U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
LATASHA ANN SCRIVEN
Latasha Ann Scriven, 29, daughter of Evangelist Joann Scriven and David Johnson, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Hanson Hospital in Wadesboro, N.C.
The family will receive relatives and friends at the home of her mother, Evangelist Joann Scriven, 27 Hospital Circle.
Funeral services are incomplete and will be announced by Scriven Funeral Home of Sumter.
JEFFERY BUTLER
BISHOPVILLE -- Jeffery Butler entered eternal rest on Dec. 29, 2008, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
The family is receiving friends at the residence, 772 James Davidson Heriot Road, Dalzell.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Wilson's Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville.
ROSA LEE JAMES
Rosa Lee James, 88, widow of Harold James Sr., died Monday, Dec. 29, 2008, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in Sumter County on Feb. 23, 1920, she was a daughter of Melvin and Julia Sanders Boone.
The family will receive friends at the home, 173 Light Knott Road, Dalzell.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
LEAH B. PEAGLER
Leah Dorothy Benenhaley Peagler, 77, wife of Cleo Alfred Peagler, died Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in Sumter County, she was a daughter of the late James Murray Benenhaley and Maybell B. Benenhaley. Mrs. Peagler was a member of Springbank Baptist Church.
Survivors besides her husband of Sumter include three children, Glenn Peagler of Sumter, Barbara Belote of Cochran, Ga., and David Peagler (Tanya) of Sumter; a son-in-law, Greg Thompson (Amy); six grandchildren, Whitney Bryant (Dustin), Kyle Thompson, Shannon Belote, Jennifer Peagler, Jared Thompson and Madison Beasley; a brother, James Isaac Benenhaley of Sumter; and a special friend, Pylisha Ward of Sumter.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Marie Thompson; a sister, Lillie Benenhaley; and two brothers, Lawrence Benenhaley and Roland Benenhaley.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. today at Springbank Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Harold Benenhaley, Blaine Marshall, Timothy McMickell, Richard Ray, Robbie Hood and Al Cotter.
The family will receive friends at the home.
Memorials may be made to Springbank Baptist Church Building Fund, 5725 Fish Road, Dalzell, SC 29040.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
GEORGE SPICER Jr.
George Spicer Jr., 71, husband of Bette Haile Spicer, died Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008, at Celebration Hospital in Celebration, Fla.
He was born July 28, 1937, in Versailles, Ky., the firstborn son of the late George Sr. and Nellie Mae Hawkins Spicer. Mr. Spicer accepted Christ at an early age and joined Shiloh Baptist Church in Lexington, Ky. He was active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Civic minded, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy after high school. After being honorably discharged, he attended Mississippi Valley State University. Upon graduation, he began his teaching career. He continued his studies at Indiana University and American University in Washington, D.C., receiving a master's degree in physical education. Mr. Spicer was a member of Patmos Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., where he served as a trustee and assistant Sunday school teacher. He was employed with the District of Columbia public school system, retiring after 30 years of service. Upon retirement, he and Bette relocated to Las Vegas. George became an active member of Victory Missionary Baptist Church. He was also chairman of the National Association of Black Veterans in Las Vegas.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 44 years, Bette Haile Spicer of Las Vegas; son, George Spicer III and daughter, Lawanda Spicer of Jacksonville, Fla.; sister, Minerva Williams of Lexington, Ky.; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Barbara Haile (James) Chambers of Tallahassee, Fla., and James B. Jr. (Desiree) Haile of Louisville, Ky.; nieces and nephews, James B. Haile III and Jennifer Haile, both of Louisville, Gerard Figgs and Athenia Figgs of Lexington, Ky.; an adopted son, Michael (Jessica) Hinnant of Schwenksville, Pa.; goddaughters, Jasmin and Courtney Hinnant of Schwenksville; and a host of extended family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Sumter, with the Rev. Joyce Chiles, pastor, officiating.
