October 2007


Henry F. Mills
October 30, 2007

Henry F. Mills, 86, of 2790 Bush River Road, widower of Marjorie Cannon Mills, died Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
He was born on March 8, 1921 in Newberry, a son of the late John Mills and Nora Wood Mills Price. He was a World War II U. S. Marine veteran, having served with the 4th Marine Division, 124th Marine G. Company. He was a part of the first wave that landed in Iwo Jima, was wounded during this time and was also present to see the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima.
Mr. Mills was an active member of Central United Methodist Church where he was also a member of the Chesley Cannon Bible Class. He was a founding member of the Bush River Fire Department where he served as a former Chief and also as treasurer for 41 years. He was a past president of the Bush River PTA and also served on the Newberry County School Board for seven years. He was a member and past president of the Bush River Young Farmers and during his presidency was awarded the 1975 Young Farmer Group in S.C. He was a past president of the Newberry County Farm Bureau and received the Outstanding Service to Community award for thirty-seven plus years of service. During his term as president of the Bureau, the building for the Newberry office was constructed.
In 1974 he was listed in Who’s Who in S. C. Mr. Mills and his wife Marjorie were recipients of the Rotary 2000 Lay Persons of the Year Award.
He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Cindy R. Mills of Newberry; a sister and brother-in-law, Margaret Francis and H.C. Thomas of Waterloo; a brother and sister-in-law, Boyd and Peggy Mills of Greenville; four grandsons, Mark, Brad, Chris and Tyler Mills; four great granddaughters, Meredith, Martina and Matalyn Mills and Cassidy Harrison; a number of nieces and nephews and special friend T.D. Smith, his fox hole buddy at Iwo Jima. He was predeceased by a son, Randy K. Mills, and brothers, R. L., DeWitt and Julian Mills.
Funeral services were will be conducted at 2:00 PM Friday in Central United Methodist Church by the Rev. Dr. John Miller and Rev. Van E. Thomas. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens with military rites.
The family was his residence and did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Whitaker Funeral Home.
Honorary pallbearers were Harold and Anne Folk, Heber and Margaret Long, Wayne Nichols, Bobby Nichols, David Hendrix, Harold Ruff, members of the Chesley Cannon Sunday School Class, the Ezell Bible Class, the Couples Class and the Bush River Fire Department, and Dr. Tom Bradberry, Dr. John Thompson, Dr. Mark Davis, Dr. Alan Paysinger and Dr. Duncan Holaday.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 67, 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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Marion J. Wiggins, Jr.
October 29. 2007

Marion J. Wiggins, Jr., 77. of 758 Baxter Street, Newberry, died Monday, October 29. 2007, at his residence.
He was born in Rock Hill, SC a son of the late Marion J. Wiggins and Floy Wike Wiggins Hancock. He was a former employee of the Newberry Observer and a World War II veteran of the US Marine Corp. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church and the Newberry Moose Lodge #2211.
Mr. Wiggins is survived by his wife, Betty Baxter Wiggins; two daughters, Marian Jean Stone and Jan W. Moore both of Newberry; a son and daughter in-law, Jeffrey and Wanda Wiggins of Hamlet, NC; five grandchildren, Amanda Stone, Britney Wiggins, Ryan Wiggins, Samantha Moore and Melanie Moore; two great-grandsons, Kevin and Donald Peay; and three brothers, Danny Wiggins of Wedgefield, SC, Donnie Wiggins of Cortland Manor, NY and David Wiggins of Whispering Pines, NC. He was predeceased by a sister, Betty Jo Hancock.
Funeral services were conducted at 11 A.M. Thursday at Whitaker Funeral Home. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
The family was at the residence and did receive friends from 5:30 – 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 67, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the American Lung Association of SC, 1817 Gadsden St., Columbia, SC 29201.
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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Virginia Pierce Counts
October 27, 2007

Virginia Pierce Counts, 84, formerly of Wheeler St. in Prosperity, widow of Gregg E. Counts, died Saturday, October 27, 2007 at Life Care Center of Gwinnett, Lawrenceville, GA.
She was born in Watha, NC, a daughter of the late James Robert and Dora Piner Pierce. She was a retired employee of Prosperity Drug Co. and was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where she was a former member of the Congregational Council and Financial Secretary. She was also a member of the Grace Sease Sunday School Class, the Dorcas Eve Circle and the Eastern Star.
She is survived by her son, Gregg Pierce Counts of Grayson, GA; two grandchildren, Courtney Counts and Colin Counts; three sister, Dorothy Stallings, Jessie Newland, and Annie B. Ottaway all of North Carolina; and a brother James F. Pierce of North Carolina.
Funeral services were 2:00 PM Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home by Rev. Eric Fink. Interment was Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, P. O. Box 188, Prosperity, SC 29127
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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Claudia Schumpert Hinson
October 27, 2007

