U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
ROBERT A. AYERS
Robert Alan Ayers, 51, died June 20, 2004, in California.
Robert was the son of Marilyn Gabbard Ayers and the late Thomas Aiken Ayers.
Surviving are his mother, Marilyn Gabbard Ayers; two brothers, Joseph Alexander Ayers and Peter Thomas Ayers; and his only son, Joshua Spencer Thomas Ayers.
The family will be having a private memorial service.
ISABELLA M. SHARPE
Isabella McCants Sharpe, 56, wife of Richard Lee Sharpe, died July 20, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born Nov. 8, 1947, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late William and Isabelle Britton McCants. She attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a 1965 Eastern High School graduate. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Morris College. In 1976, she earned a master's degree from the University of South Carolina. She began her early teaching career in Clarendon School District 1. After relocating to Charlotte, N.C., she was employed by Charlotte Mecklenburg County school system as a teacher and later as an assistant principal. She was also employed in the corporate sector. In February 2004, she took medical disability retirement. She was a member of the National Education Association, the North Carolina Education Association and the Charlotte Mecklenburg Local Education Association. At an early age, she accepted Christ and joined Beulah AME Church, where she was a member of the Junior Steward Board and church school. While residing in Charlotte, N.C., she regularly attended church services but maintained her active membership at her local church. Her hobbies included Bible reading, religious programs, cooking and sewing. While she did not have any children of her own, she had such love and affinity for children.
Survivors besides her husband include five siblings, Mr. William McCants Jr., Presiding Elder Robert (Maggie Ruth) McCants, Dr. Elijah S. McCants, Ms. Marie McCants, all of Sumter, and the Rev. Moses (Sadie) McCants of Augusta, Ga.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by two sisters, Victoria McCants McKnight and Ruth McCants Shaw.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Beulah AME Church with the Rev. O'Neal Miller, pastor, assisted by the Right Rev. Preston Warren Williams II, presiding bishop, Seventh Episcopal District, the Rev. Robert L. McCants, presiding elder, the Rev. T.E. Shields, presiding elder, the Rev. Alonzo Middleton, presiding elder, the Rev. Moses McCants, the Rev. Robert E. Galloway, the Rev. Franklin W. Spears, the Rev. Julius H. McAllister and the Rev. Dr. Juenarrl Keith.
Burial will be in Beulah AME Church cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Saturday.
The family is receiving friends at the home of her brother, William McCants, 1335 Salterstown Road, Sumter, SC 29153.
Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at Jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com.
Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
MARQUITA E. DUPREE
MANNING -- Marquita Elaine Dupree, 31, died July 19, 2004, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.
Born July 29, 1972, in Kingstree, she was a daughter of James Wilferd Dupree and Caretha Lasaine Dupree. She accepted Christ in her life and became a devoted member of Biggers AME Church. She served on the usher board and youth choir. She was a 1990 graduate of Manning High School, Manning. She was employed with Federal Mogul in Sumter.
Survivors besides her parents, James and Caretha L. Dupree of Manning, include two daughters, Raven Jamay Dupree and Chynna Dupree, both of the home; one god brother, Justice (Tonya) Dingle of Manning; two sisters, Winiferd Dupree and Amerintha Dupree, both of Manning.
The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Biggers AME Church, Kingstree Highway 261, Manning, with the Rev. Andrew Jordan, pastor, officiating, assisting the Rev. Sam Whack Jr. and Bishop John Warren.
Burial will follow in the Muldrow cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Manning High School Class of 1990 and co-workers of Federal Mogul Inc.
Floral bearers will be Manning High School Class of 1990 and co-workers of Federal Mogul Inc.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 1202 Baxley Drive, off Flinn Road, Manning.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning is in charge of arrangements.
LAWTON JAMES III
BISHOPVILLE -- The Rev. Lawton James III, 85, widower of Marie McDonald James, died July 20, 2004, at McCoy Memorial Nursing Center, Bishopville.
