U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Morsby Holland
Morsby Holland, 73, husband of Willie Mae Gardner Holland, died Tuesday, January 2, 2007, at McLeod Hospital, Florence.
He was born May 2, 1933 in Clarendon County, a son of the late William and Eliza Harvin Holland Sr.
He was educated in the public schools of Clarendon County. He served his country in the Air Force as well as the Army, where he made many jumps as a paratrooper. He was a member of the local and national chapters of the Disabled American Veterans. He accepted Jesus Christ and joined Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Paxville. He remained a faithful member serving on the Trustee Board and sang on the Senior Choir until his health failed.
Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Willie Mae Gardner Holland; one daughter, Sandra M. Proctor; one son, Jeffrey B. Holland; and one granddaughter, Kayla Proctor, all of Sumter; three sisters, Felicia H. Davis, Jamie Taylor and Shirley Davis; two brothers, William (Rebecca) Holland and Deleon Holland; seven sisters-in-law; two brothers-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by two sisters, Emily Padgett and Vivian Durant; five brothers, John Holland, Glassco Holland, Wilbur Holland, Leroy Holland and Joe Holland.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2007, at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Marion H. Newton, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Clifford Gaymon, eulogist, pastor of Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church and the Rev. Powell Hampton.
Burial was in Hillside Memorial Park.
Job’s Mortuary Inc., was in charge of arrangements.
Martha G. House
Martha Grumbles House, 95, of Lakeland, Fla., passed away on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007.
She was born on Quackenbush Plantation in Clarendon County on March 31, 1911, to Patilla Hunter Grumbles and Onie Babb Grumbles.
She is survived by her children, Emily Sutton (Jerry) of Hopewell, Va., Ken (Mary) House of Lakeland, Fla., and David (Debbie) House of Fredricksburg, Va. Also left behind are her adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who are so thankful to have had her in their lives for so many years: Sherri Warthan (Bruce) McClendon, Hunter and Callie; Marti Moore (Ken) Vitulli, Jen House Yundt, Skyler, Jacob and Bailey; Cameron Colbert (Sean) McKinney, Kendall and Taylor; Stephanie House Prince, Andrew and David; Terri House (Tobee) Smith, Katelin, Kyle and Chase; Brian (Jill) Colbert and Alexis; Jacqueline House (Ces) Reyes, Madison and Emma.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman R. House; daughter, Carol Moore; grandson, George Ashley Colbert III; and stepsons, Norman Jr. and Dewitt House.
Her siblings, Marian, Atna, Polly, Gussie, William, Thomas, George (her twin), Jewell and James, all preceded her in death.
She had a great love of God and the Methodist church no matter what city she was in – Hopewell, Va., Pickens, Manning and Mount Pleasant or Dunedin, Lakeland and Tampa, Fla. Her latest devotion to her faith included classes she took at the age of 85 to become a disciple through Bible study. The word grace seems to sum up how we might try to describe her, kind, elegant, dignified and a blessing to us all.
A memorial service was held for her at Dillards Funeral Home in Pickens, S.C. on Thursday, Jan. 11, 2006.
Bascom James
Bascom James, 79, wife of Robert James, died Dec. 29, 2006, at her residence.
Born Sept. 26, 1927, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Theodore and Conyers McFadden Williams. She was educated in the public schools of Sumter and was a graduate of Lincoln High School Class of 1949. She was a lifetime charter member of the World War II Memorial Society. At an early age, she accepted Christ and joined St. Paul AME Church. Later in life, she united with Congruity United Presbyterian Church. She lived a good example of a true Christian, always willing to give a helping hand. Bascom loved cooking, gardening and sewing.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her husband of 56 years, Robert James; a son, Renord James of Augusta, Ga.; a daughter, Audrey B. James of the home; sisters-in-law, Ruby Billie and Sallie James of Sumter; a brother-in-law, Clarence James of Sumter; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Congruity Presbyterian Church in Gable, with the Rev. William Jones Jr., pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Franklin D. Colclough, eulogist, the Rev. Timothy Bowman and the Rev. Dr. James Stukes.
Burial was in the church cemetery.
Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.
