DEATH NOTICE

Mattie Ford, age 104, of Lake City, S.C.

FUNERAL SERVICES

James Bessinger

James C. “Bee” Bessinger of Georgetown, S.C. passed peacefully in the company of family members on Tuesday, August 28, 2012.

James was born on June 14, 1916 in Denmark, a son of Charles Leroy and Inez Hightower Bessinger.  He was a member of the First Baptist Church.  

He graduated from Denmark-Olar High School prior to being employed as a deputy sheriff and a federal game warden by Arcadia Plantation.  

His name is one of the 12 inscribed on a “Roll of Honor” plaque in St. Anne’s Baptist Church on Arcadia Plantation, to honor his World War II service.

James was very proud of his World War II service as a Staff Sgt. U.S. Army Ranger.  

He fought with the 230th Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division attached to the 29th Infantry Division which participated in D-Day on Omaha Beach in Operation Overlord, Liberation of Saint-Lô, the Battles of Normandy, Cherbourg, Mortain, and Ardennes-Alsace Offensive (or The Battle of the Bulge), earning the Bronze Star Campaign Ribbon.

James “Bee” retired from the International Paper Company – Power House Division after a 26-year career.  

Being an avid naturalist and sportsman, he pursued his passion for hunting, fishing, master gardening and cooking old family recipes.  

He delighted in telling of his earlier life experiences with the many notables of Arcadia, Bellefield and Greenfield Plantations.

James was a loving and supportive husband, father, brother and friend who will be deeply missed by his family and friends.  

He was preceded in death by Zola, his wife of 59 years; a brother, William Leroy Bessinger; and three sisters, Thelma Harrison (Jeff), Mamie Bass (J.B.), and Mildred Hijak (Edward).

Those left to cherish his special and precious memories are his sisters, Ruth Boatwright (Owen) of Hemingway, Demaris Bessinger of Demark, Betty Ann Bourne (Bernard) of Columbia; a sister-in-law, Violet Jones (Herbert) of Arcadia, Wisc.; his children, Gloria Prosser (Norman), Linda Bessinger, James L. Bessinger (Carol), and Charles Douglas Bessinger (Christina); and several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

The relatives and friends of James “Bee” are invited to attend his Celebration of Life Memorial Service to be held at 2 p.m. on Friday afternoon, August 31, 2012, at the Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home.  

Burial with military honors will follow at Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens.

Sign a guestbook at www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorial donations can be made to:  Tidelands Community Hospice, Inc., 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440 or to First Baptist Church, 219 Cleland St., Georgetown, SC 29440.

Mary Freeman

Mary Kent Seignious Kelley Freeman, 88, of Georgetown, S.C. passed away on Sunday, August 26, 2012.  

Kent was born on October 2, 1923 in Greenville, S.C. and was the daughter of Mary Robottom and Francis Pelmoin Seignious.  

She grew up in Kingstree and graduated from Kingstree High School in 1940.  

She thereafter graduated from Converse College and remained at the school for a year after her graduation as a golf instructor.  

In 1948, Kent married Dr. James Aleck Kelley, also of Kingstree, and they relocated to Georgetown, where Dr. Kelley practiced medicine with his father, Dr. E.T. Kelley.  

Kent and Aleck spent many happy days at their beloved hunting lodge "Indian Hut" on Black River.  Aleck passed away in 1956.

In 1959, Kent married Lewis Frampton Freeman of Georgetown, and they enjoyed many years together with their blended family of Kelleys and Dargans.  Lewis died in 1994.

A lifelong Episcopalian, Kent was a communicant of Prince George, Winyah, Episcopal Church, where she taught Sunday School and worked with ECW on the Spring Plantation Tours for many years.  

In 1999, Kent moved to Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community on James Island, and she enjoyed the many friendships that she made there.

In addition to her two husbands, Kent was predeceased by two brothers, Francis Pelmoin Seignious and Lt. General (Ret.) George M. Seignious II and one daughter, Butler Freeman Dargan.

She is survived by two children, Margaret (Peggy) Jenkinson (Bubber) of Kingstree and Edward T. Kelley (Kathy) of Georgetown.          