The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Wednesday for viewing until the hour of service.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
ELIZABETH C. MARKS
KENSINGTON, Md. -- Elizabeth C. Marks, of Kensington and formerly of Myrtle Beach, died on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, surrounded by her family.
She was the beloved wife of the late Thomas F. Marks Sr.; loving mother of Hannah Marks of San Francisco, Adele (Marion D.) Myers of Sumter, Abigail Marks of Kensington, and the late Thomas F. Marks Jr.; grandmother of seven; and great-grandmother of two.
Service will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Monastery of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 2131 Lincoln Road, N.E., Washington, DC 20002-1199.
Pumphrey Funeral Home of Bethesda, Md., is in charge of arrangements.
FLORINE W. GANTT
Florine Williams Gantt, widow of James Broadus Gantt, died Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008, in Myrtle Beach.
Services will be announced by Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, (803) 775-9386.
BENNIE McDONALD Sr.
BISHOPVILLE -- Bennie McDonald Sr. was born in Elliott to the late Robert McDonald Sr. and Eliza Sampson McDonald. He entered eternal rest on Dec. 24, 2008, at the Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Hartsville.
He is survived by his wife, Eleanor D. McDonald; four children, Mae West McDonald Durant, Isiah McDonald, Bennie McDonald Jr. and Satira McDonald; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two sisters, Irene McDonald and Mattie J. Hemstead; and many other relatives.
Funeral services will be held at noon today at St. Paul United Methodist Church, Elliott, with the pastor, the Rev. Rufus Snowden, officiating. Burial will follow in the Old St. Paul United Methodist Church cemetery, Wisacky.
The family is receiving friends at the residence, Highway 401, Elliott.
Wilson's Funeral Home, 403 S. Main St., Bishopville, is in charge of arrangements.
SUSAN G. McELVEEN
NEW ZION -- Mrs. Susan Gibson McElveen, age 64, died July 2, 2004, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, after an illness.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at the New Zion United Methodist Church with burial in the New Town Free Will Baptist Church cemetery, directed by Floyd Funeral Home of Olanta.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday.
Born in Spartanburg County, she was a daughter of the late Brainard Wilson Gibson Sr. and Alliene Hipp Gibson. Mrs. McElveen was a retired speech pathologist with Clarendon School District 3 and a former English instructor at the Turbeville Correctional Institution. She received her undergraduate degree from Columbia College and she earned her master's degree plus 30 hours from the University of South Carolina. She was a member of the Clarendon County Republican Party; a member of the American Legion Auxiliary; and she was a member of the New Zion United Methodist Church, where she was active in the United Methodist Women, chaired the committee on worship, was church pianist, and choir member.
Surviving are her husband, Ray McElveen; a daughter, Helen (Mike) F. Huggins of Aynor; a sister, Anne G. Lavender of New Zion; a brother, Brainard (Lorraine) W. Gibson of Madison, Maine; and two grandchildren, Nicholas and Caroline Huggins of Aynor.
The family requests that memorials be made to the New Zion United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 31, New Zion, SC 29111 or The American Cancer Society, 2216 Clarview Drive, Florence, SC 29505.
LaRUE H. AYRES
LaRue Horton Ayres, 94, widow of Thomas Z. Ayres Sr., died Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009, at a local nursing facility.
Born in Pageland, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Elizabeth Miller Horton. Mrs. Ayres was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Sumter and a former member of First Presbyterian Church of Florence. She was a member of the Azalea Garden Club of Sumter. She was a retired educator.
Survivors include a daughter, Betty Ayres Reese and her husband, Clyde; a son, Donald Ayres and his wife, Robin, of Marietta, Ga.; a daughter-in-law, Deborah Davis Ayres; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; a brother, Hollis Horton and his wife, Theda, of Pageland; a sister, Fay Crosby of Plano, Texas; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a son, Thomas Z. Ayres Jr.; and two brothers, Francis Horton and Fred Horton.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at First Presbyterian Church of Sumter with the Rev. Mark Durrett and the Rev. John Ayres officiating.
