January 2008

Gregory Dale “Greg” Whitaker January 31, 2008

Gregory Dale “Greg” Whitaker, 50, of Newberry, died Thursday, January 31, 2008 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Harlan County, Ky, a son of Jane Rogers Whitaker Webster and the late Gene Whitaker. He was an Artist and Sales Manager and he was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Martha Wight Whitaker of the home; his mother of Frankfurt, KY; three daughters Melissa Anne Whitaker of Columbia, Jeannie Allison Whitaker of Greenville and Marlowe Stella Whitaker of Newberry; two brothers, Gene Allen Whitaker of Indiana and Kenneth Gaines Webster of Charlotte, NC; and a granddaughter Scarlett Elizabeth Brewer.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday at Whitaker Funeral Home by Rev Dr. John Miller. Private interment services was held in Rosemont Cemetery. The family did receive friends following the funeral service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, SC Affiliate, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 110, Columbia, SC, 29204.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

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Alma Pearl “Sandy” Blackmon Gillotte January 30, 2008

Alma Pearl “Sandy” Blackmon Gillotte, 82, of Columbia, died Wednesday, January 30, 2008, after a long illness. Mrs.Gillotte was born on February 1, 1925, in Carolene, N.C., and was the middle of nine children of the late Carl Johnson Blackmon and Alma Pearl Hatfield Blackmon. She was a current member of St. John's Episcopal Church, Wheat Street, and a former member of Chappells Baptist Church in Chappells, SC.
Sandy Gillotte graduated from Chappells High School in 1942, and turned down an academic scholarship in order to support herself and her family financially. While working in Orangeburg during World War II, she met and later married Robert Paul Gillotte, an airman serving in the French Air Force as an instructor for aspiring pilots at the Hawthorne School of Aeronautics in Orangeburg, S.C. Following the war, the couple moved to Milwaukee, WI, where Mr. Gillotte worked for the Allis-Chalmers Export Service Department.
In 1953, Sandy accompanied her newly naturalized husband to his hometown of Oran, Algeria, so that they could care for his ailing father and take over the family Office Supply business. The family departed Algeria and returned to America in 1959, following an escalation in fighting during that country's civil war. The family temporarily settled in Chappells, SC, until Mr. Gillotte could firmly establish his entrepreneurial dream in Columbia, the Robert P. Gillotte, Co., Inc. From the company’s inception to its ultimate sale to Atlantic Envelope, a division of National Service Industries, Sandy Gillotte served as an officer of the company and personal secretary to her husband, using her outstanding bi-lingual and secretarial skills in advancement of the company’s goals. Her tireless devotion to her husband throughout 60 years of marriage greatly contributed to his success and that of the company and remains one of her greatest legacies.
Aside from these accomplishments, however, Sandy Gillotte’s greatest contribution in this life as been as a devoted mother and grandmother. To the three children and seven grandchildren she leaves behind, she has been the embodiment of unconditional love, wisdom, and nurturing, and she will forever remain their light and inspiration.
Sandy Gillotte is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Danielle and Bill Hawley of Columbia, and Sylvia Gillotte and Sidney Ettedgui of Sarasota, FL; a son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Jan Gillotte of Columbia; nine grandchildren, Claire Gillotte Dunn, Leslie Gillotte, Paula Gillotte, Malsert Chapman, Nicole Gordon, Erin Mewshaw, Bertin Mewshaw, Jeremy Ettedgui, and Jason Ettedgui; one sister, Joni Blackmon Sloan of Columbia; and two brothers, Jay Blackmon, of Greenwood, and Jimmy Blackmon of Houston, TX. Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Friday at St. John's Episcopal Church by the Rev. J. Fletcher Montgomery. Interment did follow in Chappells (S.C.) Baptist Church cemetery, at 3:30 PM.
Visitation with the family was held from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Thursday at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The family would like to thank the entire staff of the 2nd floor Intensive Care Unit at Providence Memorial Hospital for their loving care to Sandy and the family during her illness. The family requests that you honor Mrs. Gillotte's memory by making memorials to St. John's Episcopal Church, 2827 Wheat Street, Columbia, SC, 29205, or Chappells Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Betty Harmon, 3018 Scurry Island Road, Chappells, SC, 29037.
Active pallbearers were Bertin Mewshaw, Bill Hawley, Sidney Ettedgui, Jay Blackmon, Jim Blackmon, Mike Blackmon, Richard Sloan, and Bud Hult. Honorary pallbearers were Ray Mewshaw, Foster Chapman, Malcolm Gordon, Mike Risher, Mark Gasque, Paul Brannon, and Tracen Brannon.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, is assisting the family.

