December 2009

Vivian D. Stutts December 30, 2009

Vivian D. Stutts, 86, of Springfield Circle, widow of Herbert L. Stutts, died Wednesday, December 30, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Greenville on March 11, 1923 to the late Julius M. and Eva Lockabee Ducker. Of their eleven children, she was the last surviving member. She was retired from Damon International.
Mrs. Stutts was a member of Glenn St. Baptist Church where she had been a former Sunday School teacher.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sherry and Lloyd Brigman of Newberry; son and daughter-in-law, Herb and Susan Stutts of Chapin; grandchildren, Melissa (Claude) Schumpert and Trudy (Cal) Maddox of Chapin, Tammy (Tim) Bodie of Newberry, Blake (Jennifer) Brigman of Prosperity, Brad (Sarah) Stutts and Jonathan (April) Stutts of Lexington, Lauren (Brian) Vahjen of Columbia; great-grandchildren, Ashton and Logan Schumpert, Mackenzie Maddox, Joey and Jenna Bodie, Reid and Rhett Brigman, Maddie and Hampton Stutts, Anderson Stutts and Noah Vahjen.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Glenn Street Baptist Church by the Rev. Michael Whitesides. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
The family was at the residence of Sherry and Lloyd Brigman, 1515 Sunset Ave., Newberry and did receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM Friday at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.
Pallbearers were Brad Stutts, Jonathan Stutts, Brian Vahjen, Claude Schumpert, Cal Maddox, Tim Bodie, Blake Brigman and Joey Bodie.
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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Albert F. "Al" Busby December 30, 2009

Albert Foster Busby, Sr., 82, of 2606 Pondview Circle, Newberry, died Wednesday at his residence. He was born on November 8, 1927, in Calhoun Falls, to the late Walter D. and Beulah Carson Busby, and grew up in Anderson County. He was predeceased by five brothers and three sisters.
Al served as pharmacist’s mate in the US Navy during WWII. Upon graduating from Clemson in 1950, he was employed by Clemson Extension Service. He served as Assistant County Agent in Laurens and Chester Counties and became County Agent of Newberry County in 1958. He gave assistance and leadership to boost Newberry to become the leading dairy and egg producing county in South Carolina.
He became owner of Fieldview Jerseys dairy farm in 1972, and was later a co-owner of Newberry Feed and Farm agribusiness supplier. Before retirement, he was active in a number of civic and professional organizations including Chairman, Newberry County Water Authority; member of Farm Credit Bank board of directors for 29 years, including service as chairman; member of Aveleigh Presbyterian Church since 1957; and inducted into the SC Dairy Hall of Fame in 1997.
Al was first married to Claris Hobson Busby, who predeceased him in 1978. He is survived by three children: Albert Foster Busby, Jr., of Newberry, SC; Paul Hobson Busby (Kathy), of Columbia, SC; and Mary Amelia Busby Hutcherson (Jay) of Alpharetta, GA.
He was later married to Melvina Hobson Sprunt, who survives him along with her children Ruth Sprunt Johnson (Bruce) of Salem, VA, and James Sprunt, Jr., of Harrisonburg. VA.
Grandchildren are Albert Foster “Bo” Busby III, Paul H Busby Jr., Sam and AJ Hutcherson, Timothy and Charlie Johnson, Christie Brown (Marshall), and great-granddaughter Abigail Brown. A number of nieces and nephews also survive him.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church by the Rev. Dr. Mitchell VanMetre. A private family interment was held.
The family did receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry and at Aveleigh Presbyterian Church following the service.
Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.
The family prefers memorials be made to Aveleigh Presbyterian Church or the charity of one’s choice in lieu of flowers
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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Ben Frank Dawkins, Jr, December 29, 2009

