U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
JOHNNIE LEE McKNIGHT
Johnnie Lee "Kevin" McKnight, 36, was called to eternal rest Thursday night, Dec. 18, 2008, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center.
He entered this world chosen of God to become a visible rose in his garden on Aug. 22, 1972, in Lee County, to the proud parents of Johnnie Woods and the late Carolyn McKnight Woods. He was reared with the support of a loving family. He was educated in the public schools of Lee County. Johnnie was loved by many. He was a devoted brother, uncle, son and friend. Whenever you came in contact with him, you had to love him, because he possessed to love without condition and his heart had a vacant space to add another loved one and friend.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories: his father, Johnnie (Daisy) Woods of St. Charles; two sisters, Jessica Woods of the home and Naja Woods (Donovan Mack) of Bishopville; eight aunts, Alice (Covell) Woods, Shirley Woods and Annetta (Wayne) Woods, all of Bishopville, Rhunetta (Alexander) Woods and Geraldine Woods, both of Sumter, Ruby Green of San Diego, Calif., Ruth (George) McKnight of Columbia, Thelma Hodge of Mayesville and Rosa Mae Woods of Philadelphia, Pa.; three uncles, Levi (Mary) Woods and Bobby Woods, both of Sumter, and Charlie McKnight of St. Charles; a loving nephew, Ra'Heem Divine Sadat Mack of Bishopville; a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his relatives, Johnson McKnight, Willie Mae Gilyard McKnight, Carolyn M. Woods, Willie Woods, Olivie Woods, Maxine Woods, Harry Lee, Jessie Woods, Evelina Bolden and Melton McKnight.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p. m. Wednesday from the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel, Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, with the Rev. Daniel Bennette officiating, eulogist.
The family will receive friends at the home of his father, Johnnie Woods, 56 Colin Lee Lane, Mayesville.
The procession will leave from the home of his father at 1:45 p.m.
Floral bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family.
Burial will be in the Mayesville City cemetery, Mayesville.
Services directed by the staff and management of Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
THOMAS 'TIM' STARLING JASPER
Thomas "Tim" Starling Jasper, 54, died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Augusta Burn Center, Augusta, Ga.
Born in Sumter County on July 29, 1954, he was a son of the late Rev. Sanders and Corine Dennis Jasper.
The family will receive friends at his home, 4420 Leslie Drive, Rembert.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
MYRON K. SYRES
Myron Keith Syres, 48, husband of Diane Mary Labarre Syres, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008.
Services will be announced by Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter.
JAMES W. HAYES
REMBERT -- James Whitaker Hayes, 74, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, at Palmetto Health Richland Hospital in Columbia.
Born May 4, 1934, in the Oak Grove community of Dillon County, he was a son of the late Shuford Steven and Eva Hilma Robertson Hayes. Mr. Hayes was a member of Pisgah Baptist Church. He graduated from Hillcrest High School, where he played baseball and football, and drove a school bus. He was an Air Force veteran of four years. He was a member of Spring Hill Masonic Lodge No. 188. He was employed by Becker Sand & Gravel Co. for 37 years, 25 of those years as plant manager.
Surviving are three sons, Allen Hayes, Bryan Hayes and Gary Hayes, all of Rembert; four grandsons, Bryan Hayes Jr., Gary W. Hayes Jr., Kyle Stephen Hayes and Austin Montgomery; a granddaughter, Candice Suzanne Hayes Anderson of Camden; a stepson, Robbie Newman of Sumter; a step-grandson, Ryan Newman; and five great-grandchildren, Bree, Taylor, Reese and Robbie Anderson, and Hunter Hayes.
He was preceded in death two sisters, Ella Mae Hayes Doan and Eva Evelyn Hayes Roof; and a stepson, David Neil Newman.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. today in the Chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Marvin Jones and the Rev. Matt Mims officiating. Burial will be in the Sumter cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. today at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
STELLA B. THIGPEN
MANNING – Stella Baggett Thigpen, 81, wife of H.T. Thigpen, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008, at Clarendon Memorial Hospital.
