U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
EDNA S. MIMS
MANNING -- Edna Scott Mims, 84, wife of John DuRant Mims, died Monday, March 15, 2004, in Carolinas Hospital System in Lake City.
Born June 30, 1919, in Williamsburg County, she was a daughter of the late George Walter and Arrie Belle Buddin Scott. She was of the Methodist faith.
Surviving besides her husband of Manning are three daughters, Lorraine Kropft and husband, Dennis, of Manning, Roberta Burrows and husband, Mike, of Sumter, and Lois Shaff and husband, Johnnie, of Glennville, Ga.; a son, Dr. Albert Mims and wife, Julia, of Lake City; five sisters, Evelyn Cain of Columbia, Janet McCrea of Kingstree, Virginia Tedder and Gracie Chandler, both of Kingstree, and Doris Tisdale of St. Stephen; a special niece, Rose Osborne and husband, Chris, of Greeleyville; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandson; one great-granddaughter.
She was preceded in death by stepmother, Fannie McKnight Scott.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church near Greeleyville with the Rev. Billy Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Great-nephews will serve as pallbearers.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home in Manning.
Memorials may be made to your local Meals-On-Wheels.
Stephens Funeral Home of Manning is in charge of arrangements.
THOMAS WESTON
Thomas Weston, 86, widower of Annie B. Weston, died Sunday, March 14, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born July 13, 1917, in Eastover, he was a son of the late Robert Reese and Rose Weston.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 823 S. Main St., Sumter 29150.
Services will be announced by Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS
Samuel Williams, 79, husband of Elizabeth Kearse Williams, died Sunday, March 14, 2004, at Richland Memorial Hospital.
Born Feb. 27, 1925, in Darlington, he was a son of Joe Williams and Henrietta Williams.
The family will receive friends at the home of Ernestine Jones, 401 Rodger Ave., Sumter.
Services will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
VINCENT L. STEPHENS Jr.
Vincent L. "Windy" Stephens Jr., 56, soul mate of Ms. Helen Foster, entered eternal rest Sunday, March 14, 2004, with his family by his side.
Born in Lee County, he was the son of the late Bernice C. Stephens and the late Vincent L. Stephens Sr. Mr. Stephens was a self-employed roofer and an avid fisherman.
Surviving are his former wife, Charlie Lewis Swiney Stephens; three sons, Vincent L. "Scooter" Stephens III, Nick Swiney and wife, Shannon, Timothy Swiney and wife, Michelle, all of Sumter; a daughter, Debbie Turley and husband, Robert, of Alabama; three brothers, James Caples, John Stephens and Cary Stephens Sr. and wife, Sharon, all of Sumter; two sisters, Earliene Tennant and husband, Thomas, of Summerton and Judy Hershberger and Henry Page of Sumter; seven grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; a multitude of loving friends; and a special friend, Alan Weaver.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Ray Barfield and the Rev. Donnie Collins officiating.
Burial will be in the Sumter cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at the home of his sister, 20 Inglewood Drive.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS
Samuel "Poney Soldier" Williams, 79, husband of Elizabeth Kearse Williams, died March 14, 2004, at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia.
Born Feb. 27, 1925, in Darlington County, he was a son of the late Joe Williams and Henrietta Williams. He was educated in the public schools of Darlington County. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he served his country for 21 years in the Army and Air Force, which included duties in the Korean and Vietnam wars. He received two purple hearts, good conduct medals and various other awards. He was employed at Campbell Soup Co. for 15 years and also the dining hall on Shaw Air Force Base. Mr. Williams was a devoted member of Salem Baptist Church. He was also a Mason.
Survivors include three sons, Jimmy (Sukie) Williams of Milford, Kan., Ronald Williams of Charlotte, N.C., and Samuel Williams Jr. of Seattle; two daughters, Rosetta Williams and Ernestine Jones, both of Sumter; five stepbrothers, Marion (Margaret) Williams of Darlington, Jerry Williams of Columbia, Johnny, Theodore and Sonny Williams; four stepsisters, Alice White, Lula, Mary and Fannie Mae Williams.
He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.
The remains will be placed in the church at noon Thursday.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday from the Salem Baptist Church, 320 W. Fulton St., Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. LaMonte Newsome officiating.
Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park, Sumter.
Pallbearers will be family and friends.
Floral bearers will be family and friends.
The funeral procession will leave at 12:30 p.m. from the home of his daughter, Ernestine Jones, 401 Rodger Ave., Sumter.
Family will receive friends at the home of his daughter, Ernestine Jones, 401 Rodger Ave., Sumter.
Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
GERALD J. PEARSON
Gerald James Pearson, age 62, beloved husband of 32 years to Kathleen Poston Pearson, died Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Pearson was born in Cambridge, Mass., son of the late Frank and Ruth Spearman Pearson. He was a retired U.S. Air Force staff sergeant with 11 1/2 years of service, serving with two tours of duty in Vietnam. He was a helicopter mechanic and was awarded the purple heart and silver star. He was a member of Wise Drive Baptist Church, the American Legion of Sumter, a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and retired from CSX Railroad with 32 years of service.
