March 2005

Sara Carolyn Harmon Shannon March 23, 2005

Sara Carolyn Harmon Shannon, 95, of 5378 SC Highway 219, Newberry, widow of James Neel Shannon, died Wednesday March 23, 2005 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Shannon was born in Newberry County, a daughter of the late Thomas and Dorothy Beatrice Kibler Harmon. She was a Cum Laude Graduate of Newberry College with a BA Degree. She was a retired public school teacher having taught 30 years in the Newberry County Elementary and Junior High Schools, including Principal at Pressly, Penmanship at McCullough and Whitmire schools, and First Grade at New Hope Zion and Park Street in Whitmire. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church, the National Association of Retired Educators, the Newberry County Retired Educators Association, and a former pianist at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, her home church, and often was asked to play at New Hope Zion Church’s Homecoming, prior to her marriage.
She has been a true blessing to her family and to all those who have been part of her life over the years, an inspiration to all who knew and loved her.
Mrs. Shannon is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Louise S. Gilliam Stillinger and Clark Stillinger of Newberry and Anne S. Lominick and Roscoe Lominick of Pomaria; a son and daughter-in-law, James Neel Shannon, Jr. and Martha Hartley Shannon of Lexington; a brother and two sisters-in-law, Thomas Adam Harmon and Frances Kiesler Harmon of Pomaria and Mary Clair Shannon of Newberry; six grandchildren Susan Shannon Lominick of Pomaria, Michael James and Lorri Shannon of Newberry, Kevin Neel and Cathy Shannon of Prosperity, Robert Earl Gilliam, Jr. of Newberry and his fiancée, Jennifer LaMontagne, Gregg Schneider and his fiancée, Holly Storey, and Blaine Richardson all of Lexington. She was predeceased by two sisters, Annie Laurie Crooks and Mary Frances Avinger and a son-in-law, Robert Earl Gillam.
Visitation will be from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. John Miller and the Rev. Henri Bishop. Interment was in the Springdale Section of Rosemont Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, PO Box 67, Newberry SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were Michael James Shannon, Kevin Neel Shannon, Robert Earl Gilliam, Jr., Thomas Lyles Crooks, Jr., Harry Kiesler Harmon, and Edward Jerry Avinger, Jr.
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 S. Silver March 21,2005

David S. Silver, 44, of 4455 Bush River Road, Newberry, died Monday, March 21,2005 at the Lexington Medical Center.
Mr. Silver was born in Abington PA, a son Ruth Anderson Silver and the late Herman Joseph “Hank” Silver. He was the Executive Director of the Newberry County Literacy Council, an Eagle Scout, and Den Leader of Tiger Cubs Den #1, Grand Master of RPGA. He was the Placement Director for International Exchange Students and he and his wife also served as a host family. He was a member of Lewis United Methodist Church and he also attended the First Baptist Church in Newberry.
Mr. Silver is survived by his wife, Nancy Ruff Silver of the home; three children; special family members, Natashia Ruff and Olga Kuzmenkova both of Newberry; two sisters, Linda Adams of Chilhowie, VA and Diane Silver of Wise, VA; one brother, Michael Silver of Lacombe, Alberta, Canada, and five nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 P.M. Thursday at the Whitaker Funeral Home. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation was from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home and the family was at the residence, 4455 Bush River Road, Newberry.
Memorials may be made to the Newberry County Literacy Council, PO Box 566, Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were Dennis Adams, Scott Adams, Fielden Sanders, Heber Long, Josh Long, James Dominick, Josh Ruff, and Rick Thompson.
Honorary pallbearers were the Board of Directors of the Newberry County Literacy Council.
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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Annie B. Turner March 21, 2005

Annie B. Turner, 94, formerly of 525 Main St., Newberry died Monday, March 21, 2005 at White Oak Manor.
Mrs. Turner was born on Nov. 5, 1910 in Saluda, a daughter of the late Humphrey A. and Sudie Duffy Bledsoe. She was a retired employee of Newberry Mills and a member of O’Neal United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Turner is survived two sisters, Mary Metts and Doris Bledsoe both of Lexington; a number of nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 4:30 P.M. Wednesday in the Springdale Section of Rosemont Cemetery by the Rev. Kem Thomas.
Visitation was from 3:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home prior to the funeral services.
Memorials may be made to O’Neal Street United Methodist Church, 511 O’Neal St., Newberry SC 229108.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Smith, Rick Long, Brent Long, Jimmy Turner, Tommy Metts, Tim Livingston, Josh Zoble, and Ronnie Hunter.
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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Alma McMeekin Merchant March 20, 2005

