U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
ANTROWN WITHERSPOON
Antrown 'Head' Witherspoon (17) of Hartsville died on Tuesday, July 18, 2000, at his residence. Services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, 2000, at Nazareth Apostolic Church in Centerville Community. Bishop V. M. Davis, pastor, officiated. Burial was in the Greenlawn cemetery, directed by Hines Funeral Home of Hartsville. Antrown was born in Hartsville, a son of Linda Witherspoon and Roscoe Brunson. He first attended Washington Street Elementary School, later Hartsville Junior High School and was currently a rising senior at Hartsville High School. 'Head' as he was affectionately called was a member of the wrestling and track team for his school. He was currently working at BoSmith Furniture Company of Hartsville. Survivors in addition to his parents, are two sisters, Genella Witherspoon and LaTashia Witherspoon, both of Hartsville; brothers, Akeem Witherspoon and Dwayne Witherspoon, both of Hartsville; stepfather, Randy Jeffery; grandmother, Jannie Mae Brunson of Hartsville; aunts, Brenda Witherspoon, Ethel Brunson, Maggie Brunson and Stephinal Wither-spoon, all of Hartsville; and uncles, Jerry (Dorothy) Wither-spoon, Ricky Witherspoon, Isaac Moore, Lewis Brunson, all of Hartsville, and Ronnie Brunson of Darlington.
MARGARET F. HIRST
Margaret Fagan Hirst of Norfolk, Va., died on Thursday, July 20, 2000. She was a native of Hartsville. She was born on March 27, 1923, in Hamlet, N.C., to the late James Vernon Fagan and Emma Bethune Fagan. She attended Winthrop College and graduated from Coker College. During W.W. II she served in the Marine Corps in San Francisco where she attained the rank of sergeant. It was there she met her husband, Julian F. Hirst. They were married
on May 11, 1946, in Hartsville, after which they lived in Virginia. Survivors in addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, Richard M. Fagan of Hartsville; three children, J. Terry Hirst of New York City, David Townshend Hirst of Virginia Beach, Va., and Jane Hirst Green of Altavista, Va.; and three grandchildren, Townshend Fagan Hirst, Emma Elizabeth Green, and Margaret Addison Green. She was predeceased by a daughter, Margaret Fagan Hirst. In lieu of flowers, the family request that gifts be sent to the Margaret Fagan Hirst Fund at the Blue Ridge Regional Library, P.O. Box 5269, Martinsville, Va. 24115. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. on Saturday morning in Magnolia cemetery in Hartsville, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home.
MARY GRIGGS
Services for Marie G. Griggs, 93, will be held at 5 p.m. today, July 21, 2000, at Cedar Creek Baptist Church with the Revs. Homer Hinson and Ed Griggs officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Cedar Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Griggs, widow of Frontus Clio Griggs, died Wednesday, July 19. Born in Darlington County, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Alexander and Letha Mixon Gainey. She was the oldest member of Cedar Creek Baptist Church and for many years the caretaker of the church. After the death of her husband, she was in charge of the cemetery for many years. Surviving are a son and daughter-in-law, Ernest R. and Mary Dell Griggs of Bishopville; daughters and son-in-law, Margaret and Robert Winburn of Hartsville and Virginia Barfield of Patrick; 12 grandchildren and 26 great-granchildren. She was predeceased by sons, Curtis and Hollis Griggs.
JUDITH D. SHORTER
Services for Judith Dianne Shorter, 54, were held at 2 pm. Saturday, July 15, 2000, at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home. Burial followed in Mount Hope cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church at 1629 W. Palmetto St., or to Carolina Hospice at 947 S. Irby St. Miss Shorter was born in Florence, daughter of Raleigh Wilburn and Bertha McElveen Shorter. she was a 1964 graduate of McClenaghan High School and a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. Surviving are her parents of the home; one sister, Priscilla Shorter (Roy L.) Bowers of Hartsville; two nieces, Kathryn Bowers (Chris) Wells of Weston Fla. and Celeste Bowers (Joel) Harris of Hartsville; great niece, Katy Wells of Weston, Fla.; aunt and uncle, Travis W. and Dotsie Shorter of Florence.
