U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
EUGENE C. BENBOW
RALEIGH - Col. Eugene Cuttino Benbow, retired USMC, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, at Rex Hospital. He was born July 14, 1926, in Sumter, S.C., to William Washington Benbow and Gladys Cuttino Benbow. The family resided in Sumter until 1941, when they moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C. Gene, as he was known to everyone, graduated from Myrtle Beach High School in 1944 and joined the United States Marine Corps at age 17. After boot camp at Parris Island, S.C., he was assigned to the USS Chicago, where he served until the end of World War II. Within months of returning home, Gene enrolled at the University of South Carolina, where he graduated in 1951 with a degree in electrical engineering. While a college student he joined the Marine Corps Reserve, attended camps at Quantico during the summer and was commissioned a second lieutenant at graduation. He was employed by Westinghouse in Pittsburgh until he was called back to active duty. After serving during the Korean War for two years, he returned to the Westinghouse Meter Division at Newark, N.J. In 1951 he transferred to the new Westinghouse Meter Division in Raleigh. He was a design engineer, was awarded 12 United States patents and became a supervisor in the engineering department; he retired from Westinghouse after 30 years with the company. Gene was active in the Raleigh Marine Corps Reserve Unit, serving twice as commanding officer. He also served in the Volunteer Training Unit in Durham. In 2001 he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his commissioning in Washington, D.C., and was recognized by the commandant of the Marine Corps for his service.
Gene had many interests including music, gardening, sports, and traveling with his family. He particularly enjoyed vacationing at the beach. Gene has been a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran church since 1955 and was involved with the church council, Sunday school, campus ministry, and the Governor Morehead School. In 1972 Gene was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease at the age of 46. Throughout his illness he was determined to continue to stay active and enjoy time with his family. He remained involved in the Westinghouse retiree group.
Gene is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sarah Wise Benbow; three daughters and sons-in-law, Mary and Jim Moyer of Cary, Susan and Steve Dawson of Cary, and Carol and Kevin Seggerty of Richmond, Va.; four grandsons, Andrew Moyer, Joseph Moyer, Alex Dawson, and Ben Seggerty; two brothers and sisters-in-law, David Joel and Geneva Benbow of Sumter and William and Gertrude Benbow of Sumter; sisters-in-law Mary Thuesen and her husband, Ted Thuesen, of Hickory, Rebecca Derrick of White Rock, S.C., and Martha Wise of Concord; and 15 nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, corner of Brooks and Clark Avenues, Raleigh, on Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Interment services with full military honors will be held at Arlington National cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County, 2400 Alwin Court, Raleigh, NC 27604 or to WCPE Classical Radio, PO Box 897, Wake Forest, NC 27588.
Arrangements are by Brown - Wynne Funeral Home, St. Mary's Street, Raleigh.
DOROTHY LEE McNARY MALLETTE
MANNING - Dorothy Lee McNary Mallette, 77, wife of Levan Mallette, died Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2003, at 4532 Greeleyville Highway 521, Manning.
Born Sept. 7, 1926, in Memphis, Tenn., she was the daughter of the late Jessie McNary and Irene Burnett McNary.
She received her formal education in the public schools of Memphis. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Providence AME Church, where she served as a stewardess, a member of the missionary society and pastor's aide, gospel and community choirs.
Survivors include a god - daughter, Tela Yvette Witherspoon of Manning; two brothers, Louis McNary and Jessie McNary; five sisters, Lillie Reeder, Katie Foster, Jessie R. Parker, Gertrude Fields and Geraldine Rice; five sisters-in-law, Carrie Lee Mallette and Lottie Mallette, both of Manning, Maggie Mallette of New York City, Barbara Mallette and Juanita Mallette, both of Long Island, N.Y.
The remains will be placed in the Providence AME Church in the Sugar Hill Community of Clarendon County at 1 p.m. Monday.
Funeral services will begin at 2 p.m. Monday with the Rev. Dr. Bennie Colclough, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Carnell Witherspoon, the Rev. Gussie Ceasor and Minister Rosa Mae Fulton.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be nephews.
