June 2009

Walker Graham Smith, Sr. June 28, 2009

Mr. Walker Graham Smith, Sr., 87, of 1432 Belleville Road, St. Matthews, died Sunday, June 28, 2009, at the Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services were held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, June 30, at Memorial Park Cemetery, Organeburg, with the Rev. Larry Williams, Pastor of Cameron Baptist Church, officiating.
Active pallbearers were Jack Backmon, Heyward Goff, Robert Peele, Kenny Shepherd, Kenny Swartz and Steve Williams. Honorary pallbearers were all of Walker's deer hunters.
Mr. Smith was born July 25, 1921, in Cameron, a son of the late Walter Wellington Smith and Devie S. Smith. He was the widower of Sadie Thomas Smith. Mr. Smith was a member of the Cameron Baptist Church. He was engaged in farming for most of his life. His hobbies were coon hunting and deer hunting.
Survivors include a daughter, Peggie S. (Billye) West of Newberry; a son, Walker G. (Bernadene) Smith, Jr.; eight grandchildren, Misty M. West, Brandy B. West, Tiffany F. West, Billy L. (Debra) West II, Sabin S. (Christy) West, all of Newberry, Samuel G (Malissa) Smith, Jason P. (Katherine) Smith and Stella S. (David) Mitchell, all of St. Matthews; 12 great-grandchildren, Jordan-Holt (Phillip) Bunch of Clinton, TN, Bret West, Josie West, Zayne West, Andrew West and Olivia West, all of Newberry; Samuel G. Smith Jr., Jackson Smith, Ryan Smith, Ashlyn Smith, Graham Smith and Iris Mitchell, all of St. Matthews; half sister, Sallie I. Watkins, of Orangeburg; and a brother-in-law, Claude Taylor of Jacksonville, Fl.
Friends did call the residence of Walker and Bernadene Smith Jr., 1404 Belleville Road, St. Matthews and Thompson Funeral Home in Orangeburg.
Visitation was held from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

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Lalhage Fulmer Eargle June 19, 2009

Lalhage Fulmer Eargle, 89, formerly of 1264 Kinard St., Newberry, widow of C. Herman Eargle, died Friday, June 19, 2009 at White Oak Manor.
She was born on January 30, 1920 in Prosperity, a daughter of the late J. Burley and Viola Mills Fulmer. She was a member of Summer Memorial Lutheran Church. She was a former employee of the Kendall Company, Mollohon Plant and retired from the J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home where she worked in the kitchen and dietary department. Mrs. Eargle was very active with the Retired Senior Volunteer Program at the Waldrop Center.
She is survived by her son, Denny H. Eargle of Newberry; a sister, Eunice F. Cole of Summerville; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her son, Bruce F. Eargle; sisters, Reba F. Amick, Ruth Fulmer, Clara F. Purdy, and Annielee F. Shealy; and brothers, Virgil B. Fulmer, Furman E. Fulmer, and H. Bernard Fulmer.
Funeral services were conducted at 10:00 AM Tuesday at Summer Memorial Lutheran Church by the Rev. John Wertz. Interment was in Newberry Memorial Gardens.
The family did receive friends from 6:00 to 7:00 PM Monday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Summer Memorial Lutheran Church, 1609 Milligan St., Newberry, SC 29108.
Pallbearers were Terry Morris, James Fulmer, Larry Cromer, Robert Alexander Purdy, Jr., John William Fulmer, James Taylor, Phillip Sligh, Jerry Summers, Vernon Hawkins, and Clyde Berry.
Honorary pallbearers were her caregivers, Veronica Singleton, Doris Hernandez, Vada Suber, Tammy Mayer, and Alex Boyd, all with Angel Care.
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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Annie Crouch Werts June 18, 2009

Annie Crouch Werts, 94, of 210 Thomas Werts Lane, Silvertreet, widow of Thomas F. Werts, died Thursday, June 18, 2009 at her residence.
She was born in Dyson, SC, a daughter of the late Welton B. and Maude Hyman Crouch. She was a homemaker and a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her son, Thomas M. Werts of Silverstreet; 2 grandchildren, Tommie Ann Pitts Coleman of Johnston and Daryl Pitts of Saluda; and a step-grandson, Mike Williams; 3 great-grandchildren, Justin Clark Pitts, Tara Frances Caldwell, Lacey Bell Caldwell; a great great granddaughter, Rose Madison Duhammel; and 2 sons-in-law, Madison T. Pitts, Jr. of Silverstreet and Raymond O. Williams of Newberry. She was predeceased by 2 daughters, Mary W. Pitts and Linda W Williams and a grandson, Durwin Pitts.
The family was at the residence 210 Thomas Werts Lane and did receive friends from 7:00 to 8:00 P.M. Friday at Whitaker Funeral Home.
Funeral services were conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday at the Whitaker Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was in Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 1167 Trinity Church Road Newberry, S.C. 29108.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Crouch, Bill Weeks, Billy Ringer, Hal Bowles, Justin Pitts, Mat Coleman, Mike Williams, and Pete Swaney.
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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Myrtle Marr Bates June 15, 2009