Curtis L. Wright
Curtis Leroy “Curley” Wright was born Dec. 10, 1924, to Charles and Leonia Wright in Savannah, Ga. He was married to Williene Wright. He was educated in the public schools of Savannah. Mr. Wright accepted Christ at an early age. He spent most of his life in White Plains, 
N.Y. In his earlier years, he was a member of Mount Hope AME Church in White Plains. He later joined Bethel Baptist Church, also in White Plains, and served faithfully until he relocated to Summerton. Once in Summerton, he joined Bethlehem Baptist Church.
Mr. Curtis departed this earthly life on Oct. 8, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter, after a brief illness.
Those left to mourn his passing and cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife, Williene Wright of the home; two daughters, Patricia Paterson and Nancy (Kurt) Ivey of White Plains; three grandsons he reared as his own, Justin Jackson of White Plains, Darrien Higgs of Orangeburg and Demetrius Higgs of the home; three stepdaughters, Ida Thomas of Charlotte, Althea (Joe) Wilson of New Haven, Conn., and Celestine (David) Webb of Yonkers, N.Y.; three stepsons, Genrette (Lila) Jackson of Manning, Calvin (Mita) Jackson of Jacksonville, N.C., and Richard (Karen) Jackson of White Plains; two brothers, Charlie W. (Ramona) Wright of Detroit and Pastor David (Claudia) Wright of Savannah; seven sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; 25 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 11 special cousins; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services for Mr. Wright were held on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. David Lawson officiating.
Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Summerton Funeral Service of Summerton was in charge of the arrangements.
Louise G. Dickerson
Louise Gooden Dickerson, 89, widow of Nathaniel Dickerson Sr., died Oct. 10, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born April 27, 1915, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Lee Gooden Sr. and Estella Lang Gooden. Mrs. Dickerson was educated in the public schools of Clarendon County. An active member of New Hope AME Church, she served as a stewardess, missionary, mother of the church and member of the Burial Aid, until her health failed. She was also a member of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include two sons, Albertis (Virginia) Dickerson of Columbia and Aaron (Pauline) Dickerson of New York City; four daughters, Maggie (Ulysses) Stephens, Ella White and Jean Conyers, all of Sumter, and Esther (Albertus) Cocklin of Columbia; one sister, Rosa Lee Shannon of Wilmington, N.C.; one brother, Lee (Eloise) Gooden Jr. of Pinewood; 46 grandchildren; 95 great-grandchildren; 23 great-great-grandchildren; one brother-in-law, Douglas Logan of Paterson, N.J.; one sister-in-law, Helen Lee Dickerson of Brooklyn, N.Y.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by three sons, Nathaniel Jr., Sam and Jimmy Dickerson; one daughter, Frances Dickerson; two sisters; and two brothers.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, at New Hope AME Church, Pinewood, with the Rev. J.D. Seawright, pastor, assisted by the Revs. Alonzo Ward, Jack Dais and W.E. Hatcher.
Burial was in the churchyard cemetery.
Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.
Thomas E. Harris
Thomas Edgar Harris, age 79, of Manning, died Oct. 8, 2004.
Born in Modoc, Ark., he was a son of the late James Casey Harris and Nannie Carroll Cox Harris.
Mr. Harris was predeceased by his wife, Elise K. Harris.
Mr. Harris is survived by three sons, Jerry Harris of Burbank, Wash., Walter Thomas Harris of Salt Lake City and Cecil Harris of Elko, Nev.; and two brothers, Carl E. Harris of Lehi, Utah, and Robert Eugene Harris.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2004, at Meares Funeral Home Chapel of Mullins.
Burial followed in Riverside Cemetery.
Meares Funeral Home of Mullins was in charge of arrangements.
Debra B. Smith
Debra Brogdon Smith was called home on Oct. 13, 2005, after blessing the world with her presence for 53 years.
She was born on March 8, 1952, in Anderson, the first child of James Thomas Brogdon III and Barbara Brogdon-Evans of Manning. The wife of Ross Douglas Smith, Debbie appreciated the beauty of nature and the gift of life in all its forms. She touched so many lives so deeply that the seeds of her soul’s purpose will bloom bright and beautiful for generations to come.