Funeral service for Ben Frank Dawkins, Jr, 88, were held 3 p.m. Saturday, January 2, 2010, at Central United Methodist Church, Newberry, with burial in Newberry Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 10:30 until 12 noon, Saturday January 2, 2010, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, Columbia.
Mr. Dawkins died Tuesday, December 29, 2009. Born in Prosperity, he was a son of the late Ben Frank Dawkins, Sr. and Janie Harmon Dawkins. A graduate of Newberry College, he retired after 30 years of service with Sears. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific during WWII. He was a member of Central UMC in Newberry and also attended Grace Church of Columbia. He was a devoted husband who loved his family. His special joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Louise E. Dawkins; daughter, Sandra D. Willis and her husband, Michael of Columbia; son, Bob Dawkins and his wife Mary Helen of Newberry; sister, Dorothy Hunt and her husband Buddy of Greenville; grandchildren, Paul Willis, Ben Dawkins and his wife Heather, Heather Stalker and her husband Neil, Shannon Scruggs and her husband Thomas, Allison Jasinski and her husband Brian; great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Colin and Abigail Stalker, Megan, Drew, Michael and Kendall Scruggs, Whit and Anna Jasinski. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Wallace Dawkins.
Memorials may be made to Newberry College, 2100 College St, Newberry, SC 29108, Central United Methodist Church, 1005 College St, Newberry, SC 29108, or a charity of one’s choice.
Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

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Mary Anne Daniel Floyd December 28, 2009

Mary Anne Daniel Floyd, after 84 years on earth, went to her home in heaven on Monday, December 28, 2009, after a lengthy struggle with Parkinson’s disease.
She was born November 28, 1925 in Oxford, NC, a daughter of Roy and Carrie Williams Daniel. Her family moved to Henderson, NC, where she grew up and it was there she met and married Steve Floyd. Steve became employed by Roses Variety Stores and was transferred to Newberry in 1955 to become the manager of Roses on Main Street. He stayed with Roses until retirement and the couple remained in Newberry. They were married 63 years and were active members of Central United Methodist Church. Steve passed away in September 2008.
After raising her family, Mrs. Floyd worked as a Special Ed teaching assistant for the Newberry County School district.
She is survived by their three children: Cliff and Lynn Floyd of Newberry, Bill and Nancy Floyd Whitacre of Fairfax, VA and David (Lew) and Gail Lander Floyd of Lexington; 10 grandchildren whom she greatly enjoyed and 18 great grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Pat Williams of Henderson, NC and three nieces.
The family would like to thank a long time family friend and assistant, Mamie Burnside, as well as the devoted caregivers who have taken such loving care of Mrs. Floyd at her home at Springfield Place: Helen Ruff, Debra Gary, Thomasina Suber, Robie Wise and Lelia Davis and Hospice Care of South Carolina.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday at Central United Methodist Church by the Rev. Karen Radcliffe. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery
Visitation was from 5:30 to 7:00 PM Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry.
The family suggest memorial gifts be made to Day of Discovery, RBC Ministries, Box 2222, Grand Rapids, MI 49555.
Active pallbearers were Steve Floyd, Steven Whitacre, Daniel Floyd, John Eargle, Jim Sheely, and Dale Smith.
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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Elizabeth McAllister Boozer December 24, 2009

Elizabeth Kate McAllister Boozer went to her heavenly home on Thursday, December 24, 2009.
She was born on May 15, 1918, daughter of the late Julia Ethelyn Crabtree and George Franklin McAllister.
She was predeceased in death by brothers Grady and Tom; sister, Virginia Smith; an infant daughter and an infant grandson. She is survived by one daughter, Kathryn B. Whittington and her husband Don, of Mt. Pleasant NC; one granddaughter; a sister, Carolyn Moose of Newberry, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Betty was raised in Mt. Pleasant, NC on the campus of the Mt. Pleasant Collegiate Institute, where her father was president. She attended Peace College in Raleigh and graduated from Newberry College. She met her future husband, Bob, when he delivered the mail to the college campus.
After their marriage they lived in Florida, Connecticut, and Morocco while Bob served in the Navy. They settled back in Newberry and Betty worked at the Diana Shop and later at the Wiseman Hotel. When Bob died in 1970, she got her first driver’s license and went to Winthrop College to get her teaching credentials. Betty then worked for a number of years in the Newberry Head Start Program and truly made a difference in the lives of the children she taught. Although her own life was at many times difficult, she always tried to help those less fortunate. Betty was a devoted member of Central United Methodist Church and sang in the choir for many years.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM Monday at Central United Methodist Church by the Rev. Karen Radcliffe. Interment will be in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Sunday, at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry, SC.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 67, Newberry, SC 29108.
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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Louise Reeder Miller December 21, 2009