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Hance I. Long January 24, 2008

Hance I. Long, 90, formerly of 1556 Hance Rd. Prosperity, widower of Christine Havird Long, died Thursday, January 24, 2008 at the Saluda Nursing Center.
He was born on January 12, 1918 in Prosperity, a son of the late William H. and Ida Baker Long. He was a retired employee of Farmer’s Ice and Fuel Company and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church where he was a former Deacon, Church Clerk and Sunday School teacher. He was also a member of the Woodmen of the World.
Mr. Long is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by five sisters; Ruth Bowers, Carrie Williamson, Grace Amick, Nan Boland and Nell Counts and four brothers Wallace Long, Furman Long Curtis Long and Ashley Long
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday at Bethel Baptist Church by the Rev. Lynn Peters. The body was placed in the church at 2:00 PM. Interment was in church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2503 Bethel Church Rd. Prosperity, SC 29127.
Pallbearers were William Long, Gene Counts, Von Counts, Ralph Summer, William Wessinger, Charles Havird, Richard Havird and Dean Long.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

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Barbara Crothers Cope January 20, 2008

Barbara Crothers Cope, 86, died surrounded by her family at her home in Newberry, SC, on Sunday, January 20, 2008. The family did receive visitors at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 24. The funeral were at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, Newberry, SC, on Friday, January 25th at 11 a.m. conducted by the Rev. Dr. Mitchell VanMetre.
Mrs. Cope was born in Rochester, NY, on March 20, 1921, a daughter of Armeda Van Demark Crothers and Oliver Frisbie Crothers. She attended The College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio, graduating in May 1942. While studying at Wooster, Mrs. Cope developed a love of poetry and throughout her life she wrote and published her poems in local and national magazines. She was the author of four books of poetry, among them Fabric: A Family Portrait, and Reflections: An Idyl in Poetry and Prose. Her latest book, Roses and Remembrance, was published several months before her death.
Mrs. Cope maintained a keen interest in genealogy and as a direct descendant of the pilgrims and an active member of the Mayflower Society, she enjoyed tracing her family back many centuries. A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a past president of The Fine Arts Club of Newberry, a past president of AAUW, and a leader of her church circle for many years, Mrs. Cope was particularly honored to be presented in 2002 with the Volunteer of the Year Award by the women of Aveleigh Presbyterian Church. She and her husband of 53 years, Robert Samuel Cope--who predeceased her in 2002--taught the Neil Trusdale Sunday School Class at Aveleigh, where they had been members for over 30 years. In her husband’s honor, Mrs. Cope established The Robert Samuel Cope Memorial Scholarship at Newberry College. She had founded a scholarship in honor of her parents and brother--The Crothers Scholarship--in Phelps, NY, in 1995.
The family wishes to thank Mrs. Cope’s long-time, devoted caregivers--Julia Tribble, Mildred Crump, Veronica Singleton, Sally Neal and Carmen Mincey in addition to neighbors Joy and Bobby Hamby. Mrs. Cope is survived by five children--W. Randall Cope of Columbia, Sandra Stieglitz of Columbia, Stephen C. Cope of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Ellen Kneut of Rochester, NY, and Barbara Wiechmann of Lakeland, Florida, as well as six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her brother, William Van Demark Crothers, died in 1979.
Memorials may be made to Aveleigh Presbyterian Church, 1211 Calhoun St., Newberry SC, or to The Robert Samuel Cope Memorial Scholarship, c/o Newberry College, 2100 College St., Newberry SC 29108.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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James R. “Big Jim” Perry January 15, 2008

James R. “Big Jim” Perry, 56, of 837 S. C. Highway 121, Silverstreet, died Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at his residence.
He was born on December 30, 1951 in Brady, Texas a son of Lena Mae and the late Marion Ray Perry. He was an employee of International Paper Company of Newberry.
Mr. Perry is survived by his wife, Ronda Bush Perry; his mother, Lena Mae Perry of Brady, Texas; a daughter, Julie (Kristopher) Davis of Columbia; a son, James Ray “Jamie” (Angela) Perry, Jr. of Silverstreet; a sister, Ann (Lemoine) Tedrow of Menard, Texas; nieces, Marlena Bush of Plato, Texas and Tonya Jo (Dicky) Garland of Newberry; nephew, Rustin Scott Bush of Dallas, Texas; brother-in-law, Charles (Gwen) Bush of Brady, Texas; grandchildren, James Ray “Jody” Perry, III and Wyatt Samuel Davis; and great nephew, Jacob Reid Garland. He was predeceased by his great nephew, Caleb Ryan Bush.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. Eddie Bledsoe. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery, Springdale Section.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday at Whitaker Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were Mike Paquin, Larry Paquin, Anglo Paquin, Tom Burton, John Platts and Bill “Dance” Cosby. Honorary pallbearers will be Fidele Paquin and Raymond Costello.
The family suggests memorials be made to the American Cancer Society, % Helen Beebe, 181 Tailers Trail, Leesville, SC 29070 or to Freedom Baptist Church, 2028 Mt. Bethel Garmany Rd., Newberry, SC 29108.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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Brenda H. Massey January 11, 2008

