Last Updated on 12/1/2008

Published on 8/14/2008

Belle H. Ard

Belle Hemingway Ard, 99, of Hemingway, widow of Willis C. Ard, died Tuesday, June 12, 2008 in a Florence hospital.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 in the Old Johnsonville Cemetery, directed by Morris Funeral Home of Hemingway.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008.

Mrs. Ard was born in Hemingway, a daughter of the late Dr. Walter C. Hemingway and Pauline Baker Hemingway.

The town of Hemingway was founded by her grandfather, W.C. Hemingway Sr.

She was a homemaker, a member of the First United Methodist Church of Myrtle Beach. She was a graduate of Hemingway High School and Columbia College.

Surviving are: her son, W.C. Ard (Sandra) of Lamar; granddaughters, Kelley T. Alcorn of Bluffton and Anna C. Roberts of Lamar; and 5 great-grandchildren.

Lorraine L. Austell

Lorraine Lambert Austell, 85, of Pawleys Island, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at St. George, the Martyr Anglican Church in Greer. Visitation will immediately follow the service. An announcement of Hardwick Funeral Home of Loris.

Sarah T. Creel

Sarah Mildred Thompson Creel, 94, of Andrews, widow of Charlie R. Creel, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 at her home.

Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 at the Six Mile Crossing Church of God. Burial, directed by the Andrews Chapel of McKenzie Funeral Home, will follow in the Bethel Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at the Six Mile Crossing Church of God.

Mrs. Creel was born May 31, 1914, in Pamplico, the daughter of Melvin Thompson and Ida Haselden Thompson. She was a retired waitress with the LaFayette Restaurant. She was a member of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Pamplico, and attended the Six Mile Crossing Church of God. As the last surviving child of nine siblings, her life has spanned six generations.

Surviving are: three sons, Charlie E. Creel (Walker Dell) and Carl R. Creel, both of Andrews, and Francis A. Creel (Edith) of Boiling Springs; four daughters, Mary C. Johnson and Darlene C. Mitchem (Ray), both of Andrews, Thelma C. Lucas of Inman, and Linda C. Cook of Socastee; 38 grandchildren; 68 great-grandchildren; 27 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great grandchild.

She was predeceased by: her parents; her husband; three sons, Garland "Buster" Creel, Jospeh Creel and henry M. Creel; a granddaughter, Judy Creel; and a great-granddaughter, Selena Hipps.

Russell Croslin

Russell Croslin of Hemingway died Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 at Kingstree Nursing Facility in Kingstree.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at New Mt. Carmel AME Church in Hemingway. Officiating will be the Rev. Glennie Tisdale, pastor. Interment will follow in the Snowden Cemetery, under the direction of Nesmith-Pinckney Funeral Home.

Mr. Croslin was born in Williamsburg County, a son of the late Sam and Rachel Scott Croslin. He was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg County. He was a member of Mt. Carmel AME Church. He was employed at Wellman Inc. as a machine operator.

Survivors are: three sisters, Mary Williams and Gladys Pressley of Hemingway and Gloria McClam (Herbert) of Trotwood, Ohio.

Lama M. Hamer

Lama McDaniel Hamer, 91, of Georgetown, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008, at Georgetown Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be at 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. G. Edward Usher. Burial will follow in Pennyroyal Memorial Gardens. The Georgetown Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Sign a guestbook at www. mayerfuneralhome.com.

The family will receive friends at the parlor of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church prior to the services, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, from 4 to 5 p.m.

Mrs. Hamer was born in Nichols on Nov. 23, 1916, a daughter of the late Murray McDaniel and Narcie Stroud McDaniel. She grew up in Horry County and was a graduate of Floyd's High School and Limestone College. Mrs. Hamer taught Home Economics in the schools of Centenary and Bennettsville prior to moving to Georgetown. She taught the fifth grade at Bynum School in Georgetown until she retired after 35 years as a school teacher.

Mrs. Hamer was a member of Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church and the Susanna Wesley Church School Class. She was also a member of the Tarboux/Watson/Turner Circle of the United Methodist Women. Mrs. Hamer was a former Georgetown Garden Club member. She was an honorary member of the Georgetown Memorial Hospital Auxiliary.

Mrs. Hamer was predeceased by: her husband, William Ancel Hamer Sr.; a son, William "Wila" Ancel Hamer Jr.; and a granddaughter, Karen H. Pittman.

Surviving are: a daughter, Charlotte H. Moulton (Wallace) of Hemingway; a son, W. Ronald Hamer (Mable) of Tatum; a daughter-in-law, Angela Morris Hamer of Georgetown; a sister, Rosalee M. Lambert of West Columbia; seven grandchildren, Ronald Hamer Jr., Ervin Hamer, Arthur Hamer, Matthew Hamer, Jonathan Hamer, Lisa Moulton, and Laura Moulton ; and 12 great-grandchildren, Evan Moulton, Christopher Hamer, Nicholas Hamer, Rhyan Hamer, Ramsey Hamer, Cody Hamer, Huston Hamer, Blakley Hamer, Cassie H. Cahill, Logan Cahill, Myranda Pittman, and Colan Hamer.

