U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
WHITMAN O. RICHBURG
MONCKS CORNER -- Whitman O'Bryan Richburg, 93, husband of Merceline McCabe Richburg, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Dorn VA Hospital in Columbia.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Stephens Funeral Home & Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, (803) 435-2179.
ODA T. LOCKE
Oda Tatum Locke, 85, widow of Maynard J. Locke, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at Morningside of Sumter.
Born in Pickens County, Ga., she was a daughter of the late John Columbus Tatum and Addie Cain Tatum. She was a member of Morrow United Methodist Church in Morrow, Ga.
Surviving are three daughters, Cristal L. Byrom of Yatesville, Ga., Cheryl L. Ayers of Dayton, Ohio, and Vivian L. Sharp and husband, Dabney L., of Sumter; seven grandchildren, Dawn B. Ringo, Britt K. Byrom, Kelly B. Lauridsen, Casey A. McCarrey, Mollie E. Sharp, Nancy L. Sharp and Christopher D. Sharp; and two great-grandchildren, Brooke E. Byrom and Pierce C. Byrom.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter with the Rev. Charles Walton officiating.
The family will receive friends following the service in the Parish Hall and other times at the home of her daughter.
Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday in the Fairview Memorial Gardens in Stockbridge, Ga.
Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Palmetto Chapter, P.O. Box 7044, Columbia, SC 29202.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the local arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
CARL L. JOHNSON
Carl Levester Johnson, son of Tommy Wilson and the late Pearl Johnson, died Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
The family will receive friends at the homes of Betty Williams, 935 Mayfield Drive, Sumter, and Brenda Brown, 4464 Amelia Drive, Sumter.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced later by James Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
EVELYN F. ESAW
Evelyn Felder Esaw, 86, widow of Willie Esaw died Monday, April 6, 2009, at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia.
She was born July 31, 1922, in Clarendon County, a daughter of the late Isaac and Lula Murray Felder. She joined Union Station AME Church at an early age. After moving to New York City, she worshipped at Bethel AME Church. She was employed in the garment district of New York for more than 35 years. Mrs. Esaw was fashion conscious and believed in wearing the latest styles.
She was preceded in death by seven siblings, Mamie Felder Bell, Lucius Felder Sr., Carrie Felder, Quennie Felder Davis, Lossie Mae Felder, Johnny Felder Sr. and Lillie Felder Golden.
She leaves to cherish fond memories: two nephews, James L. Felder of Columbia and Lucius (Gloria) Felder Jr. of Sumter; two nieces, Louise (Herbert) Shackleford of Charlotte, N.C., and Jean Felder of Sumter; a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, other relatives and friends.
Viewing will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Union Station AME Church with the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Friendly Gadson, officiating. Interment will follow in Bradford cemetery.
The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m. Friday for viewing until the hour of service.
The family will receive friends at 44 Murphy St., Sumter, SC 29150.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., is in charge of arrangements.
THOMAS JOHNSON
SUMMERTON -- Thomas Johnson, 76, died Monday morning, March 30, 2009, at his residence, 1146 Lincoln St., Summerton.
Born April 22, 1932, in the Jordan section of Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Charles Sr. and Helen Blackwell Johnson.
He was the brother of Ethel Johnson Lewis.
Viewing will be from 10 to 4 p.m. today.
The family is receiving friends at the home, 1146 Lincoln St., Summerton.
These services have been entrusted to Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning.
WILLARD EDGAR McKENZIE
BISHOPVILLE -- Funeral services for Willard Edgar "Will Ed" McKenzie, 56, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. DeVere Williams will officiate. Burial will be in Hebron United Methodist Church cemetery.
Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home of Hartsville is serving the family.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hebron United Methodist Church.
Mr. McKenzie died Sunday, April 5, 2009.
Born in Charleston, he was a son of the late Warden J. and Nina Smith McKenzie. He was an avid golfer and an accomplished pianist. He was a great writer and a former journalist for many area newspapers including The Item, Anderson Independent, and the Lee County Observer, where he was a general reporter. He also served on the Lee County School Board.
