U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
John E. Thomas
John E. Thomas, 78, husband of 54 years to Helen D. Thomas, died Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2004, at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital.
Born in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late John S. Thomas and the late Thelma Holliday Furse. He was a member of Wise Drive Baptist Church. He was retired from the S.C. State Board of Financial Institutions as the assistant director. He was active in the Elks Lodge, serving as past exalted ruler. He was a Mason, a member of the Omar Shrine Temple, active and past captain of the Omar Color Guard, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters No. 113 Santee Shrine, a member of the Gamecock Shrine Club and Helping Hands, a member of the Eastern Star, and an active member of the Billikins Social Club. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and served in the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors besides his wife include two sons, John A. Thomas and Richard E. Thomas, both of Sumter; two granddaughters, Kristin A. Thomas of Hartsville and Hannah M. Thomas of Sumter; and two sisters, Billie Bradham of Augusta, Ga., and Helen Owen of Florence.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Dargan Thomas.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Aug. 19, 2004, in the chapel of Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Dearld Sterling officiating.
Burial follwed in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Greenville Shriners Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29605-4277.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth Rich Witherspoon
Elizabeth Rich Witherspoon, 68, wife of Joseph Thomas Witherspoon Jr., died Saturday, July 24, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in Manning, she was a daughter of the late Colclough Chovine Rich and the late Ruby Elise Bradham Rich.
Mrs. Witherspoon was a lifetime member of Concord Presbyterian Church, where she was a member of the church choir. She was a retired nurse and a hospice volunteer.
Surviving are her husband of Gable; a sister, Gloria Rich Hickman of Manning; a grandson, Robert Blake of 
Maine; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son, Joseph Thomas Witherspoon III.
Funeral services were held Monday, July 26, 2004, at Concord Presbyterian Church with the Rev. William Albert officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Concord Presbyterian Church, 3350 E. Brewington Road, Sumter, S.C. 29153, or to Tri-County Hospice, 1236-B Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, S.C. 29150.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.
John Bracey
Deacon John “Bubba” Bracey, age 76, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.
Born in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Massey Bracey and Elize Bracey. He was the husband of Mary Green Bracey.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Mack.
He was educated in the public schools of Clarendon County. John was a dedicated and faithful member of Holy Trinity Church, St. Stephens, where he served on the deacon board.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary L. Green Bracey of the home; four sons, John (Shelia) Bracey of Forestville, Md., Richard (Odell) Bracey of Summerton, Willie M. Bracey of Manning and Ferdinand (Fran) Bracey of Frederick, Md.; Mattie Wilkerson of Landover, Md., Essie M. (the Rev. Nathaniel) Richardson of New Jersey, Missionary Willene (Harold) Tindal of Summerton, Deloris Bracey of Manning, Rose M. (Everette) Longus of Ft. Washington, Md., and Missionary Mary Bracey of Oxen Hill, Md.; three brothers, Joe Louis Vanburen of Philadelphia, Thomas Oliver of Summerton and Roosevelt (Annie) Oliver of Green Sea; 35 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Aug. 27, 2004 at Historic Liberty Hill AME Church, Summerton, with the Rev. Melvin J. Capers, pastor, officiating and assisted by the Rev. Johnson Thomas, eulogist.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Dyson’s Home for Funerals of Summerton was in charge of the arrangements.
Eloise B. Cutter
Eloise Barbara Braxton Cutter, 80, widow of Carl C. Cutter, died Monday, Aug. 23, 2004, in Manning.
Born Feb. 23, 1924, in Lane, she was a daughter of the late Jessie and Gretchen Elliott Braxton. She was a member of Trueway Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Surviving are five daughters, Barbara (Randy) Garrett, Pat (Dennis) Lyons, Mary Ann (Mitch) Watford and Suzi (Tony) Judy, all of Manning, and Minnie (Tony) Crum of Raleigh, N.C.; three sons, the Rev. Jessie (Georgia) Brock of Benson, N.C., Jerry (Edith) Braxton of Dillon, and Frank Braxton of Lake City; three brothers, Barney Braxton of Scranton, Moody Braxton of Effingham, and Jimmy “Bo” Braxton of Florence; 19 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and special friend, Brenda Gamble.
She was preceded in death by a son, Leroy Braxton.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Aug. 26, 2004, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home in Manning, with the Rev. Jessie Brock officiating, assisted by the Rev. Kevin Cribb.
Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Tuomey Hospice, 232 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, S.C. 29150.
Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Mary B. Fleming
Mary Barrett Fleming, age 84, wife of the late J.C. Fleming, went home to be with our Lord on Friday, Aug. 27, 2004, at her residence.
She was born in Clarendon County, the daughter of the late John Edward Barrett and Hattie Cutter Barrett. She worked for the United States Department of Agriculture and was a loving mother and grandmother. She was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Catherine “Cathy” Fleming (Ed) Jashinsky of Columbia and Delores Fleming Young of Waterville, Ohio; one brother, Lee (Mildred) Barrett of Sumter; two sisters, Linda Peeples of Sumter and Sophie Starling of Columbia; three grandchildren, Lauren Young, Erin Young and Lindsay Young; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, four brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2004, at Grace Baptist Church with Dr. James Chandler officiating.
Burial followed in the Evergreen Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 219 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, S.C. 29150 or to Tri–County Hospice, 1236 B Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, S.C. 29150.
Bullock Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Levan Dowe
Levan Dowe, 38, died Saturday, Aug. 21, 2004, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence.