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Helen (Robbie) Jones, Perrin Q. Dargan III, Louise (Allen) Hughes, Martha Kent (Michael) Runey, Edward T. Kelley, Mary (Barry) High, Betsy (Michael Paul) Thomas, and her great grandchildren Mary Helen, Robert, Amelia, and Perrin Jones, Sanders and Annie Dargan, Chaplin, James, Joshua, and Dargan Hughes, Michael L. Runey V, Mary Banks, Anne Lewis, and Barry Glenn High III, James Aleck and Anne Rhem Kelley.

Kent loved her extended family, and she was an avid golfer for many years.  

She was known for her frightening ghost stories, and she terrified many generations of young people in Georgetown by dressing up as a witch on Halloween at her home on East Bay Street.

Mayer Funeral Home is handling all arrangements, and the funeral service was held at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, August 28th at Prince George, Winyah, Episcopal Church, Georgetown, S.C.  

Interment followed in the churchyard.

Sign a guest book at www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made to Prince George, Winyah, Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 674, Georgetown, SC, 29442, St. Albans Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 866, Kingstree, SC 29556, or the Residence Assistance Program, Bishop Gadsden, 1 Gadsden Way, Charleston, SC 29412.

Lucinda Grate

Lucinda Sherman Grate died on August 27, 2012 at Palmetto Richland Memorial Hospital, Columbia, S.C.  

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at the Wilds Courtyard Chapel.  

Visitation will take place at the chapel on Saturday from 11 a.m. until the time of service.

Mrs. Grate was born in Pawleys Island, S.C. on May 15, 1941, a daughter of Joe Sherman and Mrs. Florine Grant Sherman.

For more than 35 years she resided in Columbia, S.C.

There she was a cook at Seawell Restaurant and was a devoted member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses.

She was married to Fredrick Grate who preceded her in death.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara G. Wilson; two sisters, Annabell S. Washington and Lucille S. Grate; an aunt, Alethia S. Green; three grandchildren, Victoria  Wilson, Barbara Dease, and Nathaniel Grate; an adopted sister, Virginia Manick; two brothers-in-law, John and Charles Grate; 10 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, Jimmy Sherman.

Deacon Kenneth Harrell

Deacon Kenneth “Kenny” Randolf Harrell, age 57, of Murrells Inlet, S.C. died on Friday, August 24, 2012 at Tideland’s Community Hospice of Georgetown, S.C.

Deacon Harrell was the son of Aaron Harrell of Gary, Ind. and the late Hattie Mae Brown Singleton, formerly of Murrells Inlet, S.C.

He was the husband of Ester Lance Harrell of Murrells Inlet.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in Georgetown, S.C., where Rev. Alphonso N. Scott, divine pastor, will officiate.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The wake service was held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 28, 2012 in the sanctuary of Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church.

The remains lay in state in the sanctuary of the church from 1 p.m. until the hour of service.

Deacon Harrell is survived by his wife, Ester Lance Harrell of Murrells Inlet; his father, Aaron Harrell of Gary, Ind.; four sisters, Priscilla M. Singleton of Murrells Inlet, Belinda Verges and Louise Harrell, both of Gary, Ind., Brenda Hughes of Washington, D.C. and Diana L. Myers of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; eight brothers, Curtis A. Singleton of New Jersey, Aaron Harrell Jr. of Michigan City, Ind., Pernell Harrell of Gary, Ind., Maurice Harrell of Buford, Ga., and Herman Singleton Jr., Quinton R. Singleton, Alfred C. Singleton and Marvin L. Singleton, all of Murrells Inlet; and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Linen-Knox Funeral Home.

James Johnson

James Larry Johnson, 60, of Taylors, S.C. died Saturday, August 25, 2012, at his home.

Born in Georgetown County, S.C., he was the son of Catherine Nesbitt Johnson and the late Calvin Coolidge “Pete” Johnson.

Mr. Johnson was a US Navy veteran and a former employee of Distribution International.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Leroy Calvin Johnson and Kenneth Earl Johnson, and his grandparents, William Calvin Johnson and Anzie Aletha Lambert Johnson.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 29, 2012 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Thomas McAfee Funeral Home, Downtown.

A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in Graceland Cemetery West.

Johnnie Johnson

Johnnie Bell Johnson, 98, of Georgetown, S.C., widower of Kathryn Porter Johnson, died Friday, August 24, 2012, at his residence.

Mr. Johnson was born in Georgetown County on March 1, 1914, and graduated from Winyah High School.  

A son of the late John James Johnson and Ada Boyd Ivey Johnson, he was a lifetime farmer and owned and operated Farmer’s County Line Stockyard.  

Mr. Johnson was a former S.C. State Fire Warden and a member of the S.C. State Forestry Board.  

He was also a former employee of International Paper Co. Woodlands Division and a caretaker of Homeseeker’s Tract for Carolina Fiber Company.  

Mr. Johnson was an avid deer hunter and fox hunter.  

He was president of Pine Island Hunting Club from 1942 until 1984, and president of Johnnie Johnson Club from 1984 until the present.

Mr. Johnson was a member of Johnson Chapel Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon from 1950 until 2006, and was named Deacon Emeritus in 2006.  

He demonstrated a strong Christian faith in his daily life, and the example he set for his family and friends was a model for others to follow.  

Mr. Johnson was a kind, gentle man who showed deep respect for all. People of all ages were drawn to him.

Surviving are a daughter, Elaine J. Hays (Frank) of Hartsville; a son, Mike Johnson (Lisa) of Georgetown; a daughter-in-law, Sybil D. Johnson of Georgetown; seven grandchildren, Benjy Outen of Charlotte, N.C., Frank Hays of Columbia, Derrick Outen of Jefferson, Alicia Johnson of Georgetown, Craig Hays of Hartsville, Michael Johnson of Clemson, and Meagen Johnson of Surfside Beach; and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Johnson was predeceased by a daughter, Janice J. Outen and her husband; and a son, Johnnie B. Johnson Jr.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Monday morning, August 27, 2012, at Johnson Chapel Baptist Church.  

Officiating was the Rev. Stephen P. Candal.  

Burial followed in Johnson Chapel Baptist Cemetery.

The family received friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday evening, August 26, 2012, at Johnson Chapel Baptist Church.

Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

Memorials are suggested to: Johnson Chapel Baptist Church, c/o Rev. Stephen P. Candal, 141 Van Vlake Drive, Georgetown, SC 29440.

The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dorothy Jordan

Dorothy Lee Moore Jordan, 75, of Georgetown, S.C., beloved companion of Thomas Saxton and the widow of Leon Franklin Jordan, departed this life Saturday morning, August 25, 2012 at MUSC Hospital in Charleston, S.C.

Mrs. Jordan was born the daughter of Hillary Dolar Moore and Mary Elizabeth Moore on October 14, 1936 in Georgetown.  

She was a devoted companion, cherished mother, and a loving grandmother.

She leaves behind her companion; four children, Linda (Larry) Merritt, Joyce (Larry) Owens, Judy Lynn Jordan, and Linnie (Bubbie) Wilson; nine grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Sandra (John) Howard, Vicky (Freddie) Martin, Patsy (Keith) Butler; and five brothers, Laverne (Linda) Moore, Arthur (Peggy) Moore, Bobby (Diane) Moore, EJ Moore, and Herbert (Desi) Moore.

She was predeceased by her parents; a husband; a son, Leon Franklin Jordan Jr.; and two sisters, Inell Moore Gaskins and Judy Moore.

A Going Home Celebration was held at 5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon, August 28, 2012 at Rock Pentecostal Holiness Church.  

Interment followed in the Elmwood Cemetery directed by the Georgetown Chapel of McKenzie Funeral Home.

Visitation was from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday evening, August 27, 2012, at the Georgetown Chapel.

McKenzie Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jordan family.  

Online condolences may be sent to McKenzieFH@aol.com.

Darrell Lane

Darrell Lee Lane of Palmetto Glen Drive died Friday, August 24, 2012 at his home.

Born in Welch, W.Va., he was the son of the late William and Nellie Lane.  

Mr. Lane was a retired coal miner and a U.S. Army veteran.  

He loved baseball and Nascar.  

He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather.  

His mother in law, Polly McBride preceded him in death.

Surviving are his wife, Betty Lane of Myrtle Beach; daughter, Pamela Lane of Myrtle Beach; grandson, Zachary Segretto of Myrtle Beach; brothers-in-law and their wives, Harold and Vickie McBride and Gerald and Nancy McBride; sister in law, Lois McBride and his father in law, Clarence “Red” McBride.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. on Sunday at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel with a prayer service at 7 p.m.

Sign a guest book at www.goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Charlie McConnell

Charlie Arthur McConnell died Monday, August 27, 2012, at Tidelands Community Hospice after a valiant three-month ordeal with cancer.

Mr. McConnell was born April 29, 1926 in Jenkinsville, S.C. to the late William Thomas McConnell and Eva Turkett McConnell, but his birth certificate was not signed until five days later, making his legally recorded birthday May 4, 1926.  

Mr. McConnell graduated from Jenkinsville High School in June of 1944 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy to defend his country.

He served aboard an LST in the Pacific Theater until the war ended, participating in the Battle of Okinawa, and he was honorably discharged from military service in 1946.

He arrived in Georgetown in April of 1947 to play minor league baseball with the Georgetown Athletics, and became employed with the Kaminski Hardware Company.  

On February 12, 1949, he married the love of his life, Betty Bruns McConnell, and their union lasted 59 years until her death in 2008.

Mr. McConnell worked in hardware companies for 65 years, even after his 86th birthday earlier this year.

He was a member of Duncan United Methodist Church. He had an amazing spirit, never met a stranger, and enjoyed life's simple pleasures.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Mr. McConnell was predeceased by: four brothers, Thomas McConnell, William McConnell, Andrew McConnell, and Robert McConnell, and two sisters, Sara Rast and Jean Cook.

Mr. McConnell is survived by a daughter, Trudy McConnell Bazemore and her husband Jay Bazemore of Georgetown; three sisters, Edith Koon and Margaret McConnell, both of West Columbia, and Mary Crosby of Vero Beach, Fla., along with many nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. at Elmwood Cemetery Thursday afternoon, August 30, 2012,with Rev. Michael Leonhardt officiating.

Sign a guestbook at: www.mayerfuneralhome.com.

Memorials may be made to Tidelands Community Hospice, Inc., 2591 N. Fraser St., Georgetown, SC 29440 or to the charity of one's choice.

The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Robert Ramage

Mr. Rogert G. “Bob” Ramage, age 83, passed away Monday, August 27, 2012, at Agape Rehabilitation Center in Conway.

Born August 18, 1929, in Bloomington, Ind., Bob was the son of the late Lawrence Glen and Katherine Robinson Ramage.

He joined the United States Air Force at age 18 and retired as a captain after 20 years of service.

The day after his retirement in 1967 he went to work at Wellman Inc. in Johnsonville, S.C. as their chief pilot.

He worked there 16 years and then as a safety engineer for BE&K Construction in Georgetown, S.C., and finally as a courier for Federal Express before retiring completely.

Bob is survived by his wife Betty; a daughter, Lynette (Larry) Taylor and their two children, Lyndsay (Jason) Nash and Robbie Taylor; a son, Jeff (Kathy) Ramage and their two children, Dustin and Tiffany; four great-grandchildren; and three sisters and two brothers in Indiana.

A memorial mass will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 30, 2012, at St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church in Georgetown.

The family will receive friends at the Church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Cyprian’s Catholic Church, 1905 Front St., Georgetown, SC, 29440 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Please sign the guestbook at www.morris-funeralhome.com.

Hilbrand Wilder

Hilbrand O. Wilder, 76, widower of Wanda M. Wilder, passed away Monday, August 27, 2012 at Conway Medical Center.

Born on September 28, 1935, in Williamsburg County, he was a son of the late William James Wilder and the late Olna Ogburn Wilder. Mr. Wilder was of the Baptist faith and enjoyed dancing and country music. He was also a US Air Force Veteran.

Survivors include one daughter, Samantha Burdette (Ken) of Cottageville; two step children, Marie Baylor (Barry) of West Andrews and Woody Chavis (Donna) of Columbia; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Scott of Sumter and Hazel Duncan of Thomasville, Ala.; one brother, Herbert Wilder of Georgetown; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Hallie Zeigler; and two brothers, William J. Wilder Jr. and Carlyle Wilder.

Services were private.

Graham Funeral Home of Georgetown is in charge of the arrangements (www.grahamfuneralhome.org).