October 2008

Sarah Elizabeth (Libby) Biggs Johnson October 30, 2008

Sarah Elizabeth (Libby) Biggs Johnson, of Newberry died October 30, 2008. Mrs. Johnson was born March 2, 1946 in Columbia, South Carolina, daughter of Mr. Marion Richard Biggs and the late Elizabeth Truesdale Biggs.
Mrs. Johnson was a native of Columbia, South Carolina, attended Converse College and graduated from the University of South Carolina where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority. She and her husband made their home in Newberry since 1978 where she was a member of Central United Methodist Church. She lived her life as a devoted wife, loving mother and proud grandmother. She was known for her wonderful cooking and enjoyed entertaining. She loved celebrations and cherished spending time with family and friends. Most recently, she enjoyed her time spent with dear friends on Slick Rock Mountain in North Carolina.
She is survived by her husband of forty years, Mr. James Thomas (Tommy) Johnson; son J. Thomas (Tommy) Johnson, Jr., and his wife Hope of Columbia; daughter Sarah Johnson Hartung and her husband Andy of Greenwood; four grandchildren, J. Thomas Johnson, III, Richard Buckley Johnson, Andrew Joseph Patrick Hartung, Jr., and Elizabeth Aiken Hartung; her sister Mary Frances Biggs Watson and husband Hank of Columbia, and their daughter Gary Elizabeth Watson of Charleston.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday at Central United Methodist Church in Newberry by the Rev. Karen Radcliffe and Rev. Mitch Houston. A graveside service were conducted at 3:00 P.M. Monday in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia.
Visitation was from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. Sunday at Whitaker Funeral Home.
The family suggests memorials be made to Libby’s favorite charities: The Newberry Opera House Foundation, 1201 McKibben Street, Newberry, SC 29108, or Greenwood Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 612, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

Top of Page

Eleanor Fowler Caughman October 27, 2008

Eleanor Fowler Caughman, 88, of 3427 Coleman Street, Columbia, widow of George Perry “G.P.” Caughman, Jr., to whom she was married 61 years, died Monday, October 27, 2008 at Palmetto Health Baptist.
Mrs. Caughman was born on August 25, 1920 in Waterloo, IA, to the late William Charles Forrest and Helen Jennie Grassfield Fowler. She was predeceased by a step-father, Victor George Fowler.
She was a retired bookkeeper for Richtex Brick Corporation. Mrs. Caughman was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia, the WELCA, and the Christian Homemakers Sunday School class. For over 50 years she enjoyed square dancing and was a member and served in official capacities with many organizations of the Friendship Club, B.R. Stars, Kalico Kapers, Columbia Twirlers, Morning Glory Squares, S.C. Square and Round Dance Federation, and the Square Dance Hall of Fame. Twice a week Mrs. Caughman volunteered at the Harvest Hope Food Bank. As a part of her ministry in life, Mrs. Caughman made baby caps and baby blankets for various hospitals.
Mrs. Caughman is survived by her daughter, Helen C. Campbell of Columbia; her sons and daughters-in-law, G. Perry and Becky Caughman, III of Ravenel, Robert and Jacqueline Caughman of Burke, SD; and Huger and Anne Caughman of Newberry; a sister, Barbara Lemmon of Columbia; grandchildren: Jody Caughman, Christina (Mike) Opat, Geraldine (Dave) Treb, Huger Caughman, Jr., and Kristin Caughman; and seven great grandchildren and a special friend, Frank Karr. She was predeceased by her sister, Marjorie Bloomstrom and a brother, Robert Fowler.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 PM Friday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Columbia. Interment was in Elmwood Cemetery.
Visitation was Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM in the Good Shepard Room of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1715 Bull St., Columbia, S.C., 29201.
Pallbearers were Dr. George Lippard, Yates Caudle, Carroll Frick, Al Stokes, Sid Stokes, George Martin and Doggett Whitaker.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