Born April 1, 1966, in Summerton, he was a son of the late Kirby Lee Dowe and Lula Mae Benbow Dowe. He attended the public schools of Clarendon County. In his youth, he attended St. Matthews AME Church.
Survivors include four brothers, Curtis Dowe of Summerton, Odell Dowe of Manning, John E. Dowe of Sumter and Kary Dowe of Loris; two sisters, Lillie Bell Johnson of Columbia and Sharon Rene Burno of Sumter; a devoted nephew and aunt, Jeron D. Bracey of Sumter and Lillie Mae (William) Hilton of Manning; and a companion, Viola Kind of Summerton.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at St. Matthews AME Church, with the Rev. Manuel Fogle officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Summerton Funeral Service of Summerton was in charge of arrangements.
Annie Elizabeth McKnight Kelly
Mrs. Annie Elizabeth McKnight Kelly died Tuesday, August 24, 2004, at Roper Hospital in Charleston.
Born in Clarendon County, Feb. 22, 1918, she was the daughter of Mr. Samuel McKnight Sr. and Mrs. Rosa Thompson McKnight and the widow of Mr. Edward Kelly.
She received her education in the Clarendon County public school system. At an early age, she joined Antioch AME Church and after her marriage, she joined St. John Baptist Church, where she was a member of the senior choir, Missionary Society and a Sunday School teacher. She moved to Charleston, where she attended St. Thomas Apostle Church. She also was a member of the active Adult Day Care Center in Charleston.
She leaves to cherish her memories, a loving and devoted daughter, Ms. Jean Kelly of the home, Charleston; three brothers, Mr. Samuel McKnight Jr. of New York, N.Y., Mr. Benjamin McKnight and Mr. James McKnight, both of Jersey City, N.J.; two sisters, Mrs. Pearl M. (Lee Ernest) Brunson and Ms. Georgia Mae McKnight, both of Pinewood; four aunts, Mrs. Lucinda Thompson and Mrs. Alice Thompson, both of New York, N.Y., Mrs. Julia T. Wright of Baltimore, Md., and Mrs. Ruth T. (Lincoln) Brock of Sumter; one brother-in-law, Mr. Reuben Mitchell of Philadelphia; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
Mrs. Kelly was preceded in death by a grandson, Mr. Varian D. Kelly; four sisters, Mrs. Susan M. Hargrove, Mrs. Queen M. Mitchell, Mrs. Sarah M. Floyd and Miss Mary Lee McKnight; and four brothers, Mr. Richard Allen McKnight, Mr. Henry James McKnight, Mr. Thomas Jefferson McKnight and Mr. Daniel McKnight.
Funeral services were held Monday, Aug. 30, 2004, in Charleston at St. Thomas Apostle Catholic Church with Father William F. Leonard, Administrator, and on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, at St. John Baptist Church with the Rev. Earl Timmons, pastor, assisted by the Revs. J.W. Walker, R. Boyd, Dr. S.R. Moitt and Melissa Green.
Burial followed at Hillside Memorial Park.
Community Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.
William Aaron Lowder Sr.
William Aaron Lowder Sr., 84, husband of Pauline McCants Lowder, died Saturday, Aug. 28, 2004, at his home in Manning.
Born November 19, 1919, in Manning, he was a son of the late William Martin and Julia Corbett Lowder. He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran, a retired mechanic and farmer. He was a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church.
Surviving besides his wife of Manning are two daughters, Daphne L. (Charles W.) Simons of Charleston and Sharon L. (Trevor) Huntsinger of Manning; two sons, William Aaron “Billy” (Pat) Lowder Jr. and Johnny O. (Katherine) Lowder of Manning; four sisters, Una Bradham of Manning, Zuline Fryar of Lake City, Vickie DuBose and Margie Robertson of Charleston; eight grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Esta G. Gilley officiating.
Burial followed in Clarendon Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1891 Oak Grove Church Road, Manning, S.C. 29102.
Josie B. Richburg
Mrs. Josie Elizabeth Brailsford Richburg, 88, widow of Mr. Willie G. “Son” Richburg, died Aug. 21, 2004, at her residence in Summerton.
Born Feb. 7, 1916, in the St. Paul community of Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Henry Brailsford and Margaret W. Brailsford. Mrs. Richburg was a member of Friendship AME Church and several organizations including the missionary society, senior choir, stewardess board, and hospitality committee. She was also a member of the Manning branch NAACP. Prior to her retirement, she was employed by Clarendon School District 1 as food service manager, Scott’s Branch High School.
Survivors include four sons, Willie E. (Annie) Richburg of Sumter, Joseph H. (Mary Ann) Richburg of Hillside, N.J., P. Martin Richburg of Jonesboro, Ga., and Leon N. (Virginia) Richburg of Summerton; four daughters, Minnie R. Hillard of Santee, Margaret L. Richburg of Summerton, Bessie R. (John) Askew of Irvington, N.J., and Mattie L. Richburg of Olney, Md.; 17 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Willie G. “Son” Richburg, and brother, Morris Brailsford Sr.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2004, at Friendship AME Church in the Silver community, with presiding Elders M.L. Duncan, Robert L. McCants and W. J. Baxter. The Revs. H. Cohen, S.R. Miott, James Blassingame, Lee M. Seward, C.R. Richburg, Roderick Belin and George Watson officiated.
Burial followed in Friendship AME Church cemetery.
Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
