Ottis Dewey 'Slim' Whitman Jr. died Wednesday, 19 June, 2013

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(CNN) -- Slim Whitman, the high-pitched yodeling county music singer whose productive career spanned decades, died Wednesday, his son-in-law told CNN. He was 90.

The singer-songwriter, born Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr., died of heart failure at Orange Park Medical Center in Florida, Roy Beagle said.

Whitman gained fame in Europe as well as the United States. "Love Song of the Waterfall," which a Country Music Television biography calls his "breakthrough" hit, was released in the early '50s.

His next single "Indian Love Call" brought him stardom, according to the bio.

"Whitman joined the Grand Ole Opry, and then went to Britain in 1956 as the first country singer to play the London Palladium. Throughout the late '50s and early '60s, he had a string of British hits, including 'Tumbling Tumbleweeds,' 'Unchain My Heart,' and 'I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen," the bio said.

He gained cult status after he filmed a TV commercial that touted a released of his top greatest hits, a compilation that was a great success.

"Between 1980 and 1984, Whitman had a small run of minor hits, highlighted by 1980's number 15 hit 'When.' In the late '80s, he returned to television-marketed albums, releasing Slim Whitman: Best Loved Favorites in 1989 and 20 Precious Memories in 1991. During the '90s, Whitman recorded infrequently but continued to tour successfully, particularly in Europe and Australia," CMT said.

His music was featured in the 1996 film "Mars Attacks!" In the film, the sound of Whitman's "Indian Love Call" made the heads of invading Martians explode.

Jane Elizabeth Chappell Mayes February 6, 1921 - June 12, 2013

Jane Elizabeth Chappell Mayes, 92, widow of William Rhodes Mayes, died on Wednesday, June 12, 2013, at her home, 19 Salem St., Mayesville.

Born on Feb. 6, 1921, at 218 Heyward St., in Bishopville, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Ralph B. and Mae Baskin Chappell. She was educated in the Bishopville public schools and attended Winthrop College and Coker College. She was a civilian employee at Camp Rucker, Ala., during World War II. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a member of Mayesville Presbyterian Church for 67 years. She loved her family, her God, her church, and her friends.

She is survived by a son, William Rhodes Mayes Jr. (Teresa) of Charlotte, N.C.; two daughters, Jane Whitworth Mayes Cubbage (Tom) of Ballentine and Maria Chappell Mayes Watson of Greenville; two grandsons, Whitworth Mayes Cubbage (Nicole) of Columbia and William Benton Watson of Atlanta; two great-grandchildren, Arista Noel Couture and Layton Kemp Cave; also a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, great-great-nephews; great-great-great-nieces; and great-great-great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Parker “Buddy” Baskin Chappell; and a sister, Louise “Weezie” Chappell Reames.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. today at Mayesville Black River Cemetery with the Rev. Brian Peake officiating.

A reception will follow the graveside service in Morrison Hall at Mayesville Presbyterian Church, ARP Synod.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mayesville Black River Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 144, Mayesville, SC 29104.

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

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

Emory Hayes Bedenbaugh - Friday, June 7, 2013

Bishopville, SC

Emory Hayes Bedenbaugh, 84, husband of the late Patricia Jane Balcomb Bedenbaugh, died Friday, June 07, 2013, at Generations of Chapin. 

Born in Newberry, SC, he was a son of the late Aldon Eugene Bedenbaugh and the late Ida Mae Hayes Bedenbaugh. 

He was a member Bethlehem United Methodist Church. He retired as the owner/operator of WAGS Radio and also retired from the Lee County Development Board. 

Survivors include five children, Mike Bedenbaugh (Mitzi) of Bishopville, Cathy Ballentine (Steve) of Mt. Pleasant, Tony Bedenbaugh (Laura) of Irmo, Tracey Bedenbaugh of Bishopville, and Todd Bedenbaugh (Beth) of Chapin; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. 

Services will be private. The family will receive friends at the home, 708 West Church St., Bishopville.

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

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

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=emory-hayes-bedenbaugh&pid=165205013&fhid=8954#storylink=cpy

Helen Watts Kirkley July 11, 1921 - May 16, 2013

Florence, S. C. 

Mrs. Helen Watts Kirkley, 91, passed away peacefully at Elmcroft Assisted Living on May 16th, 2013, after a long illness. 

Mrs. Kirkley was born in Lee County on July 11th, 1921, and was the daughter of the late Birchmore and Callie Gardner Watts. 

After graduating from Winthrop College with a degree in education, she taught school in several locations in South Carolina and  after moving to Bennettsville in the late 1960's, she was appointed the Principal at Wallace Primary School, and  during several summers, she traveled to St. Coletta School in Jefferson, Wisc. where she taught disabled children.   After 30 years of dedication to education, Mrs. Kirkley retired in 1983 from the Chester County School District.  Not content with retirement she worked with Dr. She Ling Wong in Bennettsville and Rockingham, N. C., and in 1997 she began working at Fantasy Harbour in Myrtle Beach.

Mrs. Kirkley was a member of the Concord United Methodist Church in the Lucknow Community west of Bishopville and First United Methodist Church in Bennettsville.  She was a member of the Katie McCall Newton Circle, and a member of various Bridge and Garden Clubs in Bennettsville.  She was a very giving person, volunteering her time to the March of Dimes, American Red Cross, Florence Little Theatre, Give Kids the World, United Methodist Manor of the Pee Dee, 2003 Dixie Youth Baseball World Series, Senior Expo in Florence, Carolinas Hospital System, and was honored in 1991 for volunteering 800 plus hours at the Marlboro Park Hospital.