Top of Page

Mittie Wise Bryan Parr October 25, 2008

Mittie Wise Bryan Parr, 86, widow of Henry Lakin Parr died Saturday, October 25, 2008.
Funeral services were conducted at 10 AM on Wednesday, October 29 at the Newberry Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church, 1701 Main Street by Rev. Tony Locke with interment following in Rosemont Cemetery.
Born in Trenton, SC, on October 12, 1922, Mrs. Parr was the daughter of John William Bryan and Mary Morrison Hobson Bryan. After earning a BS in home economics from Winthrop College in 1943, she taught home economics and science for six years at Newberry High School. Following her marriage in 1948, Mrs. Parr joined the Newberry Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Elizabeth Shealy Fellowship Class and Circle #1. She chaired the building committee during the renovation of the church buildings. She served on the Board of the Newberry-Saluda Regional Library, including a period as chairman. She chaired the SC Farm Bureau State Women’s committee and as a member of the board of SC Farm Bureau for 16 years. Mrs. Parr received SC Farm Bureau’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award in 1995. She also received the Master Homemaker Award from Clemson University and the Master Farm Family award from Progressive Farmer magazine.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Mary Parr Whitesides and husband Dan of Charlotte, NC and her sons and daughters-in-law Henry Lakin Parr, Jr. and wife Lillian of Greenville, Boyd Hobson Parr and wife Cheryl and Calhoun Bryan Parr and wife Louise all of Newberry. She is also survived by ten grandchildren: Bryan Henry Parr of Washington, DC, Mary Boyd Whitesides of Charlotte, NC, Jonathan Boyd Parr and wife LeAnne of Cambridge, MA, Ruth Virginia Parr of San Francisco, CA, Daniel Bennett Whitesides of Charlotte, NC, Timothy Allen Parr of Newberry, Leona Elizabeth Parr of Clemson, SC, Henry Lakin Parr, III of Greenville, SC, Mittie Elaine Parr of Newberry, SC and Elizabeth Givens Parr of Greenville. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Alice Bryan McKelvie of Kings Mountain, NC.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by her three brothers – Colgan Hobson Bryan, John Cannon Bryan, & George Jennings Bryan and by two of her sisters – Mary Virginia Bryan and Annie Sophie Bryan.
The family will be at the home of Boyd and Cheryl Parr, 21547 US Highway 76, Newberry, SC and will receive friends at Whitaker funeral home Tuesday evening 6:00 – 7:30 PM. Active Pallbearers were the grandchildren.
Memorials may be sent to Newberry ARP Church, 1701 Main St., Newberry, SC 29108; “Ag in the Classroom” SCFB, PO Box 754, Columbia, SC 29202-0754; or the Newberry County Library Foundation, 1300 Friend 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.

Top of Page

Caleb Vaughan Carter October 24, 2008

Caleb Vaughan Carter, 10 year old son of Andrew Vaughan and Rena Dearing Carter of Newberry, died Friday, October 24, 2008 at Palmetto Health Richland Medical Center in Columbia.
Caleb was born on June 29, 1998 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was a fourth grade student at Newberry Academy and a member of First Baptist Church, the Bible Drill and the RAs.
He is survived by his parents; his brothers and sisters, Aaron Carter currently at West Point, Becca Carter currently at North Creenville University, Beth, Jake, Rachel and Micah Carter all of Newberry; maternal grandparents, Joe and Susie Dearing of St. Charles, Missouri; paternal grandmother, Sharon Carter of St. Charles, Missouri; and a number of aunts, uncles and cousins. Caleb was predeceased by his paternal grandfather, Kenneth Carter.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Wiles Chapel at Newberry College by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harmon. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
The family was at their residence, 1603 Evans Street and did receive friends at Eleazer Arena on the Newberry College Campus following the committal service.
Pallbearers were Zak Willis, Ryan Kaiser, Matt DeWitt, Brian Yaeger, Jason Valek and Jeremy Luther.
Memorials may be made to the Caleb Vaughan Carter Memorial Fund, 1704 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.

