February 2005

Florence Shealy Wheeler February 24, 2005

Florence Shealy Wheeler, 98, formerly of Little Mountain, widow of C. Maloy Wheeler, died Thursday, February 24, 2005 at the Lowman Home.
Mrs. Wheeler was born on June 15, 1906 in Little Mountain, a daughter of the late Rufus B. and Rosa Belle Sease Shealy. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Wheeler is survived by two sisters, Louise S. Bedenbaugh of Prosperity and Christine S. Metts of Columbia and one brother Cary C. Shealy of Summerton.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Sunday in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Cemetery by the Rev. Karl Suhr.
Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, PO Box 186, Little Mountain SC 29075 or to the Lutheran Hospice of the Midlands, 1505 Blanding 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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Rev. Pearly L. Garland, Jr. February 24, 2005

Rev. Pearly L. Garland, Jr. of 88 Glenn Street, Newberry, died Thursday, February 24, 2005, at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Rev. Garland was born on April 25, 1950 in Union, SC a son of Fair Wilbank Garland and the late Pearly L. Garland, Sr. He was a retired employee of the Hyster Corporation and was a member of God Healing Spring Baptist Church.
Rev. Garland is survived by his wife, Delores Stroud Garland of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Amy and Rick Mills of Union and Deborah and David Blizzard of Newberry; a honorary daughter and son-in-law, Dia and Tony Ware of Newberry: two sons and daughter-in-law, Adam and Sephanie Garland of Greenwood and Robert Hyler of Newberry; a honorary son, Harry Kinard of Newberry; a sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Rev. Jerry Tankersley of Black Water, VA; an uncle, Charles Wilbank of Whitmire; eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P. M Saturday at the God Healing Spring Baptist Church in Whitmire. Interment will be in Lee Cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 8:00 P. M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family will at 88 Glenn Street, Newberry.
Active pallbearers were Charles Crumby, Jim Allen, Buck Thrift, Steve Melton, Hagan Stroud, and Bobby Johnston.
Honorary pallbearers were Fran and Perry Eargle, Harvey and Doris Ramey, and Doug Miller
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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C. Furman Garner February 23, 2005

C. Furman Garner, 85, formerly of 2714 DeLoache Ave., Newberry SC, widower of Fay Berryhill Garner, died Wednesday, February 23, 2005 at Springfield Place.
Mr. Garner was born on November 8, 1919 in Stephens County, GA, a son of the late Jesse T. and Sarah Brown Garner. He was an Army veteran of WW II, having served in Italy and North Africa.
He was the retired owner and operator of Garner Shoes, Inc. in Newberry and was an avid walker and gardener. He was a member and former Deacon of First Baptist Church and a member of the Fellowship Sunday School class.
Mr. Garner is survived by three sons, Wayne Garner of Cordova, TN, Russell Garner of Columbia, and Wendell Garner of Simpsonville; five grandchildren, Jennifer Garner, Clea Garner, Jason Garner, Matthew Garner, and Olivia Garner; and a sister, Earline Merritt of Greenville. He was predeceased by three sisters, Mary Harris, Helen Parham, and Ernestine Roberts.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the First Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harmon and Rev. Jerry Long. Interment was at 4:00 P.M Saturday in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Greenville.
Visitation was from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family will be at the residence, 2714 DeLoache Ave.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1020 Boundary St., Newberry, SC 29108 or to the American Diabetes Association, S.C. Affiliate, 2711 Middleburg Dr., Suite 110, Columbia SC 29204.
Active pallbearers were Jason Garner, Matthew Garner, J.T. Roberts, Tim Harris, Ronnie Long, Craig McDaniel, Greg Berryhill, and Mike Heuerman.
Honorary pallbearers was the members of the Fellowship Sunday School Class.
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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Betty Lindler Slice February, 15, 2005

Betty Lindler Slice, 72, of White Oak Manor, formerly of 1322 Silas St., Newberry, died Tuesday, February, 15, 2005 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Slice was born on September 7, 1933 in Newberry, the daughter of the late Nora Agnes Lindler. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Mrs. Slice is survived by her husband,James O. Slice of White Oak Manor; a cousin, Ruth Pearson: and a niece, Linda Cook both of Whitmire.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Thursday in Rosemont Cemetery by the Rev. Charles Clinton.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church, 965 Lindsay Circle, 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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A. Pat Long February 14, 2005

