U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Nell L. Thames
Nell Louise Thames, 66, died Wednesday, March 23, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter.
Born Dec. 14, 1938, in Kingstree, she was a daughter of the late Henry R. and Dorothy Driggers McKnight. She was employed by Wal-Mart and was of the Protestant faith.
Surviving are a son, Cecil Morris Jr. of Reading, Pa.; two sisters, Daphine (Allan) Wynn of Georgetown and Virginia Williamson of Darlington; a brother, Muldrow “Mutt” McKnight of New Zion; a grandson, Jason Kyle Morris of Manning; nieces; nephews; and two special friends, Joyce and George Hardy.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Scott.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 25, 2005, in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Morris Smith officiating.
Burial followed in Brewington Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Jason Kyle Morris Fund, c/o Bank of Clarendon, P.O. Box 520, Manning, S.C. 29102.
Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of arrangements.
Bessie Cummings
Bessie Lee Rogers Cummings, 74, widow of Leonard B. Cummings Jr., died Friday, April 1, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Albert Melton Rogers and the late Lillian Stokes Rogers.
She attended Green Acres Assembly of God and was a member of the Red Hat Society.
Survivors include three children, Leonard B. “Lenny” (Debbie) Cummings III of Sumter, Dianne C. (Danny) Warren of Summerton, and Gary I. (Margaret) Cummings of Lexington; six brothers and sisters, Marie R. Holladay, Carrie R. Christmas, Jennings M. (Sarah) Rogers, Eleanor R. Prescott, Margaret R. (Sam) Parker and Elvin W. (Stella) Rogers, Stella, all of Sumter; and five grandchildren, Jennifer A. Cummings, Leonard, B. “Lee” Cummings IV, Jeffrey B. Cummings, Daniel B. Warren, Jr., and Melissa D. Warren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy “Dolly” Branham and six brothers, Robert L. Rogers, Irvin J. Rogers, Ray Bennie Rogers, Herbert R. Rogers, Leonard C. Rogers, and Harvey L. Rogers.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 4, 2005, in the chapel of Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Drew Choate and the Rev. Donnie Collins officiating.
Burial was in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 400 Percival Road, P.O. Box 6604, Columbia, S.C. 29210 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.
Roswell Mack
Roswell Mack, 66, companion of Eloise Nelson, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, in Manning.
Born Jan. 18, 1939, in Manning, he was a son of the late Allen Mack and Lizzie Mae Waiters Mack. He received his formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County. At an early age, he joined Society Hill AME Church. He was employed with Seaside Utilities of Goose Creek.
Survivors besides his companion, Eloise Nelson of Manning, include one son, Larry (Justenia) Mack of Greensboro, N.C.; three daughters, Evet (Timothy) Mack of Thomasville, N.C., Victoria Sharp and Angela Sharp, both of Manning; two brothers, Isaac Mack of Manning and Allen (Helen) Mack Jr. of Holly Hill; three sisters, Ida Pearson of Manning, Virginia (Robert) Wright of Richmond Height, Fla., and Sadie (James) Jones of Homestead, Fla.; one aunt, Lennie Mack of Manning; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 31, 2005, at the Hayes F. Samuels Sr. Memorial Chapel in Manning, with the Rev. Malachi Gibson officiating, assisted by the Rev. O’Donald Dingle, the Rev. Dr. Cokley Richburg and Minister Shirley Waiters.
Burial was in Society Hill AME Church Cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Elizabeth D. Evans
Elizabeth Dingle Evans, age 80, beloved wife of 63 years to John Marion Evans, went to be with the Lord on Monday, April 4, 2005, at Covenant Place.
Mrs. Evans was born on July 23, 1924, the daughter of the late Frances Broadway and W. Dickey Dingle. She was raised by her aunt and uncle, Elizabeth and Parker Brown. She graduated from Edmunds High School. Mrs. Evans worked many years for physicians. She received her nursing degree at age 50. She was a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church. She was president of United Methodist Women at Aldersgate UMC in 1957 and again in 1995. Mrs. Evans was a member of the Wesley Fellowship Sunday School Class and then became a member of the Seekers Sunday School Class. She was very involved as a women’s Bible teacher and prayer leader, church missions, and various committees. Mrs. Evans was a dedicated and loyal member of Aldersgate UMC for more than 40 years. She was a beloved Christian wife, Christian sweetheart, and Christian best friend of John Marion Evans.
Surviving in addition to her husband are two sons, the Rev. Dr. John Dickey (Angela Everett) Evans of Columbia, and the Rev. Henry Pitts (Mary) Evans of Fairfax, Va.; one daughter, Ingrid E. (Ray) Simmons of Sumter; one brother, Dickey Dingle of Summerville; three sisters, Bobbie Smith of Harrisburg, Pa., Billie Spigner of Summerton, and Hattie Dangerfield of Moncks Corner; eight grandchildren, Lee Simmons Causey, Brett Simmons, Rebecca Evans Schwab, Kelley Evans Glen, Brooke James, Joseph Evans, Courtney Evans and Rachel Evans; 13 great-grandchildren; and a special family member, Hakan Ohrner of Sweden.
She was preceded in death by nine brothers and sisters.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, April 6, 2005, at Aldersgate United Methodist Church with Dr. Louis Jamison officiating. Burial was private.
Memorials may be made to Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 211 Alice Drive, Sumter, S.C. 29150, “United Methodist Women of Aldersgate” or the “Building Improvement Fund.”
Bullock Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.
