November 2009

Diane Gray November 27, 2009

Diane Gray, 55, of Newberry, SC died November 27, 2009 at Richland Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Gray was born on February 14, 1954 in Atlanta, GA to the late Rev. Clarence Olin Gray and Frances Louise Pass. She was the owner of J.D.’s Services, Inc on Dennis Dairy Road and the owner of The Christmas Village. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, The Kountry Powder Puffs and the Saluda Car Club.
Survivors include her husband, David Souder of the home; a daughter, Crystal and Shane Hood of Newberry; sons, C.J. and Kristie Upright of Forsyth, GA and Wayne and Heidi Powell of Newberry; grandchildren, Amber Upright, Dakota (Kody) Upright, Trinity Upright, Shyanne Powell and Levi Hood; sisters, Colleen and Tommy Nelson of Juliette, GA and Patricia Gray of Cartersville, GA; brothers, Danny and Kathy Gray of Lithia Springs, GA and Larry Gray of GA; and a number of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a grandson, David Shane Hood.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Michael Shirley.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. on Monday at Whitaker Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Diane Gray Kidney Trust Fund at First Community Bank, 1735 Wilson Rd, Newberry, SC 29108.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Red Hat Society.
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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James Ward Morris Nov. 25, 2009

James Ward Morris, 96, son of the late John Thaddeous and Lucinda Ward-Morris, died Wednesday, November 25, 2009.
Mr. Morris attended Clemson University and Newberry College. While at Clemson, he was a member of the Corps of Cadets. During WWII, he served as Staff Sergeant in the Army Air Corps and was in the CBI Theater (816th Chemical Company). While stateside, he was stationed in Sioux City and Sergeant Bluff, IA as well as Grand Island, NE. Mr. Morris was an active member of American Legion Post 24.
He was formerly employed by the Kendall Company, Oakland Plant; Buzhardt Furniture; and Central Soya, Newberry Plant.
He is survived by his daughter, Rebecca Floor, and son-in-law (Douglas) of Easley; two granddaughters, Sara Floor of Aberdeen, NC and Kathryn Floor of Atlanta, GA; a sister, Frances Morris Elrod of Newberry; a sister-in-law Alice Riser Estes of Columbia; four nieces and three nephews, Patsy Kinard Mays, Ruth-Ann Singley Reese, Mary-Frances Kinard Bannister all of Newberry and Doris Morris Howze of Kings Mountain, NC, David Morris Singley, Maxton of NC, John Estes (Debbie) of Snellville, GA, Billy Estes (June) of Columbia and other relatives.
He was predeceased by his wife of fifty-seven years, Sara Riser Morris; two brothers John Thomas Morris and Claude Walter Bauknight; and five sisters, Louise Morris Singley, Ethel Morris Thomasson, Nora Morris Davis, Lena Bauknight Montgomery, and Estelle Morris Kinard.
In addition to his family, he is survived by his loving caregivers Irene Davis, Linda Herbert, Mary Knight, Judy McFall, and Martha Thomas.
Funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 30 at Faith Lutheran Church, Newberry. Interment with full military rites will follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home and will receive friends and family from 2:00 to 4:00 PM Sunday, November 29 at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry. Memorials may be made to one’s charity of choice.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com
Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, S.C. is assisting the family.

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Thomas Michael Gosnell November 23, 2009

Thomas Michael Gosnell, 63, of 13618 Tabscott Dr., Chantilly, VA, died Monday, November 23, 2009 at Washington Hospital Center.
He was born on October 28, 1946 in Greenville, SC, a son of the late Troy W. and Geraldine Bowen Gosnell. He worked as a printer with Data Search for many years. Mr. Gosnell was a US Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War.
He is survived by his wife, Carol Senn Gosnell; a son, Evan Gosnell of Reston, VA; sisters, Ramona Edwards of NC, Gwen Fowler and Tonja Harrison both of GA. He was predeceased by a sister, Dannette Mullins; and three brothers, Troy Gosnell, Dewitt Gosnell, and Robert Gosnell.
Funeral services was conducted at 3:00 PM Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church in Newberry, S.C. by the Rev. Hugh Bickley. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Creighton Jones, Frank M. Senn, Wilson Senn, Mark Senn, Grady Senn, Henry Senn, and Corey Brazell.
Memorials may be made to the Salvation Army.
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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Helen Hunter Porter November 21, 2009

