U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
MARY K. LAWRENCE
Mary K. Lawrence, 85, died April 4, 2009, at a local nursing center.
Born in Sumter, she was the daughter of the late William Edward Lawrence and the late Janie Bowers Lawrence.
Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Full Gospel Church.
The family will receive friends at the home of her niece, Ann Gainey, 360 Myrtle Beach Highway.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the SPCA, 1140 South Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements. (803) 775-9386
LETHA SOLOMON
Letha Solomon died Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Carolina Hospital System in Florence.
She was the daughter of Willie and Margaret Solomon.
The family will receive friends at the home of her parents, 1184 Cartersville Highway, Lamar, from noon to 9 p.m. each day.
Services will be announced later by Jefferson Funeral Home in Lynchburg.
McPHINE J. BROOKS
McPhine Jenkins Brooks, 81, died Thursday, April 2, 2009, at her home in Greenville.
She was born in Aiken, a daughter of the late Sally Morgan Jenkins and Louis Jenkins.
She was a retired educator who was reared in North, and has been a resident of Lee County for the past 44 years.
Mrs. Brooks received her elementary school education from North Industrial School in North, and her high school education from Wilkinson in Orangeburg. She received the Bachelor of Science Degree and the Masters in Education Degree from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg. She did additional study at the University of South Carolina, Winthrop College, Francis Marion University and Clemson University.
Mrs. Brooks served 37 dedicated years with the Lee County Public School System, which included West Lee Elementary School, Dennis High School and Bishopville High as a home economics teacher and Lee County Area Vocational School as a guidance counselor. She also served as the first Black Home Demonstration Agent in Lee County, and was the first black female to serve on Bishopville City Council.
She was married
to the late Willie. W. Brooks of Swansea and was the mother of five children: Carl, Belita, Lenior, Wanda and Lisa. Because of their strong belief in education, four of their children hold master's degrees, and one son is a retired major from the U.S. Army.
She was affiliated with Jerusalem Stuckey Baptist Church in Bishopville, and Reedy River Baptist Church in Mauldin. She served as president of the Missionary Society, president of the Deaconess Board, advisor to Jr. Choir, secretary for the Woman's Auxiliary to the Sumter Association, Sunday School teacher, and president of the Usher Board.
Mrs. Brooks was involved in many civic programs and organizations and held several positions in government. She was retired from the National and South Carolina Education Association and the Lee County Education Association. She was involved with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; the Lee County section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc.; and Marshall Chapter No. 239. She was secretary for Order of the Eastern Star and was involved with Bi-Racial Committee Studies. She was State Executive Committee Woman and a member of the Democratic Party, serving as chairperson for the Lee County Democratic Party. Mrs. Brooks was a member of Bishopville City Council, served on the County Airport Commission Board and on the Board of Directors for the Pee Dee Regional Health System. She was on the Superintendent's Advisory Council, the Farmers Home Administration Committee, and was president of the Bishopville High School Band Booster Club. She was involved with the Southern Association Accreditation for Schools and Colleges Evaluation Team, coordinator for the Blood Mobile, and was Sumter TEC for the Student Service Advisory Council. She was on the Blue Ribbon Committee of the Democratic Party, chosen as an Outstanding Secondary Educator of America, listed in Personalities of the South, and was a candidate for the House of Representative Seat #50. She received a Human Relations Award from Lee County, was coordinator for CETA Programs, and was on the Strategic Planning Action Team Lee County Schools.
Mrs. Brooks leaves to mourn five children: Carl Brooks of Bishopville; Belita (JB/Joseph) Broadus of Greenville; Major (retired) Lenior (Katherine) Brooks of Raleigh; Wanda (Joe) Simmons of Greenville; and Lisa (LTC Ernest) Coleman of Phenix City, Ala. She leaves a brother, Enoch (Marcie) Jenkins of Orangeburg; a sister, Pearl Jenkins of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Loretta Jenkins of Laurelton; 13 grandchildren; 10 great-grand children; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 803 S. Harvin St., Sumter, with Pastor M.H. Newton presiding; the Rev. Otis Scott Jr. eulogist; assisted by Min. Linda Sprouts, Dr. Luns C. Richardson, Dr. Charles H. Davis, the Rev. J.L. Robinson and Min. Sam Cureton.
Interment will follow in Smaria Baptist Church cemetery in Springfield. The casket will be placed in the sanctuary at 9:45 a.m. and will remain open until the hour of service.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Sumter Funeral Service Inc.
WILLIE KENNEDY Jr.
GABLE -- Willie Kennedy Jr., 88, husband of Rosetta Peterson Kennedy, died Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at McLeod Regional Medical Center.
He was born March 18, 1921, in Sardinia, son of the late Willie Kennedy Sr. and Ann Weaver Kennedy.
He attended Melina Parochial School, and in his youth he joined the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged.
He moved to New York City and worked for 25 years with AT&T and retired. He later returned home and joined Melina Presbyterian Church were he was a faithful member serving as a trustee, usher, and on the men's council.