Louise Reeder Miller, 89, of 603 Pope Circle, Newberry widow of F. Albert Miller, died Monday, December 21, 2009 at Ascension Hospice.
She was born on August 4, 1920 in Bladen Springs, AL to the late W. Irving and Ethel Berry Reeder. Mrs. Miller was a member of the St. James Lutheran Church, a lifetime member of WELCA, Miriam Group and a lifetime member of the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Auxiliary.
Mrs. Miller is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Susan M. and Jack Williams of Roanoke, VA; a son and daughter-in-law, Furman A., Jr. and Peggy Miller of Chapin; grandchildren; Tab A. Williams, Lauren N. Williams, Jonathan L. Miller, Andrew L. Miller and Nathan A. Miller; and a brother, Raymond Reeder of San Jacienta, CA. She was predeceased by two sisters, Mary Lou Brantley and Iola Mason; and five brothers, L.B. Reeder, John Allen Reeder, Arnolee Reeder, Frank Reeder, and Othene Reeder.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Sunday at St. James Lutheran Church by the Rev. Rodney Gunter and the Rev. Raymond Burrows. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family was at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Furman Miller, 1900 Old Lexington Highway, Chapin, SC 29036 and did receive friends Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, SC 29108 and the American Cancer Society, c/o Helen Beebe, 181 Trailers Trail, Leesville, SC 29070.
Pallbearers were Terry Shaver, Ronnie Mann, Dean Brown, Gene Baker, Phillip Baker, and Grady Wise. Honorary pallbearers were the member of WELCA.
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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George D. Way December 21, 2009

George D. Way, 99, formerly of Mower St., Newberry, died Monday, December 21, 2009 at White Oak Manor.
He was the son of the late Geroge D., Sr. and Mary Griffith Way. He was the former owner of the Newberry A&P Grocery Store and was a member of the First Baptist Church and Adelphian/Fellowship Sunday School.
He was twice married, first to the late Dorothy Fogle Way and second to the late Dorothy Thomas Way. He is survived by his grandson and his wife, Jefferey and Gloria Carter of Mullins; and step-children, Catherine “Cherry” Seraphin, Arthur Thomas, III and Marshall Thomas. He was predeceased by 3 sisters, Kitty Summers, Mattie Wentik, and Christa Belle Garrick.
Memorial services were conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harmon.
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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Kent Pierce December 19, 2009

Kent Pierce, 52, of Buford, GA, died Saturday, December 19, 2009. He was born on October 31, 1957 in Nashville, TN and was a U.S. Army veteran. He was a 1976 graduate of Saint Angela Academy in Aiken and was a 1980 graduate of Wofford College. He was the founder and co-owner of Clean Air and Refrigerant in Norcross, GA.
He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Dawn Gillespie Pierce; a daughter, Ashley Margaret Pierce of Buford; a son, Bradley Kent Pierce of Buford, a granddaughter, Anslee Mae Pierce of Gainesville, GA; father and step-mother, Dr. Clovis and Mary Jo Pierce of Kinards, SC; mother, Winnie Pierce of Aiken, SC; brother and sister-in-law, William and Lisa Jo Pierce of Sarasota, FL; sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy and Jeff Lamberson of Columbia, SC and Julia and Glenn Prisco of Aiken; mother-in-law, Margaret H. Gillespie of Cincinnati, OH; and several niece, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM Wednesday at The Springs Church, 6553 Spout Springs Rd, Flowery Branch, GA by the Rev. Rick Goodspeed. Interment will be in Broadlawn Memorial Gardens in Buford. The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 PM at the church prior to the services.
Memorials may be made to the Springs Church for specific use for Camp Glisson of the starter fund for his granddaughter’s education fund.
Flanigan Funeral Home , Buford, GA 770-932-1133 is in charge.

