U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Teresa Higgins
Teresa Higgins died Monday, Nov. 5, 2007.
Born June 17, 1987, in Kingstree, she was the biological daughter of Betty Ann Higgins, daughter of Mary Higgins Evans and the late James Higgins Jr. and stepdaughter of Hugh Evans.
She was a member of Howard Chapel AME Church, where she served in Sunday school, youth and mass choirs, praise dance leader, youth choir chaplain, president of YPD’ers and Sumter District YPD’ers historiographer. She was employed at Bojangles’ of Orangeburg.
Survivors include her parents, Mary Higgins Evans and Hugh Evans of the home; her biological mother, Betty A. Higgins of Greeleyville; four sisters, Lori Katrina Higgins of the home, Bertha and Betty Higgins of Greeleyville, and Kimberly Miller of Kingstree; maternal grandparents, Lee Samuel (Laura) McFadden of New Zion; paternal step-grandmother, Florine Evans of Kingstree; and a very special friend, Ederick Smith of Lake City.
Services were held on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2007 at Walker-Gamble Elementary School in New Zion, with the Rev. Alfred Bradley, pastor of Howard Chapel AME Church, officiating, assisted by Prophetess Odell Brown and the Rev. Lucious Wheeler.
Flower ladies and casket bearers were classmates and YPD’ers.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.
Onless C. Lemon
Onless Charlton Lemon, beloved son of the late Charlton and Lurena Dukes-Lemon, was born Aug. 16, 1927, in Summerton. He fell asleep in death Saturday, Oct. 20, 2007, at Tuomey Regional medical Center.
Lemon, who was a lovingly referred to as “Bubba,” received his secular education in Clarendon County. As an adult, he worked in the steel industry.
He was married to Dorothy Blanding in Clarendon County and they lived their early years in Baltimore, Md., and Brooklyn, 
N.Y. The couple moved to Wilmington, Del., where he then took a serious stand for the truth and later became a dedicated baptized witness of Jehovah on March 18, 1989.
He served as a ministerial servant in the local congregation and spent much time with Dorothy in the ministry until the very end.
Onless will be remembered as a very humble, caring and giving person. Besides engaging in the ministry, he also enjoyed preaching in seldom-worked territory, where he could share his beliefs about the paradise hope. He could also be found enjoying a good baseball game or tinkering with something around the house. His favorite Bible scripture was Isaiah 33:24.
He will be deeply missed and leaves to cherish his memory seven children, Edward C. Lemon, Charlton “Jr.” Lemon, Stephen D. Lemon and Geoffrey O. Lemon, all of Brooklyn, Alyce L. Lemon of Leesburg, Va., and Wanda N. Lemon-Dennis and Alton S. Lemon, both of Sumter; two daughters-in-law, Robin Lemon of Brooklyn and Gwendolyn Lemon of Durham, N.C.; a son-in-law, Jonathan Dennis of Wilmington, Del.; two sisters, Celia Mae Bennett of Baltimore and Haristeen Bozier of Summerton; a brother-in-law, Roosevelt Bozier; 15 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.
A son, Arnold Lemon, and four sisters, Ella McKnight, Bertha Rea Tuck, Mary Ann Byas and Susan Daniels, preceded him in death.
A memorial service was held on Saturday, Oct. 27, 2007, in the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses-West Congregation, 100 Lynam Road in Sumter.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter was in charge of the arrangements.
Angela V. Baxter
Angela Victoria Baxter, affectionately known as “Angie,” died Sunday, Oct. 14, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born Dec. 9, 1969, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of Leatha Baxter and the late Lawrence “Sonny” Baxter. In her youth, she attended Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Summerton. She was a 1988 graduate of Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton. She attended Claflin College. Later, she relocated to Norwalk, Conn., where she resided until returning home in 2004.
While residing in Connecticut, she was employed with various companies, including Steward Leonard’s, Wal-Mart and Costco. She attended Shiloh Baptist Church in Connecticut for many years.
After returning home, she joined Prayer House Mission Holiness Church under the pastorate of the Rev. Eartha Carter.