Alma McMeekin Merchant, 91, died Sunday, March 20, 2005 at White Oak Manor.
Mrs. Merchant was born in Clinton, a daughter of the late John A. and Alica Brooks McMeekin. She was a homemaker and a member of O’Neal Street United Methodist Church.
Mrs. Merchant is survived by three grandchildren, Blake McCullough of Woodruff, Paul McCullough of Greenville, and Amy Holt of Hartsville and a great grandson, Alex McCullough.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday in Newberry Memorial Gardens by the Rev. Kem Thomas.
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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Dr. James A. Underwood, Jr. March 20, 2005

On March 20, 2005 Dr. James Arthur Underwood, Jr. died peacefully at his home in Newberry.
Dr. Underwood was born October 23, 1920 in Greenwood, S. C. He was the son of the late James Arthur Underwood and Annie Mae Brown Underwood. He was also predeceased by a sister, Lula Mae Underwood and a brother Robert Chesley Underwood.
Dr. Underwood spent his early years in Greenwood, moving to Newberry at age of five. He attended Newberry public schools, graduating from Newberry High School in 1938. He attended Newberry College in 1939 and received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy, Class of 1943, at the end of that year. His graduation in June of 1942 was accelerated by U. S. involvement in World War II. Upon graduation, he was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations serving aboard by the USS Atlanta during the battle of Guadalcanal. After the sinking of the Atlanta in that battle, he remained in the Pacific serving aboard several ships. He remained in the Navy until 1949 when he made the decision to enter medical school.
In 1954 Dr. Underwood graduated from the Medical University of South Carolina. He began his practice of medicine in Greenwood and moved to Newberry in 1957, practicing there for thirty years. During his career he served as the college physician for Newberry College as well as medical director of the J. F. Hawkins Nursing Home. He was honored as a charter fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice in 1972. He was also a member of the American Medical Association, The Southern Medical Association, the S. C. Medical Society, the Newberry County Medical Society, the U. S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and the American Legion. He was a member of the Newberry First Baptist Church.
In 1946 he married Rosalyn Eva Sanders who survives to cherish her memories of their 58 years together. Also surviving are his six children, Patricia U. Laurence of Atlantic Beach, Florida, Nancy Underwood of Newberry, Elizabeth Underwood of Columbia, Jeanne U. Cavanaugh (Mike) of Columbia, James Arthur Underwood, III (Sherry) of Newberry and Julie U. Boland (Charles) of Little Mountain. Surviving grandchildren are Kathryn Cavanaugh and Zachary Michael Cavanaugh of Columbia, James Arthur Underwood, IV (“Jay”) and Kelsey Ann Underwood of Newberry, and Benjamin Charles Boland and Laura Elizabeth Boland of Little Mountain.
Active pallbearers were Ben Boland, Zach Cavanaugh, Donald Lee Underwood, Jay Underwood, Jerry Allen Underwood and Robert Michael Underwood. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. Thomas F. Bradberry, Richard B. Carter, Dr. Mark A. Davis, Dr, Eugene E. Epting, Dr. John W. Green, Dr. E. M. Hughes, Dr. Robert E. Livingston, III, Mamie Longshore, Caroline W. Shealy, Dr. John M. Thompson, and Dorothy Wise.
The family has asked that memorials be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 807 Caldwell Street, Newberry, S. C. 29108 or to Palmetto Health Hospice of Newberry, 2024 Bear Village Court, Newberry, S. C. 29108
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 21. 2005 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, S. C.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church by the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Harmon. Interment was at Newberry Memorial Gardens.
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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Brian Alton Piester March 19, 2005

Brian Alton Piester went to live with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 19, 2005.
Brian is survived by his wife, Wanda Sutton of Lexington; two sons, Danial Allen Piester of Newberry and Dalton McKae Piester of Lexington; a stepdaughter, Shannon Elaine Aldridge of Newberry; and a stepson, Jordan Finehout of Rogersville, Tenn.
He is also survived by his brother, Bond Alton Piester of Newberry; his mother, Kathryn Delores Moore of Clinton; his father, Alton H. Piester of Newberry; and his maternal grandparents, James and Audrey Johnson of Clinton.
He is predeceased by his maternal grandfather, Frank Thomas Moore of Clinton, and his paternal grandparents, Edwin Eugene and Mary Lou Piester of Newberry.
Brian loved his family and taking his son Danial fishing and looked forward to the day when Dalton would be old enough to go with them. His happiest times were spent with his family cooking out or taking the children to the park. Brian loved life and people and made friends everywhere he went.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry with interment in St. Philip’s Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The family did receive friends in the St. Philip’s Lutheran Church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, P. O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, PA 23058-5216 or to St. Philip’s Lutheran Church Family Life Center, 2461 St. Philip’s Church Road, Newberry, S. C. 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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William Lee Morgan March 17, 2005