Claudia Schumpert Hinson, 92, died Saturday, October 27, 2007, at the J. F. Hawkins Nursing Home.
She was born January 14, 1915 in Newberry, a daughter of the late Claude C. and Myrtle Dennis Schumpert. She was a graduate of Newberry College and received her Masters degree from the University of South Carolina.
Ms. Hinson was a retired educator having taught in Whitmire and Winnsboro schools prior to teaching Latin for more than 30 years at Newberry High School. While at Newberry High she served as the Cheerleader Sponsor from 1957 to 1980. She was also employed at Bergen’s Ladies Shop for a number of years.
She was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. She was also a member of ADK and the Fidelis Chapter of ADK and belonged to the Newberry County Retired Educators Association. She had served on the Newberry County Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse.
She is survived by a sister-in-law; Peggy H. Schumpert of Newberry; three nieces; Susan Schumpert of Newberry, Lucia S. (Randall) Renwick and Dennis S. (Chuck) Byrd both of Newberry; two nephews; Young (Cindy) Schumpert of Prosperity and Claude (Missy) Schumpert of Chapin, and nine great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a brother, Robert D. “Bob” Schumpert.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday by the Rev. Caldwell Day in Rosemont Cemetery.
The family was at the home of Peggy Schumpert, 800 Caldwell Street, Newberry and did receive friends from 6 to 7:30 P.M. Monday at her home.
Memorials may be made to Growing in Grace, %Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, P. O. Box 382, Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were nephews, Young Schumpert, Claude Schumpert, Randall Renwick, Chuck Byrd; and great nephews, Travis Renwick, Nicholas Renwick and Austin Byrd.
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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Sheila Hardin Counts
October 24, 2007

Sheila Hardin Counts, 76, of 1132 Kibler's Bridge Road, Little Mountain, SC, wife of Carroll A. Counts, died Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
She was born on March 24, 1931 in Shelby, NC, a daughter of the late W. Alvin and Claire Roggli Hardin. She was a 1951 graduate of Winthrop College, a homemaker, and a member of Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Counts is survived by her husband of Little Mountain; three daughters and sons-in-law, Sharon and Mitchell Still of Newberry and Cindy and Steve Lindler and Patsy and Richard Turner all of Irmo; a sister, Jean Hardin Jennings of Little Mountain; six grandchildren, Sharolyn Jade Beckham, Michael Still, Ryan Lindler, Kelsey Lindler, Bethany Turner, and Brandon Turner; and a great granddaughter, Skyla Kerns. She was predeceased by two brothers, William and Bobby Hardin.
Funeral service were conducted at 4:00 PM Friday at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church by the Rev. John Stoudemayer and the Rev. Steve Counts. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Visitation was from 5:30 to 7:30 PM Thursday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin. The family was at the residence, 1132 Kibler’s Bridge Road, Little Mountain.
Memorials may be made to Mt Tabor Lutheran Church Building Fund, 816 Mt. Tabor Rd., Little Mountain, SC 29075.
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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Charles W. “Charlie” Monts
October 23, 2007

Charles W. “Charlie” Monts, 82, of Little Mountain died Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at his residence.
He was born in Chapin on June 16, 1925 to the late Arthur C. and Jessie Lindler Monts.
He was a US Army veteran of World War II and was retired from General Electric and North American Phillips, Columbia Plant.
Mr. Monts was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Little Mountain.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Slice Monts; a sister, Janet Monts Adams of Prosperity; nieces, Connie Monts (Hans) Doberass of West Columbia and Pamela Monts (Jimmy III) Dunbar of Chapin; nephews, John Wyman (Anita) Monts of Gaston, Donald B. Monts of West Columbia and Kenneth Monts of Irmo; several great nieces and nephews and a special friend, Sandra E. Monts. He was predeceased by brothers, J. C. Monts, Claude L. Monts, George Cecil Monts and Homer Willard Monts.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 PM Thursday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church by the Rev. Fred Suhr. Interment was in Bethel Lutheran Church Cemetery in White Rock.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Chapin.
Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 186, Little Mountain, SC 29075; Lutheran Hospice, 1505 Blanding Street, Columbia, SC 29201; or Spinal Cord Injury Research, 500 Taylor St, Suite 403, Columbia, SC 29201.
Active pallbearers were Kenneth Monts, Jimmy Dunbar, III, Wayne Hollis, William Lane, Sr., Gene R. Swygert, and Joshua Monts.
The family expresses special thanks to the employees of Home Health of Newberry County DHEC and Lutheran Hospice.
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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Dr. James C. “Jim” Atkison
October 19, 2007