Floral bearers will be the members of the missionary society.
The family will receive friends at her residence, 4532 Greeleyville Highway 521 in Manning.
Samuels Funeral Home of Manning is in charge of the arrangements.
LOUIS WHEELER
LYNCHBURG - Louis "Metri" Wheeler, son of Oliver and Laura Legrant, departed this life on Nov. 26, 2003. Louis graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in Elliott with the class of 2002. He was a freshman at Benedict College in Columbia. He joined King Emanuel Baptist Church at the age of 14.
In addition to his parents, he leaves to cherish his memories one son, Joshua Ellebry of Elliott; three sisters, Yolanda (Darrell) Smith of Lexington, Tameka Legrant of Columbia, Veronica Wheeler of Lynchburg; one stepsister, Marietta L. James of Lynchburg; grandparents, Louis (Rosa) Taylor of Lynchburg, Louis (Bernetta) Wheeler of Lamar; one great - grandmother, Rosa Nero of Lamar; a very special niece, Krysten Legrant; and a host of cousins family and friends.
Funeral services for Louis "Metri" Wheeler will be held today at 2:30 p.m. at King Emanuel Baptist Church in Lynchburg with the Rev. Michael Fullard as pastor.
Burial will be in King Emanuel Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers and flower bearers will be friends and family.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. The procession will leave the home of 71 Timmons St. in Lynchburg at 2:15 p.m.
Funeral services will be directed by Commercial Funeral Home of Lynchburg.
JOHN FRANKLIN JENNINGS
John Franklin Jennings, 66, husband of Elizabeth C. Jennings, died Nov. 24, 2003, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born Sept. 10, 1937, in Sumter County, he was the son of the late Kelly and Louise Samuel Jennings.
Mr. Jennings spent most of his early life and completed his education in Philadelphia. He served his country in the United States Army and attained the rank of command sergeant major. His tours of duty were numerous and included Korea, Vietnam, stateside and Germany. Mr. Jennings earned numerous medals and citations during his military career including the Joint Service Medal. In 1975, he retired after 22 years of military service. He was employed by the Civil Service at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md., for 10 years and fully retired in 1992. He then relocated to Sumter in 1996.
In 1963, he met and fell in love with Christine Holland, a fellow service member. On April 9, 1966, they were united in holy matrimony and traveled the world together.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories his loving wife of 37 1/2 years, Mrs. Elizabeth C. Jennings of the home; two daughters, Cynthia (Jesse) Staten of Philadelphia and Gwendolyn L. Person of Washington, D.C.; one son, Eugene Ruffin of Washington, D.C.; two granddaughters, Shakira Staten of Texas and KaShawn M. Person of Troy, Va.; three great - grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Barbara Buckner of Florence; two nieces; four nephews; two god - children, Desiree Samuel of Philadelphia and Earl E. Randolph of Washington, D.C.; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Palmer Memorial Chapel, 304 S. Main St., with the Rev. Charles Washington officiating, assisted by the Rev. Edward Squire.
Burial will be in the Florence National cemetery.
The funeral procession will leave at 10 a.m. from the residence, 1035 Waterway Drive in Sumter.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 1035 Waterway Drive in Sumter.
Palmer Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.
FLORENCE YAWN
Florence “Virginia” Yawn, widow of Edgar G. Yawn Sr., died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at her residence.
Services will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
ISBELL SYBETH
Isbell Sybeth died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Hopewell Nursing Center.
Services will be announced by Bullock Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
KENDRICK WILDER
PINEWOOD - Kendrick Wilder, 27, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at his residence, 6155 Sammy Swamp Road, Pinewood.
Born April 26, 1976, in Manning, he was a son of Jimmie and Mary Heyward Wilder.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 6155 Sammy Swamp Road, Pinewood, SC 29125.
Services will be announced by Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
SYBETH M. ISBELL
Sybeth Christine Maroney Isbell, age 84, wife of the late Shelton Isbell, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Hopewell Nursing Home in Sumter.
Mrs. Isbell was born in Banks, Ark., the daughter of the late Richard P. and Sally Maroney.