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Dennis J. Novack December 19, 2009

Dennis J. Novack, 55, of Chapin and formerly of Northeast Columbia, died Saturday, December 19, 2009 at his residence.
He was born in Minneapolis, MN to Jacqueline Novack Conder and the late Jay Novack.
Prior to his retirement, Mr. Novack was a senior systems architect with Policy Management Systems Corporation (PMSC) and worked with numerous clients worldwide. He had many hobbies that he loved including boating, fishing, photography, astronomy and anything including computer technology.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Amy Roach Novack; a daughter, Angela Skylar Novack of Columbia; grandchildren, Elliott Massengale, Ethan Massengale, and Penny McDougall; sisters, Jenny Boggs and Nora Horsley both of Terre Haute, IN; a brother, David Novack of Terre Haute, IN; and a mother-in-law, Patricia R. Kelly of Newberry. He was predeceased by a sister, Nancy Bradford.
Memorial services were conducted Unitarian Universalist Church at 2701 Heyward Street, Columbia SC at 5:30 PM on December 29 followed by a group observation at the Melton Memorial Observatory at the corners of Green and Bull Streets at USC at 7:00 PM
Memorials may be made to the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, 2751 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201 or to the SCOA Cares Foundation, PO Box 2046, West Columbia SC 29171.
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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David E. Clamp December 20, 2009

David E. Clamp, 44, of 1520 Calhoun St., Newberry, SC died Sunday, December 20, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital
David was born in Newberry on August 3, 1965 to Carolyn Eleazer and James G. Clamp. He was a graduate of Newberry High School and was employed with Newberry Industries. David volunteered at White Oak Manor where he called bingo, and he regularly exercised at NCMH Wellness Center. He was a member of Central United Methodist Church, the Seekers Sunday School Class and the United Methodist Men.
The words forgiveness and love best describe David’s nature. He reached out to others with a friendly spirit and had many who loved him in return.
He is survived by his parents of Newberry; his sister, Linda Clamp and brothers Alan Clamp and Paul (Ann) Clamp all of Columbia; niece and nephews, Julie, John and Joseph Clamp; an aunt, Margaret C. Rountree of Clemmons, NC an uncle, John C. Eleazer of Newberry; and a number of cousins and friends.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Wednesday in Central United Methodist Church by Rev. Karen Radcliffe and Rev. John Miller. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
The family was at his residence and did receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 67, Newberry, SC 29108 or to the Ruth Pugh Foundation, PO Box 856, Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were John Paul Whitaker, James Williams, Mark Vedder, Fred Owens, Neal Gadry, Harold Smith, John Talbot, James P. O’Brien and James L. Hockett.
Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Seekers Sunday School Class and friends at NCMH Wellness Center.
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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George William “Bill” Laird December 18, 2009

George William “Bill” Laird, 62, of 101 Locust St., Clinton died Saturday at his residence.
Mr. Laird was born on June 18, 1947 in Newberry, a son of the late David L. and Brunell Carter Laird. He was a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War and was a Mason.
He is survived by his son, Billy Laird of Joanna; 2 sisters, Mary Laird of Charleston and Dorothy Kopczynski of San Jose, CA; and a brother, Dave Laird, Jr. of Columbia.
Funeral services were conducted at 5:00 PM Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the Bill Laird Fund, c/o of Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College 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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Ruby Cannon Nichols December 15, 2009