Memorials may be made to: The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, S. C. Chapter, 107 W. Park Blvd., Suite 150, Columbia, SC 29210 or Alzheimer's Assn., 1010 5th Ave. N., Ardis Executive Office, Suite 101, Surfside Beach, SC 29575.

Dayvon M. Jones

Dayvon Markel Jones, 12, of the Oceda Community of Andrews died Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 at Brown Chapel Baptist Church. Officiating will be Minister Daryel Mody and Rev. C.W. Green, pastor. Interment will follow in the church cemetery, under the direction of McKnight-Fraser Funeral Home.

He was born July 27, 1996 in Baltimore, Md., a son of Jacqueline Ramsey and Raymond Jones. He attended Andrews Elementary School.

Survivors include: his parents, Jacqueline Ramsey of Andrews and Raymond Jones of Jamestown; three brothers, Rayvon Jones, Jayvon Jones and Christopher Levine of Andrews; and one sister, Janay Spence of Andrews.

John J. Kilfoil

John James Kilfoil, 73, of Murrells Inlet, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 at Waccamaw Community Hospital.

A memorial service will be held in New Jersey at a later date.

The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel. Sign a guestbook at goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Kilfoil was born in Dover, N.J., a son of the late John James and Florence Mae Kilfoil. He was a graduate of Morristown High School and attended Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison, N.J. Mr. Kilfoil was the owner and operator of Kilfoil Electric in Morristown, N.J. for 38 years.

Mr. Kilfoil was a veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserves and was a member of the Elks and the American Legion in Murrells Inlet. His hobbies included classic car restoration and woodworking.

Mr. Kilfoil was preceded in death by one son, James Charles Kilfoil; two brothers, Eugene and Charles Kilfoil; and two sisters, Davona Crandall and Elizabeth Vance.

Surviving are: his wife, Wendy Elizabeth Owen Kilfoil of Murrells Inlet; one daughter, Janice Anne (Donald) of Cary, N.C.; two grandchildren, Haley Elizabeth and Gillian May Anderson of Cary, N.C.; and two sisters, Mary Knuckey of Wharton, N.J., and Alice Kilfoil of Whiting, N.J.

Memorials may be made to the charity of one's choice.

Charles E. Knox

Charles Edward Knox, 76, of Georgetown, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.

Funeral services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Burial, directed by Wilds Funeral Home, will be in the church cemetery.

The family received friends at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 at Wilds Courtyard Chapel.

Mr. Knox was born June 6, 1932, in Georgetown, a son of the late Clifton Knox and Blondell Horry Knox. He attended Howard High School and Allen University in Columbia. He attended Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Prince Hall Masonic Lodge, George Herriott Conservatory No. 255, United Steel Workers of America Union, and was a deacon of Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He was a former Georgetown County School Board member and was a U.S. Air Force veteran.

Survivors are: his wife, Dorothy Knox of Georgetown; his children, Victoria Knox of Charlotte, N.C., and Harvey Knox and Charles Knox Jr. of Georgetown.

Joseph McMichael

Joseph McMichael, 67, of Georgetown, died Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2008 at Tidelands Community Hospice of Georgetown.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at Wilds Courtyard Chapel. Burial, directed by Wilds Funeral Home, followed in Morning Glory Cemetery. The family received friends one hour before the service.

Mr. McMichael was born Aug. 17, 1940 in Orangeburg, a son of the late James McMichael and Elouise Williams McMichael. He attended Georgetown County schools and was a retired floor contractor.

Survivors include: his wife, Elizabeth McMichael of Georgetown; his children, Diane Monges of Long Island City, N.Y., Raymond Grant of Georgetown, Jody McMichael of Brooklyn, N.Y., Andrea Stover, Queens, N.Y., Joseph McMichael Jr. of Columbia, Michael McMichael of New York, N.Y. and Clarissa McMichael of Chronicle, Va.; two sisters, Louise Thomas of Brooklyn and Jennifer Walker of Queens; three brothers, Clyd McMichael, Charles McMichael and Raymond McMichael, all of New York.

Tracy L. Perry Sr.

Tracy Lee Perry Sr., 59, of Johnsonville, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 in a Lake City hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008 in the Rehobeth Pentecostal Holiness Church. Burial, with full military honors, will be in the Garden of Devotion Cemetery, directed by Morris Funeral Home of Hemingway.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at the Rehobeth Pentecostal Holiness Church in Hemingway.