Born Nov. 12, 1927, in Manning, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin and Macie Ridgeway Baggett. She was a member of Liberty Free Will Baptist Church.
Surviving are her husband of Manning; two daughters, Cindy Brewer and her husband, Wayne, of Lumberton, N.C., and Cathy Lyle and her husband, Michael, of Belmont, N.C.; two sisters, Barbara Spigner and her husband, Fred, of Manning and Jean Ridgeway of Manning; a brother, Butch Baggett and his wife, Renee, of Manning; six grandchildren, Marisha McCall, Stacey Helms, David Brewer, Jenni Dry, Jason Lyle and Caitlyn Lyle; and three great-grandchildren, Cain McCall, Caleb Dry and Theo Dry.
She was preceded in death by a son, Daniel Thomas Thigpen.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Liberty Free Will Baptist Church with the Rev. Wayne Brewer and the Rev. Larry Hughes officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Stephens Funeral Home and at other times at the residence, 1326 Heritage Drive, Manning.
Memorials may be made to the Free Will Baptist Home for Children, P.O. Box 229, 5232 Turbeville Highway, Turbeville, SC 29162.
Stephens Funeral Home and Crematory, 304 N. Church St., Manning, is in charge of arrangements, (803) 435-2179.
THOMAS S. JASPER
Thomas "Tim" Starling Jasper, 54, departed this life on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Augusta Burn Center, Augusta, Ga.
Born July 29, 1954, in Rembert, Sumter County, he was a son of the late Rev. Sanders and Corine Dennis Jasper. Thomas accepted Christ as his personal Savior during his childhood and utilized the gift of music God bestowed so richly upon him, touching the souls and hearts of those near and far. He was a faithful and selfless serving member of Rafting Creek Baptist Church. He was a member of the trustee board and brotherhood ministry, president of the musical choir, president of the male chorus, and vice president of the pastor's aide ministry. Thomas attended the public schools of Sumter County and was a graduate of Hillcrest High School Class of 1973 and the Culinary School of Arts in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He worked as a chef at the Shaw Air Force Base Officer's Club for more than 20 years.
He leaves to cherish his precious memories: nine sisters, Jean (Joseph) Alston and Sandra Jasper, both of Rembert, Brenda Jasper and Zyronia Jasper, both of Columbia, Deborah Jasper of Smyrna, Ga., Shirley Jasper of White Plains, Md., Mildred Jasper of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Geraldine Bryant and Dianne (Mitchell) Johnson, both of Newark, N.J.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Jasper of Camden; a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bernard and the Rev. Larry Jasper; and three nephews, Bernard Jasper Jr., Trent and Delford Royal.
Funeral services will be held at noon Friday from Rafting Creek Baptist Church, S.C. 261 North, Rembert, with the Rev. Melvin Mack, pastor, eulogist, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Davis, presiding, the Rev. Lillian Reynolds, the Rev. Burdell Hill, the Rev. John Kennedy, the Rev. Sharon Boyd, the Rev. Dr. Willie Dennis Sr., the Rev. Frank Williams Jr., the Rev. Eugene Dennis and the Rev. Jeffery Jasper.
The family will receive friends at his home, 4420 Leslie Drive, Rembert.
The remains will be placed in the church at 11 a.m.
The funeral procession will leave from his home at 11:30 a.m.
Floral bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family.
Honorary floral bearers will be Rafting Creek Musical Choir.
Honorary pallbearers will be Rafting Creek Trustees.
Burial will be in the Rafting Creek Baptist Churchyard cemetery, Rembert.
Services directed by the staff and management of Williams Funeral Home Inc. of Sumter.
ULYSSES STEPHENS
Ulysses "Bluebird" Stephens, 77, husband of Maggie Dickerson Stephens, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.
Born in Rimini, he was a son of the late Willie Nelson and Audrey Gibson, and reared by the late Isom and Daisy Stephens.
The family is receiving friends at 25 Walker Ave., Sumter, SC 29150.