The following is a letter from Caleb’s parents:
Dear Friends,
Caleb woke Friday morning with a cough, the same mild allergy type cough that he had had for a few days except the mucus was much increased and thicker. So, I gave him ½ of a Mucus Relief tab and a Sudafed. He was dressed and completely ready for school and about to head out the door when he said, “Oh, I have a headache.” I replied, “Maybe you need a Tylenol.” He then said that would not be needed because the headache was pretty much gone (that quick). Beth took all the kids to school. A few minutes later, Beth called me and said that Caleb was dizzy and had walked into a couple of things and had thrown up. He came home and went straight to bed. He continued to throw up over the edge of his bed into a bucket every now and then for a couple of hours – very mucusy (if that is a word) but not much in volume. He was very tired and dizzy all day so I decided to take him to the doctor at 2:30. Caleb was able to walk up the stairs at the doctor’s office, but he needed some help because he was so dizzy. Doctor checked him out and did urine and blood tests-both of which came out normal. Due to some abdominal pain, and exposure to someone who had had viral meningitis, I was told some things for which to watch and I was given instructions to keep him hydrated and given a suppository for the vomiting. At home, I watched him and made sure that he drank Gatorade every ½ hour or more; but, he was very drowsy and I had to get him up to drink every time. Due to him seeming even more lethargic and complaining about pain in the back of his neck for the first time, I called the doctor on call. He said that there are some viruses out there that produce those symptoms but that if I felt uneasy about him to get him to an emergency room. I went to get a shower and asked the bigger kids to check on him a couple of times while I got cleaned up. After getting half dressed, I went to see Caleb. He was no help as I tried to get him up so I asked Jake to help me lift him. I asked him to watch him so that I could get my pants and shoes on and planned to run him up the street to the emergency room. As I put my shoes on, Jake yelled, “He’s not breathing.” I ran in and thought I felt a faint breath and saw his nostril flare. We called 911 and Andy. Andy came home and gave a few breaths of mouth to mouth as the ambulance arrived. He heard much gurgling and saw his lungs fill with air. The crew put a tube down him and began to breathe for him. At the hospital, a CAT scan was done pretty quickly and a tumor was found at the base of his cerebellum and top of spinal cord. It was bleeding and had swollen as to block the flow of cerebral spinal fluid and caused swelling on the brain. Thus, the pressure on the brain made some of his functioning stop-most importantly, I think, the breathing. His heart had never stopped. He was brought by ambulance to a bigger, better equipped hospital where they determined that he was brain dead and that further effort (brain surgery) would be very radical and aggressive and most likely totally ineffective. So, we had a choice to make, and after prayer, our decision was peacefully, yet painfully, to not do anything further. We knew that if it was not his time to leave this world that God was fully able to save his earthly life and prayed to that effect according to His will. Well, it was His will to take Caleb on home and we praise Him. There was very little suffering (at least time-wise). The boys got to have their buddy over on Thursday and had a fun day. Remember that Friday was the day he went home with our Heavenly Father. God knew when he was going to take Caleb and we don’t even feel the need to ask “Why?” We will miss our precious son but know that our children are only ours for a set time. God is the potter and we are the clay. The funeral is on Tues at 2pm here in Newberry. It will be a bittersweet family reunion.
Love,
Rena and Andy

Scripture verses shared by Caleb's family:
Psalm 116:15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all you strength.
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Top of Page

Mabel Kelly Shealy Williams October 23, 2008

Mabel Kelly Shealy Williams, 106, of 1821 Neptune Dr., Columbia, and formerly of Newberry, died Thursday, October 23, 2008 at Palmetto Richland Medical Center.
She was born in Lexington County, the daughter of the late Jonas Gibbs and Stella Rutledge Kelly. She was the oldest member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Pomaria and was named the by the Lower Richland Ruritan Club as the 2007 Ruritan Mother of the Year.
Mrs. Williams was twice married, first to the late Lester H. “Duck” Shealy and second to the late James Williams.
She is survived by a daughter and her husband, Martha S. and James Amick of Columbia; a daughter-in-law, Joan Shealy of Clinton; 8 grandchildren, Linda S. (Bill) Cox, Richard (Dianne) Driggers, Phyllis (Al) Webb, Darrell (Robin) Shealy, Bryan (Mary Beth) Shealy, Deborah M. Amick, Ginger (Eddie) Hill and Bill (Darlene) Amick; 15 great grandchildren, 2 step great grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Alice Pauline Driggers, two sons, J.D. “Bill” Shealy and Roscoe Horace Shealy.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 P.M. Sunday at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Pomaria by the Rev. Brent Nichols and the Rev. Edward L. McWilliams. Interment were in the church cemetery.
The casket was placed in the church one hour prior to the service.
The family did receive friends at the church following the committal service.
Pallbearers were grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 2496 Hwy 773, Pomaria, SC 29126 or to Ruritan National Foundation, In honor of Martha Amick, PO Box 487, Dublin, VA 24084.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