Surviving are his wife, Joyce McKenzie of Bishopville; daughter and son-in-law, Megan and Edward Ross of Manning; stepsons, Ronald Hudson of Hartsville and John Hudson of Marshall, Texas; stepdaughter, Donna Hudson of Kingsland, Ga.; and grandchildren, Skylar McKenzie, Jayden Ross and Bryson Ross.
VERA S. 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 and Rennie Lou Boykin Spencer.
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. today 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 at the home, 1360 Raccoon Road, 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 Hospital for their wonderful care.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
RALPH J. BEARDSLEY
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Ralph Joseph Beardsley, 75, beloved husband of Beverly Nicholas Beardsley, died on Saturday, April 4, 2009, peacefully at his home.
He was born in Oxford, Mich., a son of the late Franklin and Grace Mary Simpson Beardsley. He proudly served his country as a colonel in the U.S. Air Force, accumulating 4, 100 hours flight time, retiring after 30 years of service. He was a highly decorated F-105 pilot in Southeast Asia, flying more than 100 combat missions. Among his many decorations are Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Two Meritorious Service Medals and Nine Air Medals. He was a member of the MOAA, the order of Daedalians, the American Legion and St. Jude Catholic Church.
Surviving in addition to his wife are seven children, Ralph S. Beardsley and his wife, Lois, of Wedgefield, Paul Beardsley and his wife, Linda, of Sumter, Cynthia Jowers and her husband, Brian, of Greenville, N.C., Cheryl Markey and her husband, Lawrence, of Lexington, Thomas Beardsley and his wife, Donna, of Greenwood, Daryl Beardsley and his wife, Cynthia, of Mount Pleasant and Kenneth Beardsley and his wife, Joan, of Lexington; a sister, Nancy Swannebeck of Fenton, Mich.; three stepchildren, Scott Pantoja of Camden, Julie Emory and her husband, Guy, of Blythewood and Jeffrey Pantoja and his wife, Karyn, of Lynchburg, Va.; 22 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sylvia Ruth Beardsley of 37 years; his twin brother, Ray and brother, Robert; and sisters, Marion and Roberta.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, April 13, at St. Jude Catholic Church with the Rev. Charles Donovan C.Ss.R. and the Rev. Bruce Cleasby officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Evergreen Memorial Park.
Active pallbearers will be members of the U.S. Air Force.
The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday with a wake service at 4 p.m. at Bullock Funeral Home and at other times at the home in Wedgefield.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 611 W. Oakland Ave., P.O. Box 1589, Sumter, SC 29151-1589.
Many thanks to the staff at Tuomey Regional Medical Center for their gracious care.
The family has chosen Bullock Funeral Home of Sumter for the arrangements.
JAMES MYERS
James Myers, 68, husband of Dorothy Bennett Myers, entered eternal rest on Saturday, April 4, 2009, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born April 6, 1940, in Sumter County, he was a son of the late Jake Sr. and Isabella Wells Myers.
The family is receiving relatives and friends at the home, 345 Rolling Creek Drive.
Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced by Community Funeral Home of Sumter.
NELL L. TRAYNUM
Nell Loveland Traynum, 85, widow of Marvin Carl Traynum, died Sunday, April 5, 2009, in King, N.C.
Funeral services will be announced by Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, (803) 775-9386.
BETTY T. RUSSELL
Betty Trapp Russell, 78, widow of Claude L. Russell Sr., died Sunday, April 5, 2009, at her home.
Born in Camden, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Almeade Hornsby Trapp. Mrs. Russell was a retired telephone operator from Southern Bell Telephone Co.
Surviving are two sons, Larry Russell of Jefferson, Md., and Stephen Russell of Sumter; a brother, Ellerbee Trapp of Hanahan; a sister, Thelma Huggins of Camden; and four grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Juanita Kirkland.
Graveside services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Evergreen Memorial Park with Dr. Clay Smith officiating.
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.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
