U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Bertha N. Bennett
Bertha “Tea” Nelson Bennett, 85, widow of William Bennett, died Monday, August 13, 2001, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital.
Born Aug. 12, 1916, in Clarendon County, she was the daughter of the late Jerry and Molly Davis Nelson. She attended Clarendon County public schools and was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. She was a member of the Missionary Society and the Young Women Christian Organization.
Survivors include a stepson, William Bennett of Baltimore, Md.; a daughter, Esther Nelson of Cambria Heights, N.Y.; a stepdaughter, Rosa Benbow of Miami, Fla.; a sister, Janie Gibson of Summerton; a special nephew, Nathaniel Gipson of Philadelphia, Pa.; two grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and five step-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Elijah Bennett; and a sister-in-law, Hattie Gerow.
Services were 2 p.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church with the Rev. David Lawson, pastor, officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Romey Bethune
Romey Bethune, 90, husband of Maggie Pearson Bethune, died Monday, August 13, 2001, at Palmetto Richland Medical Center.
Born March 25, 1911, in Clarendon County, he was the son of the late Isaac and Dolly Rhames Bethune. He was a business owner in the Sumter area for more than 60 years.
Survivors besides his wife of 60 years include two sons, Sylvester Mack of Brando, Fla., and John H. Ford, whom he raised as his own; two daughters, Geronia B. Wilson and Marcia B. China, of Sumter; a brother, Willie VanBuren of Sumter; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a son, Romeo “Rudy” Bethune.
Services were 1 p.m. Saturday at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Marion H. Newton officiating and pastors James Blassingame and M.G. Walters, the Revs. Thomas Gibbs and Robert Thompson and Minister Irene Anthony assisting.
Burial followed in Bradford Cemetery.
Cleveland Pendergrass Sr.
Cleveland Pendergrass Sr., 72, husband of Mamie Samuels Pendergrass, died Sunday, August 12, 2001, at Intermedical Hospital.
Born Dec. 25, 1928, in the Greeleyville section of Williamsburg County, he was the son of the late Wallie and Hattie Mouzon Pendergrass. He attended Williamsburg County public schools. He first joined Cypress Fork AME Church and later joined Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a member of the Trustee Board, the gospel choir and the male chorus. He also sang with the Gospel Four Quartet.
Survivors besides his wife include four sons, Henry Pendergrass of Manning, and Cleveland Pendergrass Jr., Robert Pendergrass and Bobby Pendergrass, of Baltimore, Md.; six daughters, Bertha Rowlette of Baltimore, and Evangelist Henrietta Brown, Ruth Canty, Evangelist Effie Pendergrass, Lorene Pendergrass and Sheila Dingle of Manning; a granddaughter he raised as his own, Marietta Dingle of Manning; three brothers, Matthew Pendergrass, Wallie Pendergrass and James Pendergrass of Baltimore; a sister, Elsie P. Durant of Alcolu; 25 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Joann Pendergrass and Queen P. Lemon; two brothers, Bobby and Joe Lewis Pendergrass; and two sisters, Jessie Mae Keels and Cora Lee Eaddy.
Services were 3 p.m. Thursday at Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Gussie Ceasar, pastor, officiating, and the Revs. Cokley Richburg, Jack Morant and Elizabeth Morant assisting.
Burial followed Cypress Fork AME Church cemetery.
Katherine A. Wright
Katherine Amos Wright, 85, widow of George Wright Sr., died Sunday, August 12, 2001, at Hopewell Healthcare Center.
Born April 4, 1916, in Sumter, she was the daughter of the late John and Josephine Byrd Amos. She attended Sumter County public schools and was a member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include five sons, Thomas Wright and Timothy Wright of Orlando, Fla., Freddie Wright and Leroy Wright of Sumter and Willie Jean Wright of Manning; two daughters, Mary W. Treasure and Ethel Hall of Sumter; three brothers, J.C. Amos and James Amos of Sumter, and Robert E. Amos of Orlando; 23 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by two sons, George Wright Jr. and Jimmy Wright; a daughter, Edith Spann; five brothers, John, Freddie, Eugene, Herman and Ulysses Amos; and a sister, Theola Hastie.
Services were 4:30 p.m. Saturday at New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Willie A. Wright officiating.
Burial followed in Bradford Cemetery.
Nephews served as pallbearers and nieces served as flower bearers.
William E. Blocker
William Eston Blocker, 75, widower of Ethel Jewel Martin Blocker, died Friday, August 24, 2001, at his daughter’s home in Greeleyville.
Born Sept. 2, 1925, in Claxton, Ga., he was the son of the late Dexter Clinton and Mamie Elizabeth Driggers Blocker. He was a member of the First Assembly of God in Palatka, Fla.
Survivors include two daughters, Faye B. Ray of Greeleyville and Susan Huggins of Charleston; a brother, Daniel E. Blocker of Palatka; four sisters, Jewel Gilbert and Melrose Pearson of Palatka, and Betty Johnson and Emma Aldridge of Blackshear, Ga.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Nancy Eason; a brother, Henry E. Blocker; and a great-granddaughter, Shauna Cox.
Services will be held later in Palatka, Fla.
Robert C. Coker
Robert Carlisle Coker, 72, died Saturday, August 25, 2001, at his home, after an illness.
