May 2008


Celia S. "Mama" Shealy
May 31, 2008

Celia Snipes “Mama” Shealy, 87, of 20977 US Highway 76, Newberry, widow of Rev. W. D. “Pop” Shealy, Jr. died Saturday, May 31, 2008 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Shealy was born on December 16, 1919 in Cordsville, SC to the late Willie Eugene and Leila Irene Garris Snipes.
She was co-founder of Boys Farm, Inc. where she served as Treasurer and Consultant and was the mother to over 400 boys from areas of the western hemisphere. She was a member of First Southern Methodist Church of Greenville.
Mrs. Shealy is survived by a daughter, C. Louise Shealy Kerr of Greenville; a son, Walter Dixon Shealy, III and wife Jean of Newberry; sisters and brothers-in-law, Henrietta and Woody Killingsworth of Charleston and Willette and Tommy Foy of Columbia; a brother and sister-in-law, Jimmy G. and Ruth Snipes of Charleston; four grandchildren, Johnny Kerr, Clayton Vance Kerr, Walter Dixon Shealy, IV, and William Russell Shealy; a great granddaughter, Kaley Kerr; loved one, John R. Kerr of Greenville; and the boys and men whose lives she touched while at Boys Farm. She was predeceased by brothers Phillip Charles Snipes and William Eugene Snipes
Visitation will be on Monday from 6 to 7:30 P.M. at Whitaker Funeral Home, Newberry.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at Boys Farm Inc., 6655 SC Hwy 34-121, Newberry by Rev. David Clark and Rev. Eddie Bledsoe.
Gravesides services were conducted at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday at Graceland Cemetery, 4814 White Horse Rd, Greenville.
Memorials may be made to Boys Farm, Inc., P.O. Box 713, Newberry, SC 29108.
Pallbearers were grandsons.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Board of Directors of Boys Farm, Inc.
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 S. Lipscomb
May 30, 2008

Margaret Shealy Lipscomb, 86, widow of Lewis M. Lipscomb, Sr., formerly of 1423 Clarkson Ave., Newberry, died Friday, May 30, 2008.
She was born on May 19, 1922 in Newberry County to Harry W. and Trannie Pitts Shealy. She was retired from Newberry County Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service.
Mrs. Lipscomb was a member of Smyrna Presbyterian Church, a member of Esther Circle and Senior Adults Sunday School Class, a member of the Newberry County Business and Professional Women and was a member and former president of the local chapter of N. A. R. F. E.
She is survived by a daughter, Anne Lipscomb of Cayce; three sons and daughters-in-law, Lewis M. and Floy Ann Lipscomb, Jr. of Springfield, VA, W. Durrett and Marcie Lipscomb of Tallahassee, FL and James Robert “Bobby” and Debbie Lipscomb of Silverstreet; a sister Florence Addison of Newberry; five grandchildren, Trey Bogue, Courtney Renfrow, Keri Lipscomb, Allston Lipscomb and Margaret Lipscomb; and two great grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday at Smyrna Presbyterian Church by Rev. Scott Hill. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family was at her current residence and did receive friends from 3 to 5 P.M. Sunday at Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Smyrna Presbyterian Church, 32 Smyrna Rd, 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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Tommy L. Hedgepath
May 30, 2008

Tommy L. Hedgepath, 67, of 2612 Harrington St, Newberry, died Friday, May 30, 2008 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Hedgepath was born on January 4, 1941 in Newberry to Beatrice Wicker Hedgepath and the late H. L. Hedgepath. He was the owner of H. L. Hedgepath and Son and had served as Deputy Coroner of Newberry County since 1991 and was currently serving as Coroner.
He was a member of Faith Lutheran Church where he had served on Congregational Council. He was a member of Amity Masonic Lodge #87 AFM, Hejaz Shrine Temple, a member of the Friendly Fire Department and had served for 10 years in the SC National Guard.
Mr. Hedgepath wanted his friends to know that he was thankful for all of their prayers.
He is survived by his wife, Shelby Dowd Hedgepath, of Newberry, his mother, Beatrice Hedgepath of Newberry; a daughter, Renee H. Shipes of Newberry; a son and daughter-in-law, Tommy L. “Tony” and Gina Hedgepath of Newberry; and 5 grandchildren, Tyler Shipes, Justin Hedgepath, Joshua Hedgepath, Kirby Shipes and Kimmy Shipes.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Monday at Faith Lutheran Church by Rev. Charles Aurand, Rev. Bill Stone and Rev. Wayne Parker. Entombment with Masonic Rites did follow in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
Visitation was from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. Sunday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Casket bearers were Butch Price, Travis Chapman, Allan Cox, Bobby Pollard, Jr., Melvin Dominick, Robert Dennis, III, Bruce Ballentine, Ryan Dickert and Willie Roller. Honorary Pallbearers were Maxie Bailey, Virgil Livingston, Odell Ruff, Jimmy Andrews, Ben Dukes and members of Friendly Fire Department.
Memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, World Hunger, 1505 Wilson Rd., Newberry, SC 29108 or to Friendly Fire Department, P.O. Box 1048, 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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Cary W. Porter
May 23, 2008

