEMAN DENNIS Deacon Coleman Dennis, 93, departed this earthly life on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. Born on Dec. 23, 1920, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Eugene and Anna Dennis. He grew up in Sumter and attended the public schools of Sumter. He joined the United States Army in 1942 and was honorably discharged in 1945. He worked numerous jobs such as brick layer, construction, electrical work and cement finisher, but his passion was farming. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized and became a member of Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as the superintendent of Sunday school, church sexton, member of the choir, usher board and deacon board. He was also a member of the Farmer’s Union, Twelve Tribes of Israel and Wateree Sunday School Congress. Deacon Dennis was happily married to Daisy Keith Dennis, who preceded him in death. He was later married to the late Marie Floyd Dennis. He leaves to cherish his memories: three sons, James, Jacob and Milton Dennis, all of Sumter; two daughters, Daisy Dennis of New York and Rosa Canty (Clifford) of Sumter; two sisters, Ella Mae Christon of Saluda and Carrie Dennis of New York City, New York; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; seven sisters-in-law, Mary, Louella, Josephine, Eva, Georgia Mae, Ethel and Alene, whom he raised as his daughter; two brothers-in-law, Arthur and
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Milton; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by five brothers, two sisters and his stepmother, Victoria Dennis. Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Friday at Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 7355 Camden Highway, Rembert, with the Rev. Anthony L. Taylor Sr., pastor, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Richard Addison, the Rev. Richard James and the Rev. Eugene Myers. The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home of his son, James Dennis, 5410 McDaniel Road, Rembert. The procession will leave at 3 p.m. from the home of his son. Floral bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Burial will be in Mt. Pisgah Missionary Baptist Churchyard cemetery. 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. of Sumter.
SAMMIE RICHBURG SUMMERTON — Sammie Richburg, 93, departed this life on Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning. Sammie was born on Dec. 17, 1920, to the late Harry Sr. and Ellen Colbert Richburg. He was the widower of Annie Richburg. He received his formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County and later joined the U.S. Army. He was a member of Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church in Summerton. His most recent job was at the 261 Truck Stop, before retiring. To cherish his loving memory, he is survived by a special grandnephew, Jewel Walker of Manning; a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Friday at Taw Caw Missionary Baptist Church, 1126 Granby Lane, Summerton, with Dr. William T. Johnson, pastor. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. today in the chapel of King-Fields Mortuary. Mr. Richburg will be placed in the church from 2 p.m. on Friday until the hour of service. The family will receive friends at the home of Jewel Walker, 1088 William Acres Lane, Manning, SC 29102. Services have been entrusted to the professional care of King-Fields Mortuary, Summerton, (803) 485-5039.
MARGRET G. MATHIS BISHOPVILLE — Margret Green Mathis entered eternal rest on Oct. 9, 2014, in Camden, New Jersey. The family is receiving friends at 337 Fat Back Road, Dalzell. Visitations will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday at Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, with the pastor, the Rev. Eugene Dennis, officiating. Interment will follow in the Joshua cemetery. Wilson Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements.