U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
McNeil McKenzie
McNeil “Possum” McKenzie, 49, beloved husband of Jenifer McKenzie, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2008, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital.
Born in Sumter, he was a son of the late McKiever McKenzie and the late Clara McKenzie. He was employed by Gamecock Drywall. McKenzie had a love for racing. Also known as “The Possum (No. 81),” he spent 18 years racing at Sumter Speedway and won numerous races and championships.
Survivors besides his wife include a son, John (Jennie) McKenzie of Sumter; a grandson, J.J. McKenzie; his father-in-law, John McLeod of the home; his sister-in-law, Judy McLeod of the home; four brothers, Randy McKenzie, Pete McKenzie, Royce McKenzie and McIver McKenzie; and five sisters, Jeanette McLeod, Gloria Diane McLeod, Faye McFarland, Maydell Richburg and Effie Mims.
He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter, Amy Lynn McKenzie; and his sister, Mary Frances Bell.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008, in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. James McElveen and Raymond Tobias officiating.
Pallbearers were Jason McLeod, Jimmy Lyon, Derrick McLeod, Casey McLeod, McIver McKenzie and Charlie Austin.
Honorary pallbearer was J.C. McLeod.
Memorials may be made to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, 8085 Saltsburg Road, Suite 201, Pittsburgh, Pa. 15239.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter was in charge of the arrangements.
Charlie Starks
FLORENCE – Charlie “Foots” Starks, 86, widower of Efra Starks, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007, at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence.
Born May 20, 1920, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Joe Starks and the late Liza Starks. His education was obtained in the public schools of Clarendon County, and he was a faithful member of New Bethel Holiness Church.
Survivors include one son, Elijah Starks of Summerton; four daughters, Katie Jones, Barbara (Benjamie) Turbeville and Pastor Reather (Elder Nathan) Bennett, all of Summerton, and Barnett Bennett of Fort 
Washington, Md.; 29 grandchildren; and 42 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by six children.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2007, at Spring Hill AME Church in Summerton, with the Rev. Harold Conyers, pastor, Elder Reather Bennett, the Rev. James Blanding, Minister Edrin Williams, Elder Nathan Bennett, Elder Willie Starks and the Rev. Bobby McDonald.
Burial was in New Bethel Holiness Church cemetery in Summerton.
Summerton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.
Jeffrey A. Head
MURRELLS INLET – Jeffrey Aaron Head, age 42, of Prestwick Country Club, died Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008, at his home.
Born in Anderson, he was the son of Linda S. Head and the late Don Head. Mr. Head was a graduate of Sumter High School and a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He was employed with Pipeline Supply Co. for the past 20 years. Mr. Head was a loving husband, father, son and son-in-law.
His grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Bill Griffith and Ralph Slaton, preceded him in death.
Surviving in addition to his mother of Murrells Inlet are his wife, Cheryl Rogers Head; daughters, Payton Nicole Head and Lauryn Grace Head; grandparents, Doris and Roy Lowe; great-grandmother, Maggie Vickery of Anderson; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, William and Billie Rogers of Manning.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008, at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel.
Interment followed in Hillcrest Cemetery.
Pallbearers were James Young, Shaun Collins, Ronnie Burns, Eddie Muldraw, Mark Campbell and Glenn Baxter.
Memorials may be made to Head Children Educational Trust Fund, c/o Conway National Bank, 1353 21st Ave. North, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29577.
Frank Evans Sr.
Frank Evans Sr., 79, husband of Bernice Taylor Evans, died Monday, March 5, 2007, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Manning.
Born Oct. 27, 1927, in the Alcolu section of Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Alex Evans and Queen Myers Evans. He received his formal education in the Westminister Parochial School in Alcolu. He joined Mount Nebo Baptist Church at an early age, where he later served as trustee for many years. He was a lifelong farmer and he also loved fishing and hunting.
Survivors besides his wife of 44 years, Bernice T. Evans of the home, include five sons, Wendell (Margaret) Evans and Roland (Tonya) Evans, both of Manning, Theodore Jones of Alcolu, Major (Mary Beth) Evans of Fort Pierce, Fla., and Willie Brown of Temple Hill, Md.; nine daughters, Rosa (Samuel) Jones, Julia (Johnny) Brown, Oleatha Young, Ethel Evans, Janet Evans and Paula Evans, all of Manning, Queen (Levy) Fordham of Manning, Georgia (John) Romeo of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Joyce Evans of Manhattan, N.Y.; two sisters, Julia Titus of Sumter and Bertha Cantey of Paxville; 48 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by four sons, Hercules Jones, Napolean Jones, Frank Evans Jr. and Floyd Evans; three sisters; and two brothers.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 10, 2007, at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Alcolu, with the Rev. Dennis C. Brock, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Richard Taylor, the Rev. Jonathan Anderson and Minister Otis Blackwell.