Myrtle Marr Bates, 77, widow of Marcus E. Bates, Jr, of Prosperity died Monday, June, 15, 2009.
She was the daughter of the late W. J. and Rosa Stoltz Marr. She was of the Lutheran faith.
Mrs. Bates is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl B. and Lee Reynolds of Gaffney; sons and daughters-in-law, Keith E. Bates of Columbia, Jeff W. and Jenny Bates of Prosperity, and Phillip and Devlyn Bates of McKinney, TX; and a brother, Fred Marr of Spartanburg.
Graveside funeral services were conducted at 11:00 AM Friday in 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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Dennis H. Summer June 12, 2009

Dennis H. Summer, 51, of 1217 Long Sumpit Road, Chappells, died Friday, June 12, 2009 at Self Regional Hospital in Greenwood.
Mr. Summer was born on March 18, 1958 in Greenwood, a son of Sara Lancaster Summer and the late Brunner E. Summer. He was a retired employee of CSX and a member of Crossroad Baptist Church.
He is survived by his mother of Chappells; two children, Kayla Summer of Greenwood and Daniel Summer of Chappells and a brother, Eddie Summer of Chappells.
Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 A.M. Monday at Crossroads Baptist Church by Rev. Wayne Parker. Interment was in the church cemetery.
The family was at the residence, 1217 Long Sumpit Road, Chappells.
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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Willie S. Brown, Jr. June 10, 2009

Willie S. Brown, Jr., 77, of Silverstreet, died Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at his residence.
He was born on March 14, 1932 in Columbia, son of the late Willie S. Brown, Sr. and Stella Gunter Brown. He was a graduate of Olympia High School in Columbia and was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Mr. Brown was the president and founder of Ideal Equipment & Metal Company, Inc. and an honorary president of Carolinas Roofing & Sheet Metal Contractors Association who presented him with the Gorden M. Waters Distinguished Service Award in 1987. He was a 50 year member of the Saluda Masonic Lodge #103, a 50 year member of the Scottish Rite and also a 50 year member of Jamil Shrine Temple. He was an active member of Union Lutheran Church in Leesville where he was a former member of the Church Council and former Sunday School teacher.
He is survived by his wife, Nell Flood Rhett Brown; daughter, Deborah Ann “Debi” Brown of Richmond, VA; sons, Dwain Anthony “Andy” Brown and Phillip Michael “Mike” Brown both of West Columbia and Bruce Daniel (Diane) Brown of Lexington; step-sons, James Moore (Jane) Rhett of Monte Vista, CO and Robert Pinckney (Kim) Rhett of Pinopolis; a sister, Eleanor Feagin Maher of Columbia; six grandchildren, Sammy, Tiffany, Anthony, Christopher, Kristen and Alissa and three step-grandchildren, Maryanne, Sarah and Taylor. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Teresa Lynn Brown.
Visitation was from 6:00 to 8:00 PM Saturday at the
Whitaker Funeral Home in Newberry.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 PM Sunday at Union Lutheran Church in Leesville by the Rev. Mark Smith. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Union Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 4077 Hwy 378, Leesville, SC 29070 or to Tri-County Hospice, 166 Stoneridge Dr., Ste 100, Columbia, SC 29210.
Active pallbearers were Randy Caughman, Paul Riddle, Clint Attaway, Shirley Bedenbaugh, Sammy Derrick, Chuck Price, David Oswalt and Luther Hinton.
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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Henry Hubert Ringer June 2, 2009

Services for Henry Hubert Ringer, 94 were held at 11 AM, Friday, June 5, 2009 at Butler United Methodist Church with Rev. Lee Cothran officiating. Interment did follow in the church cemetery. Visitation was from 6 until 8 PM on Thursday night at Ramey Funeral Home in Saluda.
Mr. Ringer died Tuesday, June 2, 2009. Born in Newberry County he was the son of the late Henry David and Fannie Lominick Ringer.
He was a former member of the Highland C.C. Camp of Greer, S.C. where he started his career in Heavy Machinery Operation. This opportunity afforded him later opportunities at the Charleston and Western Carolina Railroad and later with his own land clearing business.
Mr. Ringer retired from the Maintenance Department at Saluda School District One in 1976 and later became a part time consultant for the Saluda Soil and Water Conservation Office. He was the oldest member of Butler United Methodist Church and was also a member of Travis Masonic Lodge #241 in Saluda. He and his late beloved wife, Doris Coleman Ringer operated the Saluda Stockyard Cafe for 30 years.
Surviving are one son and daughter-in-law, Reid and Karen Ringer of Saluda, a brother, Lewis V. Ringer of Newberry and granddaughters, Erin Ringer of Charleston and Anna Ringer of Saluda.
Memorials may be sent to Butler United Methodist Church, c/o Sandra M. Collard, 791 Long Rd., Saluda, SC 29138 or to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 404 Batesburg Hwy., Saluda, SC 29138.
Ramey Funeral Home in Saluda is in charge.