A. Pat Long, 85, of 3618 SC Highway 773, Pomaria died Monday, February 14, 2005 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Long was born on December 17, 1919 in Pomaria, a son of the late S. Chester and Beatrice Aull Long. He was an Army veteran of WW II and was a retired employee of Newberry County Memorial Hospital. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and was a former member of the Congregational Council.
Mr. Long is survived by his wife, Cornelia Suber Long; two daughters and sons-in-law, Rita and John F. Boozer, III and Alice and Wayne Boozer all of Pomaria; a sister, Eltryn L. Dunlap of Newberry and five grandsons, John Boozer, IV, Lee Boozer, Mark Boozer, Kevin Boozer, and Andrew Boozer. He was predeceased by a brother, George Long and a grandson, Patrick Boozer.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:30 P.M on Thursday at St. Paul Lutheran Church by the Rev. Brent Nichols and the Rev. John Weaver. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family was at the residence.
Memorials may be made to the St. Paul Lutheran Church Building Fund, 2496 SC Highway 773, Pomaria, SC 29126.
Active pallbearers were John Boozer IV, Lee Boozer, Mark Boozer, Kevin Boozer, Andrew Boozer, Bill Aull and Don Aull.
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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John Knox Ragsdale February 13, 2005

John Knox Ragsdale, 86, formerly of Blair, widower of Dorothy Cromer Ragsdale, died Sunday, February 13, 2005 at J. F. Hawkins Health Care.
Mr. Ragsdale was born on November 5, 1918 in Blair, a son of the late Claude H. and Alice Coward Ragsdale. He graduated from Monticello High School and attended Clemson University. He was a Navy veteran of WW II serving with the Seabee’s. He retired from Champion International and was a farmer.
He was a member of Salem Presbyterian Church, a former member of Rock Creek Baptist Church, the South Carolina Dairymen’s Association, and Friends of Clemson Alumni Association.
Mr. Ragsdale is survived by a daughter and son-in-law Karen Ragsdale and Donnie Way of Lexington; two sons, John Knox Ragsdale, Jr. of Columbia and Ted E. Ragsdale of Blair; two sisters, Helen Counts of Newberry and Virginia Davis of Winnsboro; a brother, Vernon Ragsdale of Seneca; a special grandson, Bryan Greer of York; two granddaughters, four step-grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and five step-great grandchildren. He was predeceased by two brothers, James Ragsdale and Claude H. Ragsdale, Jr.; and two sisters, Beverly Rice and Margie Weeks.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 P.M. Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. William Hodges. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Salem Presbyterian Church, to the Rock Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or to Ascension Hospice, PO Box 3077 West Columbia SC 29171.
Active pallbearers were Pete Ragsdale, Edward Ragsdale, Ashley Smith, Charles Doolittle, Harry Cromer, Jr., John Watts, Robert Blair, and Will Ragsdale.
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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Hoyt E. Morris February 12, 2005

Hoyt E. Morris, 89, of 498 Judyville Road, Norway, SC, widower of Margaret Bowers Morris, died Saturday, February 12, 2005 at the Bamberg Hospital.
Mr. Morris was born on August 7, 1915 in Newberry, a son of the late B. Joe and Mary Cotney Morris. He was a retired employee of Joanna Mills and a member of Colony Lutheran Church.
Mr. Morris is survived by a daughter, Betty Jean Brunson of Norway; two sons Max E. Morris of Myrtle Beach and James R. Morris of Leavenworth, KS; a sister, Azilee Smith of Newberry; a brother, Joe E. Morris of Columbia; thirteen grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and two great-great-granchildren.He was predeceased by a sister, Alberta Brock and a brother, Hermon Morris.
Funeral service were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. Jerry Trantham. Interment was in Colony Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P. M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be to Colony Lutheran Church, 48 Colony Church Road, Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were Wayne Brock, Michael Morris, Randy Brunson, Robbie Rivers, Curtis Bowers, Jr., Johnny Bowers, and James Osborne.
Honorary pallbearers were David Osborne, Kenny Osborne, and Chad Brunson.
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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Clarence E. McCartha February 9, 2005

Clarence E. McCartha, 73, of 561 Turner Road, Prosperity, widower of Lorraine Whitman McCartha died Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at Saluda Nursing Home.
Mr. McCartha was born February 11, 1931 in Prosperity, S.C, the son of the late Forrest McCartha and Lera McCartha Mills. He was a retired employee of Boyd Lumber Co. and was a member of Bethel Baptist Church
Mr. McCartha is survived by his daughter and son-in-law; Stacy and Milton Storey of Prosperity; a sister and brother-in-law; Myrtle McCartha and Leroy Lindler of Prosperity; and three grandchildren, Milton Storey, Jr., Cassidy Storey, and Stacie Rose Storey.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Bethel Baptist Church by the Rev. Lynn Peters and Mr. Terry Cotney. Interment will be in St. Luke’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation was 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family was at the residence, 561 Turner Road.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 2503 Bethel Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127.
Active pallbearers were Danny Storey, Calvin Lindler, James David Lindler, Terry Cotney, Dean Hipp, Wade Hipp, and Rayford Storey.
Honorary pallbearers were the Deacons of Bethel Baptist.
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 Abrams Sheppard February 6, 2005

