U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
GLADYS BETHEA-SIMON
MANNING -- Gladys Bethea-Simon, 66, widow of Austin Simon, died Aug. 11, 2004, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital.
Born Oct. 27, 1937, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of Lovie Bethea and George Wade. She received her formal education in Virginia. She was a lifelong member of Trinity AME Church in Manning. She was a devoted member of the senior choir, Missionary Society, Willing Workers, Board No. 3, and former steward. She was employed for many years at Dewey Clark Dry Cleaners. Later she established her own business and was a successful businesswoman.
Survivors include two sons, James (Francena) Bethea and Freddie (Diana) Bethea, both of Manning; one daughter, Patricia Bethea of Queens Village, N.Y.; one brother, Clarence Wade of Los Angeles; one sister, Willie B. Wright of Los Angeles; six grandchildren; and four step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons, Vernon Odell and Darrell Bethea; three sisters, Mildred Ballard, Georgianna Bracey and Mary Ellen Pringle; and two brothers, Melvin Wade and John Andrew Wade.
The remains will be placed in the church at noon Saturday.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Trinity AME Church, 39 W. Rigby St., Manning, with the Rev. Dr. Bennie Colclough, pastor, officiating, assisting the Rev. Michael Abraham.
Pallbearers will be the men's club and friends of the family.
Floral bearers will be Missionary Society and friends of the family.
The family will receive friends at the home of her son and his wife, Freddie and Diana Bethea, Jerro Road, Goodwill community of Manning.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning is in charge of arrangements.
DONETHA WHEELER
MAYESVILLE -- Donetha "Pam" "Pond" Wheeler, 36, died Aug. 9, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born June 9, 1968, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Robert Wilson and Pearline Wheeler. Donetha grew up in the close-knit community of Mayesville. She was educated in the public schools of Sumter County District 2 and graduated from Mayewood High School in 1986. Due to her interest in cosmetology, she attended Chris Logan School of Cosmetology in 1989. She worked various jobs during her lifetime, Pearl's Kwik Curls, The House of Lazarus, McDonald's, Maxway, New York Hi-Style, and traveled to Myrtle Beach to work. Many years ago, she accepted Jesus Christ as her savior. She was affiliated with various area churches and was a member of Mt. Pleasant AME Church, Elliott.
Survivors include two daughters, Kaytina LaChonda Wheeler and Cheneathia Marquita Wheeler, both of the home; four sisters, Josephine Wells, Genover (Robert) Wheeler, Cherry (Robert) Commander, all of Mayesville, and Brenda (Gary) Norfleet of Wedgefield; three brothers, Charles (Veronica) Parrott of Jonesboro, Ga., James (Mamie) Wilson of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Roy (Karen) Crawford of New Jersey; a brother-in-law, Sylvester Wells of Mayesville; a godmother, Pearl B. Clark of Sumter; two god-sisters, Percynthia (Nathaniel) Anderson and Patricia (Joe) Conyers, both of Sumter; one god-brother, John (Sharon) Clark of Sumter; special friends, Mashona Carroll of Fayetteville, N.C., and Michael Howard of Sumter; a very special niece, Diamonte' Chevondra Commander of Mayesville; and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Pleasant AME Church, Elliott, with the Rev. Davie Brown, pastor. Burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant AME Church cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m.
The family is receiving friends at the home of her sister, Cherry Commander, 298 E. Sumter St., Mayesville.
Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
BERTIE MAE D. SCOTT
EAST ORANGE, N.J. -- Mrs. Bertie Mae Dickey Scott entered into eternal rest on Friday, Aug. 6, 2004, in an East Orange, N.J., hospital, after an illness.
She was born in Lynchburg on Jan. 12, 1921, to the late Julius Dickey Sr. and Janie Gamble Dickey. Mrs. Scott attended the public schools of Lee County and, at an early age, she joined Warren Chapel United Methodist Church. As a young lady, she moved to Newark, N.J., where she met and married
the late Arthur Scott.
Those left to cherish her memories include one stepdaughter, Mrs. Maude Patrick, and one stepson, Mr. Robert Scott, both of Newark, N.J.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Lillie Bell Dickey of Lake City; six step-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; 13 step-great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Three brothers, one sister, one brother-in-law and two sisters-in-law preceded Mrs. Scott in death.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at Warren Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Rufus L. Snowden officiating and the Rev. Mary J. Snowden assisting. Burial will be in Hawkins cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home of her niece, Mrs. Calistine Boone, at 85 Lesane St., Lynchburg.
Jefferson Funeral Home of Lynchburg is in charge of arrangements.
EUGENE ALLEN
Eugene Allen died on Monday, Aug. 9, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center in Sumter.
Born in Sumter County on Sept. 30, 1964, he was a son of the late Walvin Allen Sr. and Mary Sue Wright Allen. At an early age, he joined St. Paul AME Church, where he attended Bible study and served faithfully as a member of the Sons of Allen and the Usher Board. He later joined the Brotherhood of Masons from the Brotherhood of Red Hill Lodge No. 144 and the Brotherhood of the Royal Arch, David Wells Chapter No. 39. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County and was a 1982 graduate of Mayewood High School. He graduated from Central Carolina Technical College with a certificate in brick masonry and welding. He was employed by Carolina Filters.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Katherine Burgess, Sarah Tomlin and Rosa Lee Hagins; and one brother, Richard Allen Sr.