Ruby Cannon Nichols, 84, of 31135 S.C. Highway 395, Newberry, widow of J.C. Nichols, died December 15, 2009 at White Oak Manor.
She was born on April 29, 1925 in Newberry, a daughter of the late Mace and Lois Gilliam Cannon. She operated Nichols Store for over 50 years and was a member of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Nichols was a devoted mother and loved her family. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Wayne and Delores Nichols of Newberry; grandchildren, Tim Nichols of Newberry and Christy (Stacy) Ochiltree of Newberry; and great grandchildren, Makenzie Nichols and Makayla Nichols and step-great grandchildren, Christopher Justice and Cassandra Justice. She was predeceased by a brother, Yancy Cannon and sisters, Elsie Nichols, Sarah Hendrix, and Margie Mills.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Friday at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church by the Rev. Jason Schafer. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family did receive friends Thursday from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Building Fund, 4056 St. Luke's Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127.
Pallbearers were Bobby Nichols, Eddie Mills, David Hendrix, Henry Davis, Randy Nobles, and Steve Bishop. Honorary pallbearers were Betty Bishop, June Pitts, Willie Mae Lipscomb and the members of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Adult Sunday School Class.
The family would like to thank the staff of White Oak Manor for their caring service.
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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Doris Stallings Strange December 14, 2009

Doris “Dockie” Stallings Strange, 98, of Newberry, widow of C. E. “Bill” Strange, Jr., died Monday, December 14, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
She was born on February 2, 1911 in Columbia, a daughter of the late P. R. Stallings and the late Viola Stallings Luther.
Mrs. Strange was a 1934 graduate of University of South Carolina and a member of First Methodist Church in Winnsboro. She retired from Everette Grammar School having taught for more than twenty-five years. She was a skilled pianist and an avid bridge player. She was also a member of the Anemone Garden Club in Winnsboro and helped found the Columbia Home Arts Club. Most of all, she was a life-long teacher who loved children from all walks of life.
Mrs. Strange was a devoted mother and loved her family. She is survived by her daughters and a son-in-law, Cathy S. Lipscomb Cain and Scott Cain of Newberry, and Suzanne Strange Benson of Columbia; granddaughters, S. Allston Lipscomb and Margaret B. Lipscomb; and step-grandchildren, Lisa F. Benson, Ann P. Benson, Mary Benson Keenan, Brandon M. Cain, and Bradley S. Cain. She was predeceased by her sister, Neta S. Murray and a brother, Phillip Randolph Stallings.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 P.M. Thursday at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 1605 Main St., Newberry, by the Rev. Elizabeth Morgan. Interment will be in First Methodist Church Cemetery, Winnsboro.
Memorials may be made to Macular Degeneration Foundation, Inc, PO Box 531313, Henderson, NV 89053.
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 E. Osborne December 7, 2009

Carl E. Osborne, 74, of Whitmire, died Monday, December 7, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Born in Whitmire, he was a son of the late Evans and Maude Deloach Osborne. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Mr. Osborne founded the Security Department of Whitten Center where he served as the chief of the Department for twenty plus years.
He was a life member of Eastern Star and the Masons and held membership in Masonic Lodge 176. He was a member of the Pentecostal Holiness Church and attended New Life Christian Fellowship Church.
Mr. Osborne was a caring and giving person who loved family, antique cars and fishing. He lived life to its fullest.
Surviving are his wife, Pat Hughes Osborne; two daughters and their spouses, Carla and Al Armfield of Whitmire and Laurie and John Lewis of Little Mountain; a son and his wife, John and Pam Osborne of Columbia; five grandchildren, Alex, Haley and Christa Armfield and Andy and Brittney Longshore; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Jessie “Sonny” Osborne and a sister, Dessie O. McClellan.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday at Whitmire Presbyterian Church by Rev. Dick Webber, Rev. Webster Curry and Pastor Bill Yon. Interment was in Whitmire Cemetery.
The family was at the home of Carla and Al Armfield, 1398 Coleman Ave., Whitmire and did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday at Whitmire Presbyterian Church, 1509 South Church St., Whitmire, SC.
Pallbearers were Donnie Boland, Carlton Hall, Andy Longshore, Alex Armfield, John Frye, Al Armfield, John Lewis and Drew Riddle.
Honorary pallbearers were Dr. William Stuck and Dr. Mark Davis.
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 F. Slice December 6, 2009

James F. Slice, 49, of 667 Hollands Landing Rd, Prosperity, died Sunday at his residence.
He was born in Prosperity on April 17, 1960 to Jennings B. and Katie Mae Mills Slice. He was a member of Macedonia Lutheran Church.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Debra (Brian) Freund of Prosperity; brother, Mike (Eltis) Slice of Prosperity; a number of nieces and nephews and a great niece.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Thursday in Newberry Memorial Gardens by Rev. Randy Derrick and Rev. Waco Cotney.
Visitation were from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry.
Memorials may be made to James F. Slice Fund, c/o Whitaker Funeral Home, 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.