Claudia Abrams Sheppard, 87, formerly of 1089 Main St., Silverstreet, widow of Billie Wayne Sheppard, died Sunday, February 6, 2005 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Sheppard was born on January 4, 1918, in Silverstreet, a daughter of the late Claude E. and Ellen Paysinger Abrams. She was the former owner of Sheppard Grocery Store in Silverstreet and was a member of Silverstreet Lutheran Church and the Home Demonstration Club.
Mrs. Sheppard is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, Wayne and Linda Sheppard of Prosperity and Mike and Bonnie Sheppard of Silverstreet; a sister, Shirley Berry of Silverstreet; eight grandchildren and spouses, Cyril and Lynn Sheppard and Kara Sheppard, all of Prosperity, Janna and Josh Cockrell of Clinton, Beth and Dwayne Haun, and Susan Demastees, all of Greer, Becky and Jarrett Gilliam of Lexington, Jamie and Jason Merchant of Prosperity, and Blake Sheppard of Silverstreet; and eight great-children, Andrew Demastees, Justin Meyers, Collin Merchant, Luke Merchant, Kylie Haun, Carson Cockrell, Amy Baker, and Nikki Baker. She was predeceased by two sisters, Kutura Neel and Sara Inabinet and a brother, Cyril Abrams.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday at 2:00 P.M. at Silverstreet Lutheran Church by the Rev. Steve Jackson and the Rev. Art Hallman. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family did receive friends at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Mike Sheppard, 306 Woodland Road, Silverstreet.
Memorials may be made to Silverstreet Lutheran Church, 120 Long Street, Silverstreet, SC 29145.
Active pallbearers were Clark Neel, Harold B. Neel, Russell Abrams, Eddie Abrams, Gene Sheppard, Jimmy Blair, Walter Sheppard and Dick Neel.
Honorary pallbearers were the members of the Elise Nichols Sunday School Class.
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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Alice Geddings Walker February 04, 2005

Alice Geddings Walker, 62, of 277 Fairway Drive, Newberry, wife of William D. Walker, died Friday, February 04, 2005 at her residence.
Mrs. Walker was born on October 6, 1942, in Clarendon County, a daughter of the late George Geddings and Patunia Hodge Geddings Dubose. She was former owner and operator of Alice’s Cake and Party Supply Company in Sumter and she was a member of Southside Baptist Church in Sumter. She enjoyed crafts, sewing and participating with her husband in Shrine activities and square dancing with the Village Squares in Kinards.
Mrs. Walker is survived by her husband of the home; four daughters and sons-in-law, Wendy and Roger Decker of Sumter, Melissa and J. C. Becker of Woodstock, Ga., Amanda and Scott Carroll of Ft. Hood, TX, and Katrina and Keith Minick of Newberry; two step-daughters and step-sons-in-law, Bonnie and Mike Muecke of Sioux City, IA, Rachelle and Scott Barto of Sgt. Bluff, IA; two sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Susan Jackson and Ronnie and Lillian Jackson all of Sumter; a step-son and step-daughter-in-law, William and Penny Walker of Sail, IA; a sister, Carlotte Howell of Sumter; two brothers, Stanley Dubose and Charles Dubose both of Sumter; sixteen grandchildren, one great granddaughter, seven step-grandchildren and one step-great-grandson. She was predeceased by a brother, Wilson Geddings.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P. M. on Monday at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church by the Rev. Arden Hallman. Interment was in the Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was from 4:00 to 6:00 P. M. Sunday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family was at the residence, 277 Fairway Drive.
Active pallbearers were Mike Muecke, Pat Walker, Donnie DeVore, Leonard Blackwell, Melvin Hancock, Nathan Muecke and Harold Seigler.
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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McRee Hunter Vriezelaar January 26, 2005

McRee Hunter Vriezelaar, 87, of 70 Hunter Lane, Prosperity, widow of Donald W. Vriezelaar, died Wednesday, January 26, 2005 at White Oak Manor.
Mrs. Vriezelaar was born on Dec. 14, 1917 in Newberry County, a daughter of the late Robert Carmichael and Margaret McRee McNeill Hunter.
Mrs. Vriezelaar is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Carrie V. and David Cole of San Antonio. Texas; five grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Donald W. Vriezelaar and her brother, Robert Hunter.
Graveside funeral service conducted at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington VA on February 8, 2005.
Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s Lutheran Church, 4056 St. Luke’s Church Road, 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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