April 2008


David A. Hlasney
April 30, 2008

David A. Hlasney, 59, of 2125 Rosalyn Drive, Newberry died Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at the Lexington Medical Center.
He was born on October 5, 1948 in Manhattan, NY a son of the late Joseph and Lila Peer Hlasney. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was employed with Subway Restaurant of Newberry.
Mr. Hlasney is survived by his wife, Joyce Ann Hlasney of Newberry; his daughters and son-in-law, Michelle Ann and James Dycus of Whitmire and Carrie Lynn Moore of Newberry; a sister, Vickie Malone of Wichita Falls, TX; three brothers Thomas Hlasney of Newberry, Jack Corliss of Chicago and Steven Corliss of Arkansas; and 10 grandchildren, Jamie Dycus, Austin Dycus, Christopher Robertson, Brandon Dycus, Kristine Dycus, Jonathan Coffey, Jacob Coffey, Christian Moore, Thomas Joseph Moore and Kaitlyn Nicole Moore. Predeceased by Timothy Corliss.
Private family service were held at a later date.
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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Cynthia Mower Martin
Thursday, April 17, 2008

Cynthia Mower Martin, 89, of 1531 Main St., Newberry, died Thursday, April 17, 2008 at the WJB Dorn Medical Center in Columbia.
Miss Martin was born on August 6, 1918 in Newberry, a daughter of the late Foster N. and Mary Helen Mower Martin. She served three years during WWII in the Women’s Army Corps. She was a graduate of Newberry College and a member of the Newberry ARP Church which she joined when she was 6 years old.
She worked at Nichols Studio for 46 years during which time she compiled two books of old photographs of Newberry “As It Was.” After retiring, she had a small ceramic business making hand sculptured figurines.
Miss Martin is the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by her sister-in-law, Mrs. James B. (Jane) Martin of Charleston, nieces and nephews. Graveside funeral services were conducted at 11:00 am Saturday, April 19, 2008 by the Rev. Gary Pierstorff in Rosemont Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Newberry ARP Church., Upgrade and Restoration Fund, 1701 Main 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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Margaret Murrah Sheppard
April 13, 2008

Margaret Murrah Sheppard, 78, of 2106 Mower St., Newberry, widow of William L. “Bill” Sheppard, died Sunday, April 13, 2008 at her residence.
She was born on December 10, 1929 in Joanna, a daughter of the late Harmon G. and Cleo Rodgers Murrah. She was a former employee of Damon International and was a member of Faith Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Sheppard is survived by a daughter, Brenda Sheppard Lee of N. Charleston; a son, William Lory Sheppard, Jr. of Newberry; a sister, Alma Gregory of Columbia; a brother, H. G. “Buck” Murrah, Jr. of Joanna; 5 grandchildren, Aleatha Sheppard Day, Sherry Angel Lee, April Michelle Lee, Rickey O’Neal Lee, Jr. and Dawn Marie Lee; and 4 great grandchildren, Austan Jack Day, Alexys Lory Day, Andrew William Day, and Ruby Sheppard Reddington. She was predeceased by a dear friend, Mrs. Reba Brooks.
Funeral services were conducted at 4:00 P.M. Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home by Rev. Rodney Gunter. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
The family was at her residence and did receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, 332 North Lauderdale, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Hospice Care of Tri County, 166 Stonebridge Dr., Suite 100, Columbia, SC 29210-8239.
Active pallbearers were Buren Mitchell, Tommy Mitchell, Lealon Amick, Eddie Amick, Eric Gregory, Ricky Traylor, Jr., Renton Murrah. Honorary pallbearers were Kelly Warren, Doris Cromer, Laura Welsh-Davidson, Harriet and Wilbur Nichols, Catherine and Ronald Boozer, Ruby Bedenbaugh, Gwen and Rick Traylor, Sr., Chaplin James Cuttino, Jr., Joan Hardman, Veneatha and Robert Renwick, Eva Clamp, Jenny Jones, Harriet Burnette, and Dot and Larry Senn.
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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Ruby Lee Long Plumblee Bagwell
April 12, 2008