Cary W. Porter, 58, of 318 John Kinard Circle, Chapin, died Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Lexington Medical Center.
He was born on December 6, 1949 in Columbia, son of the late Hazel and Jeanette Williams Porter. He was a decorated Air Force veteran of the Vietnam War and was retired from the Air Force.
He was of the Baptist faith and was a former member and activities chairman of Moose Lodge #1688 in Warner Robins, GA.
Mr. Porter is survived by his wife, Yvonne Bunn Porter of Chapin; a daughter Shauna Porter and her fiancé, Scott Hoover of Albuquerque, NM; a son, Mitchum Porter of Chapin; two step-sons, Jason Turner of Lexington and Jacque Hebert of Chapin; a sister and her husband, Anne and Chuck Swann of Charlotte; a step-granddaughter, Jayde Hoover; his step-Mother, Elsie Porter of Lexington; an aunt and uncle; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister, Theresa Neill. He will also be missed by beloved friends he made all over the world during his Air Force career.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 2:00 P.M. Tuesday, May, 27, 2008 in the Florence National Cemetery by Chaplin Valerie Hahn and with military honors
Visitation was from 6:30 to 8:00 PM Monday, May 26, 2008 at the Whitaker Funeral Home in Chapin.
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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Clyde R. Anderson
May 14, 2008

Clyde R. Anderson, 72, formerly of 5244 U.S. 176. Pomaria, widower of Elaine Carter Anderson, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home.
He was born on June 27, 1935 in Cerro Gordo, NC to the late Coy and Beulah Green Anderson. He was a retired employee of Epting Ballenger Corporation.
Mr. Anderson is survived by a daughter, Robin (Chuck) Smith of Tennessee; four sons, Danny Anderson and Sammy Anderson both of Newberry, Randy (Wanda) Anderson of Pomaria, and Gary Anderson of Lake Murray; a sister, Theatus Green of Whiteville, NC and three brothers; Douglas Anderson of Ash, NC, Leo Anderson of Bladenboro, NC, and Charles Richardson of Cerro Gordo, NC; eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother George Anderson.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM on Saturday at Enoree Baptist Church by the Rev. George Leagan. Interment was in church cemetery.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday at the funeral home.
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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Merle Miller Kinney
May 14, 2008

Merle Miller Kinney, 86, formerly of 1403 Fourth St., widow of L. W. “Woody” Kinney, died Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at the St. Luke’s Hospital in Jacksonville, FL.
She was born on September 20, 1921 in Newberry County to the late James O. “Jim” and Jennie Bedenbaugh Miller. She was a retired employee of the Kendall Company, Oakland Plant. She was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church, the Adult Sunday School Class, and the Joy Group.
Mrs. Kinney is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, David L. and Susie A. Kinney of Jacksonville, FL; two sisters-in-law, Mary Miller and Helen S. Miller, both of Newberry; five step-grandsons, Gerald, Alvin, Torrey, Jimmie, and Jacob; ten step-great grandchildren; a devoted step-great grandchild, Gerald Jerome Dove III. She was predeceased by a sister Emily Elizabeth Miller and two brothers, James L. Miller and M.P. Miller.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Monday at Whitaker Funeral Home by the Rev. Ronald Smith. Interment was in Rosemont Cemetery.
The family did receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 AM Monday prior to the funeral services.
Pallbearers were Ralph Gilliam, Earl Leitzsey, Patrick Burch, James E. Standridge, and Raymond Morris. Honorary Pallbearers were the members of the Congregational Council, the Adult Sunday School Class, and the Joy Group.
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 Lott Epting
April 30, 2008

Ruby Lott Epting, 87, widow of Leland C. Epting, Sr. died Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Fairfield County and the daughter of the late Warren and Mary Lott of Saluda. She was a member of Silverstreet Lutheran Church.
She is survived by a son Leland Epting, Jr. (Patsy) of Newberry; daughters, Linda Koon of Little Mountain, Susan Longshore (Tommy) of Newberry, Mary Hallman (Walter) of Leesville and Janet Morris (Dwain) of Newberry; grandchildren, Beverly Summer, Faye Woodward, Ashley Lowe, Charlotte Ehney, David Koon, Leah Pruitt, Clint Hallman, Leesha and Dana Morris; and 10 great- grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Janice Epting; a son-in-law, Gerald Koon and a great-grandchild, Adrienne Woodward.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 P.M. Saturday in Silverstreet Lutheran Church by the Rev. Steve Jackson. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family was at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Epting, 2322 Belfast Road, and did receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 P.M. Friday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Silverstreet Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 120 Long St., Silverstreet, SC 29145.
Active pallbearers were David Koon, Clint Hallman, Brian Pruitt, Gregg Summer, Steve Ehney, and Alex Summer.
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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