Graveside services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the Mount Hope cemetery in Florence.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home of her daughter.
Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Sumter: Presbyterian Women, 9 W. Calhoun St., Sumter, SC 29150.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
JUNIOR LUKE GILBERT
Junior Luke Gilbert, 83, husband of Barbara Goines Gilbert, departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2009, at his home with his family.
Born Oct. 15, 1925, in Beaufort, he was a son of the late Luke Sr. and Christine Pringle Gilbert. He received his education in the Beaufort County Training School and was a World War II veteran. He retired from Bethlehem Steel, Lackawanna, N.Y., after 30 years of service and later was a truck driver for many years. Mr. Gilbert was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, where he sang with the Mount Zion male choir as well as the Southern Tones of Sumter until declining health.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara G. Gilbert of the home; seven daughters, Barney Mae Gilbert, Laquanda Gilbert and Evangelist Daisy Gilbert of Houston, Texas, Missionary Celestine Williams of Dallas, Texas, Elder Mamie Gilbert Jones of Phoenix, Ariz., and Denise Gilbert and Cordelia Gilbert Williams, both of Buffalo, N.Y.; four sons, Lawrence Gilbert of Ohio, Kelly Gilbert, Rennick Gilbert and Lewis Gilbert, all of Buffalo; three stepdaughters, Jessica (Leroy) Stukes, Carolyn Goines and Tina Bracey; two stepsons, Johnathan Bracey and Christopher (Latoya) Bracey; 32 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; mother-in-law, Jessie Mae Goines; four sisters-in-law, Mary Jenkins, Sharon (Frank) Logan, Venus (Kenny) Montgomery and Francis Mellette; three brothers-in-law, Blanding (Cindy) Goines, Hubert and Morriel Goines; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends with special gratitude to Leroy Gilbert and James Gilbert.
He was preceded in death by a son, Luke Gilbert Jr.; five sisters; seven brothers; and father-in-law, Barney Goines.
Viewing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church with the pastor, the Rev. Dr. James Blassingame, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Carl McKnight, eulogist, Pastor Billy Graham, Minister Brent Gaymon and the Rev. Willie Wright. Interment will follow in Bethesda Baptist Church cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Saturday for viewing until the hour of service.
The family will receive friends at the home, 1614 Pinewood Road, Sumter, SC 29154.
MANUEL FARGAS
SUMMERTON -- Manuel Fargas entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2009, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 24, 1921, he was a son of the late Juan and Louisa McIntosh Fargas. He was the husband of Blondell McDonald Fargas. Manuel was raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he graduated from high school and was employed with the New York Department of Sanitation. He was a member of the U.S. Army, proudly serving in World War II. Upon moving to Clarendon County, he worked for the Department of Social Services as a transport.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Manuel Paul Fargas and Raoul Fargas.
He leaves to mourn his passing and grow from his memories: his wife, Blondell McDonald Fargas of the home; six sons, Antonio Fargas of Las Vegas, Nev., Carlos Fargas of Jamesville, Fla., Luis Fargas of Southern California, Mario Fargas, Francisco Fargas and Rueben Fargas, all of New York City, N.Y.; three daughters, Valencia Fargas, Scorrow Fargas and Milagros Carmen Fargas, all of New York City; a sister, Sylvia (Willie) Corry of Long Island, N.Y.; two brothers-in-law, Charles (Edna) McDonald of Manning and Alonzo McDonald of Summerton; two sisters-in-law, Vera Wineglass of Indianapolis, Ind., and Beatrice McKnight of Philadelphia, Pa.; several grandchildren; and a host of other close relatives and friends.
A celebration of love and remembrance for Manuel will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday at the home with the Rev. Dr. L.J. Lovett officiating.
There will be no public viewing.
The family is receiving friends at the home, 2773 Gov. Richardson Road, Summerton.
Dyson's Home for Funerals, 237 Main St., Summerton, (803) 485-4280, is in charge of arrangements.