He leaves to cherish precious memories a devoted and loving wife of nearly eight years, Sandra Kay Barber-Allen of the home; two sons, Christopher Eric Barber and Malik Trevon Barber; three daughters, Deiandrea Shan'tell Dargan, Ny'Gel Zaire Allen and Madison Kay Smith of the home; three sisters; Ellen (Robert) Woods of Washington, D.C., Nella (Leo) Allen China of Killeen, Texas, and Ruth Allen of Alexandria, Va.; four brothers; William (Mary) Allen of Suitland, Md., Walvin Allen Jr. of Oxen Hill, Md., Samuel (Leavy) Allen and David Allen, both of Sumter.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Paul AME Church, Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. Benjamin. J. Glover, pastor, assisted by the Rev. Friendly J. Gadson, the Rev. Carlos Roberson, the Rev. Archie Temoney and the Rev. Emanuel Davis Jr.
The remains will be placed in the church from noon until the hour of service.
Burial will be in St. Paul AME Church cemetery.
The funeral procession will leave at noon from the residence of his brother, William (Mary) Allen, 1061 Robinhood Ave., Sumter.
The family will also receive friends at 1061 Robinhood Ave.
A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. today at Palmer Memorial Chapel, 304 S. Main St.
Palmer Memorial Chapel Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
JAMES A. GREEN Sr.
LAKE CITY -- Mr. James Abram "Professor" Green Sr., 93, husband of Gertrude Porter Green, died Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004.
He was a son of the late Ervin and Susan Gray Green. He graduated from Booker Washington High School. He attended Allen University of Columbia. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Morris College of Sumter and a master's degree from S.C. State College of Orangeburg. He attended Gupton-Jones School of Embalming, Nashville, Tenn. He retired as principal of Tomlinson and Kingstree High School, Kingstree.
Survivors include two sons, Attorney Lawrence (Helen) Green of Centennial, Colo., and Victor M. Jenerette Green; two daughters, Sarah (Khalil) Karim of Chicago, and Emma Lee (Dorsey) Russell of Lake City; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Jimmy Green.
Fraternal rites will be held at 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from Greater St. James AME Church on Moore Street, Lake City, with the Rev. Joseph Postell officiating. Burial will be in Rest Lawn cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 214 Floyd Ave., Lake City.
Green's Funeral Home of Lake City is in charge of arrangements.
CHARLES E. JOHNSON
Charles Edward Johnson, 59, husband of Sarah Jane Spears Johnson, died Aug. 11, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 1, 1944, in Virginia.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 264 E. Red Bay Road, Sumter, SC 29150.
Services will be announced by Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
JONATHAN KEITH BELL
GREENVILLE -- Jonathan Keith Bell, 25, died Aug. 10, 2004, at St. Francis Hospital.
He was born Jan. 11, 1979 in Sumter, the son of John Henry and Gwendolyn White Bell. He attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a graduate of Sumter High School, where he played junior varsity and varsity basketball. He received a basketball scholarship to the University of South Carolina Spartanburg, where he graduated in May 2003. He was employed by MCI in Greenville as a priority customer support representative.
Survivors besides his parents include one brother, Byron (Shanna) White of Sumter; a sister, Marland Bell of Myrtle Beach; his grandmother, Belle D. White of Sumter; his fiance' Denika Parmley; an adopted brother, Alphonso Wright of Columbia, two god children, Jadah Parmley and Antwanette Scriven; three aunts, nine uncles; and a host of other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Jesse White, Willie Bell and Rebecca Bell.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. Marion H. Newton, pastor. The body will lie in state noon Saturday.
Burial will be in Walker cemetery. The Rev. Vernon L. Holland will officiate.
The family will receive friends at the home of his grandmother, Belle D. White, 521 Love St., Sumter.
Job's Mortuary, 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
ALEX ARTUS
Alex Artus, age 92, husband of the late Barbara Romanick Artus, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004, at Mariner Health of Sumter West.
Mr. Artus was born in Patterson, N.J., the son of John and Mary Slovic Artuhewich. He was a member of the Sumter Spectrum Senior Citizens Center.
Survivors are one son, Robert J. Artus and his wife, Shirley, of Sumter; two grandchildren, Robert J. Artus Jr. of Willow Street, Pa., and Jane Smetts of Brick, N.J.; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife and one daughter, Sandra Artus Hazzard.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at the Chapel of Bullock Funeral Home with the Rev. Tony Metze officiating.
The family will receive friends at 10 a.m., one hour prior to the service, at Bullock Funeral Home.
Memorials may be sent to the Sumter Spectrum Senior Citizens Center, Pinewood Road, Sumter, SC 29150.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home for the arrangements.
DIANE JOHNSON
ATLANTA, Ga. -- Diane Johnson, 49, died Aug. 9, 2004, at Piedmont Hospital, Atlanta, Ga.
Born Dec. 23, 1954, in Sumter, she was a daughter of the late Heyward Johnson Sr. and Eartha Lee Thompson Johnson. Diane was a 1973 graduate of Sumter High School. She attended and graduated from the Atlanta College of Medical and Dental Technology. She remained in Atlanta, where she considered it to be the home away from home.
Survivors include two sisters, Gladys (James) Clark and Eva Singleton, both of Sumter; two brothers, Roy Lee (Gloria) Jackson of Atlanta, Ga., and Heyward (Connie) Johnson Jr. of Orlando, Fla.; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Rose Marie Johnson.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Job's Mortuary, 312 S. Main St., Sumter. Burial will be in Walker cemetery.
Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter is in charge of arrangements.
