Jean Elizabeth Cathcart Thomas September 12, 1930 - April 26, 2009

Columbia, SC 

Jean Elizabeth Cathcart Thomas was born September 12, 1930 in St. George, SC, and died April 26, 2009 in Providence Hospital Coronary ICU unit.

Her parents were Daisy Varn and Thomas Madden Cathcart. In 1931, they moved to Bishopville, SC. She graduated from Bishopville High School in 1947 and Columbia College in 1951 with a B.S. degree in Home Economics. At Columbia College, she was Senior Class President, a member of Ten Outstanding Seniors, and on the Deans List.

She taught Home Economics at Manning High School for three years, 9th grade Science at Northside High School in Atlanta, GA, for one year, Home Economics at Henry Grady High School in Atlanta, GA, for one year and Four Year kindergarten at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC, for four years. She was a Teacher’s Aide with Special Education for 6 years at Forest Lake Elementary School and taught at Pontiac Elementary for 3 years until her retirement from District Two in Richland County, Columbia, SC.

She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Sidney F. Thomas, Jr., son, Dr. Sidney F. Thomas III and his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Thomas of Charleston, SC, daughters, Mary Kingsley and her husband Rev. David Kingsley of Goshen, NY, and Carol Thomas Meadows and her husband Larry Meadows of Fort Mill, SC.

Also grandchildren Scott and Jeff Markell and Kathleen and Robert Kingsley, all of Goshen, NY; Carol Jean Meadows of Fort Mill, SC; and Jeff Kingsley of Las Cruces, NM; one great-grandchild, Lucy Markell of Goshen, NY; her brother, J. Foster Cathcart and his wife Nancy of Houston, TX.

Two brothers predeceased her: Dr. John V. Cathcart, Oak Ridge, TN, and Thomas M. Cathcart of Hartsville, SC.

She volunteered in the gift shop at Providence NE hospital for many years, enjoyed playing bridge and was a big supporter of the Clemson Tigers!!!

Memorial Services will be held at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, where she was a member for many years, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. The family will greet guests in the parlor of the Church immediately following the service.

Instead of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to Forest Lake Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 6500 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, SC 29206, or a charity of your choice

FELIX A. "DOC" BLANCHARD Jr.

Retired Col. Felix Anthony "Doc" Blanchard Jr. died, at age 84, on April 19, 2009, in his home in Bulverde, Texas. 

He was born in 1924, in McColl, to Felix Anthony Blanchard and Mary Gilchrist Tatum Blanchard, now deceased. His early years were spent in Bishopville. Educated in the Bishopville public schools, he graduated from high school at St. Stanislaus Prep School in Bay St. Louis, Miss., in 1942. He attended the University of North Carolina until he was drafted into military service, where he served until he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy in 1943. While at West Point, his athletic career was outstanding. He was selected as an All-American football player in 1944, 1945 and 1946. In 1945, he won the Heisman Trophy, The Sullivan Award, The Walter Camp Trophy and The Maxwell Cup. In 1945, he also won the IC4A shot put championship. After graduation from the Military Academy in 1947, he became a member of the U.S. Air Force. He earned his wings in 1948 and had an outstanding career as an Air Force pilot. While in the military, he coached football at West Point and was assistant athletic director at The Air Force Academy. Following his retirement from the Air Force in 1971, Col. Blanchard served as commandant of the New Mexico Military Academy in Roswell, N.M., for two years. Among his numerous honors were his induction into the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame; induction into the College Football Hall of Fame; a special U.S. Air Force commendation for bravery for landing a burning aircraft; and the receipt of the Order of the Palmetto, which is the highest award given to a South Carolinian.

He married Jody King of San Antonio, Texas, in 1948, and they were devoted to each other until her death in 1993. A dedicated family man, he was a kind, humble, caring man and respected by those who knew him. He was a baptized and confirmed Catholic.

He is survived by a son, Felix A. Blanchard III and his wife, Karin, of Hickory, N.C.; two daughters, Josephine Mills and her husband, Gary, and Mary Theresa Midkiff and her husband, Aaron, both of Bulverde; seven grandchildren, Rhett Anthony Blanchard and his wife, Candace, of Asheville, N.C., Mary Ellen Warta and her husband, Geoff, of Cumming, Ga., Lee Anne Asbury and her husband, Dan, of Atlanta, Dennise Magill and her husband, Johnathan, of Charleston, Craig Keller and his wife, Angie, of San Antonio, Toni Timaeus, and Brittany Ivey and her husband, Tim, both of Bulverde; eight great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Elizabeth Blanchard of Sumter; and a brother-in-law, Royal King and his wife, Betty, of San Antonio.

Funeral services will be private.

