U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Elizabeth Willis
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson Murray Willis, 52, died Wednesday, October 27th, at North Broward Medical Center as the result of an illness. She was retired from her career as a paralegal and resided in Pompano Beach, Florida with her husband of 12 years, Carl Thomas Willis.
Born July 3, 1952, to John Bradbury Murray and the former Alla Eugenia Wilson, Mrs. Willis was reared in Danville, Virginia. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1970. Her husband, Carl is also a Danville native, and graduated from GWHS in 1968. Elizabeth attended Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., and in 1972, she married John Rushing IV. Two years, her only child, and the light of her life, John Rushing V was born. Her son, John, now resides in Staunton, Virginia with his wife, Emily, and his daughter, Virginia Elizabeth.
From the mid-70’s until several years ago, in addition to caring for her family, Elizabeth pursued a career, first in banking, and then as a paralegal, specializing in trademark work. For several years, she worked for Jones & Askew PLLC in Atlanta, a top U.S. patent and trademark firm. She also worked in her capacity as a trademark specialist for several firms in the Tampa and Southeast Florida areas, including Rexall Sundown Pharmaceuticals.
Though Elizabeth enjoyed her career and the interesting work it that it involved, her favorite aspect of work, and in other areas of her life, was making friends. An extremely bright and open person, Elizabeth truly enjoyed people, and cared about their lives. If a friend or loved one had a problem, she had time to listen, and had well-thought-out and supportive advise to offer. She was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend, and will be sorely missed by those who loved her.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Willis was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, to whom she was especially close, Hosea Elbert Wilson, Sr. and the former Alice Harrison Britton, and a special uncle, Hosea Elbert Wilson, Jr. all of Danville. In addition to her husband, son and granddaughter, Elizabeth is survived by her stepfather, William Augustus Collins Jr. of Charlotte, N.C., a sister, Eugenia Collins Allen, also of Charlotte, a brother, William Augustus Collins III of Charleston, S.C., a nephew, Alexander Harrison Collins, also of Charleston, and her beloved animal companions, Missy dog, Mikey dog, and Boo Boo cat.
Townes Funeral Home in Danville is in charge of arrangements for Mrs. Willis. A graveside memorial service is planned for Saturday, October 30th at 2:00 p.m. at Mountain View Cemetery. Immediately following the service, the family of Mrs. Willis will receive visitors at the home of her aunt, Betty Waller Wilson, 322 Linden Drive in Danville. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to your local Humane Society, or charity of your choice.
Her family and friends would like to thank Elizabeth’s husband, Carl, for his total devotion and care for her during her illness. Words cannot express how much your love and concern for her have meant to all of us. Arrangements By Kraeer Funeral Home And Cremation Center. Sample Road. Pompano Beach. Fl. (954) 946-2900.
Jesse Davis
LEXINGTON — Services for Charles “Jesse” Davis, 22, of Lexington, will be held at 3pm Saturday in the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, officiated by Rev. Jimmy Goudelock. Burial will follow at Woodridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Morgan Millhouse, Dan Corley, Jeremy Hicks, Michael Hicks, Dominick Falgione, Matt Porth, Nick Venning, and Mike Davis. The family will receive friends from 6-8pm Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Eau Claire Baptist Church, 4427 Main St., Columbia, SC 29203.
Mr. Davis died Tuesday, October 26, 2004. Born in Lexington, he was the son of John C. and Althea Baucom Davis. He was a 2000 graduate of Lexington High School where he was a past president of the Future Farmers of America. He was employed with Chuck Davis Construction. Mr. Davis was an avid sportsman and enjoyed fox and deer hunting as well as fishing.