She was a wonderful person and educator who was always willing to give a helping hand and will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her.  As she stated in a newspaper article about her 30 years of service, she said  "My theme song has always been, if I can help somebody as I travel on, then my living is not in vein."

Mrs. Kirkley's surviving family includes a brother, Dargan Watts, of Orlando, Fla., a sister, O’zella Williams, of Greenwood, a son, Jim Kirkley, of Gresham, SC, a granddaughter, Michelle Murphy, of Florence, SC, grandson-in-law, Michael Murphy, of Florence, four grandsons, Jeff, Chris, Jason and Jack Kirkley of Marion, three great grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack B. Kirkley, her daughter, Jackie Carroll, two brothers, Curtis Watts and Blake Watts, and two sisters, Pansy Hatfield and Willie Bell Wright.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am, Saturday, June 1st, 2013 at Concord United Methodist Church, 3121 Old Camden Highway  in the Lucknow community, west of Bishopville.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7^th floor, New York, N. Y. 10001 or Concord United Methodist Church, c/o Mrs Bobbie Arrants, 1083 Stokes Bridge Rd. West, Bishopville, S. C. 29010.

Frances Elizabeth Clarke Martin - Monday, April 8, 2013

Frances Elizabeth Clarke Martin, daughter of the deceased Harry Powell Clarke and Margaret Hammett Clarke, widow of Henry G. Martin Jr., grandmother to the deceased Gary Schraibman, and the last of seven Clarke sisters, was a resident of Brentwood, Tennessee, for the past few years, where she passed away April 8, 2013.  Known by most as Frankie, she was born in SC and lived there most of her life.

She is survived by her five children: Jane Smith of Columbia, SC, Hank (Linda) Martin of Nolensville, TN, Mary (Paul) Van Hoesen of Nashville, TN, Anne (Ronnie) Galloway of Sumter, SC, and Dale (Freddy) Richardson of Murfreesboro, TN, ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.

For over sixty years Frankie was an active member of First Presbyterian (Bishopville), First Presbyterian (Sumter), and St. James Lutheran Church (Sumter), respectively.  She served as choir member and soloist, as a Sunday school teacher, and in the Women’s Circle.  She served on the board of directors for Sumter Little Theatre and starred in many musical productions. Frankie was a member and soloist of the Sumter Civic Chorale, patron of the Sumter SPCA, dedicated volunteer for United Ministries of Sumter County, past president of Women’s Afternoon Music Club, past president of Ladies Golf Association at Sunset Country Club, and an active member of multiple bridge clubs and garden clubs in Bishopville and Sumter.  Accompanied by her husband, Henry, Frankie sang for hundreds of weddings, funerals, and community events in Sumter, Bishopville, and throughout the state of SC.  She loved and devoted her life to Jesus, her family and friends.  Frankie will be remembered for her Southern hospitality, her optimistic view of life, her poetry, quick wit and humorous musical parodies, and the life of love she lived.

A memorial service will be held at St. James Lutheran Church, 1137 Alice Drive, Sumter, SC, on Saturday, May 4, at 11 am.

Memorials may be made to United Ministries of Sumter County, PO Box 1017, Sumter, SC 29151, or to the Gary Schraibman Memorial Foundation, c/o Central Carolina Community Foundation, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 213, Columbia SC 29204.

Following the memorial service, the family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall.
“Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’” (Proverbs 31:28, 29)

On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com

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

Donald Eric Arrants April 20, 2013

Bishopville, S.C.

Graveside services for Donald Eric Arrants, age 47, who passed away April 20, will be held Tuesday at 2:00 pm at the Tiller (Bethany) Cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home. 

Rev. Hazel Mixon will officiate. Visitation will be Monday 5-7 pm at the Funeral Home. 

Eric was born in Darlington a son of the late Don & Shirley Lyles Arrants. 

Surviving are two sons, Mark Arrants, Hartsville and Matthew Arrants, Bishopville; two sisters, Wanda (Richard) Gainey, Bishopville and Donna Arrants, Hartsville; one grandchild, Bailey Arrants, Bishopville. www.nortonfh.net

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Theo Woodham Lang Saturday, April 13, 2013

BISHOPVILLE, SC 

Theo Woodham Lang, 99, of Bishopville, died Saturday, April 13, 2013, in McCoy Memorial Nursing Center. 

A graveside service will be held in Savannah Advent Christian Church Cemetery Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30, conducted by the Rev. T.W. Mitchell. Visitation will be 6:00-7:30 Tuesday evening at Norton Funeral Home, Bishopville Chapel. 

Theo was born in the Ashland section of Lee County, a daughter of John Edward and Laura Hall Woodham. The widow of James W. Lang, she was first married to the late Robert R. Woodham Jr. 

Surviving are her son, Robert T. Woodham of Bishopville; grandson, Jim McDonald of Destin, Fla.; granddaughter Sherry Swann (Robert) of Satsuma, Ala.; four great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. 

Theo was predeceased by her daughter, Barbara W. Trauner; a granddaughter, Sandy McDonald; and five siblings: L.T. Woodham, Ruby Lucile Woodham, Travis Woodham, Sam Woodham and Ruth W. Lockett. 

The family thanks the staff at McCoy for the loving care given to Theo during her residence there. 

Memorials may be made to First Church of the Nazarene, 320 N. Dennis Ave., Bishopville, SC 29010 or to Lee County Memorial Library, 200 N. Main St., Bishopville, SC 29010. 

Norton Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of arrangements.

Read more here: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/thestate/obituary.aspx?n=theo-woodham-lang&pid=164271260&fhid=6362#storylink=cpy