Surviving are one son, Billy W. Forsythe of Myrtle Beach; and one grandson, Mitchell Forsythe of Sumter.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; one son, Wayne Isbell; one daughter, Jean Forsythe; and one sister, Jimmie Prather.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the chapel of Bullock Funeral Home with the Rev. Donnie Collins officiating. Burial will follow at Sumter cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the grandson's residence on Kolb Road.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home & Crematorium to handle the arrangements.
JAMES E. SWEAT
MANNING - James Edward "Bo" Sweat, 63, died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, at Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston.
Born Sept. 10, 1940, in Manning, he was a son of Willie Mae Blanding Sweat and the late Lucious Sweat Jr.
The family will receive friends at the home of his mother, 119 Bradham Ave., Manning.
Services will be announced by Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
MARGARET ANN RODRIGUEZ
BISHOPVILLE - Margaret Ann Rodriguez, 55, died Thursday, Nov. 27, 2003, at Carolina Pines Hospital in Hartsville.
Born in Wilsonville, Ala., she was a daughter of Dorothy Jones Mayhue and the late Donald T. Bain.
She was of the Catholic faith and served eight years in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include her mother of Alabama; her stepfather, Ronald W. Myers of Bishopville; one son, Bryan Scott Myers and his wife, Ruth, of Bishopville; a grandson, Bryan Craig of Bishopville; and three sisters, Donna Lea, Ethel Rhae and Betty Jo.
A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. today at 310 S. Lee St., Bishopville.
The family will receive friends at 310 S. Lee St., Bishopville.
Memorials may be made to the Make A Wish Foundation, 1553 W. Evans St., Florence, SC 29501.
Hancock - Elmore - Hill Funeral Home of Bishopville is in charge of arrangements.
AZILEE A. BUSQUES
NEW ZION - Azilee Arbutus Busques, 62, wife of Winston Demos Busques Sr., died Sunday, Nov. 30, 2003, in Clarendon Memorial Hospital.
Born July 24, 1941, in Fort Mill, she was a daughter of the late Arthur John Vick and Flossie Elizabeth Ashley Vick Molina. She was a member of First Freewill Baptist Church of Kingstree.
Surviving besides her husband of Manning are four daughters, Frances E. Redmon of Willow Spring, N.C., Angela B. Linke of Kingstree, Carrie B. Hawkins of Ashwood and Deborah B. Ard of New Zion; three sons, Winston Demos Busques Jr. of Manning, Michael Busques of Bishopville and Richard Busques of New Zion; two sisters, Sondra Pye of Mt. Pleasant and Mary Fogle of Grand Prairie, Texas; a brother, Arthur D. Vick of Turbeville; 16 grandchildren; and a great - grandchild.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Stephens Funeral Home in Manning. The Rev. Wayland Owens will officiate. Burial will follow in Gibbons cemetery in New Zion.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home in Manning and at other times at the residence of Deborah Ard, 3958 Fire Tower Road, New Zion.
Stephens Funeral Home of Manning is in charge of the arrangements.
COLZIE R. BAKER
LEXINGTON - Services for Colzie Robertson Baker, 92, of Lexington, will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday in the Chapel at Thompson Funeral of Lexington, officiated by the Rev. Timothy Bryson.
Committal services will be at noon at Quaker cemetery in Camden.
Pallbearers will be Donald Drenning, Jim Davis, Wendy Close, Tim Davis, Stephen Close and George Colbourne.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Mrs. Baker died Dec. 1, 2003. Born in Lexington County, she was a daughter of the late Sanford Levi and Susan Theresa Huggins Robertson. Mrs. Baker was a retired winder from Lowell Rayon Mill in Lowell, N.C.
Surviving are her sister, Lillie Holloman of Camden, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Baker was predeceased by a sister, Jessie R. Smith, and a brother, Clennie S. Robertson.
JOHN C. BYRD Jr.
TURBEVILLE - John Cleveland Byrd Jr., 81, husband of Bobbie Jean Mothershed Byrd, died Monday in McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Stephens Funeral Home in Manning.