Brenda H. Massey, 62, of 1833 Brookside Manor, Newberry died Friday, January 11, 2008 at her residence.
She was born on August 1, 1945 in Randolph Co., NC, a daughter of the late Arthur N. Hargis and Bettie Slaughter Hargis Wagoner.
Mrs. Massey was an active member of the First Baptist Church where she enjoyed her fellowship with the church and its members. As her health permitted, she was a dedicated volunteer for the Newberry County Literacy Council for many years.
She is survived by James T. Massey; four daughters, Pamela Bickley, Teresa Jackson, and Leigh Anne Koutras all of Newberry, and Joyce Robertson of Columbia; two sisters, Betty Lynn Wolfe and Sandra Rice both of Burlington, NC; one brother, E. Wayne Hargis of Burlington; eight grandchildren, Christina Melendez, Abigail Sease, Katerina Koutras, Brenda Koutras, Jennie Jackson, Jeremy Jackson, Chad Bickley, and Hope Evans; and eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a brother, Ronald Hargis.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Tuesday, at the First Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harmon and the Rev. Eddie Bledsoe. Interment was in Baxter Cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Monday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
The family was at the home of Teresa and James Jackson, 458 SC Hwy 395, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to the Newberry Literacy Council, PO Box 566, Newberry SC 29108, or to the Newberry County Memorial Hospital Foundation, PO Box 497, Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were David Sease, Jr., Jonathan Moran, Johnny Moran, Zander Cotney, Chad Bickley, Michael Evans, and Jason Hubbard.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

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Jackson Andrew Forrester January 10, 2008

Jackson Andrew Forrester, 19, of Four Oaks Road, Little Mountain died Thursday, January 10, 2008.
He was born on February 5, 1988 in Rockhill, a son of Bill and Becky Forrester. He attended York High School and Mid-Carolina High School.
He is survived by parents of Prosperity; his fiancée, Jessica Lynn “Jess” Rice; four sisters Donna Bradley of Rockhill, Marie Medlock of Port Royal, Brandy Ford of Simpsonville, and Ashley Capo of Huntersville, NC; a brother, Billy Forrester, Jr. of Little Mountain; his maternal grandparents Harold G and Barbara Jackson of Huntersville, NC; and his paternal grandmother, Stella Beatrice Forrester of Greenville..
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin.
Visitation was from 7:00 to 9:00 PM Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin is assisting the family.

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James William Dickert January 10, 2008

James William Dickert, 95, formerly of Warner St., Greenville and Homewood Residence, died Thursday, January 10, 2008 at Brighton Gardens Health Care in Greenville.
He was born on September 20, 1912 in Newberry, SC, a son of the late Alonzo Haskum and Mattie Lominack Dickert. He graduated from Newberry College in 1934 and furthered his education in textile engineering at Clemson College. He retired from Saco-Lowell Shops as Regional Sales Manager. He started his textile career with Calloway Mills in LaGrange, GA. He also worked with Laurens Mills in Laurens SC, Borden Mills in Kingsport, TN and Tennessee Eastman, also in Kingsport.
He was a member of Buncombe Street United Methodist Church and for many years was a member of St. Michael’s Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge in Kingsport, TN.
Mr. Dickert is survived by his daughter, Marguerite Dickert Ligon of Greenville; a granddaughter, Anne Dickert Ligon Spruill and her husband, William C. “Chuck” Spruill; a great grandson, William Thomas Spruill; and four nieces, Sally Lou Dickert Conlin, Martha Dickert Nelson, Elisabeth Bosch Biggerstaff, and Mary Ellen Bosch. He was predeceased by his wife, Luzie Bosch Dickert and a brother, Herman A. Dickert.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry by the Rev. Grover Putnam. A private interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation was from 4:00 to 6:00 PM Saturday at the residence of his daughter, Marguerite Ligon, 200 McPherson Lane, Greenville.
Memorials may be made to The Newberry County Historical Society, PO Box 186, Newberry, SC 29108, Newberry College, 2100 College St., Newberry, SC 29108 or to Buncombe St. United Methodist Church, 200 Buncombe St., Greenville, SC 29601.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, SC, is assisting the family

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James E. “Jim” Garretson, Jr. January 6, 2008