Helen Hunter Porter, 91, of 2320 Henry Ave, Newberry, SC, widow of Claude Edward Porter, Sr. died Saturday, November 21, 2009 at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, SC.
Mrs. Porter was born on August 25, 1918, in Liberty, SC to the late Lester Carl and Myrtie Gilstrap Hunter. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother and friend who enjoyed cooking and baking and sharing with her friends and family. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends who loved her dearly.
She is survived by a son, Claude Edward “Eddie” Porter, Jr. of Newberry; two daughters and their spouses, Donna Porter Mumpower and Roger of Simpsonville and Rita Porter Johnson and Dave of Greenville; grandchildren, Brent Buford and Lee Buford and wife Jodie; great grandchildren, Hannah and Sarah Buford and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a sister Lucille Mickle and brothers, Lester and Frank Hunter.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel by Dave Johnson and Lee Buford. Burial was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Pallbearers were Roger Mumpower, Donna Mumpower, Dave Johnson, Lee Buford, Brent Buford, Jimmy Coggins, Chase Folk, and Dustin Smith.
Memorials may be made to a charity of ones choice.
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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Nancy Martin Jeffcoat November 16, 2009

Nancy Martin Jeffcoat, 63, of Sandy Run, died Monday, November 16, 2009 at her residence.
She was born December 22, 1945 in Newberry, SC, a daughter of the late Ray Alvin and Emma Dickert Martin.
Mrs. Jeffcoat was a medical transcriptionist who had worked with a number of the Columbia area hospitals and most recently with SC Oncology of Columbia. She was an active member of Sandy Run Lutheran Church were she was also a member of the Lamplighters Sunday School Class and the choir.
Nancy’s hobby was growing and arranging roses which she enjoyed sharing with her church family, friends and co-workers. She was a wonderful wife and mother.
She is survived by her husband, Robert D. Jeffcoat; daughter, Danielle Jeffcoat of Seneca, son Joseph R. Jeffcoat of Atlanta, GA; sisters, Betty (Randy) Graham of Aiken and Mary (Johnny) Smith of Prosperity.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 PM Friday at Trinity United Methodist Church by the Rev. Hugh Bickley and Rev. Robert Hawkins. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Thursday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry.
Pallbearers were Watkins Martin, James Jeffcoat, Harry Bozard, John Elias, Rusty Farmer, David Graham and Johnny Graham.
The family suggests memorials be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1167 Trinity Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108; Sandy Run Lutheran Church. 1927 Old State Rd., West Columbia, SC 29033 or to SCOA Cares Foundation, PO Box 2046 West Columbia, SC 29171.
The family expresses special thanks to Dr. McElveen, Kim DeWitt and SC Oncology for the care provided during Nancy’s illness. Special thanks are also expressed to the doctors and staff of Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center of Duke University and to Agape Hospice.
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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Paul Harrison Duncan November 13, 2009

Paul Harrison Duncan, 87, formerly of 1414 Bachman St., Newberry, died Friday, November 13, 2009 at Springfield Place.
He was born on April 22, 1922 in Silverstreet and was the son of the late Clarence Calhoun Duncan, Sr. and Lera Agnes Long.
Mr. Duncan was a plumber, working in and around Newberry County all of his life. He was an Air Force Veteran of World War II and life-long member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer. During the last months of his life, he was an active resident at Springfield Place.
Mr. Duncan is survived by a sister, Kathryn D. Riebe of Springfield Place, Unit 4. He is also survived by nephews, Sonny Hamm, Ronnie Dickert, Danny Dickert, Fred Pitts, Harry Laval, Robert Duncan and Andy Senn; nieces, Faye Pitts Cumbee, Diane Miller Boozer, Judy (Ling) Laval Sutton, Margie Duncan Jervey, and Kathy Senn Dennis. He was predeceased by sisters; Sara Pitts, Louise Hamm, Lera Dickert, Frances Miller, Margaret Olsen, twin sister Pauline Barrett; brothers, Clarence C. Duncan, Jr. and Bobby Duncan; nieces, Barbara Hamm Hayden, Peggy Dickert Forbis, Susan Dickert Thomas; and a nephew, Madison Pitts.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 PM on Monday, at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, November 17 at the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer by the Rev. Caldwell Day. Interment was at Rosemont Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Danny Dickert, Ronnie Dickert, Dale Shealy, Robin Duncan, John Madison (Sport) Edwards and John Lawrence (Buz) Edwards, Jr.
Honorary pallbearers were Bill Shull, Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Wilkes, and Polly Davis.
Special thanks to all caregivers at Springfield Place Assisted Living facility, Palmetto Health Hospice, the physicians and staff at Newberry Internal Medicine, Dr. Steve Madden, Dr. Michael Bernardo, and Ms. Rebecca Rowan. Many special thanks to Angel Care of Newberry.
Memorials may be made to the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, PO Box 382, 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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Dean Mills November 13, 2009