Born Nov. 25, 1918, in Lee County, he was a son of the late Lawton James II and Eva Wright James. He attended the elementary schools in Lee County and Lincoln High School in Sumter. After high school, he relocated to Wilmington, N.C., remaining there until he was called to active duty. Prior to basic training, he married
the late Marie McDonald James of St. Charles. Upon discharge from the U.S. Army, he returned to Wilmington for several years before relocating to Jersey City, N.J. Rev. James accepted his Christian responsibility early in life and joined New Zion AME Church in Wisacky. He later joined Mt. Pisgah AME Church in Jersey City, where he continued his Christian faith until he was called to the ministry under the pastorialship of Rev. Jacob. His first pastoral assignment was at Mt. Zion AME Church in New Jersey, where he served for five years. His next pastoral assignment was at Bethel AME Church in Pennington, N.J., serving six years. He retired from St. John AME Church after faithfully serving for 14 years. After his retirement, he and his wife returned home to South Carolina and reunited with New Zion AME Church, under the pastorialship of the Rev. Charles Graves, serving in the capacity of assistant pastor. Rev. James remained faithful to New Zion AME Church until he was called to his heavenly home.
Survivors include one brother, Carlye James; two sisters, Dorothy James McFadden and Eva James Lytch (Gene), all of Elliott; and one aunt, Bessie Kennen of Miami.
The remains will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Saturday.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the New Zion AME Church, Wisacky, with the Rev. Franklin Spears, pastor, the Rev. Robert L. McCants, presiding elder of the Sumter District of the AME Church, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Rufus Snowdon.
Burial will be in New Zion AME Churchyard cemetery, Wisacky.
Pallbearers will be trustees and stewards of New Zion AME Church.
Floral bearers will be the Women Missionary Society and Stewardess of New Zion AME Church.
The procession will leave at 10:30 a.m. from the home of his sister, Eva Lytch, 1640 Elliott Highway (S.C. 527), Elliott.
The family will receive friends at the home of his sister, Eva Lytch, 1640 Elliott Highway (S.C. 527), Elliott.
Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
MAUDE Z. DOW
LONG ISLAND, N.Y. -- Maude Z. Johnson Dow, 87, widow of Jesse James Dow, died July 16, 2004, in Long Island, N.Y.
Born Jan. 17, 1917, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Sarah James Johnson. She was educated in the Clarendon County school system. As a child, she accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and savior while attending Antioch AME Church, Rimini. After migrating to New York in 1941, she joined Metropolitan Community Methodist Church, where she was a member for 31 years. In 1974, she joined Allen AME Church under the leadership of the late Rev. (Bishop) Donald G.K. Ming. She was also a member of the Helping Hand. She was employed by the New York City Board of Education, where she retired after many years of service. Upon her retirement, she volunteered her services at the Allen Christian School, where she later became an employee for approximately 14 years. In addition to being an avid reader, she was a sports advocate and enjoyed watching the New York Yankees, gymnastics and ice skating.
Survivors include her loving children, William Dow, Geraldine Valentine and Lorraine Dow; three grandchildren, Earnest, Darryl and Denise; two great-grandsons, Kyle and Jordan; two sisters, Sarah Canty of St. Albans and Louise Charles of Rimini; two brothers-in-law, Julius Dow of Servern, Md., and David Dow of Sumter; one sister-in-law, Sarah Wiggins of Bronx, N.Y.; one daughter-in-law, Joyce Dow; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by four siblings, Simon, Robert, Emma and Rebecca.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Antioch AME Church, Rimini, with the Rev. Dr. S.R. Miott, pastor. Burial will be in Antioch AME Church cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Saturday.
The family is receiving friends at the home of her niece, Michelle Bosier, 8895 Camp McBoykin Road, Rimini, SC 29125.
Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
THEO TEDDER YOUNG
Theo Tedder Young, 87, died Friday, July 23, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in Olanta, she was a daughter of the late L.T. McGee and the late Lizzie Lynch McGee. She was twice married
, first to the late Ed Tedder and then to the late Rev. Jamie Young. She was a member of Concord Baptist Church and was formerly employed by Pioneer Dress Ltd.
Survivors include a son, Marion T. Tedder and his wife, Rosa Lee, of Sumter; a daughter, Addie Robinson of Mayesville; four grandchildren, Eddie Tedder, Robbie Tedder, B.J. Tedder and Debbie Calhoun, all of Sumter; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Johnny Tedder.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home with the Rev. Rodney Hord and the Rev. Eugene Mosier officiating.