Mr. Perry was born in Williamsburg County, a son of Dorothy Evans Perry Poston and the late Hinson Perry. He was retired from the U.S. Army as a Chief Warrant Officer. During the Vietnam war he served as a helicopter pilot where he received the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. He also completed the Primary Helicopter School (Officer Rotary Wing Aviator Course) and the AH-1G Cobra Transition/Gunnery Course Class 71-18. He was a member of Rehobeth Pentecostal Holiness Church and was a graduate of Hannah-Pamplico High School.

Mr. Perry was predeceased by a son, Tracy Lee Perry Jr.; and a brother, J.D. Poston Jr.

Survivors include: his wife, Sylvia Cox Perry of the home; daughter, Beth Perry Baxley of Lexington; son-in-law, Derek Baxley of Lexington; grandchildren, Nathan Baxley, Anna Kaitlin Baxley and Kierstin Baxley, all of Lexington, and Christopher Perry and Seth Turner, both of Johnsonville; mother and step-father, Dorothy P. Poston (J. Dorris) of Pamplico; brothers, Gene Perry (Alice) of North, Mike Poston (Terri) of Conway and David Poston (Marie) of Pamplico; sisters, Katie Hayne (Randy) of Florence, Jowendel Watson (Pat) and Rachel Poston, both of Pamplico.

Fletcher B. Smith Jr.

Col. (Ret) Fletcher B. Smith Jr., of Huntsville, Ala. died Monday, Aug. 11, 2008.

A military graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008 at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville with Dr. Sam Hopson officiating. Laughlin Service Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Col. Smith was born in Georgetown Sept. 14, 1935. He graduated from Barnwell High School in Barnwell in 1953 and received his BS degree in Electrical Engineering at The Citadel in Charleston in 1957. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army and served on active duty for 10 years. He remained in the U.S. Army Reserves and retired with the rank of Colonel. He moved to Destin, Fla. after retiring from the U.S. Army Missile Command in 1988, to pursue his hobby of sailing. He was always a lover of the beach, having spent a large part of his early years at Pawleys Island and Myrtle Beach.

He returned to Huntsville to be closer to family in August 2005. He was preceded in death by his parents, Fletcher B. Smith Sr. and Hattie Cooper Smith.

He is survived by two daughters, Cindy Smith of New York, N.Y. and husband, Hammou Sahbi of Morocco, and Beth Smith of Huntsville; granddaughter, Natalie Smith of Huntsville; ex-wife and mother of Cindy and Beth, Martha Sue Binner of Huntsville; Aunt, Sudie Payne of Charleston; and many cousins in South Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association P.O. Box 451429, Atlanta, GA 31145-9429 or the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 NW 9th Ave., Miami, FL 33136.

Frederick L. Smith

Frederick L. Smith, 39, of Georgetown, died Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 at Georgetown Memorial Hospital.

Funeral arrangements will be announced by McKnight-Fraser Funeral Home.

Marion Williams

Marion Williams, 74, of Georgetown, died Monday, Aug. 11, 2008 at Georgetown Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 at Walter S. Fraser Memorial Chapel at 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Arnett Memorial Gardens under the direction of McKnight-Fraser Funeral Home.

Visitation was Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 from 6 to 7 p.m. at Walter S. Fraser Memorial Chapel.

Mr. Williams, a son of the late Frank Williams and Flora Bell Williams, was born Sept. 2, 1933 in Williamsburg County. He was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg County, and was a member of Bethlehem AME Church.

Survivors include: his wife, Gaither Williams of Georgetown; four sons, Harrison Williams, Marvin Williams, Frank Williams and Ervin Williams, all of Georgetown; two daughters, Peggy Williams of Hemingway and Eula Brown of Georgetown; three brothers, Bobby Williams, Frank Williams and Hugh Edward Williams of Hemingway; three sisters, Jessie Williams, Rutha Mae Williams and Dorothy Hanna, all of Hemingway; two aunts, Beulah Williams and Maggie Williams of Hemingway; 18 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Evelyn B. Wood

Evelyn B. Wood, 93, of Surfside Beach, died Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008 at National Healthcare of Garden City.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Aug. 15, 2008 in Maplewood Cemetery in Wilson, N.C.

Goldfinch Funeral Home, Beach Chapel, is in charge of arrangements. Sign a guestbook at goldfinchfuneralhome.com.

Born in Wilson, N.C., and formerly of Sanford, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Emmett and Suzannah Boyette. Mrs. Wood was a member of Surfside United Methodist Church and a homemaker. Her husband of 66 years, Ray A. Wood preceded her in death.

Surviving are: a son, William R. Wood of Kill Devil Hills, N.C.; daughter, Janet Whitby Bates of Surfside Beach; sister, Dorothy B. Minchew of Wilson, N.C.; and a brother, Horace Boyette of Wilson, N.C.; grandchildren, Wendy Jones of High Point, N.C., Michael Wood of Charlotte, N.C., and Suzanne Rivers of Lexington; six great-grandchildren; and one great-grandchild expecting.

Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1750, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.