Raymond Jenkins " Chic" Mathis, Jr., age 93, died Monday, November 18, 2013

Raymond Jenkins " Chic" Mathis, Jr., age 93, beloved husband of sixty five years to Irene Chokes Mathis, died on Monday, November 18, 2013 at his residence.

Mr. Mathis was born on October 6, 1920 in Wedgefield, the son of the late Raymond Jenkins and Emma Lillian Burress Mathis. He proudly served his country in the Navy and retired from active duty on August 8, 1946. Mr. Mathis was an entrepreneur, owning and operating many businesses over the years, including: the Manhattan Restaurant with his wife, Gamecock Packaging Stores, Central Distributing, Chic-A-Dee Restaurants, and co-owner of Jersey Mikes Sub Shop. He was member of the Sumter Lodge #364 AFM for over sixty years and a member of the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church of Columbia.

In addition to his business ventures, Mr. Mathis was a member of various organizations, had many accomplishments, and received numerous awards over the years, some of which include: serving on the USS Aylwin (DD355), President of the South Carolina Beer Association from 1968- 1970; recipient of the SC Beer Association Hammer, Advocate, Benefactor and Friend of USC Sumter; President of the Rotary Club from 1979-1980; Veteran of Foreign Wars for Sumter County Post 3039 and Commander from 1965-1966; President of the Partisans Club from 1973-1977; Distinguished Service Award from USC in 1993; Lynden B. Johnson Inaugural Committee Participation; Stand-By for the Colors; The Order of the Palmetto; the Senate of the State- Appreciation of Dedicated Service Award; Past Chairman of the Democrat Party; House of Representatives Appreciation Dedicated Service Award; Town of Kingstree Resolution Appreciation; Sumter Area Tech Education Commission; Highway Commissioner of South Carolina; American Legion for over 60 years; Sumter County Council Appreciation; Sumter Area Tech Education Commission Dedicated Service for S.C.Y.D.; Member of the Board of Directors for the Sumter Merchants Association; Chairman of the South Carolina Highway Commission, Member of the Mid Carolina Commission for Higher Education; South Carolina Highways and Public Transportation Service Award; Sumter County Development Award and the Director of the South Carolina Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce.

Surviving in addition to his wife is: a son, Dr. Stephen Marcus Mathis of Canton, GA and a sister Carolyn M. Kizer of Summerville, SC.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, November 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm in the Bullock Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Fr. Michael A. Platanis officiating. Entombment will follow in the Sumter Cemetery with Military Honors.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, November 20, 2013 from 6-8pm with the Trisaghion beginning at 7pm at Bullock Funeral Home, 1190 Wilson Hall Rd., Sumter, SC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial are asked to be made to the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 1937 Sumter St., Columbia, SC 29201 or Tri –County Hospice, 2650 A Hardee Cove, Sumter, SC 29150.

You may sign the family’s guest book at www.bullockfuneralhome.com

The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements

Edwin “Eddie” Kelley Lathan Jr., 56, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013

Edwin “Eddie” Kelley Lathan Jr., 56, husband of Darleene Jordan Lathan, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of Edwin Kelley Lathan of Sumter and the late Sally Stone Lathan. Eddie graduated from Wofford College and received his master’s in business development from the University of South Carolina. He was a real estate Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM). He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, where he was a former elder and active in the men’s Bible study. He was also a former elder of Sumter First Presbyterian Church. Eddie was associated with Colliers International in commercial real estate development and was president of Latco Development Co. He founded Entre Computer Center in Sumter. Eddie served on the boards of NBSC Bank, Greenville, and the Poinsett Club. He was a member of the Downtown Rotary Club and the St. Andrews Society.

Surviving in addition to his wife and father are a daughter, Kelley Lathan McWhirter and husband, Tully Adrian McWhirter, of London, England; son, Edwin Cobett Lathan of Greenville; and brother, Claude Fleetwood Lathan of Sumter.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Greenlawn Cemetery in Dillon.

The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday at First Presbyterian Church, Greenville, with visitation following in the church parlor.

Memorials may be made to the Greenville Humane Society, 305 Airport Road, Greenville, SC 29607 or the Pastoral Visitation Ministry of First Presbyterian Church, 200 W. Washington St., Greenville, SC 29601.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.

Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown, is in charge of arrangements.

Lawrence Rivers Hodge, 55, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013

Sumter, SC - LINK
Lawrence Rivers Hodge, 55, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

Born in Sumter, he was a son of Miriam Baker Hodge and the late Perry Rowland Hodge Sr. He was employed by Boasso America Corp. and was a member of Sumter Elks Lodge.

Survivors include his mother of Sumter; fiancée, Kathy Nigro of Sumter; two brothers, Perry Hodge Jr. (Kay) of Johnson City, Tenn., and James Wallace Hodge of Summerton; a sister, Dianne H. Watford (Francis) of Gable; a special nephew, Perry Hodge III; and a number of other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. George Smith officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of his mother, 3185 N. Main St.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Eastside Baptist Church, 701 Boulevard Road, Sumter, SC 29153.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

Saturday, November 16, 2013 - Norwood DuBose Hatfield, 91

BISHOPVILLE, SC Link

Norwood DuBose Hatfield, 91, of Lee County, died Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at his home.

Born in Lee County, he was a son of the late Richard Wiley Hatfield and Bertha Marion Barnes. He was the husband of the late Elga Rhea Hatfield. He grew up in Lee County and attended the schools of Lee County. After graduation from Elliott High School, Mr. Hatfield served his country in the U.S. Army 83rd Infantry Division during World War ll in the European theater of operations. He proudly served his country from 1942 to 1945 and was awarded a Purple Heart and four Bronze Service Stars.

Upon returning to the United States, Mr. Hatfield resumed his family farm operations near Elliott and worked at Reeves Brothers in Bishopville for 45 years. He was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church and the American Legion Post No. 29. His life was devoted to serving his country, serving his family, and serving the athletic community in Lee County. He was the proud recipient of the Distinguished Cavalier Award in 2006 in honor of his dedication and devotion to Robert E. Lee Academy. He was deeply committed to his family, loved every sport, and had a wonderful sense of humor.

Mr. Hatfield is survived by his only child, a daughter, Tandra Hatfield Alderman of Sumter, to whom his life was devoted. He is also survived by his grandchildren whom he adored, Logan Lee Alderman and Emily DuBose Alderman. Mr. Hatfield is also survived by sisters, Lois Anderson of Columbia, Mary Lou Atkinson of Sumter and Louise Fanning of Florence; a brother-in-law, Ray Kelley of Bishopville; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by a sister, Vera Hatfield; and two brothers, Oris Hatfield and Hugh Hatfield.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Bethlehem United Methodist Church with the Rev. Larry Watson and Chaplain Mark Bredholt of Hospice Care of Tri-County officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home and other times at the home of his daughter, 830 Andiron Drive, Sumter.

The family would like to express special thanks to Hospice Care of Tri-County along with Alisa Morris, Rita Hampton, Lucille March, Emma Lonan, Rena Caldwell, Ariel Johnson, Sheritta Dixon and Ernestine Hickmon.

Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 167, Bishopville, SC 291010 or to Robert E. Lee Academy, 630 Cousar St., Bishopville, SC 29150.

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