Ella T. Pearson
Ella Taylor Pearson, 82, widow of the late Frances Taylor Sr. and Felix Pearson, died Sunday, April 3, 2005, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Clarendon County to the late Ashley Lawson and Annie Black Lawson. She attended the public schools of Clarendon County. In her youth, she was a member of Spring Hill AME Church, where she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. After wedlock, she joined St. James AME Church, where she was a member of the usher board and missionary department. She was a former employee of Camp Bob Cooper, where she worked with the housekeeping department, and was a retired farmer.
Survivors include five sons, James (Daisy), the Rev. Lee Ernest (Mary) Taylor, Frances (Diane) Taylor, John (Gwendolyn) Taylor and Willie (Pearl) Taylor; three daughters, Lucille (Norman) Canty, Daisy Taylor and Jannie Taylor; three sisters, Juanita Bennett, Easter Mae Lawson and Naomi Cobb; five brothers, Edward, Henry, Lewis, Wilbur and Daniel Lawson; 36 grandchildren; 56 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one daughter and one son.
Services were held on Friday, April 8, 2005, at St. James AME Church with the Rev. Ralph L. Brown officiating, assisted by the Rev. Johnnie Lee Lawson, Patrick Mellerson and O’Celia Blue.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Summerton Funeral Service of Summerton was in charge of arrangements.
Elease Benjamin Samuel
Elease Benjamin Samuel, 77, wife of Robert J. Samuel, died April 8, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born July 16, 1927, in Clarendon County, she was the daughter of the late Hampton and Ida Boyd Benjamin.
Elease was a lifelong member of Union Station AME Church where she was an active member of Stewardess Board No. 2, the Usher Board and the Missionary Society.
Survivors include her loving husband, Robert J. Samuel; a daughter, Lou Ethel Nellis of Columbia; an adopted daughter, Mae Francis Wilder; two sisters-in-law, Mary Pressley and Casy Benjamin; six grandchildren, David (Cathy) Benjamin, William Bernard Benjamin, Patricia Smalls, Ida Baker, Yolanda Nellis and Angelica (Arthur) Nixon; 10 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends, including the Rowland family, with whom she shared a more than 50-year caring and loving relationship.
She was preceded in death by her son, William J. Benjamin; four sister, Susanna Benjamin Isaac, Lucille McFadden, Ruth Ludd Murray and Irenee Benjamin; and one brother, Paul Benjamin.
Services were held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at Union Station AME Church with the Rev. Dr. Friendly J. Gadson, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Revs. Robert China Jr., Joshua Dupree and Hezekiah Ellis.
Burial was in Hillside Memorial Park.
Job’s Mortuary Inc. was in charge of arrangements.
Lottie G. Bradham
Lottie Gardner Bradham, 96, widow of Clinch Heyward Bradham, died Friday, March 4, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Robert N. Gardner and the late Edna Hodge Gardner.
Mrs. Bradham was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a brother, Kenneth E. Gardner of Sumter and his wife, Doris.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert L. Gardner and B.H. Gardner, and two sisters, Martha Gardner Saunders and Lila Gardner Luton.
Graveside services were held on Sunday, March 6, 2005, at the Sumter Cemetery with the Rev. Stephen Taylor officiating.
Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter, S.C. 29150.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.
Mary H. Ferrell
Mary Huggins Ferrell, 91, widow of Sam Ferrell, died March 1, 2005, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born Nov. 30, 1913, in Silver, she was a daughter of the late Mose Huggins and Mary Belson Huggins. Mrs. Ferrell received her formal education in the public schools of Clarendon County. Early in life, she joined Trinity Baptist Church. During her adult years, she became a member of Jehovah Baptist Church, under the late Rev. B.F. Weston. In her golden years, she rejoined Trinity Baptist Church. Her personality always reflected her joy for the Lord, and love for family and friends. She retired as a professional presser at Johnson’s Cleaners, Sumter.
Survivors include a daughter, Thelma Huggins Johnson of the home; two sons, Samuel (Veronica) Ferrell of Bronx, 
N.Y., and Bennell (Denise) Felder of Queens, N.Y.; two sisters-in-law, Lanie Cokely of Bronx and Lettie Rand of Queens; 11 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two great-great-great-grandchildren; two nieces; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by two children, James L. Ferrell and Lucille “Mama Lucy” Ferrell Wilson.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Trinity Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry C. Weston, pastor, officiating.
Burial was in St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery, Silver.
Job’s Mortuary Inc. of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.
James A. Lloyd
James Albert “Boote” Lloyd, 43, companion of Cynthia Ceasar, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005, in Alcolu.
Born July 21, 1961, in the Cypress Fork section of Clarendon County, he was a son of Jimmie Lloyd and the late Queen Elizabeth Harrison Lloyd. He received his formal education at Manning Training School. In his youth, he joined Howard Chapel AME Church, New Zion.
Survivors besides his companion, Cynthia Ceasar of the home, and father, Jimmie Lloyd of Alcolu, include four children he reared as his own, Schanonia Ceasar and Sheridan Ceasar, both of the home, William Crowder and Craig Crowder, both of Baltimore, Md.; four brothers, Clayton Smalls of New Zion, Stacey Lloyd of Turbeville, Robert (Betty) Lloyd of Alcolu and Marvin (Marcia) Lloyd of Lithonia, Ga.; four sisters, Mary (Hugh) Evans, Patricia Lloyd, Shantella Lloyd, all of Turbeville, and Raeford Ann Lloyd of Alcolu; and a grandchild, Jaquan Porter of the home.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 5, 2005, at Howard Chapel AME Church, Old Manning Road, New Zion, with the Rev. Edward Roberts, pastor, the Rev. Legatha McFadden officiating, assisted by the Rev. Eddie Mayes.
Burial was in the church cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