JOHN HUNTER
Services for John Hunter, 56, were 4 p.m. Thursday, July 19, 2000, in St. James Holiness Church with burial in New Hopewell Baptist Church cemetery, directed by Young & Young Funeral Home. Mr. Hunter died Monday, July 17, in Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center after an illness. He was born in Darlington County, a son of the late Preston and Idela Graham Hunter Sr. He was a graduate of Rosenwald High School. Mr. Hunter was a member of St. James Holiness Church and retired from Delta Mills after 28 years of service. Surviving are his wife, Geraldine Benjamin Hunter of Society Hill; two sons, Jonathan Hunter of Bennettsville and Johntavis Hunter of Society Hill; three sisters, Lillian (James) Bodrick of Society Hill, Nettie (Joe) Gant and Magnolia (Otis) Little, both of Hartsville; six brothers, Robert Hunter and James (Earline) Hunter, both of Society Hill, Jerome Hunter of Hartsville, Preston Hunter Jr., George Walter Hunter and Franklin Hunter, all of Washington, D.C. and grandchildren.
ETTA M. GASKINS
Services for Etta Modeen Walters Gaskins, 89, were held at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2000, at Prospect United Methodist Church with Rev. Bud Boatwright, officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery, directed Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Memorial may be made to Prospect United Methodist Church, 2236 Bethlehem Road, Hartsville, S.C. 29550. Mrs. Gaskins, widow of Andrew Jackson Gaskins, died Tuesday, July 18. Born in Williamsburg County, she was a daughter of the late William Henry and Annie Louise Morris Walters. She was a member of Prospect United Methodist Church and Prospect United Methodist Women. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, William A. (Bill) and Betty Gaskins of Hartsville; grandsons, Andy Gaskins of Hartsville, Byron Gaskins of Kingstree; great granddaughter, Kayla Gaskins. She was predeceased by a son, Harl Gaskins.
CHRISTINE GAINEY
Services for Christine Hayden Gainey, 70, will be held at 1 p.m. today, July 21, 2000, at the Clyde Church of God with Rev. Wallace Strickland officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Mrs. Gainey died Wednesday, July 19. Born in Shelby, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Royal Benjamin and Mary Etta Atkinson Hayden. She was a member of Clyde Church of God. Surviving are her husband, Baxter Gainey of Hartsville; four sons and daughter-in-law, Carrol and Kim Gainey, Wayne and Patsy Gainey, Don and Gail Gainey and Ben Gainey, all of Hartsville; three brothers, Frank Hayden of Norfolk, Va., Ernest Hayden of Ruby and Bobby Hayden of Hartsville; three sisters, Kathleen H. Cassidy, Zuline Fales, Frances Gainey, all of Hartsville; 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
LEE E. MACK SR.
Services for Lee Ernest Mack, Sr., were held at 4 p.m. Thursday, July 20, 2000, in Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery, directed by Hines Funeral Home. Mr. Mack was born in Darlington County, a son of 10 siblings of the late John and Eva Parrott Mack Sr. He was educated in the public schools of Darlington County, graduating from Butler High School with the class of 1945. After spending his early life farming in various communities of the County, he was later employed with Sonoco Paper Products Company for 41 years before his retirement on June 39, 1988. He played baseball with several local teams during his prime years and later organized the 'Hartsville Blues', a baseball team that he managed and coached for more than 30 years. He also organized the 'Hartsville Steelers' a football teams that managed and coached for many years as well as the Church of God softball team for more than five years and he sponsored a community based small fry, 'Mack Attack' basketball team. He was first a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and later was a member of the Church of God in Hartsville, being a Sunday School teacher and was a member of the pulpit committee and was Senior Deacon. A son, (Clinton 'Bobo') Mack preceded him in death. Survivors are four daughters, Janice (Alton) McDaniel-Taylor and Angela (Tyrone) Blakney, both of Hartsville, Joyce M. Wheeler, Brenda (Freddie) Goodson, both of Lamar; six sons Lee Ernest (Janice) Mack Jr., Jackie (Teresa) Mack Sr., Andrew Michael (Renee) Mack, Larry D. (Chellie) Mack, all of Lamar, Isaac (Bridget) Mack and Glenn K. (Brenda) Mack of Hartsville; a brother, James W. (Lerlene) Mack of Lydia; a brother-in-law, Thomas (Floritha) Douglas of New York, N.Y.; daugher-in-law, Gloria Mack of Hartsville; son-in-law, Randy Wheeler Sr. of Hartsville; four sisters-in-law, Herlene Mack, Sadie Mack, Katie Mack and Modestine Mack; 33 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
ANTROWN WITHERSPOON
Antrown Witherspoon died Tuesday, July 18, 2000. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Hines Funeral Home. Family will receive friends at the home of his sister, Genella, Southpark Apts., N-2.