Dr. James C. “Jim” Atkison, Jr., 87, of 2135 Mower St., Newberry, died Friday, October 19, 2007 at his residence.
He was born on May 31, 1920 in Greenville, the son of the late James C. and Minnie Wilson Atkison. He served with the U.S. Army Air Corps’ 8th Air Force in England during WW II. He received his degree in optometry from the Southern Illinois College of Optometry and practiced in Newberry for 35 years, until his retirement in 1984.
He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, the Newberry Lions Club, the American Optometric Association, and the S.C. Optometric Association.
He is survived by two daughters and a son-in- law, Karen A. Atkison of Severn, Md. and Amy and Allen Jackson of Wellford; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. James A. and Maryanne Atkison of Sumter; and four grandchildren; James H. Atkison, Cameron H. Atkison, Amber N. Jackson, and Taylor C. Jackson. He was predeceased by his wife, Amber Kuehl Atkison.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Friday, October, 26, 2007 in Newberry Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Dr. John Miller.
Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 PM Thursday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family was at his residence.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Helen Beebe, 181 Tailers Trail, Leesville, SC 29070.
Active pallbearers were his grandchildren. Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Newberry Lions Club and the members of the Board of Directors’ Poker Club.
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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J. Edward “Ed” Folk
October 16, 2007

J. Edward “Ed” Folk, 81, of 2221 Glenn St. Newberry, widower of Margaret Merchant Folk, died Tuesday, October 16, 2007, at the Medical University of S.C. in Charleston.
He was born on Oct. 29, 1925 in Newberry, a son of the late Eugene C. and Ione Caldwell Folk. He was a Navy veteran of WW II and a retired employee of CSX Railroad. He was a member of Beth Eden Lutheran Church, Amity Masonic Lodge #87, Newberry York Rite Bodies, Hejaz Shrine Temple, and the Newberry County Shrine Club.
Mr. Folk is survived by two nieces, Ruby (James) Phibbs of Newberry and Loraine (Leland) Martin of Greenwood; three nephews, Billy Ray (Margaret) Hester of Newberry, Brabham (Ann) Hester of Prosperity, and Chevis (Kathy) Franklin of Newberry; a special great nephew, Jimmie (Cassandra) Phibbs of Prosperity; and a special great great niece, Brooke Phibbs of Prosperity. He was predeceased by a sister, Adelaide Folk Minick and three brothers, Eugene Folk, James Folk, and Milton Folk.
The family was at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. James Phibbs, 2210 Glenn St., Newberry.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday in Newberry Memorial Gardens by Rev. Rodney Gunter.
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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Jennie Kyzer Ouzts Bouknight
October 12, 2007

Jennie Kyzer Ouzts Bouknight, 94, of 508 Wright St., Newberry, died Friday, October 12, 2007 at Providence Hospital.
She was born on Nov. 20, 1912 in Lexington County, a daughter of the late Davis A. and Martha Ruff Kyzer.
She was a former employee of Newberry Mills and was a member of O’Neal Street United Methodist Church and the Mae Hendrix Circle. She was not only a lover of animals, but was also devoted to caring for them.
Mrs. Bouknight is survived by four daughters and two sons-in-law, Joyce Ouzts Booth of Livingston, MT, Carol Ann O. and Nelson Sease of Leesville, Margaret O. and Ralph Sease of Batesburg, and Faye Ouzts Settles of Winston-Salem; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bennie L. and Martha Ouzts of Columbia and Allen and Linda Ouzts of West Columbia; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by three sisters Perene Kyzer, Lillie Kyzer, and Annie Ruth Kyzer and three brothers, John Kyzer, Clyde Kyzer, and Ballenger Kyzer.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday at O’Neal St. United Methodist Church by the Rev. Ada Charles and the Rev. Kim Thomas. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family was at the Bouknight residence, 508 Wright St.
Memorials may be made to Humane Society, PO Box 485, Newberry, SC 29108 or to O’Neal St. United Methodist Church, 511 O’Neal St., Newberry SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were Ben Ouzts, Steve Ouzts, Robert Ouzts, David Sease, Barry Sease, Jeff Sease, Chris Erdman, Kim Plum, Katie Settles, Daphne Ouzts, Katie Black and Larkin Vonalt.
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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Donald R. Davenport
October 5, 2007