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Emmer Miller Hazel December 6, 2009

Emmer Miller Hazel, 81, of Newberry, died Sunday, December 06, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Newberry on March 18, 1928, a daughter of the late Frank C. and Thelma Sligh Miller. She was a former employee of Damon International and was a member of Colony Lutheran Church, the WELCA and the Adult Sunday School.
Mrs. Hazel is survived by her husband, R. Lamar Hazel of the home; her daughter, Patsy Miller Long of Newberry, grandsons, Jamey H. (Veronica) Long, Jeffrey H. (Tara) Long, Jason H. (Dana) Long and John H. (Susie) Long all of Newberry, brothers, Eddie C. Miller of Newberry and Burnet “Buck” R. Miller of Aiken; great grandchildren, Bethany, Jami, Justin, Kaytlyn, Kelsey, Kristin, Marley, Brantlee, Johnny, Grayson, Ava Grace, Jeremiah, Sydney, Adrian, Yasmine, Fernando and Moisis; step children, Nancy Sangeline, Charles H. “Chuck” Hazel, Robert “Robin” Hazel and Susan Derrick and many step-grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her brother, John H. Miller and her sister, Ophelia M. Cox Leitzsey.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Wednesday at Colony Lutheran Church by the Rev. Jerry Trantham. Burial were in the Church Cemetery.
The family did receive friends from 5:00 to 6:30 P.M. Tuesday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry.
Pallbearers were Jamey H. Long, Jeffrey H. Long, Jason H. Long, John H. Long, Allen B. Cox, Austin B. Cox, Frank Leitzsey and Robin Hazel.
Honorary pallbearers were Chuck Hazel and the members of Colony Adult Sunday School.
Memorials may be made to Colony Lutheran Church, New Bus Fund, 48 Colony Church Road, 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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William P. Crawford December 2, 2009

William P. Crawford, 86, of 4506 SC Highway 560, Kinards, passed away Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
He was born on March 9, 1923 in Silverstreet to the late W. J. H. and Margaret Livingston Crawford.
Mr. Crawford was a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church and retired from Greenwood Mills, Joanna Plant. He was an Army Veteran of World War II and a member of the American Legion and VFW Clinton Post 5932.
Mr. Crawford is survived by a son and daughter-in-law; Ted L. and Libby B. Crawford of Enoree; two granddaughters and spouses, Amy C. and Jeremy Hudson of Enoree and Kim C. and Tim Workman of Kinards; great-grandchildren, Parker Workman, Brittany Workman, Taylor Hudson, and Jordan Hudson; and a sister-in-law, Evelyne Bishop of Kinards. He was predeceased by his wife, Josie Bishop Crawford and a sister, Luvania Smith.
The family is at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Tim Workman, 4984 SC Highway 560, Kinards, SC 29355 and will receive friends from 7:00 to 8:30 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M., Saturday at Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Jimmy Counts. Interment was at Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers were Doug Clark, Tim Workman, Jeremy Hudson, Randolph Johnson, Kevin Moore, Mike Longshore, and Ed Ettinger.
Honorary pallbearers were members of Hopewell United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to Hopewell United Methodist Church, 1557 Hopewell Church Road, Clinton, SC, 29325.
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. Charles Warren Nanney Nov. 22, 2009