Surviving, in addition to his parents of Lexington, are his sister and brother-in-law, Vickie and Nick Venning of Manning; brothers and sister-in-law, Johnny and Joy Davis, and Tracy Davis, all of Lexington; paternal grandmother, Sue Davis; maternal grandmother, Mildred Baucom; step-grandmother, Elaine Davis Long; sister-in-law, Mindy Davis; nieces, Emily Venning, Kelly Venning, Kames Davis; nephew, Wesley Ardis; step-nieces, Brittney and Amber Oswald; and numerous aunts and uncles.
Anna Dodge
GILLISONVILLE — Services for Anna C.R. Dodge, 87, 11 a.m. Saturday (10 a.m. visitation): Mt. Calvary Pentecostal Holiness Church; burial: Rockspring Baptist Church Cemetery, Grays. Bostick Funeral Home, Ridgeland, is in charge. Born in Ridgeland to Lawrence and Bertha Riley, she died Oct. 24, 2004. Surviving: adopted son, Dedrick Dodge; daughter, Ruby Johnson; sisters, Lyda Youmans, Leoma Robinson.
Jewell Blanding
MANNING — Services with burial for Jewell Blanding, 67, are noon Saturday at Mt. Zero Missionary Baptist Church. Friends may call at the residence, 1126 McDowell St. Fleming & Delaine Funeral Home is in charge. Born to Stephen and Sallie Cummings Blanding, he died Oct. 25, 2004. Surviving are children, Jules Huggins, Deborah Huggins; sisters, Elloree Gooden, Ruby Thames; two grandchildren.
William Brown
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Services with burial in S.C. for William Brown, 84, widower of Hycener Brown, are 1 p.m. Saturday at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Bowman. Glover’s Funeral Home, Orangeburg, is in charge. Born in Vance to Wesley and Susie Brown, he died Oct. 21, 2004. Surviving: sons, Author, John Brown; siblings, Elloise Hilliard, Silas Brown; friend, Ruth Henderson; 8 grands; 16 great-grands; more.
Thomas Cherry Jr.
LEXINGTON — Graveside services for Mr. Thomas E. Cherry, Jr., 72, of Lexington, will be held at 12:00 PM, Friday, October 29, 2004, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, with full military honors and Masonic rites, the Reverend Eric Sloan will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorials may be sent to the American Diabetes Association. Greenlawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Mr. Cherry was born September 19, 1932, in Jackson, Mississippi. He was a retired Master Sergeant from the U.S. Army with 24 years of service to his country, he served two tours each in Korea and Vietnam, among his many accomplishments he was a graduate of the Army’s first Drill Sergeants Instructor School at Fort Jackson. Mr. Cherry again retired in 1994 from Spring Industries in Lancaster, throughout his years of employment and retirement. He was an active civic and community leader. He was a member of the Dentsville Eastern Star and the Dentsville Masonic Lodge and held a thirty second degree in the Scottish rite. Tom Cherry had an enormous love for his family, always ready to give a helping hand or advise and truly enjoyed debating with them. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great father-in-law. He will be missed by all.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his wife of 52 years, Eunice M. Cherry; daughters, Linda and husband Bill Stern, Brenda and husband Bubba Plowden, son, Thomas Ray and wife Mary Cherry; grandchildren, Tommy, Kevin, Brian, Jason, Benjamin, Rayna, John and his two beloved puppies, Gracie and Pooh. He was predeceased by his parents and sister, Barbara Harold of Jackson, Mississippi.
Phillip Elkins
CHESTER — Services for Phillip Brian Elkins, 44, will be 1 p.m. Saturday at the residence, 2497 Old York Road with burial in Laurel Wood Cemetery, Rock Hill. Barron Funeral Home is in charge. Born in Rock Hill to William Elkins and Phillis Moss Elkins Holinger, he died October 26, 2004. Surviving: wife, Amy Elkins; sons, Anthony Griffith, Matthew, Steven, Luke and Daniel Elkins; brother, Paul Elkins.
Franklin Coulter Jr.