Burial followed in the churchyard cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Dorothy Ann G. Scott
Dorothy Ann Green Scott, 46, widow of Bishop William Ernest Scott, died March 2, 2007, at her residence in Turbeville.
Born Dec. 10, 1960, in Florence County, she was a daughter of the late David Green and Elizabeth Thompson Green. She was a 1980 graduate of East Clarendon High School, Turbeville. She accepted Christ as her savior and joined Oak Grove AME Church. She later became a member and first lady of New Jerusalem Holiness Church. She was employed by McCall Farms.
Survivors include four brothers, David A. Green and Robert L. (Gaynell) Green, both of Turbeville, John L. Green of New Zion and Eddie (Denise) Green of Olanta; and four sisters, Ivory D. Woods of the home, Dorothy M. (Jimmy) Blackwell and Kathleen Green, both of New Zion, and Margaret McFadden of Turbeville.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 8, 2007, at New Jerusalem Holiness Church in Kingstree, with the pastor, District Overseer Elder William Briggs, officiating.
Burial was in Greenlawn Cemetery, Kingstree.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Lee Witherspoon
BALTIMORE, Md. – Brenda Lee Witherspoon died Monday, March 24, 2008, at Greater Baltimore Medical Center, after a brief illness.
Born in Baltimore on July 31, 1966, she was a daughter of Cynthia L. Butler and the late Israel Butler Sr. Brenda was a graduate of Western Senior High School Class of 1984. She continued her education by earning a degree in criminal justice at Baltimore Community College and was a student at the University of Baltimore majoring in criminal law.
At an early age, Brenda accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and became a member of Good Shepherd Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Robert C. Hunt. Brenda was employed with the Maryland State Division of Corrections since 1996.
She is survived by a loving mother, Cynthia L. Butler of Manning; three sisters, Linda W. Jackson of Summerton, Debra Witherspoon and Dichell Butler, both of Baltimore; a brother, Keith Butler of Baltimore; five nephews and nieces whom she loved dearly, Antione Witherspoon and Darryle Witherspoon, both of Summerton, Brittany Perkins, Brionna Johnson and Caché Holmes, all of Baltimore; seven stepsisters and -brothers, Beatrice Scott of Philadelphia, Pa., Israel Butler Jr., Maybel Wade, Renault Watkins, Michael Watkins, Gary Watkins and Lee Jackson, all of Baltimore; two goddaughters, Loreal Gough and Sierra Plummer, both of Baltimore; five aunts, Rachel Richburg and Maxine Mozee, both of Camden, N.J., Hattie Mae Brock and Sarah Jane Nixon, both of Manning, and Binkie Burgess of Kingstree; three brothers-in-law, Jimmy Wade of Baltimore, Levi Scott of Philadelphia and Willie Jackson of Summerton; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held on Monday, March 31, 2008, at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Baltimore.
Final resting place was King’s Memorial Park, Windsor Mills, Md.
Estep Brothers Funeral Home of Baltimore was in charge of the arrangements.
Courtesy announcement by Dyson’s Home for Funerals of Summerton.
Ida Mae Dyson
Ida Mae Dyson, 92, widow of J.J. “Bubba” Dyson, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Roper Hospital in Charleston.
Born May 29, 1914, in Clarendon County, she was a daughter of the late Nathaniel “Nat” Geddings and the late Nancy “Nan” Pritchard Geddings.
Mrs. Dyson was a devoted member of Home Branch Baptist Church. She was recently honored with a plaque from the church recognizing that she was the most senior member in both years of age and membership. It acknowledged and expressed appreciation for her many years of devotion to her fellow man, community and her church and that she has shown what a true servant of God should be.
Mrs. Dyson was proud of her many years of employment with Kress, from which she retired, and her many years as an Avon representative. This brought her into contact with many, many people over the years. Her memories of those days and friendships brought her pleasure for all of her days on earth.
Mrs. Dyson loved our Lord, her family and her friends. She was always willing to help anyone who needed help day or night. She was a true servant of our Lord. Her children and grandchildren are grateful for each and every day they were fortunate enough to have had with her, and for her love and guidance throughout the years. It has been said many times of Mrs. Dyson, “To know her was to love her.”