Charles Warren Nanney, 88, passed away on Nov. 22 in Forest City, NC. Born in 1921, the youngest of 17 half-siblings, he grew up in Union Mills, NC and attended Alexander School before entering Wake Forest College in 1938. There he especially enjoyed literature and mathematics, but with World War II imminent he enlisted as an aviation cadet in 1941, pursuing what became a lifelong passion for flying. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor that year, he and his beloved Rachel Johnson, of Rutherfordton, eloped on Christmas Day, 1941. As a second lieutenant celestial navigator in the Army Air Corps, Charles served first as an aviation instructor, then as navigator of a B-17 bomber outfitted for air-sea rescue. With the 5th Air Force in the 3rd Emergency Rescue Squadron, he completed 34 missions in the Pacific theater, flying his final mission photographing Hiroshima after its bombing. Returning home a 1st lieutenant, he and Rachel moved to Raleigh, NC in 1946, where he completed a degree in textile engineering, then returned to Spindale Mills where he became head of the Industrial Engineering Department. During those years, two daughters were born to Charles and Rachel—Judith, in 1946, and Lisa, in 1951. Feeling called to the ministry, however, Charles resigned from the textile industry, and he and Rachel took their young family to Louisville, Ky. to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a postgraduate degree. After graduation in 1955, he became pastor of Swepsonville Baptist Church, near Burlington, NC where a third daughter, Tracy, completed their family in 1957. The following year, Charles accepted a pastorate in Greenville, SC at Hampton Heights Baptist Church where he and Rachel served for sixteen years. In 1974 Charles become pastor of First Baptist Church of Newberry, SC, where he ministered until retiring in 1981 after heart bypass surgery. Returning in retirement to Union Mills, where he and Rachel had built a house, they gardened, travelled, and became active in Round Hill Church, which his family had attended when he was a boy, and later at First Baptist in Rutherfordton. In retirement he served as interim pastor at Hampton Heights as well as at Calvary Baptist and Fellowship Baptist in Rutherfordton. When Rachel became ill with Alzheimer’s disease, Charles ultimately moved into a Winston-Salem retirement community to stay beside her when she entered a nursing home there, nearer the homes of their daughters Judith (Ginn), Lisa, and Tracy. In the years after Rachel’s death in 2005, Charles remarried; he and his second wife, Grace McCaskill, a lifelong friend to Charles and Rachel, lived at Rolling Green Retirement Community in Greenville until Grace’s death in 2007. Despite recurrent health problems, Charles energetically assumed new forms of ministry after he returned in 2007 to his home community in Rutherford County, NC. There, he taught Bible classes and Sunday School at his church, First Baptist in Rutherfordton; he ministered in song and story to those in local nursing homes; he was instrumental in establishing and marshalling resources for the Union Mills Learning Center. Musically gifted, he composed, published, and recorded sacred songs. A talented writer and speaker, he wrote and published privately a family history as well as a volume, soon forthcoming, of his sermons, poems, and stories of local history. He still enjoyed growing flowers, feeding the birds, playing the keyboard and autoharp, quoting poems and scripture and telling stories of his experiences in World War II, and he would take flight in a small plane at any opportunity. The profound sense of loss felt by his family and all who knew him will be comforted by the knowledge that he was, in his own words, “an old navigator who found his way home at last.” Charles Nanney is predeceased by his parents, Albert and Harriet Ellis Byrd Nanney and by his seventeen half-siblings. Besides his daughters, he is survived by two grandsons, Adam and Stuart Ginn; four great-grandchildren—Kate, Isabelle, and Ava Ginn, and Charles Ginn, all of Winston-Salem; and numerous extended family in and around Rutherford Cty. A graveside service for the family was held at 10:30 AM Dec. 7 at Round Hill Church, Union Mills, followed by a memorial service at 1 PM at First Baptist Church, Rutherfordton. A memorial service did also take place at 1 PM Dec. 15 at Hampton Heights Baptist Church, Greenville, SC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Union Mills Learning Center, P.O. Box 210, Union Mills, NC 28167 (unionmillslearningcenter.org); to Round Hill Baptist Church, 6585 Hudlow Rd., Union Mills, NC 28167 (roundhillbaptistchurchnc.org); or to First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton, 246 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139 (firstbaptistrutherfordton.com).

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