James E. “Jim” Garretson, Jr., 89, of 1413 Azalea Dr., Newberry, widower of Margaret Trickey Garretson, died Sunday, January 6, 2008, at J. F. Hawkins Nursing Home.
He was born on July 30, 1918 in Detroit, MI., a son of the late James Elsworth and Muriel Elsey Garretson, Sr. He was a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, where he played varsity basketball and tennis. He served as a major in the U. S. Army for five years during World War II. He retired as president of the Eastern Division of United Foods, Bells TN. He was a member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Jackson TN, where he served as a lay reader and vestry member for many years and was also an affiliate member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Newberry, SC.
Mr. Garretson is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Judith and Hiram Mersereau, Jr. of Newberry; a son and daughter-in-law, James E. and Debbi Garretson, III of Germantown, TN; a brother, Lee Smith Garretson of West Bloomfield Hills, MI; and three grandsons, Timothy Hiram Mersereau, Adam Garretson Mersereau, and Matthew Alexander Garretson; four great-grandchildren Ashley Margaret Mersereau, Richard Hiram Mersereau, Emma Margaret Mersereau, and Mary DeLisse Mersereau. He was predeceased by a sister, Jean Garretson Bracken.
Graveside funeral services was conducted at 3:00 PM Thursday in Newberry Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan.
Memorials may be made to the St. Lukes Episcopal Church, 1605 Main St., Newberry, SC 29108.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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Carl Edward Longshore January 2, 2008

Carl Edward Longshore, 80, of Newberry died Wednesday, January 2, 2008, at Lexington Medical Center, in Lexington, South Carolina. He loved his God, his country, and his family and friends. He traveled around the world and made friends everywhere. Down to earth and willing to help anyone in need, he never asked for anything in return.
Born in Newberry, S.C., he was a son of the late James Clarence and Maude McWhirter Longshore of Newberry County. He was a veteran of the United States Navy during WW II, receiving the Navy Commendation Medal. Carl was a decorated member of the United States Marine Corp during the Viet Nam War, receiving the Order of the Purple Heart from a grateful nation. He retired from the Marine Corp in 1971 and served as Fire Chief at Fort Jackson, Columbia, SC until his retirement. Carl was Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars at Posts #641 and #5934. He also served as Commander of American Legion Post #24 in Newberry. While at Post #24, he was a member of the 40 & 8. Carl was a Board Member of Drayton Village in Newberry. He was a member of Jamil Shrine Club in Columbia, Amity Masonic Lodge #87, Sons of Confederate Veterans where he was awarded a War Service Medal, and was also awarded the Cross of Military Service by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Carl was a member of Colony Lutheran Church.
Carl Longshore was twice married; first to the late Marjorie C. Longshore, and subsequently to Tresey B. Longshore, who survives her husband. He is also survived by one son, Carl E. (Brenda) Longshore, Jr., two daughters, Phyllis A. L. Seigle, and Karen L. (Kevin) Jones and step-children, Richard Grimmett, Rita (Chris) Woomer, Kelly Poteat, and Susan (Richard) Douglas. Carl was blessed with a number of grandchildren and one great granchild.
Visitation was held at Whitaker Funeral Home on Friday from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. Masonic Rite were held at 3:30 PM prior to the visitation.
A graveside funeral service with military honors celebrating the life of Carl Edward Longshore was held in Rosemont Cemetery at 1:00 PM Saturday presided over by the Rev. Jerry L. Trantham, Pastor of Colony Lutheran Church.
Honorary pallbearers will be Members of the American Legion Post # 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 5934. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, S.C. 29210, or Colony Lutheran Church, 48 Colony Church Road, Newberry, SC, 29108.
Notes of condolence may be sent to the family via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry is assisting the family.

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James C. Nabors December 31, 2007

James C. Nabors, 83, of 538 N. Main St., Joanna, formerly of Bush River Road, Newberry, died Monday, December 31, 2007 at the Laurens Medical Center.
He was born in Newberry County, a son of the late J. J. and Marie McKeown Nabors. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War and a retired employee of the Torrington Co. He was a member of Sharon United Methodist Church and Amity Lodge # 87 A.F.M.
He is survived by his companion of 40 years, Dewel Proffitt of Joanna; her son and his wife, Gary and Ann Proffitt and their children, Brian and Tina Proffitt and Mark Proffitt all of Florence.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Thursday at Sharon United Methodist Church by Pastor James H. Counts, Jr. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
The family was at the residence of Dewel Proffitt, 538 N. Main St., Joanna and did receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Sharon United Methodist Church, 100 Carlisle Oxner Rd., Kinards, SC 29355.
Active pallbearers were Charlie Avery, Miller Jacobs, Frankie Wilbanks, John Sparkman, Carl Turner, and Ronnie Crouch.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

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