Mrs. Dyson was predeceased by three beloved and never-forgotten children, Harold and Thelma, who died as infants, and her oldest son, James Earle Dyson, who died at age 52. Also, a very special and deeply loved son-in-law and daughter-in-law, B.J. Hudson (Ethel) and Donna Dyson (Smith).
Mrs. Dyson is survived by five children and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Dyson’s oldest son, James Earle Dyson, who has gone on to be with our Lord , is survived by his widow, Judy Dyson of Sumter, and sons, James Earle “Jim” (Karen) Dyson Jr., of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Greg Dyson and Jeff (Caroline) Dyson, both of Sumter; her son Smith Dyson of Spartanburg and his children, Rick, Mose, Paul, Denese (Cheyenne) Tarbett, all of Charlotte, and Eddie (Charlene Cianciarulo) of Spartanburg; her son, William G. “Bill” (Ella) Dyson and their children, Billy Dyson and Diane (Dr. Mark Mitchiner) Mitchiner, all of Sumter; daughter Ethel Hudson of Hanahan and her children, Joe Hudson of Hanahan and Cynthia Lynn Hudson of Goose Creek; daughter Virginia Parker of Hanahan and her children, Veresa (Air Force Maj. Tom Crenshaw) Crenshaw and Air Force Maj. Carl (Lana) Parker, all in Germany, and Robert Parker of Hanahan; and daughter Emily (Gene) Harrington of Charleston and son, Kenny Sigmon of Charleston.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, March 31, 2007, in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Revs. Ware Madden Jr. and Robert Haynes officiating.
Burial was in Sumter Cemetery.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter was in charge of arrangements.
Thelma M. Ragin
COLUMBIA – Thelma Morrow Ragin, 86, of Summerton, wife of William Mitchell “Mitch” Ragin, died March 23, 2007, at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia.
Born July 7, 1920, in Washington, D.C., she was a daughter of the late Andrew Morrow and Betty Connick Morrow and reared by Richard T. and Captolia Alex. She accepted Christ as her Savior and joined Christ Holiness Church, Norfolk, Va. She received her education in Norfolk and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia Union University and a master’s from South Carolina State University, Orangeburg. She later joined Historic Liberty Hill AME Church and served as a class leader, trustee, missionary society and adult choir. She taught at Alcolu and Reeseville Elementary and retired from Scott’s Branch High School in 1982.
Survivors include one son, Brian (Terri) Ragin Sr. of Columbia; one stepdaughter, Tillie (Willie Lee) Toomer of Beaufort; one sister, Captolia Anderson of Melbourne, Fla.; four adopted sisters, Lillian (Lee) Smith of Philadelphia, Pa., Deloris Jones and Yvonne Ragin, both of Elizabeth, N.J., and Gardenia Scott of Jersey City, N.J.; and five grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by one son, Willam “Pedro” Ragin Jr.
Funeral services were held on Friday, March 30, 2007, at Historic Liberty Hill AME Church in Summerton, with the Rev. Melvin Capers, pastor, officiating.
Burial was in the churchyard cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of arrangements.
Luther McFadden Sr.
Luther “Pie” McFadden Sr., 81, husband of Eliza Herring McFadden, died April 2, 2008, at his residence in Turbeville.
Born Nov. 14, 1926, in New Zion, he was the son of the late Absalom Sr. and Besty Burgess McFadden. He attended the Melina Parochial School, Sardinia. He accepted Christ as his Savior and joined Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church. He was a farmer until his health failed.
Survivors include his wife, Eliza Herring McFadden of the home; five daughters, Barbara (Ed) McFadden, Edrena (Joseph) Floyd and Gaynell (Robert) McFadden, all of Turbeville, Catherine (J.W.) McDowell of Olanta and Eliza Jane McFadden of Lake City; three sons, Luther (Joyce) McFadden Jr. and Ben Allen (Bernetta) McFadden, both of Columbia, and Jasper (Cynthia) McFadden of Lake City; two sisters, Ruth Singleton of Manning and Susie Mae McFadden of New Zion; two brothers, Rudolph McFadden and Absalom “Peter” (Ruth) McFadden Jr., both of New Zion; 22 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by one brother and two sisters.
Funeral services were held on Monday, April 7, 2008, at Union Hill Freewill Baptist Church in Turbeville, with the Rev. Shelly Hickson, pastor, officiating, assisting the Revs. Lucious Wheeler and William Dillenbeck.
Burial followed in the churchyard cemetery.
Samuels Funeral Home LLC of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.