Burial will be held in the Bethany cemetery near Olanta.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Tedder, Robbie Tedder, James Calhoun, Jason Tedder, Jake Tedder and Jamie Calhoun.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of her daughter, 65 Eastern School Road, Mayesville.
Memorials may be made to Concord Baptist Church, 1885 Myrtle Beach Highway, Sumter, SC 29153.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
COZETTE GRIFFIN
PORTAGE - Cozette Griffin, age 77, of Portage, passed away on Wednesday morning, July 21, 2004, at Eidelweiss Gardens Care Center after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Funeral services will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage with the Rev. C. Keith Epps officiating. Burial will be on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in Otsego cemetery. Friends may call on Sunday from 4 p.m. until the time of the service at 5:30 p.m. at the Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home in Portage.
Marie Cozette Peterson was born on March 8, 1927, in Spring Grove, Minn., to Orrin and Margit (Havneros) Peterson. She graduated from high school in Mabel, Minn, in 1945, and attended on year at St. Olaf College before entering the Fairview Deaconess nursing school in Minneapolis. Cozette married
Adrian L. Christenson Jr., an Air Force pilot, in 1948, and they were blessed with two daughters, Martha and Nancy, before Lt. Christenson was killed in the Korean War. In 1954, she married
LaVerne Griffin, an Air Force captain at the time, and Korean War veteran. LaVerne and Cozette were soon blessed with three more, Jack, Janet and Mary. They reared their children in South Carolina, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Ohio and England before retiring to Portage in 1974. Cozette was a loving mother and ideal spouse, making sure that her children were instilled with Christian values and a good work ethic. In Meridian, Miss., she was a charter member and organist of the Druid Hills Methodist Church. In England, Cozette was president of the Officer’s Wives Club, responsible for organizing a number of charitable events and social functions. She entertained and was entertained by the duchess of Gloucester, attended the Queen’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace, rubbed many old English brasses as a hobby, and loved touring the English countryside, visiting many British churches and mansions. She knew London well enough to be a tour guide and escorted many visitors from the states through that great city. She particularly enjoyed live theater and musicals. After retiring to Portage, Cozette joined the Portage Curling Club and became an avid curler, making many friends in the county and neighboring states through curling bonspiels. She loved to travel with LaVerne in their airplane all over the United States. On the Portage scene, Friday night fish fries were a must with Cozette, as well as daily walks, volunteer reading at the nursing home, and working with Friends of the Library.
She is survived by her husband, LaVerne; daughter, Martha Wiley of Allardt, Tenn.; son, Jack (Janet) of Boise, Idaho; daughter, Janet Lee (Scott Haselton) of San Diego; Daughter, Mary (Raymond Dietman) of St. Paul, Minn.; grandchildren, Ed (Gayle) Wiley, Jefferson (Leigh) Wiley, Nancy Dietman, John Dietman, Cameron Griffin and Josie Griffin; great-grandchildren, Lauren and Edward Wiley; other relatives and many close friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Nancy and her sister Joyce Kildahl.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests for those who wish, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or the Friends of the Portage Library.
LUCIOUS ISAAC
Lucious Isaac, 63, husband of Annie Epps Isaac, died July 22, 2004, at McLeod Regional Medical Center.
Born March 24, 1941, in Sumter, he was a son of the late Mason Isaac and Evelina Pershay Isaac.
The family will receive friends at the home, 1380 Pudding Swamp Road, Lynchburg.
Services will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.
JOHN A. REAMES
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. John Adam Reames, 79, of Orlando, Fla., passed away Thursday, July 15, in Orlando.
Born and raised in Sumter, Lt. Col. Reames was a pilot in the United States Marine Corps.
He is survived by his daughter, Gertrude (Steve) Van Middlesworth; granddaughter, Amber, and grandson, Steven Jr.; son, J. Adam (Sharon) Reames Jr.; grandson, David; granddaughter, Angela; daughter, Lucy Lewis; granddaughters, Courtney and Olivia.
The funeral service was conducted Tuesday at the Barrancas National cemetery, Pensacola, Fla., with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Resource Center, 1400 N. Semoran Blvd., Orlando, FL 32807.
Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home, Orlando, Fla., was in charge of arrangements.