Born in Clarendon County, he was the son of the late Robert Carlisle Coker Sr. and Sarah Josephine Bradham Coker. He was retired from the S.C. State Fire Marshals Office and was a farmer. He was a member of Turbeville Southern Methodist Church and the Men’s Sunday School Class. He was well known for his annual giant lighted Christmas Tree that hundreds traveled to see each year, and for his large vegetable garden he loved to share with others.
Survivors include two daughters, Debbie (Randy) Thames of Florence, and Patsy (Michael) Rose of Summerville; a son, Robert Carlisle (Kim) Coker III of Turbeville; a stepdaughter, Lizabeth Moore of Turbeville; a stepson, Adam Moore of Turbeville; three sisters, Ann (Guy) Crouch, Jane (Mark) Baird and Nancy (Richard) McFaddin of Turbeville; a brother, Joseph W. (Mary Frances) Coker Sr. of Turbeville; and four grandchildren, Tara (Trent) McKenzie, Amanda (Sean) Flynn, Robert (Alison) Carlisle Coker IV, and Nicole Michael Rose
He was preceded in death by his wife, Janie Lee Coker; and a brother, Earle Bradham Coker.
Services were 4 p.m. Monday at Turbeville Southern Methodist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Adam Moore Trust Fund, C/O The Citizens Bank of Turbeville.
Janie D. Thames
Janie Doughty Thames, widow of Lawrence Thames, died Monday, August 20, 2001, in Middlesex.
Born in Clarendon County, she was the daughter of the late Hartswell and Katie Johnson Doughty. In her youth, she joined Mt. Zero Baptist Church and later joined the Manning Church of Christ. She was active with the Clarendon County Council on Aging and worked with the Green Thumb program until her health failed. She was also a member of the Goodwill Missionary Workers and the YWCA.
Survivors include a son, Herbert Anthony Thames of Cary, N.C.; a sister, Rachel Gaines of Manning; a grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an adopted daughter, Geneva Thames Felder; and three brothers, Willie, Sam and Soloman Doughty.
Services were 1 p.m. Friday at Manning Church of Christ with Ministers Halbert Tucker and Melvin Sapp officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Daniel A. Wells
Daniel “Donnell” Alexander Wells, 24, of Summerton, died Saturday, August 18, 2001, at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital.
Born Dec. 23, 1976, in Manning, he was the son of Carolyn Wells McDonald and James Brunson Jr. and the stepson of Eric McDonald. He was a graduate of Scott’s Branch High School. In his youth, he attended Sunday school and worship service at St. Mark Baptist Church and was employed at YBL Services Inc. of Savannah, Ga.
Survivors besides his mother and stepfather of the home and his father of Silver, include his maternal grandmother, Carrie L. Wells of Pinewood; paternal step-grandfather, Richard Canty of Pinewood; paternal step-grandfather and step-grandmother, James and Rosa Mae McDonald of Summerton; a brother, Eric Wells of the home; and two sisters, Claretha Wells of Pinewood and Kimberly Wells of the home.
Services were 11 a.m. Saturday in the Hayes F. Samuels Sr. Memorial Chapel with the Rev. W.J. Chandler officiating and the Rev. Bobby McDonald and Minister Garry Conyers assisting.
Burial followed in St. Mark Baptist Church Cemetery.
Lorna T. Bradley
Lorna Tindal Bradley, 87, widow of William Thomas “Tom” Bradley Sr., died Monday, December 3, 2001, at her home.
Born July 8, 1914, in Clarendon County, she was the daughter of the late Jackson and Elodia Windham Tindal. She was the former owner of Bradley’s Market and had been retired for many years. She was a member of Bible Fellowship Church in Sumter.
Survivors include four daughters, Lois Ann Chandler and her husband, Charles E. Chandler, Betty Jean Kelly, Helen Marie Phillips and her husband, J.W. Phillips, and Lorna Elaine McLeod and her husband, Ernest McLeod; two sons, Jackie Tindal Bradley and his wife, Betty Bradley, and William Thomas “Billy” Bradley and his wife, Shirley Bradley, of Sumter; a sister-in-law, Lillie Mae Bradley Geddings of Sumter; 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by an adopted brother, Fox Allen Tindal.
Services were 3 p.m. Wednesday at Bible Fellowship Church with the Rev. Jack Whitehead officiating.
Burial followed in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bible Fellowship Church Building Fund.
Alonza McFadden Sr.
Alonza McFadden Sr., 83, husband of Catherine Epps McFadden, died Saturday, December 1, 2001, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
Born Sept. 26, 1918, in the New Zion community, he was the son of the late Sidney “Big Uncle” Cooper and Rose McFadden. He was raised by his aunt, the late Hattie McFadden.
He attended Melina Parochial School. He was a member of Melina Presbyterian Church, where he served as a member of the trustee board, the senior choir and Presbyterian Men Organization. He retired from Georgia Pacific.
Survivors besides his wife of Gable include four sons, Richard T. McFadden, John Wesley McFadden and Joseph Witherspoon of Gable and Alonzier McFadden Jr. of Columbia; a daughter, Rose Marie McFadden of Spring Valley, N.Y.; two brothers, William Cooper of New Zion and Johnny Cooper of Chicago, Ill.; four sisters, Pearl Harrison and Margaret Kennedy of New Zion, Viola Brown of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Anna Ree Pleasant of Detroit, Mich.; 18 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Sidney, Richard and P.J.; and three sisters, Mary, Annie and Mildred.
Services were 3 p.m. Thursday at Melina Presbyterian Church in Sardinia with the Rev. Carnell Hampton officiating.
Burial followed in the church cemetery.