K. Dean Mills, 58, of 1653 Holly Point Rd., Prosperity, died Friday, November 13, 2009 at Providence Hospital.
He was born on August 18, 1951 in Spartanburg, the son of the late Dr. W. Leslie and Virginia “Jenny” Bouknight Mills.
He was a graduate of Newberry College and a member of the Prosperity Masonic Lodge, the Hejaz Shrine Temple, the Newberry Shrine Club, and Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church.
Mr. Mills is survived by his wife, Evelyn Hawkins Mills; a son and his wife, Ashley Mills and Lynsey Bullington of Spartanburg; a step-son and his wife, Ashley B. and Robin Amick of Chapin; grandchildren, Mills Bullington, Mary Ella Bullington, Courtney Amick, and A.J. Amick; sisters, Dr. Leslie M. Stuck of Pomaria and Ginny M. Boland Sidenburg of Prosperity; and a brother, Mike Mills of Prosperity.
Visitation will be from 2:00 to 2:45 P.M. on Sunday, November 15, at Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 3:00 PM at Mt. Pilgrim Lutheran Church and will be conducted by the Rev. Paul Wollner. Interment will be in the Church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Rick Cheatham, Charles Boland, Barry Koon, Joey Kitchen, Dean Coward, and Donnie Hawkins.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, South Carolina Affiliate, 2711 Middleburg Drive Suite 110, Columbia, SC 29204.
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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Rev. Dr. Robert Harold Thompson, II November 8, 2009

Rev. Dr. Robert Harold Thompson, II, 65, of Hiddenite, passed away unexpectedly at his residence on Sunday, November 8, 2009. He was born October 6, 1944 to Robert Harold Thompson, Sr. and Lola Pickett Thompson in Elyria, OH. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Elizabeth Thompson.
Bob was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church. He was a graduate of Pfeiffer University, received his Masters of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary of Richmond, VA. He was a retired minister. During his ministry years he served as pastor at Reformation Lutheran in Taylorsville, St. John Lutheran in Walhalla, SC, St. Peter Lutheran in Chapin, SC, and Ehrhardt Lutheran Parish in Ehrhardt, SC. He served as USC Lutheran Campus Pastor and Professor of Religion at USC Salkehatchie. Also, he was a reserve officer for the Ehrhardt/Denmark Police Department.
Loved ones left to cherish his memory include; his wife of 43 years, Nadine Broome Thompson, of the home; one son Robert Harold Thompson, III and his wife Debbie of Hiddenite; one daughter, Stephanie Thompson Childs and husband Nathan of Chapin, SC; six grandchildren, Tristan and Katharine Conner, Justin and Jaycee Thompson, all of Hiddenite, and Tyler and Jabin Childs of Chapin, SC; mother-in-law, Thelma Broome of Bristol, TN; one brother, John Thompson of Walhalla, SC; three sisters, Patricia Finch and husband Don of N. Augusta, SC, Kathy Ringel and husband Eugene, and Cecelia Flanders and husband Joe, all of Martinez, GA; 17 nieces and nephews; along with a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.
The family did receive friends, Tuesday, November 10, 2009, 6-8 pm at Alexander Funeral & Cremation Service. The funeral service was Wednesday, November 11, 1 pm at Reformation Lutheran Church. Pastor Lewis Murdock did officiate. Burial was at a later date. Memorials may be given to Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary, 4201 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203, or Lutheridge/Lutherock Inc., 2049 Upper Laurel Drive. Arden, NC 28704. Condolences to the Thompson Family may be left online at www.alexfuneralservice.com. Funeral arrangements by the Thompson Family entrusted to Alexander Funeral and Cremation Service Staff, Taylorsville, NC.

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Minnie Greene "Metro" Moore Johnstone October 29, 2009

Minnie Greene "Metro" Moore Johnstone, 94, widow of Thomas Kennerly Johnstone, Jr., died Thursday, October 29, 2009.
Born in Bishopville, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Henry Porter Moore, Sr. and Anna Lee Shaw Moore.
Mrs. Johnstone was a homemaker and member of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Anna Moore Johnstone Straughn of Atlanta; two sons, Thomas Kennerly Johnstone of Reidsville, N.C. and Alan Henry Johnstone of Greenville; a brother, Henry Porter Moore, Jr. of Pawley's Island; six grandchildren; and a great grandchild.
Memorials may be made to Thornwell Home for Children, P O Box 60; 302 S. Broad St., Clinton, SC 29325.
The family did receive friends Tuesday, November 3, 2009 from 9 until 9:45 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church. A memorial service did follow at 10 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Burial was in the Johnstone Family Cemetery in Newberry.
The family would like to thank those who cared so well for our mother particularly Bessie Jones and Jackie Brown. We are most grateful to all of you.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements in Newberry.

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