Memorials may be made to the "Doc" Blanchard Statue Fund at the S.C. Cotton Museum, 121 West Cedar Lane, Bishopville, SC 29010 or to a charity of one's choice.

Online condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad St., is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.

Helen Alexander Jordan – April 19, 2009

Bishopville, SC

 

Helen Alexander Jordan, 88, widow of Brooks Parrott Jordan, died April 19, 2009, at a local nursing facility.

 

Born in Darlington she was a daughter of the late Claude McKiever Alexander and the late Floride Crosswell Alexander. She was a member of First Baptist Church. Mrs. Jordan was a 1949 graduate of Winthrop College. She was retired from Payne and Williams John Deere where she was the bookkeeper for more than 35 years, and also served in the United States Army where she obtained the rank of TSgt serving as Information Center Operator at Fort Bragg, NC.

 

Survivors include 4 grandchildren, Mathew Brooks Jordan of Anderson, Ashley Jane Jordan of Fort Worth, TX, Lauren Jordan Boden (Trey) of Atlanta, GA, and Robert Benjamin Jordan, Jr of Bishopville; 2 daughters-in-law, Deborah Jordan Davis of Camden and Teresa Jordan of Anderson; a sister, Bernice A. Shupe of Florence; a brother, Charles Alexander or Lugoff; and an aunt, Pearl A. Dew of Bishopville.

 

She was preceded in death by two sons, Brooks “Mike” McKiever Jordan and Robert Benjamin Jordan; two sisters, Nancey A. Mackey and Maude A. Jordan; and two brothers, James L. “Dick” Alexander and C. M. Alexander.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Wednesday at First Baptist Church – Bishopville with the Rev. Tom Rutan and Rev. Lin Kirkman officiating. Burial will be in the Piedmont Cemetery.

 

Pallbearers will be Matt Jordan, Rob Jordan, Trey Boden, Vance Davis, Tom Drayton, and Mike Morrow.

 

Family will receive friends beginning at 10AM Wednesday in the church fellowship hall.

 

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Kittrell Center, Suite 110, Columbia, SC 29204.

 

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements. 

Mary Alice Farmer - April 11, 2009

Bishopville, SC

Mary Alice Farmer, 53, wife of Steve Phillips, died Saturday, April 11, 2009, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Johnny C. Farmer and Lucille Caples Farmer.

Survivors besides her husband of Bishopville include two sons, Clifford Steve Farmer Phillips and Johnny Caldwell Farmer Phillips, both of Bishopville; a sister, Ann Baskins of Bishopville; four brothers, Douglas Farmer (Chris) of Hartsville, Marvin Farmer (Ronda) of Alcolu, and Donald Farmer (Elaine) and Art Farmer (Bonnie), both of Bishopville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Roger Perry Munn Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Gene Stokes officiating. Burial will be in the Mount Pleasant Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery at Browntown.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home, 621 Bowman Road, Bishopville.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 950 48th Ave. N., Suite 101, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.

William Samuel Ruggles December 2, 1942 - April 10, 2009

Bishopville, SC

William Samuel "Bill" Ruggles, 66, husband of Janice Camlin Ruggles, died Friday, April 10, 2009.

Born December 2, 1942, in Bucyrus, OH, he was the son of the late Harold Cole Ruggles and the late Marabelle Horn Ruggles. Bill lived in several towns in Ohio before moving to South Carolina in 1971. he served in the US Army and graduated form Ohio State University. He retired from USDA Rural Developement in 2002. 

Survivors besides his wife include two sons, Harold "Hal" Cole Ruggles of Mauldin, and William "Will" Samuel Ruggles of Bishopville.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Lou Ruggles Porterfield.

A memorial service will be held at 2 P.M. Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Bishopville with the Rev. Paul Rogers officiating.

The family will receive friends at the home, 112 Barnett Drive., Bishopville.

The family requests that in liew of flowers, memorials be sent to Bethlehem United Methodist Church: Building Fund, P. O. Box 167, Bishopvillle, S.C. 29010 or to the S.C. Cotton Museum, 121 West Cedar Lane, Bishopville, S.C. 29010.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements. 

Iva Ruth McGee Hopkins - April 9, 2009

Bishopville, SC

 

Iva Ruth McGee Hopkins, 85, wife of James E. Hopkins, died Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Kershaw County Memorial Hospital.

 

Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late James McDuffie McGee and the late Maude Huntly McGee. Mrs. Hopkins was a member of High Hill True Light Church.

 

Survivors include her husband of Bishopville: a son, James Karon Hopkins; a grandson, Barry Hopkins (Gloria); two great-grandsons, Blane and Logan Hopkins; and two sisters, Martha Watson of McGee Town and Zelma Colvin of Mint Hill, NC.

 

She was preceded in death by three brothers; and three sisters.