LEVOY F. SHELLEY
Services for Levoy Fleming Shelley, 83, were held at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 16, 2000, in Central Baptist Church with burial in Grove Hill cemetery, directed by Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, 512 Spring Street, Darlington, S.C., 29532. Mr. Shelley died Friday, July 14, in Wilson Medical Center after an extended illness. He was born in Marion County on Feb. 19, 1917. He was the son of the late Julius Monroe and Mary Brown Shelley. He retired from American Can Company, Dixie Cup, after 43 years of service, where he was supervisor of production. As a member of Central Baptist Church, he was a past deacon, church treasurer, and Sunday School teacher of the youth for 25 years. Mr. Shelley was also on the Variance Committee of the City Council in Darlington. As one of the founders of Dixie Federal Credit Union, he serves as its first president. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Dorothy Abbott Shelley of the home; two sons, Abbott (Jane) Shelley of Latta, Perry (Doris) Shelley of Litchfield Beach; one daughter, Jane Shelley McWhite of Columbia; one brother, Curtis Shelley of Fort Wayne, Ind.; two sisters, Leila Byrd of Florence, Fleetwood Locklair of Lamar; four grandchildren, Scott McWhite, Al McWhite, Rebecca Shelley Foxworth, and Kelley Shelley; one great-grandchild, Dyllon McWhite and two special friends, Lavern Isgett and Kenneth Bryant of Darlington.
KATHELEEN GRINNELL
Services of Kathleen Wicker Grinnell, 93, of Darlington, were 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, 2000, in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home with interment in Grove Hill cemetery. Mrs. Grinnell died Friday, July 14, in a local nursing home after an illness. She was born in Darlington County, the daughter of the late Walter T. and Janie Outlaw Wicker. “Cash” as she was affectionately known, lived her entire 93 years in Darlington, where, for most of those years, she owned and operated a beauty shop. She was a lifetime member of Darlington Presbyterian Church. Her husband, Charles A. Grinnell, preceded her in death. Mrs. Grinnell is survived by a daughter, Doris G. Watterworth and a son-in-law, Bruce Watterworth, both of Darlington; one grandson, Charles G. Watterworth of Columbia; two great-grandchildren, Jay Watterworth and Jeffrey Watterworth, both of Goose Creek and a nice, Peggy H. Sprague of Florence.
D. F. SIMS
Dr. Danton Franklin Sims, 84, died Friday, July 15, 2000. Memorials may be made to the Thornwell Children’s Home, Clinton, S.C., directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Dr. Sims was born in Winder, Ga., a son of the late Fayette Luther and Olevia Chandler Sims. He was a veteran of World War II, serving as an x-ray technician in the Medical Corps. He worked as a chiropractor in Hartsville for many years and was also a free-lance writer for various local newspapers. Surviving are his wife, Anita McPherson of Hartsville; son and daughter-in-law, Fayette L. and Billie J. Sims of Greenville; daughter, Jenny S. Tansil of Columbia; sisters, Ouida Herndon of Atlanta, Ga., Anita McElhan-non of Winder, Ga.; and two grandchildren, David Sims and Sarah Sims.