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CAPT. William Edward "Ed" Baumgartner June 1, 2009

CAPT. William Edward "Ed" Baumgartner, USN (Ret.), 61, passed away Monday, June 1, 2009.
Ed was a native of Mobile, Ala., and has been a Yorktown resident since 1990. He retired from the U.S. Navy in 1994 after 24 years as a naval aviator, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a 1970 graduate of Georgia Tech and was a Calculus teacher at Hampton Roads Academy. He was a member of St. Mark Lutheran Church, and was active in the men's group, the adult Sunday school class, and was co-financial secretary. He was an avid golfer and trumpet player.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Elizabeth Anne Baumgartner; a son, LT. Evan Baumgartner of Corpus Christi, Texas; a daughter, Juli Hooper and her husband, Brian of Suffolk, Va.; and his parents, Rev. Hugh and Frances Baumgartner of White Rock, formerly of Newberry where he served as pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer.
He is also survived by his siblings, Patricia Bowles and her husband, Tom of Irmo, S.C., Andy Baumgartner and his wife, Nancy Cisick of Augusta, Ga., the Rev. Paul Baumgartner and his wife, Debbie of Woodstock, Ga., Carla Baumgartner of Columbia, S.C., and Eric Baumgartner and his wife, Jenny of Summerville, S.C.
A memorial service with military honors was held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2009, at St. Mark Lutheran Church with the Rev. Gary Erdos officiating. A concurrent memorial service was also held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 5, 2009 at the Lowman Home Chapel in White Rock,SC.
The family did receive friends one hour prior to the service. Inurnment was private in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the St. Mark Lutheran Church Building Fund, 118 Old Hampton Highway, Yorktown, VA 23692-4818.
Arrangements by Amory Funeral Home, Grafton. View and post condolences on their online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.

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Marion Richard “Buddy” Biggs June 2, 2009

Marion Richard “Buddy” Biggs, 90, of Springfield Place died June 2, 2009 at Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Biggs was born July 7, 1918 in Cheraw, South Carolina, son of the late William Monroe and Eva Kimrey Biggs. He was predeceased by his devoted first wife of forty-four years, Elizabeth “Lib” Truesdale Biggs who passed away in December 1985 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Mr. Biggs was a graduate of Chesterfield High School and was employed by ABC Theatres and Paramount Pictures for 35 years. He was a pioneer in the theatre industry and loved traveling the Southeast opening and managing movie theaters and drive-ins. The memories of his career brought him great happiness and many wonderful stories to share. Buddy never knew a stranger and touched many lives with his contagious humor and eternal optimism. You were his friend for life if you had the pleasure to meet him. He was an active member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina where he served in many capacities. Buddy served as President of the Five Points Rotary Club and was recipient of the Paul Harris Award. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of Richland Memorial Hospital in Columbia. In retirement, he remained active in many civic and community organizations and was one of the organizing founders of the Providence Chapter of Mended Hearts, Inc., where he served as the local Vice-President, and Area Representative for the South Carolina and Georgia Region. Through all of this, he remained a vital part in the life of his family and neighborhood. He was “elected” Mayor of Crestwood Drive where he made his home for many years and served as President of The Laureate Homeowners Association in Forest Acres, SC. He is survived by his wife, Nantce Wright Biggs, whom he married in January 1996; daughter Mary Frances Biggs Watson and husband Joe (Hank) Henry of Columbia; son in law J. Thomas (Tommy) Johnson; grandchildren, J. Thomas (Tommy) Johnson, Jr. and his wife Hope of Columbia; Sarah Johnson Hartung and her husband Andy of Greenwood; Gary Elizabeth Watson of Charleston and four adored great grandchildren J. Thomas Johnson, III, Richard Buckley Johnson, Andrew Joseph Patrick Hartung, Jr., and Elizabeth Aiken Hartung. He is survived by two sisters Eva Mae Pennington (Mrs. C.M.) of Hartsville, South Carolina and Betty Martin (Mrs. Frank) of Columbia, South Carolina and a host of wonderful nieces and nephews. The family is indebted to Mr. Elliot Dominick for his faithful service and friendship. Special appreciation is also extended to the doctors and staff of Newberry County Memorial Hospital. In addition to his wife, Lib, he was predeceased by his daughter Sarah Elizabeth “Libby” Biggs Johnson, his three brothers – Lafond Biggs, LaCoste Biggs, Willie Biggs, and his sister Edith Biggs Fitts. He will be forever remembered with love by his family and friends for his passion for life and the smiles he brought to all who knew him.
Visitations was held from 12:00PM to 1:30PM on Thursday at Dunbar Funeral Home- Devine Street Chapel.
Funeral services were conducted at 1:30PM at Dunbar Funeral Home- Devine Street Chapel on Thursday. Interment was in Greenlawn Memorial Park, Columbia.
The family suggests memorials be made to Buddy’s favorite charities: Mended Hearts Chapter 189 c/o Providence Hospital, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 204, Columbia, SC 29204, or Greenwood Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 612, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Brown Pennington Atkins Funeral Home, Hartsville, SC is in charge of services.

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