 

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at High Hill True Light Church with Mr. Russell McLeod officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home.

 

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. 

Vivian Christine Boykin - April 9, 2009

Rembert, SC

 

Vivian Christine Boykin, 83, of Rembert, entered into eternal life on April 9, 2009.

                  

A funeral service celebrating her life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 12, 2009 at Community Bible Church in Camden, SC with the Rev. Jerry Peacock presiding.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2009 at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home of her nephew, Babe Catoe, 4951 Red Hill Road, Rembert, SC.

 

Miss Boykin, know to her family as “Bill”, died peacefully after living 83 amazing years. Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Cora and Miller Boykin. She was preceded in death by four sisters and two brothers. She retired from the Lee County School System after many years of service. Always living a Christian life, her greatest joys were her family, her church, and helping others. She was an active member of Community Bible Church for many years until she was unable to attend.

 

Miss Boykin leaves to cherish her memory a number of nieces and nephews; great nieces and nephews; and great-great nieces and nephews.

 

Pallbearers will be Dwayne Catoe, Jonathan Atkinson, Tim Eisenback, Wayne Capel, Don Reid, and Mike Holland.

 

The family requests that those wishing may send memorials to Community Bible Church: Building Fund, 5711 Red Hill Road, Camden, SC 29020.

 

The family would also like to thank the staff at Springdale Nursing Home and Hospice of Kershaw for their kindness and care shown during her illness.

 

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of arrangements.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

William Green DesChamps, Jr. August 29, 1917 – April 8, 2009

Bishopville, SC

 

Services for William Green DesChamps, Jr., 91, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Paul Rogers Officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends at the home of Green and Cindy DesChamps, 136 Denny Pond Road.

 

Mr. DesChamps died at his home April 8, 2009. Born August 29, 1917 in Bishopville, he was the son of the late William Green and Etta Hearon DesChamps. He was a graduate of Clemson Agricultural and Mechanical College with a BS Degree in 1938. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army, 47^th Field Artillery.

 

He married the late Elizabeth Noble Duvall on March 8, 1944 and they were married for 60 years until her death in March 2004.

 

He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and served it faithfully his entire life.

 

William Green’s professional career consisted of being owner and president of Bishopville Petroleum Co., Inc., Quick Mart of Bishopville, Inc. president of Bishopville Cotton and Gin Co. and past president of the SC Oil Jobbers Association from 1957 – 1959.

 

Affectionately called “Mr. Willie Green”, Mr. DesChamps found no greater joy than helping others and being a true friend to all. He was a former Mayor of Bishopville, South Carolina State Senator, and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

 

In 1975, he was appointed to the Clemson University Board of Trustees and loyally served as a board member and Trustee Emeritus until his death. Clemson University also honored him with the Alumni Distinguished Service Award and the Clemson Medallion, the highest recognition bestowed by the University.

 

He was past President of the Clemson IPTAY Club and a member of the IPTAY Board of Directors. His love and devotion to Clemson University and the Clemson Tigers was his lifelong commitment and pledge.

 

He is survived by a daughter, Ruth Kinsey DesChamps of Pawleys Island; two sons, William Green DesChamps, III, and Carroll Green DesChamps, II and his wife Cindy, all of Bishopville; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Moore Winesett, Julia Duvall DesChamps, and William Green DesChamps, IV; and three great-grandchildren, Joe, Green, and Lily Winesett.

 

Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church Building Fund, PO Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010; or to the Clemson University Foundation: William Green DesChamps, Jr. donations, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633.

 

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Will Ed McKenzie - November 16th, 1952 - April 5th, 2009

Funeral services for Willard Edgar “Will Ed” McKenzie, 56, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. DeVere Williams will officiate with burial in Hebron United Methodist Church Cemetery. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home is serving the family. The family will receive friends Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Hebron United Methodist Church. Mr. McKenzie died Sunday, April 5, 2009. Born in Charleston Co., SC, he was a son of the late Warden J. and Nina Smith McKenzie. He was an avid golfer and an accomplished pianist. He was a great writer and a former journalist for many area newspapers including the Sumter Item, Anderson Independent, and the Lee County Observer, where he was a general reporter. He also served on the Lee County School Board. Surviving are his wife, Joyce McKenzie of Bishopville, SC; daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Edward Ross of Manning, SC; stepsons, Ronald Hudson of Hartsville, SC, John Hudson of Marshall, TX; stepdaughter, Donna Hudson of Kingsland, GA; grandchildren, Skylar McKenzie, Jayden Ross, Bryson Ross.

Cemetery:

Hebron United Methodist Church (Lee County) Una Rd. Bishopville, SC 29010 (map/driving directions)

Visitations:

5:00PM to 7:00AM on Tuesday, April 7th, 2009 at Brown-Pennington-Atkins(map/driving directions)

Services:

2:00PM at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home Chapel on Wednesday, April 8th, 2009 (map/driving directions)

Willard 'Will Ed' McKenzie - April 5, 2009

April 5, 2009

Will Ed McKenzie died Sunday morning.  