RUTH F. CURTIS
Services for Ms. Ruth Ford Curtis were held at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, July 9, 2000, in Round O Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael McMillian, pastor, officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery, directed by Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home. Mrs. Curtis died Wednesday, July 5, in a Florence hospital after an illness. She was born in Darlington County, a daughter of the late Joseph and Eletha Green Curtis. She was a graduate of Mayo High School and continued her education at South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, where she earned a B.S. degree and master’s degree. She taught in Darlington County public schools for 43 years from which she retired. She was a member of Round O Baptist Church where she served as a faithful member of the Missionary Society and the Kitchen Committee. Survivors include her daughter, Ms. Ruth “Althea” Curtis of Darlington; a son she reared, Samuel C. Curtis of Darlington; four grandchildren, Arbriella N. Curtis, DeJon A. Curtis, April S. Curtis and Rodney M.R. Brunson, all of Darlington; special niece, Elouise Mason of Darlington, special cousin, Janie Samuel Johnson of Hilton Head; special friend, Mable E. Jones of Richmond, Va.; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends. She was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph “Doc” Curtis and Santee Curtis.
MATTIE AMOS
Services for Mattie McCray Amos were held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, 2000, in Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church with Rev. Cynthia V. Brown, pastor. Burial followed in Florence National cemetery, directed by Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home of Darlington. Mrs. Amos died Monday, July 10, in a Hartsville nursing home after an illness. She was born in Darlington County, a daughter of the late Lizzie Sellers. She was widow of Ernest Amos. She was a lifetime member of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church. Mrs. Amos was a graduate of Mayo High School and Morris College, Sumter, where she received her B.S. degree. She was a public school teacher in Darlington County School District from which she retired after approximately 85 years of service. Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mary Amos and Mrs. Armenda Bradley, both of Franklin, Tenn.; nieces, nephews, cousins and dedicated neighbors.
LEE E. MACK SR.
Lee Ernest Mack, Sr. died Monday, July 17, 2000, in Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center after an illness. Funeral arrangements to be announced by Hines Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at 534 Hunter Drive.
MARGARET M. ERVIN
Services for Evander McIver Ervin, 85, of Florence were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 15, 2000, at the First Presbyterian Church of Florence. Interment followed in Grove Hill cemetery, directed by Kistler Funeral Home. Mrs. Ervin died on Thursday, July 13, at her residence. She was born in Spartanburg, S.C. and was the daughter of the late Joseph Wilkins and Margaret Ravenel Mansfield. Mrs. Ervin taught school in Darlington County and was a homemaker for her family. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Florence. Mrs. Ervin was predeceased by her husband, Evander McIver Ervin in 1983 and by her brother, E. Ravenel Mansfield in 1985. Survivors include four daughters, Margaret Ervin (David) Parr of Newberry, Ida Ervin (Alva) Whitehead of Florence, Agnes Ervin Wiles of Columbia and Penn Ervin (Thomas) Grove of Knoxville, Tenn.; three sisters, Agnes Adger Mansfield of White Rock, Elizabeth Ravenel Mansfield of Florence and Josephine Mansfield (Mickey) McGuire of Greensboro, N.C.; nine grandchildren, David Boyd Parr Jr., Ravelnel Parr Goldbold, Mary Nance Parr Joseph, Dr. Alva Weaver Whitehead Jr., Maria Whitehead McKibbon, Evander McIver Ervin Whitehead, Henry Edmund Ravenel Whitehead, Michael Thomas Grove, Ervin McIver Grove; and three great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Montreat College, Montreat N.C. or to the First Presbyterian Church of Florence Mission Fund.
ROSIE GILBERT
Services for Rosie Campbell Gilbert, 67, were held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, July 15, 2000, at Wilkes Chapel United Methodist Church. The Rev. Arthur Zawislak officiated with burial in the church cemetery, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Mrs. Gilbert, widow of James L. (Babe) Gilbert, died on Thursday, July 13, 2000. Born in Chesterfield County, she was a daughter of the late James Duncan and Mary Wilkes Campbell. She was a member of Wilkes Chapel United Methodist Church and was retired from MAFCO. Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Cliff L. and Lisa Gilbert of Hartsville; daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Charles Broach of Hartsville, Janet and Charles McGuire of Willow Springs, N.C.; sister, Molley Stafford of Chesterfield; and seven grandchildren.