Surviving in addition to his wife are one daughter, Patti Nichols of Columbia; one brother, Reggie Dickson of Portland, Maine; two grandchildren, Kevin James Whitaker and Kathleen Leigh Whitaker; one great-grandchild, Presley Faith Whitaker; and a very special family friend, Julian Jones.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the chapel of Bullock Funeral Home with the Rev. Harold Kirkland and the Rev. Michael Baynai officiating. Burial will follow with full military honors at Evergreen Memorial Park cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Bullock Funeral Home and other times at the residence on Sweetbriar Drive.
Memorials may be made to the Tuomey Foundation, Jeanne C. Watson Oncology Endowment, 115 N. Sumter St., Suite 120, Sumter, SC 29150.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.
ERNEST PENDERGRASS
BALTIMORE -- Ernest "Bee" Pendergrass, husband of Barbara Pendergrass, died March 12, 2004, at a Baltimore hospital in Baltimore.
He was a son of the late Enoch and Jettie Pendergrass and the brother of Deacon James Pendergrass of the Sugar Hill community of Manning.
Courtesy announcement by Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
WILLIAM LEVETTE
COLUMBIA -- William Levette, 86, widower of Lula Levette, died Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Palmetto Baptist Hospital.
He was born July 8, 1917, in Talladega, Ala.
The family will receive friends at the residence of Mrs. Alice West, 375 Tee Boy Lane, Wedgefield, SC 29168.
Services will be announced by Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
FRANCES W. WATSON
BISHOPVILLE -- Funeral services for Frances Wagner Watson, age 97, who died March 16, will be held at 2 p.m. Friday from the Bishopville First Baptist Church. The Rev. Tommy Morrow and the Rev. Dale Warren will officiate. Burial will be in the Cedar Creek Baptist Church cemetery directed by Norton Funeral Home, Bishopville Chapel.
Visitation will be one hour prior to the service Friday in the Fellowship Building at First Baptist Church.
Mrs. Watson was born in Hinsdale, N.Y., a daughter of the late Frank T. and Mary Wagner. She took teacher's training in Buffalo, N.Y., and attended Eastern University in Philadelphia. She taught school in Cattaraugus County in New York before coming to South Carolina. She was a substitute teacher, saleslady for Empire Crafts and was employed by the S.C. State Forestry Commission. She taught ladies Sunday school at First Baptist Church in Sumter and St. Andrews Baptist Church in Columbia. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Bishopville.
Surviving are a daughter, Genevieve "Genny" W. Campbell of Rock Hill; sons, H. Thomas Watson of Lexington, James C. Watson of Orlando, Fla., Donald H. Watson of Columbia and Joe Frank Watson of West Columbia; 10 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Plina "Pat" Watson.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 229 W. Church St., Bishopville, SC 29010.
JOHN M. REBAR
John M. Rebar, 54, of Manning, died Sunday, March 14, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center after an illness.
Born in Scranton, Pa., he was the son of John and Mary Rebar of Dunmore, Pa. He was a member of the United States Air Force and continued to work at Shaw Air Force Base following his active duty. John was a hard worker who enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, the tropics and NASCAR.
Survivors include his father and mother, John and Mary of Dunmore, Pa.; a sister, Jean Marie Boswell of Hagerstown, Md.; a son, John, his wife, Kristen, and their daughter, Carly, all of Hollywood, Fla.
A private service will be held in Throop, Pa., Friday.
Memorials may be made to the Tuomey Foundation c/o Jean C. Watson, Oncology Unit, 129 N. Washington St., Sumter, SC 29150.
RIAH HINNANT
Miss Riah Hinnant, 32, of 14 W. Patricia Drive, died Sunday, March 14, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center. She was a daughter of Mrs. Carrie Dell Gordon Hinnant and the late Mr. Willie Hinnant.
Family is receiving visitors at the home.
Community Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
DARRELL K. BETHEA
DILLON -- Darrell Kendall Bethea, 25, died March 14, 2004, from injuries received in an automobile accident.
Born March 15, 1978, he was a son of Carolyn Murray Bethea and the late Nathaniel "Pee Wee" Bethea.
Survivors include one sister, Cheryl Bethea; eight aunts and uncles, Audrey Coppins of Fayetteville, N.C., Cassandra (Castrone) Blair, Adrienna House, Cynthia (Jimmie) Golden, Edward (Linda) Hayes, the Rev. Stanley (Julia) Hayes, Anthony (Maryann) Hayes and Warren House, all of Sumter; one grandaunt, Dorothy (Warren) House; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his great-grandmother, Mazie Smith Walker Holmes.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. today at St. Steven United Methodist Church, Dillon.
Courtesy of Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