Donald R. Davenport, 59, of 2126 Rosalyn Drive, Newberry, died Friday, October 5, 2007 at his residence.
He was born on October 11, 1947 in Newberry, a son of the late W. L. “Jr.” and Dollie Mae McGee Davenport. He was a U. S. Navy veteran of the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Wilson Davenport of Newberry; a daughter and son-in-law, Tara D. and Jeffrey Long of Newberry; a son and daughter-in-law, Lance and Cheryl Davenport of Port Huemene, CA; two sisters, Becky Stallings of Indian Trail, NC and Diane Wicker of Newberry; two brothers, Chris Davenport of Silverstreet and John Davenport of Charleston; and nine grandchildren, Taylor Davenport, Allyssa Davenport, Candice Davenport, Jordan Davenport, Cameron Davenport, Katelyn Spencer, Justin Long, Kristin Long, and Marley Long. He was predeceased by a sister, Judy Baker and a brother, Tommy Lee Davenport.
Funeral services were conducted at 4:00 PM Wednesday in the Colony Lutheran Church Social Hall by the Rev. Jerry Trantham.
Memorials may be made to Colony Lutheran Church, 48 Colony Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the American Lung Association of SC, 1817 Gadsden St., Columbia, SC 29201.
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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Jerry C. Frick, Jr.
Oct. 4, 2007

Jerry C. Frick, Jr., 48, of 1107 Dreher Island Road, Chapin, died Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007 at Palmetto Richland Hospital.
He was born in Prosperity, a son of Christine Frick Boland and the late Jerry C. Frick. He was an employee of Ideal Construction Co. and a member of St. Peter Lutheran Church. His favorite pastime was fishing with his grandchildren.
Mr. Frick is survived by his mother of Chapin; a daughter, Christine F. Nelson of Newberry; a son, Paul H. Frick of Chapin; the mother of his children, Lorrette Amick Frick; two grandchildren, Joseph W. Nelson and Candice Nicole Nelson; a sister, Mary F. Shealy of Chapin; and two brothers, Roland C. Frick of Chapin and Gary F. Frick of Pelion.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Sunday at St. Peter Lutheran Church by the Rev. David Tholstrup. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the St. Peter Lutheran (Cemetery Fund or Roof Fund) Church, 900 Dreher Island Rd., Chapin SC 29036.
Active pallbearers were Al Turner, Barry Morris, Al Turner, Jr., Nelson Riddle, Bryan Boland, and Jim Humphries.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin, is assisting the family.

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Evelyn McCrackin Brooks
October 1, 2007

Evelyn McCrackin Brooks, 88, formerly of 1703 Wheeler St., Newberry, widow of Phillips M. Brooks, died Monday, October 1, 2007 at the J. F. Hawkins Nursing Home.
She was born on Oct 22, 1918 in Newberry, a daughter of the late J. Thadeus McCrackin and Margaret Matthews McCrackin Bryson. She attended Queens College, was a devoted homemaker and was a member of Central United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Brooks is survived by three sons, Phillips M. Brooks, Jr. of Atlanta, Robert M. Brooks of Columbia, and Jack B. Brooks of Newberry; two grandchildren, Taylor Brooks and Grant Brooks; and two sisters, Caroline Henderson and Eliza Parr both of Newberry. She was predeceased by three brothers, J. Thad McCrackin, Jr., Thomas McCrackin, and Edward McCrackin
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 4:00 P.M. Thursday, in Rosemont Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 67, 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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Sarah Davenport Graham
October 1, 2007

Sarah Davenport Graham, 73, of 1820 Brookside Manor, widow of Maxie Graham, died Monday, October 1, 2007 at her residence.
She was born on August 25, 1934 in Newberry County, a daughter of the late James Floyd and Lucy Morris Davenport. She was a retired employee of the Newberry County School District and a devoted homemaker and was a member of West End Baptist Church.
Mrs. Graham is survived by two daughters, Debbie Jean Graham of Newberry and Annette Boland of Little Mountain; a son, James T. “J.T.” Graham of Newberry; four grandchildren, Jaimee Spring Graham, Jesse Thomas Graham, Katilyn Sarah Graham, and Christopher Thomas Boland, a sister, Francis Cole of Fayetteville, NC; and a brother, Jeff Davenport of Bellmaur, NJ.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday at West End Baptist Church by the Rev. Kevin Carter. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Active pallbearers were James Satterwhite, Justin Davenport, Kenneth Richardson, Ronnie Richardson, Frank Cunningham, John Davenport, III, and Roger Lathrop. Honorary pallbearers were Richie Graham, Skip Davenport and J.R. Longshore.
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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