William Lee Morgan, 95, formerly of Club Acres in Orangeburg, widower of Ruby Norris Morgan, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at Presbyterian Home of Clinton.
Mr. Morgan was born on October 17, 1909 in Union County, North Carolina, and a son of the late Zebulon Vance and Eva Lee Morgan. He was a native of Bethune, South Carolina. He attended Davidson College and worked for the South Carolina Highway Department of Engineers before joining Wannamaker-Wells Construction Company of Orangeburg. He was a member of the Orangeburg First Presbyterian Church and a former member of the Orangeburg Lions Club.
Mr. Morgan is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Ruby Norris Morgan and Douglas M. MacDonald of Greenville. He was predeceased by a two brothers, Z. Vance Morgan, Jr. and Forbis Morgan.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M on Saturday at Rosemont Cemetery by the Rev. Robert Brozina, Chaplain of the Presbyterian Home.
Visitation was from 12:30 to 1:30 P.M. Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Orangeburg, 650 Summers Ave., Orangeburg, SC 29115.
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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Mary Lizzie Bowers Boland March 16, 2005

Mary Lizzie Bowers Boland, 88, of 1717 Mills Road, Little Mountain, widow of Gordon Boland, died Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at her residence.
Mrs. Boland was born on June 18, 1916 in Prosperity, a daughter of the late Braham E. and Julia Shealy Bowers. She was a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and the Holy Trinity Happy Mountaineers.
Mrs. Boland is survived by a daughter and son-in-law Christine and Stanley Boland of Chapin; two sons and three daughters-in-law, James and Kay Boland, Albert and Carolyn Boland, and Betty M. Boland, all of Little Mountain; three sisters, Katherine Wicker and Betty Haltiwanger, both of Newberry, and Mildred Hentz of Little Mountain; 12 grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, George Boland, three brothers, Carl Bowers, Hubert Bowers, and Robert “Bob” Bowers, and a great great grandson, T. J. Shealy.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church by the Rev. Fred Suhr. Interment was in the church cemetery.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Thursday at the Whitaker Funeral Home, Chapin.
Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church Building Fund, PO Box 186, Little Mountain, SC 29075 or the Little Mountain Rescue Squad, 234 Depot St., Little Mountain, SC 29075.
Active pallbearers were Roland Frick, Jerry Frick, Gary Frick, Craig Boland, Dean Boland, Stacy Boland and Brian Boland.
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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Margaret Waites Long March 9, 2005

Margaret Waites Long, 67, of 113 Edgar Waites Road, Pomaria, widow of Albert J. Long, died Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital.
Mrs. Long was born on September 22, 1937 in Pomaria, a daughter of the late Edgar B. and Annie Mae Livingston Waites. She was the co-owner of Waites Snack Bar in Pomaria. She was a member of Enoree Baptist Church and was a member of the WMU.
Mrs. Long is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law; Dean and Cindy Long of Pomaria; and Russell and Barbara Long of Chapin; three sisters; Reba Lake of Newberry; and Barbara Smith and Kathie Leitzsey, both of Pomaria; three brothers; Bennette Waites of Newberry; and Willie Waites and Ted Waites of Pomaria; two granddaughters; Joni Wessinger and Susan Long, both of Pomaria; and one great granddaughter Caroline Wessinger of Pomaria.
Visitation will be from 6:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Saturday at Enoree Baptist Church by the Rev. George Leagans.
Interment was in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jason Wessinger, Randall Waites, Marty Livingston, Stacy Waites, Todd Waites, and Chad Leitzsey.
Honorary pallbearers were William Lever, Todd Lever, Eddie Felker, Jimmy Felker, Charlie Cromer, Lawrence Lever, J.R. Roper, Bobby Morse, Virgil Graham, Virgil Livingston, Raymond Smith, and Dr. John Thompson.
Memorials may be made to Enoree Baptist Church Building Fund and Cemetery Fund, c/o Reba Lake, 5101 Jollystreet Road, 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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Thelma Shealy Rawl March 1, 2005

Thelma Shealy Rawl, 90, formerly of 1390 Holly Point Rd., Prosperity, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at J.F. Hawkins Health Care.
Ms Rawl was born in Lexington County, the daughter of the late Lessie Shealy. She was a retired employee of Kendall Company, Mollohon Plant where she worked for over 35 years. She was a member of Mt Olivet Lutheran Church.
Ms. Rawl is survived by her son, Mackie Rawl of Newberry.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Friday at Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church by the Rev. Allen Brill. Interment was in church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Olivet Lutheran Church, 132 Vinge Rd. Prosperity SC 29127.
Active pallbearers were Robert Lake, Jr., Bill Armfield, Larry Wessinger, Gerald Bedenbaugh, and Ed Myers.
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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