Mrs. Ruby Lee Long Plumblee Bagwell, 94, of West Columbia, died Saturday, April 12, 2008 at Lexington Medical Center Extend Care.
She was born on September 18, 1913 in Newberry County, a daughter of the late Rufus F. and Nora Bickley Long. She was a 1930 graduate of Bush River School and a 1934 graduate of Newberry College. She taught school for 35 years in Newberry, Cherokee and Laurens Counties.
Mrs. Bagwell was a resident of Columbia since 1974 and she was a member of St. James Lutheran Church, Newberry.
Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Thomas William and Rosemary Plumblee of West Columbia; a daughter and son-in-law, Nora Anne P. and Roger Mature of Woodbridge, VA; and 4 grandchildren, Kathleen Plumblee and Michael Plumblee, Brian Mature and Michelle Mature. She was predeceased by her first husband, William Hal Plumblee and her second husband, J. Frank Bagwell, a brother, Harold F. Long and a sister, Cleone Long Swittenberg.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at St. James Lutheran Church by Rev. Rodney Gunter. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 7:30 PM Monday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, SC 29108.
The family would like to thank the staff of Agape Senior, the nursing staff of 6 Medical at Lexington Medical Center, Dr. John Black and Internal Medicine Associates and the staff of Lexington Extended Care for their kindness and gentle care.
Active pallbearers were Brian Mature, Michael Plumblee, John Long, Christopher Long, Charles Irons, and Michael Mature.
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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Thomas E. “Tommy” Wise
April 11, 2008

Thomas E. “Tommy” Wise, 65, of 24348 US Highway 76, Newbery, died Friday, April 11, 2008 at his residence.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1942 in Newbery, a son of the late W. Tillman and Verdie Corley Wise. He was an employee of Sizemore and was a former employee of the Torrington Bearing Co. and he was a member of the Joanna Church of God. He was a U. S. Navy Veteran of the Vietnam Era.
He is survived by his wife, Claudia Brooks Wise of Newberry; a daughter, Sherry (Roger) Burden of Kinards; a sister, Martha Ann Koon of Newberry; a brother, W. Terry Wise of Newberry; and 3 grandchildren, Todd (Miranda) Crain, Andrew Crain, and Ashlee Burden.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. Gene Wooten.
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 L. Edwards, Sr.
April 07, 2008

John L. "Dopey" Edwards, Sr., 83, formerly of 2003 McDowell St., Newberry died Monday, John L. Edwards, Sr., 83, formerly of 2003 McDowell St., Newberry died Monday, April 07, 2008 at the Tucker Nursing Center in Columbia.
He was born on July 9, 1924 in Orangeburg, a son of the late Samuel Walters and Rosealee Ellen Sandle Edwards. He was a Navy veteran of WWII, attended Newberry College, and was a member of Faith Assembly of God. He was the former owner of the Tomahawk (Dopey’s) Restaurant next to Newberry College and was a farmer in Branchville.
Mr. Edwards is survived by two daughters, Rosanne Griffin of Chester, VA and Erin Oxendine of Concord, NC; three sons, John Warren Edwards of Charleston, John Lawrence Edwards, Jr. and John Madison Edwards both of Newberry; a sister, Clarice Dukes of Rowesville and a brother, Leonard R. Edwards of Branchville; and four grandchildren, Jessica D. Edwards, Kennedy Griffin, Conner Griffin, and Dillion Fulmer.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Wednesday at Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. Mitchel Burriss. Interment with military rites was in Rosemont Cemetery.
Visitation was from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Faith Assembly of God, 798 Fair St., Newberry, SC 29108.
Active pallbearers were Andy Senn, Ted Williams, Jacque Gilliam, Von Dennis, Garrick Wise, David Lawson and Hampton Fuller.
Honorary pallbearers were Paul H. Duncan, M.Q. Roberts, and Steve McCordle.
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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