Angie was known as a loving mother, outstanding athlete, well-mannered student and a warrior for life. She loved playing sports and socializing with family and friends.
She is predeceased by her father, Lawrence Leroy “Sonny” Baxter.
Those left to grow from her love and cherish her beloved memory are her loving mother, Leatha Baxter of Summerton; her two sons, De’Travis Baxter of Summerton and De’Quan Baxter of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Janet (Charles) Green of Columbia and Aretha Baxter of Houston; three brothers, Donald (Marcia) Baxter of Houston, Leroy (Theresa) Baxter of Norwalk, Conn., and Sonny Baxter of Orlando, Fla.; her grandfather, Leon Williams Sr.; six aunts; three uncles; five nieces; seven nephews; two goddaughters, Calista Ragin of Summerton and Tyra Lawson of Virginia; a special friend, Tammy (Tony) Lawson of Summerton; and several dear relatives and friends.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007 in the Scott’s Branch High School gymnasium with Pastor Eartha Carter officiating.
Burial followed in Prayer House Mission Cemetery.
Summerton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.
Charles June
Charles June, 64, husband of Dorothy Robinson June, died Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence.
He was born Dec. 9, 1942, in Clarendon County, a son of the late Rev. Charlton June and Nora Lee Smith June.
His education was obtained in the public schools of Clarendon County. He lived in New York City for a number of years and was employed with the Kinney System. He returned to Manning in 1991 and later began employment with Nan Ya Plastic Corp. of America in Lake City. He was a member of Elizabeth Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Charles J(Kendra) une Jr. and Carl June, all of Staten Island, N.Y., and Deryr Hammett of Bronx, N.Y.; two daughters, Pamela June and Lisa N. June, both of Manning; two sisters, Bernice (Willie) Pearson of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Willimena (Romie) Bennet of Sumter; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, at Elizabeth Baptist Church in Manning with the Rev. Ashley B. Vaughn officiating, assisted by the Revs. O.J. Hannah, James Carter and Ranzy McFadden.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home in Manning was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary M. Gibson
FLORENCE -- Mary Murthaleana Gibson, 68, died Oct. 4, 2007, at McLeod Hospice House, Florence.
Born April 29, 1939, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late James H. Gibson and the late Chinese Witherspoon Gibson. She was a member of Historic Liberty Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church and she was a member of the NAACP.
Survivors include three brothers, James (Betty) Gibson of Brooklyn, N.Y., Gus T. (Precious) Gibson of Summerton and Lee E. (Janie) Gibson of Sanford, Fla.; two sisters, Annie B. (Richard) Pitts of Baltimore, Md., and Gwendolyn (Kenneth) Bellamy of Atlanta, Ga.; and a devoted niece, Linda S. Gibson of Fayetteville, N.C.
She was preceded in death by one brother, Willie M. Gibson, and two sisters, Susan Gibson and Minnie Ida Gibson.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2007, at Historic Liberty Hill African Methodist Church with the Rev. Dr. Melvin Jerome Capers officiating.
Burial was in Liberty Hill Memorial Cemetery.
Fleming and DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel was in charge of services.
Elizabeth J. Elliott
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Elizabeth J. Elliott died on Sept. 21, 2007, in Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville, at the age of 76. She was the daughter of the late Richard F. and Lorena Britton Elliott of Rimini.
Ms. Elliott, an award-winning teacher in Jacksonville area schools for nearly 40 years, taught junior high school mathematics in several Jacksonville area schools, including Riboult Junior High School and John E. Ford. A totally dedicated teacher, she excelled at inspiring the very brightest students as well as those with learning difficulties and discipline problems. Ms. Elliott was responsible for inspiring her students to submit winning entries in regional science and math fairs throughout her career in Jacksonville schools and elsewhere.
A native of South Carolina, Ms. Elliott was educated at the University of South Carolina. She taught at Chicora High School in Charleston as well as teaching in Key West, Fla., before moving to Jacksonville. Retired in 1994, she moved back to her native South Carolina but returned to Jacksonville a few years later. She lived in the Cathedral Towers apartments on North Newnan Street, Jacksonville.