She is survived by her husband, Doug; her loving daughter, Lisa Smith (Curtis) Gebhard; granddaughter, Devan Aurora Gebhard; her mother, Barbara Brogdon Evans; her sisters, Vikki Brogdon and Katherine Brogdon Rambo; and her brother, James T. Brogdon IV.
A memorial service was held on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, in Port Royal.
Memorial donations may be made to Island Hospice, 300 New River Parkway, Hardeeville, S.C. 29927.
Copeland Funeral Home of Beaufort was in charge or arrangements.
Lucretia R. Ragin
Lucretia R. Ragin, 86, widow of Theodore E. Ragin, died Thursday, Oct., 13, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter.
Born in Clarendon County on Dec. 8, 1918, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Laurena Montgomery Richburg.
Mrs. Ragin was a member of Friendship AME Church in Summerton where she served as co-chairperson of the Calendar Tea, a member of the Steward Board, the Sunday School and Women’s Missionary Society. During her youth at Friendship, she was affiliated with the Sunday school, choir and usher’s board. While residing in Newark, N.J., she was an active member of St. James AME Church.
Mrs. Ragin was a master in the culinary arts, having been employed at Rhodes Truck Stop in Summerton, Stouffers’ Restaurant in Short Hills, N.J., and Jerry’s Auto & Truck Stop in Manning.
Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Minnie Bell Richburg Hamilton and Dewey C. Hamilton Sr. of Bishopville; one other brother-in-law, Vernell Ragin of Sumter; two sisters-in-law, Edythe G. Richburg of Summerton and Amelia Ragin Martin of Brooklyn, N.Y.; cousins, nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2005, at Friendship AME Church in Summerton with the Rev. Dr. James B. Stukes and the Revs. Ashley B. Vaughn and Caesar R. Richburg, officiating.
Burial followed in the church yard cemetery.
Wilson’s Funeral Home of in Bishopville was in charge of arrangements.
Maggie Lee B. Pendergrass
MIAMI, Fla. – Maggie Lee Bennett Pendergrass, 82, widow of Theodore Pendergrass Sr., died Oct. 10, 2005, at Baptist Hospital, Miami.
Born Nov. 28, 1922, in the Biggers section of Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Miller Bennett Sr. and Harriett Mack Bennett. She was a graduate of Manning Training School. She accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age. Upon marriage, she moved to South Miami. She was a member of Martin Memorial AME Church, serving on the pastor’s aide board and stewardess board. She retired from Baptist Hospital after 25 years of service.
Survivors include two sons, John Pendergrass and Theodore Pendergrass, both of Miami; one daughter, Harriett Jackson of Miami; three sisters, Everlina (Booker T.) Fleming and Lue Ida King, both of Manning, and Mildred (Hoove) Nelson of Paxville; seven grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one daughter and five siblings.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2005, at Biggers AME Church, Kingstree Highway, S.C. 261, Manning, with the Rev. Andrew Jordan, pastor, officiating, assisting the Revs. Emanuel Evans, Mattie Mouzon and Evangelist Dora B. Dyson.
Burial was in Muldrow Cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Frances Lemon
TOKOMA PARK, Md. – Frances Lemon, 78, died Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2006, at Washington Adventist Hospital in Tokoma Park.
Born Jan. 10, 1928, in Summerton, she was a daughter of the late Baccus Lemon and Florence Gibson-Lemon.
She received her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon School District 3 and moved to Washington, D.C., at an early age to help support her family and give them a better opportunity and life. While in D.C., she worked as a housekeeper in hotels and restaurants. Being the giving and loving woman that she was, Frances also took care of the elderly and and made sure they were comfortable and helped them maintain their dignity in their final days. She was most noted for her sense of fashion and style. You would never see her step out with a hair out of place.
Survivors include a son, Jerome (Christine) Lemon of Fort Washington, Md.; two daughters, Grace Taylor of Riverdale, Md., and Tanechue Butler of Washington, D.C.; four sisters, Eileen House, Bertha Miller and Holly James, all of Baltimore, Md., and Beatrice (Larry) Hicks of Summerton; a foster brother, Ivory Gipson of Fayetteville, N.C.; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2007, at Spring Hill AME Church in the Davis Crossroad community of Summerton, with the Rev. Harold Conyers, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Revs. Richard Johnson and Bernard Richburg.
Burial was in the churchyard cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