Brown - Pennington - Atkins Funeral Home will handle the arrangements which will be announced later.

Thomas Jackson Thrasher August 9, 1944 - April 3, 2009

Bishopville, SC

 

Thomas Jackson Thrasher, 64, husband of Susan O’Kelley Thrasher, passed away Friday, April 3, 2009 at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence, SC.

 

For the past 20 years, Tommy resided in Bishopville. Prior to 1990, he was a resident of Signal Mountain, TN where he was a member of Signal Mountain Lodge #758. He was a 31^st degree member of the Chattanooga Scottish Rites, and a member of the Signal Mountain Order of the Eastern Star Chapter 453.

 

Tommy was born August 9, 1944 in Dutton, AL. He was a son of the late Doyle Jackson Thrasher and the late Lillie Mae Bradford Thrasher. He attended schools in Alabama until his family moved to Chattanooga, TN. He graduated from Kirkland Technical School and attended the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. For many years he was a contractor, building many houses in the Chattanooga-Signal mountain area. Tommy was employed with Combustion Engineering first as a shop superintendent, and later transferred to the nuclear division. In this division he designed and built the first mock-up for a sludge lancing process that is still used today. Tommy traveled all over the US and even to Sweden as the project manager for outages at nuclear power plants. One of his many awards presented by ABB was the ABB Project Management Excellence Award in 1996. He retired from ABB with 33 years of outstanding service.

 

After he first met and married Susan in 1990, they lived in Bishopville and enjoyed weekend getaways at Surfside Beach. He was a faithful member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church where he was a member of the New Beginnings Sunday School Class, served on the Board of Trustees and the Cemetery Committee. Tommy was an avid gardener and loved tending to their beautiful yard. Famous for his chef’s talents, he was always willing to travel anywhere to cook a pig. This activity was always made more memorable when shared with special friends. If you wanted to see him boast with pride, ask him about his eight grandchildren. Along life’s journey, he seemed to have become an honorary father for several special friends.

 

Survivors include his wife of Bishopville; five sons, Thomas Jackson Thrasher, Jr. (Shelia) of TN, Jason Thrasher (Debbie) of KY, Lewis Jones and Wade Jones, both of CA, and Major Whit Jones (Kristin) of Mount Pleasant; one daughter, Lee Wilkes (Chad) of Bishopville; one brother, Phil Thrasher of TN; one sister-in-law, Faye Thrasher of TN; and eight grandchildren.

 

He was preceded in death by a brother, Eugene Thrasher.

 

Funeral services will be held at 4 PM Monday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Revs. Paul Rogers and Leon Thompson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Sunday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home, 114 Academy Road.

 

Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem United Methodist Church: Building Fund, PO Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010.

 

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements. 

Gene Ray Mozingo - February 3rd, 1952 - April 1st, 2009

Funeral services for Gene Ray Mozingo, 57, will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2009 at Lake Swamp Baptist Church. The Revs. Scott Barlowe and Joe Willard will officiate with burial in Piedmont Cemetery directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Mr. Mozingo died Wednesday, April 1, 2009. Born in Hartsville, SC, he was a son of the late Gary and Essie Parnell Mozingo. He was a graduate of Bishopville High School, class of 1971 and a member of Lake Swamp Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Ann Griggs Mozingo of Hartsville, SC; brother, Edward (Nancy) Mozingo of Hartsville, SC.

Visitations:

5:00PM to 7:00PM on Thursday, April 2nd, 2009 at Brown-Pennington-Atkins(map/driving directions)

Services:

3:00PM at Lake Swamp Baptist Church on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 (map/driving directions)

Lila Berry Stokes

BISHOPVILLE 

Lila Berry Stokes, 89, widow of Lenice Hugo Stokes, died Monday, March 30, 2009, at Palmetto Health Richland.

Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Luther and Elizabeth Johnson Berry. Mrs. Stokes was a member of Bayview Baptist Church in Columbia.

Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Carolyn R. Stokes of Florence and Muriel E. Fisher of Fairfax, Va.; two grandchildren, Michael A. Burgess of Fairfax and Margot A. Shibley of Strasburg, Va.; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters; and a nephew, Marion Berry Sr.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in the Concord United Methodist Church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be David Berry, Kelvin Berry, Kyle Berry, Andrew Bunton, Michael Brugess and Al Murphy.

The family will receive friends from 4 to 5 p.m. today at the home, 1534 Hardscrabble Road, Columbia, and from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Bayview Baptist Church, 5300 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29204.

Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of the arrangements.