COPE — Services for Franklin “Frankie” Roosevelt Coulter Jr., 41, are 10 a.m. Saturday at Life in the Word Holiness Church. Burial is in Jones Chapel Church Cemetery directed by Glover’s Funeral Home, both in Orangeburg. Born in Orangeburg to Franklin Sr. and Joann Davis Coulter, he died Oct. 23, 2004. Surviving: wife, Doris Calhoun Coulter; mother; children, Ashley, Brandon Coulter; 4 siblings; others.
Allen Edwards
ROCK HILL — Dr. Allen David Edwards, 99, of 1330 India Hook Road, passed away Thursday, October 28, 2004 at the home of his daughter.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00am Monday, November 1, 2004 at St. John’s United Methodist Church with Dr. Timothy McClendon officiating. Burial will be private.
Born in Martin, Michigan, Dr. Edwards was the son of the late Edward W. Edwards and Lucy Wightman Edwards. He received a B.S. Degree from Western Michigan University, a Master’s of Philosophy at the University of Wisconsin and earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Sociology at Duke University.
His early teaching experience included three years at the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, followed by three and ½ years as a research analyst at the W.P.A. and Farm Security Administration in Washington , D.C. He served as Associate Rural Sociologist at the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station at Blacksburg, Virginia and Assistant Professor of Rural Sociology at Clemson University at Clemson, S.C. before going to Winthrop College where he served as chairman of the Sociology Department for 27 years and from which he retired in 1971. After retiring he became Acting Chairman of the Sociology Department at Queens College in Charlotte, N.C. for one year. This was followed by five years at Friendship Junior College as Sociology Instructor, Registrar, Academic Dean and Director of Development.
In addition to numerous publications which have appeared in professional journals, he co-authored a textbook, “Community and Community Development,” published by Mouton at The Hague in 1976.
He held memberships in The Southern Sociological Society, The Rural Sociological Society, and the American Association of University Professors. He was also a member and past Chairman of the Board of York-Chester-Lancaster Mental Health Center, and a member of the S.C. Merit System Council. He was a charter member of the Rock Hill Optimist Club serving in various capacities including President and Secretary-Treasurer. He also served as Lieutenant-governor and Governor to the State organization. Dr. Edwards was a charter member of the Catawba chapter of the American Association of Retired Persons, Assistant State Director and State Director and member and chairman of the S.C. State Legislative Committee of the organization. He was a member of the Senior Advisory Council, Piedmont Healthcare, The Catawba Regional Advisory Committee for DHEC (Department of Health and Environmental Control) Home Health, the Advisory Council on Home Health Incorporated, and the Task Force on the Elderly of York County. He served on the Board of the South Carolina Gerentological Society, was a member of Alpha Kappa Delta, a National Honor Debating Society. He is listed in Who’s Who in the South and Southwest and listed in the Seventh Edition of Personalities of the South. He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, the Bob Hale Sunday Morning Discussion Group, and he had served on numerous boards and committees. He was an active participant in the Shepherd’s Center.
While living at Westminster Towers, Dr. Edwards served as President of the Residential Association, as Chairman of the Windows Committee, and was responsible for lining up speakers for the Men’s Breakfast group.
Dr. Edwards traveled extensively in the Near East, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Alaska, and most of the other states. Over the years, he climbed mountains in Lebanon, Syria, Greece, and in 1931 climbed the Swiss side of the Matterhorn. He was an avid golfer, winning several first place awards in his age category. Dr. Edwards volunteered as a Counselor at Hope, a private welfare agency which gives limited emergency assistance to members of the community.
Under the auspices of Westminster Towers, he served for many years as a mentor at Richmond Drive Elementary School, and as a Tutor of students from Northside School at St. John’s United Methodist Church.
Over the years, Dr. Edwards was recognized as outstanding in many years. In 1995 he was selected as the “Outstanding Older South Carolinian.”