Funeral plans are incomplete and will be announced by Job's Mortuary Inc. of Sumter.
AGNES S. LYLES
Agnes Claire Stokes Lyles, 103, widow of Clifford Leroy Lyles, died Monday, Dec. 22, 2008, at a local nursing center.
Born Aug. 5, 1905, and educated in Lynchburg, she was a daughter of the late Dargan Mordacai Stokes and Isabelle Azile Hatchell Stokes. Mrs. Lyles was a charter member of Harmony Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Her love for God, family and others was evident to all who knew her.
Surviving are five sons, Harold Lyles and wife, Nancy, Kenneth Lyles and wife, Barbara, Dan Lyles and wife, Dotty, Jerry Lyles and wife, Gloria, and Bill Lyles and wife, Shirley, all of Sumter; four daughters, Sybil Lyles Gaskin of Melbourne, Fla., Doris Lyles Fernander of Sumter, Carol Lyles Bradham and husband, Raymond, of Ridgeland and Jean Lyles Redmond of Charleston; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel of the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home with the Rev. Drew Choate and the Rev. Robert A. Norris officiating. Burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to the Harmony Church Missions Program, P.O. Box 1878, Sumter, SC 29151.
Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad St., Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements, (803) 775-9386.
MARY LOU G. COLES
Mary Lou Getter Coles, 71, wife of Berry Coles Sr., died Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, at Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia.
She was born in Sumter County on Sept. 24, 1937, a daughter of the late Walter and Essie Jones Getter. She was educated in the public schools in Sumter County, where she was an honor student, and received her bachelor of arts degree in 1960 from Morris College. She moved to New York City after graduation and was employed by the New York City Department of Social Services. Mrs. Coles continued her education at Bank Street College and received her master's degree in clinical social work in 1987 from Columbia University. She enjoyed her work, was dedicated and instilled in her staff a quest for excellence. She was a member of Allen Cathedral Church, Jamaica, N.Y., for many years, serving as a member of Usher Board No. 2, Pastor's Aid Club and the Ladies Guild. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star No. 34.
She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her beloved husband, Berry Coles Sr. of the home; a son, Berry (Griselle) Coles Jr.; two granddaughters, Leah Michelle and Marla Reanna, all of Teaneck, N.J.; a sister, Essie (Frank) McCants of Sumter; two brothers, Shelton (Ruth) Getter of Perry, Ga., and Lewis (Yvonne) Getter of Dover, Del.; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Minnie Oliver; and seven brothers, James, Walter, Richard, Will, Ben, Haskel and John Getter.
Viewing will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Job's Mortuary.
Funeral services will be held at noon Friday at Zion Benevolent Baptist Church, 201 Meetinghouse Road, Hopkins, SC 29061, with the Rev. Stanley Ladson officiating, assisted by the Rev. Henry Coles Jr. and Dr. James Graham. Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.
The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. Friday for viewing until the hour of service.
The family will receive friends at the home, 7108 Bluff Road, Hopkins, SC 29061, and the home of her sister and brother-in-law, Essie and Frank McCants, 319 W. Oakland Ave., Sumter, SC 29150.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
MYRON K. SYRES
Myron Keith Syres, 48, husband of Diane Mary Labarre Syres, died Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008.
Born in Bluefield, W.Va., he was a son of Maxine Day Syres and the late Howard Dayton Syres. Mr. Syres was of the Baptist faith. He was employed by Sumter Electric and Rewinding for 11 years and by Sumter Machinery Co. for 12 years.
Survivors include his wife of Sumter; mother of Rock, W.Va.; a son, Jeremy Keith Syres of Sumter; a daughter, Amanda Kay Syres; two grandchildren, Caroline Nichole Etheredge and Ashlynn Kay Etheredge; a brother, Howard Syres; and a sister, Glenna Mae Meadows.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Evergreen Memorial Park with the Rev. Billy Lewis officiating.
Pallbearers will be Chris Lewis, Jim Herron, Michael Pritchard, Terry Simmons, Carl Huggins and Burch Richardson.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at 1844 Kolb Road.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