Survivors include his wife Rosetta Peterson Kennedy of the home, two daughters, Brenda A. Crowder and Katrina Kennedy, both of New York, N.Y.; one sister, Carrie Burgess of N.Y.; one aunt, Marie Kennedy of Sardinia; and four grandchildren.
Remains will be placed in the church at 2:30 p.m. Monday, and funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. at Melina Presbyterian Church, 3539 Black River Road, Sardinia, with the Rev. Carnell Hampton, pastor officiating, assisting, the Revs. McKinley Washington, Mary Rose Hagen and Don Saxbly.
Burial will follow in the churchyard.
The family is receiving friends at the home, 2758 Cecil McFadden Road, Gable.
These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home, LLC of Manning.
VERA C. SPENCER BAKER
Vera Camilla Spencer Baker, 85, widow of Norman L. Baker, died Saturday, April 4, 2009, at her home.
Born in Petersburg, Va., she was a daughter of the late Elton Spencer and the late Rinnie Lou Boykin.
Surviving are two sons, Henry Ray Baker and wife Mary, and Marvin "Pete" Baker, both of Sumter; a daughter, Lynda Junkins and husband Gail, of Sumter; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a son, Edward Leverne Baker, and a daughter, Lois Jeanette Baker Warren.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Eddie Fleming and the Rev. Mitch Towery officiating.
Burial will follow in the Bethany Baptist Church cemetery in Lee County.
Pallbearers include Michael Baker, Robert Junkins, Toby Warren Jr., Gene Baker Jr., Randy Baker, Dwayne Baker and Anthony Baker.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at the home, 1360 Raccoon Road in Mayesville.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 1146 Manville-St. Charles Highway, Bishopville, SC 29010.
The family would like to thank Wendy Watts, Harmony Hospice and Tuomey Regional Medical Center for their wonderful care.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
JOSEPH H. RICHBURG
SUMMIT, N.J. -- Joseph Henry "Bay" Richburg, husband of Mary Ann Parson Richburg, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Overlook Hospital, Summit.
Born Nov. 8, 1946, he was a son of the late Willie G. and Josie Brailsford Richburg.
The family is receiving friends at 1821 Willie G. Richburg Road, Summerton.
Fleming-DeLaine Funeral Home and Chapel of Manning is in charge of arrangements.
GLORIA W. DOUROUX
Gloria Wall Douroux, 84, widow of Raymond Stephen Douroux, died Monday, March 30, 2009, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born in New Orleans, La., she was a daughter of the late Albert Nicholas and Eva Alonzo Wall. Mrs. Douroux was a retired school teacher.
Surviving are a son, Al Douroux and wife, Vicki, of Sumter; two grandchildren, Wade Douroux and wife, Lori, and Dawn Mahoney and husband, Mike; and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were held in New Orleans.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, was in charge of the local arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
BEVERLY N. DUREN
MANNING -- Beverly Nelson Duren, 69, wife of Deacon James Duren, entered into eternal rest on Monday, April 6, 2009, at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia.
She was a daughter of the late Lewis and Ida White Nelson.
The family will receive friends at the home, 6202 Summerton Highway, Silver community, Manning, SC 29102.
Arrangements entrusted to Dyson's Home for Funerals of Summerton.
WILLIAM GEARY
JACKSONVILLE, N.C. -- William Geary, 52, husband of Edith Brown Geary, died April 5, 2009, at Onslow Memorial Hospital, Jacksonville.
Born May 28, 1956, in Charleston, he was a son of the late William Talman and Gwendolyn Cain Geary.
These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
JOE S. DUKES
Joe S. Dukes, 80, husband of Ruthalee Watts Dukes, died Monday, April 6, 2009, at his home, after an extended illness.
Born Sept. 1, 1928, in Oswego, he was a son of the late Curry S. and Carrie J. Evans Dukes. Mr. Dukes was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He was a member of Lewis Chapel United Methodist Church, where he served as chairman of the administrative board from 1970 to 1973. He retired from Carolina Furniture Works as plant superintendent in 1997 after 47 years.
Mr. Dukes was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Ruthalee Watts Dukes; a daughter, Brenda Dukes Vaughn (David) of Sumter; a son, Joe W. Dukes (Kathy) of Sumter; three grandchildren, J. Warren Dukes (April) of Pittsburgh, D. Bryan Vaughn of Columbia and Lauren A. Dukes of Pittsburgh; three brothers, Curry C. Dukes (Mary) of Sumter, Harold Dukes (Naomi) of Manning and Gene Dukes (Doris) of Hartsville; and a sister, Blanche Dukes Baker (Donnie) of Sumter.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Helen Dukes Rabon.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. John Bauknight and the Rev. Jerry Watson officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Men's Sunday School class of Lewis Chapel United Methodist Church, J.B. Timmons and Leonard Thigpen.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and other times at 3700 Beacon Drive.
Memorials may be made to Tuomey Hospice, 115 N. Sumter St., Suite 410, Sumter, SC 29150 or to Lewis Chapel United Methodist Church, 3030 Plowden Mill Road, Alcolu, SC 29001.
The family would like to extend a special word of thanks to Barbara, Mary Ann and Barbara.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