In April, 2000, he received the AARP National Community Service Award for providing outstanding service to his community. He has also been give credit as the originator of the AARP Tax Aid Program - a program that helps the elderly with their income taxes.
Survivors: 1 Daughter: Nancy E. Carter and husband Bill of Charlotte, NC. 1 Son: Rev. Neal W. Edwards and wife Kathleen of Griffin, GA. 4 Grandchildren: Tricia Barber and husband, Ed of High Point, NC; Jenny Carter of Dallas, Texas ; Allen Edwards and wife Kelley of Griffin, GA; Angela Adams and husband Paige of Cary, NC. 5 great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 7:00pm-9:00pm, Sunday, October 31, 2004 in the Community Room at Westminster Towers.
Memorials may be made to Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC 28204, Endowment Fund Westminster Towers, 1330 India Hook Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732 or Building Fund of St. John’s United Methodist Church, 321 S. Oakland Ave., Rock Hill, SC 29730.
Otis Hankins
SUMTER — Services for Otis Lee Hankins, 63, are noon Saturday at Sumter First Church of the Nazarene; burial in Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery; visitation 6-8 tonight at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home. Born in Bishop, Va., to Joe and Sarah Hankins, he died Oct. 27, 2004. Surviving: wife, Linda Hankins; children, Sherry Maddock, Jennie Banar, Blaine, Dale, Sandy Hankins; 10 grands; others.
Mary Hanson
GREENWOOD — Services for Mary Elizabeth Benjamin Hanson, 89, widow of Jay Hanson, 2 p.m. Saturday (viewing 1 p.m.) at Coronaca Baptist Church; burial in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Blyth Funeral Home is in charge. Born in Greenwood to Samuel and Nannie D. Benjamin, she died Oct. 28, 2004. Surviving: children, Anna Duncan, Charles Hanson; adopted son, Manning Gambrell; 9 grands; more.
Herbert Hazel Sr.
GRAY'S HILL — Services for Herbert Hazel Sr., 71, 1 p.m. Saturday at Friendship Holiness Church, Stuart Point; burial in Gray’s Hill Cemetery. Marshel’s Wright-Donaldson Home for Funerals, Beaufort, is in charge. He died Oct. 23, 2004. Surviving: wife, Janie Hazel; children, Samuel Greene, Christine Smalls, Herbert Jr., Patricia, Bertha Hazel, Gloria Williams, Debbie Harris; 2 sisters; 17 grands; 5 great-grandchildren.
Albert Dixon Jr.
ORANGEBURG — Services for Albert Dixon Jr. are 2 p.m. Saturday at Simmons Funeral Home; burial in Heavenly Rest Memorial Park Cemetery, Cordova. Visitation is 11 a.m.-9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Born in Orangeburg Co. to Albert Sr. and Inell Dixon, he died Oct. 27, 2004. Surviving: parents; siblings, Freddie Sr., Stanley, Travis, Christopher, Keisha Dixon, Mary Dixon-Tucker; nieces and nephews.
Joyce Hinton
GRAY COURT — Services with burial for Joyce W. Hinton, 57, are 2 p.m. Saturday at Warrior Creek Baptist Church; visitation is 7-8:30 tonight at the Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens. Born in Laurens Co. to Charles and Fannie Weathers, she died October 28, 2004. Surviving: husband, Steve Hinton; children, Tracy McCall, Robert, Gregg, Eric Hinton; brother, Raymond “Darrell” Weathers; sister, Edwina DuPree; 7 grandchildren.
Harry Hickman
OLANTA — Services for Harry L. Hickman, 53, are 2 p.m. Saturday at Floyd Funeral Home; burial: Lynchburg Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Floyd Funeral Home. Born in Clarendon Co. to Melvin Hickman and Annie Mae DuBose, he died Oct. 27, 2004. Surviving: father; wife, Betty Jean Coleman Hickman; children, Ashley, Harry, Charles Hickman; 1 sister; 6 brothers; 2 grandchildren.