Top of Page

Luanne Harmon Mayer October 18, 2008

Luanne Harmon Mayer, 60, wife of James E. Mayer, of 875 Mayer Road, Little Mountain, SC, and formerly of Walhalla, died Saturday, October 18, 2008 at Lexington Medical Center.
Born in Prosperity, SC, Mrs. Mayer was the daughter of the late Thomas Bennett and Linda Stoudemire Harmon. She taught kindergarten and second grade at South Pine Street Elementary and James M. Brown Elementary in Walhalla, SC for thirty-one years before retiring and moving to Peak area. Mrs. Mayer was a member of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Walhalla, where she was a member of the Paul Hayne Circle, and attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pomaria, SC.
In addition to her husband of thirty-nine years, Mrs. Mayer is survived by: son: James Michael Mayer and wife Kay of Rock Hill, SC; brothers: Frank Harmon of Prosperity, SC, Craig Harmon and wife Missy of Chapin, SC;grandchildren: Allison Mayer and James Mayer of Rock Hill, SC; niece: Linda Harmon of Chapin, SC.
Funeral services were conducted at 4:00 PM Tuesday, October 21, 2008, at the St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with burial did follow in the church cemetery. The family did receive friends at the church fellowship hall following the services.
A memorial service will be help at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Pomaria, SC, at a later date.
Memorials may be made to Make a Wish Foundation, 726C Lowndes Hill Road, Greenville, SC 29607 or www.sc.wish.org.
Davenport Funeral Home, Inc. is assisting the family.

Top of Page

Edith Sutton Ruff October 17, 2008

Edith Sutton Ruff, 82, of 3176 Deadfall Road, Newberry, widow of L. Hubert Ruff, died Friday, October 17, 2008 in Clinton, SC.
She was born in Lee County, VA on February 5, 1926 to the late Rev. Grant and Eva Morrison Sutton. Mrs. Ruff was retired from Central Soya and was a member of Glenn Street Baptist Church.
Mrs. Ruff is survived by her daughter, Becky Ruff of Newberry; her granddaughter, Natashia Ruff of Newberry; sisters, Dot Conner of Newberry, Opal Jennings of Spartanburg, and Billie Gribble of North Carolina; brothers, Willie Sutton, Melvin Sutton, Alvin Sutton all of Whitmire, and Paul Sutton of Newberry; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by a sister, Meda Bouknight and an infant son.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday at Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Donald West, Rev. Marion Ringer, and Rev. Fred Lazzaro. Interment was in the Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday, at the Whitaker Funeral Home. The family was at the residence of her daughter, 3118 Deadfall Road, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to Glenn Street Baptist Church, 300 Glenn Street, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the Carolina Poodle Rescue, 6705 Union Highway, Pacolet, SC 29372.
Active pallbearers were Josh Ruff, Greg Culbertson, Jeff Sutton, Kenny Ruff, Dell Ruff, Brandon Burke, and Dalton Burke.
Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family.

Top of Page

Lula Coggins Wease October 13, 2008

Lula Coggins Wease, 80, of 605-B Long Rd., Prosperity, SC, died Monday October 13, 2008 at White Oak Manor, Newberry, SC. A native of Cleveland County, NC, she was a daughter of the late Benny Grayson and Ceclia Williams Coggins. She was preceded in death by two brothers and one sister.
Lula was a retired in-home care giver and a member of Hicks Grove Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband Homer Talmage Wease of Prosperity; her daughter and son-in-law, Linda and Donald Long of Prosperity, SC; her sister, Peggy Bolden, of Searcy, AR; two grandchildren, Bryan Long and wife, Kristal, and Donna Snelgrove and husband, Dean; and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, October 16, 2008 at Hicks Grove Baptist Church. Burial did follow in the church cemetery. Visitation was held 6:00 to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home Cliffside, NC.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 678, Prosperity, SC 29127.
Pallbearers for the service were Bryan Long, Dean Snelgrove, Jesse Snelgrove, Jeremy Snelgrove ,Robert Wease, Scott Snelgrove, Joseph Long, Casey Snelgrove.
Honorary pallbearers were the employees of Hospice of South Carolina and White Oak Manor of Newberry.
McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home Cliffside, NC is serving the Wease family. Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, is assisting the family locally.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com

Top of Page