Elizabeth Elliott is survived by her siblings: Bruce C. Elliott M.D. of Clover; the Rev. Richard F. Elliott of Greenville, Louis T. Elliott of Rimini and Sara Sommerville of Rafelguaraf, Spain.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2007, at Pisgah Pentecostal Holiness Church, Pinewood.
Memorials may be sent to the Arthritis Foundation, Carolinas Chapter, P.O. Box 19828, Charlotte, N.C. 28219-0828.
Robert Bowman Jr.
Robert Bowman Jr., 83, died on Thursday, Sept. 6, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.
Born March 28, 1924, in Summerton, he was the son of the late Robert Bowman and Mary Ragin Bowman. He was also the widower of Albertha J. Mills Bowman.
He attended public schools in Summerton and then enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, where he served his country for four years.
Robert then met the late Albertha J. Mills and married on Oct. 10, 1948. Through this union two children were born, Barbara Ann and Glynnwood. Robert resided in New York City for more than 50 years and was employed with the New York Bus Services for more than 35 years before retirement. He then relocated to Sumter and joined St. Luke AME Church, where he was a faithful member. He served as an active member of the trustee board and the Sons of Allen.
Surviving are his children, Barbara Ann Bowman of the home and Glynnwood Bowman of Los Angeles, Calif.; two grandchildren, Spencer and Bertina; three great-grandchildren, Xavier, Julia and Sakia; three brothers, Bertie H. Bowman, Larry Bowman and Jimmie Lee Bowman; two sisters, Annie House and Dot Ellis; a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brothers and sisters, Cherokee, Rufus, John, Ernest, Jessica Mar and Lawrence Bowman, Charlotte Carter, Bertha Ragin and Wilhelmenia Bennett.
Funeral services were held Thursday at the St. Luke AME Church, Sumter, with the Rev. Robert R. Hooper, pastor, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Sammie L. Gary, the Rev. Clarence Hunter, the Rev. Eliza Black and the Rev. Lula Gary.
Burial was in the St. Luke AME Churchyard Cemetery, Sumter.
Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.
Elijah W. Stephen Jr.
HOLLY HILL – Elijah Whiteford Stephen Jr., 73, widower of Elizabeth Kelley Stephen, died Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, at the home of his son in Holly Hill.
Born Jan. 20, 1934, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Elijah W. Stephen Sr. and the late Lilly Hodge Stephen. He was a retired truck driver, a U.S. Army veteran, and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are two sons, Clark E. (Teresa) Stephen Sr. of Holly Hill and Mark E. Stephen of Holly Hill; a sister, Orabell Holiday of Sumter; six grandchildren, Karen Hill, Jessica Cornell, Lisa Sisson, Clark Stephen Jr., Bryan Stephen and Kevin Stephen; and 13 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Glen Wade Stephen, four brothers and one sister.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home in Manning with the Rev. Edward Holiday officiating.
Memorials may be made to Free Will Baptist Home for Children, P. O. Box 229, Turbeville, S.C. 29162.
Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Gwendolyn G. Canty
Gwendolyn Gibson Canty, 36, wife of Kenneth Canty, died Tuesday, Aug. 28, 2007, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.
Born Sept. 13, 1970, she was the daughter of Bernell Gibson Sr. and Jannie Plowden Gibson. She received her formal education at Manning High School. She attended Fellowship Baptist Church for Sunday school and worship services.
She is survived by her husband, Kenneth Canty of Manning; parents, Bernell Sr. and Jannie Plowden Gibson of Manning; two sons, Brandon and Tyquan of the home; one sister, Sandy (John Franklin) Stowers of Manning; three brothers, Bernell “B.J.” Gibson Jr., Jayden Woodard and Bobby Wright, all of Manning; and paternal grandmother, Virginia Gibson of Manning.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Wanda and Tasha Gibson.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Manning, with the Rev. Jonathan Anderson Sr., pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Slyvester Hicks and Minister Ethel Lemon.
Burial was in the churchyard cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.
