U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
SHEILA H. DOWNEY
PAGELAND - Funeral services for Sheila Hicks Downey, 45, will be held at 2 p.m. today, Aug. 18, 2006, at Green Hill Church of God of Prophecy. The Rev. Ricky Dutton will officiate with burial in the church cemetery, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home.
Mrs. Downey died Tuesday, Aug. 15. Born in Darlington County, she was a daughter of Cecil Quick Hicks and the late Eugene Hicks.
Surviving are her husband, Billy Chris Downey of Pageland; sons and daughter-in-law, Billy Eugene Downey of Pageland, Chivis D. and Janet Downey of Chesterfield; daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia D. and Bradley Williams and Ashley Yvonne Downey and Rodney Roberts, all of Pageland; sister, Ginger Renee Grantham of Hartsville; brothers, William Carlton Hicks Sr. and Gene Mitchell Hicks Jr., both of Hartsville; stepfather, Ernest Boykin of Hartsville; and six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her brother Gene Mitchell Hicks Sr., and her sister Joan Hicks.
JOHN FRENCH
BEAUFORT - A memorial service for John 'Jack' Thatcher French, 68, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 29, 2006, at Davidson Hall, Coker College in Hartsville, with Copeland Funeral Home of Beaufort in charge.
Mr. French died Friday, Aug. 4, in Beaufort. He was born Sept. 4, 1937, in Buffalo, N.Y., a son of Eleanor Thatcher French and William Budd French. He was known to many for his quick wit, intelligence, and humor. Receiving a master's from Johns Hopkins University and doctorate from McGill University, Dr. French taught American Studies at The College of William and Mary, the U.S. Naval Academy and Coker College. He was a naval intelligence officer during the Vietnam war.
Mostly, he was recognized as man who was a fiercely passionate horseman. He schooled and bred many of his thoroughbreds at 'Banbury Cross, ' his charming 18th century house, where he resided with his beloved horses, dogs, cats and chickens. He ran his horses in New York, Maryland, Delaware and New Jersey. He was a member of the New York Racing Association and a trainer for the New York Racing Association from 1985-2000. Those who loved Jack considered him to be a Renaissance man, to experience life with him was like walking back in time to a gentler era.
He was preceded in death by a son, Christian French, and a daughter, Alexis French.
Survivors include his wife, Lavinia Ravenel French of Beaufort; and his grandchildren, Christian and Jasmine French. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one's choice.
LULA B. GARLAND
A graveside service for Lula Brown Garland, 89, will be held at 11 a.m. today, Aug. 18, 2006, in Wesley Chapel Methodist Church cemetery in Lydia, officiated by Rev. Steven Garland and directed by Belk Funeral Home.
Mrs. Garland, widow of D.G. Garland Sr., died Tuesday Aug.15, in a local nursing home. She was born in Darlington County, daughter of the late Jacob C. and Florence Braddock Brown. She was co-owner of Garland's INS Grocery where she also worked as a clerk for many years. Lula was a loving and devoted mother and grandmother. She was a member of Black Creek Baptist Church in Darlington.
Surviving are two daughters, Patricia (Raymond) Garland Wilkes, Sybil G. Kelly both of Hartsville; two sons, the Rev. Steven T. (Ann) Garland of Hueytown, Ala., D.G. 'David' (Glenda) Garland of Palmetto, Ga.; three granddaughters, Ronda W. McElveen, Sheneen G. Daniels, Wendy G. Forsythe; seven grandchildren, Chad Garland, Ray Wilkes, Scott Kelly, Randy Kelly, Garland Kelly, Jim Kelly and Rusty Garland ; 17 great-grandchildren; and a son-in-law, Paul C. Kelly.
Mrs. Garland was preceded in death by her husband, a daughter, Sadie G. Kelley, six brothers, Peyton Sr., Grover, Newett, David, Jack Sr. and Charles Brown, and a sister, Ruby B. Johnson.
Memorials may be made to Black Creek Baptist Church, 137 Mont Clare Road, Darlington SC 29540.
LEVAN DRINKARD
BISHOPVILLE - Funeral services for Levan Thomas (Van) Drinkard, 36, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at Forest Hills Baptist Church in Hartsville. The Revs. John C. Smith, Jim Murray and Carl Watts will officiate. Burial will be in the St. Matthew Methodist Church cemetery, directed by Norton Funeral Home, Bishopville Chapel. Visitation will be this evening, Aug. 18, from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.
Mr. Drinkard, who died Aug. 16, was born in Florence a son of Tommy and Kathy Thompson Drinkard. He was a graduate of John Wesley Academy and Bob Jones University. He was employed with Galey & Lord as a computer analyst.
Surviving are his parents of Bishopville; sisters, Melissa (Andy) Martin of Bishopville, Sarajake (Steve) Barefoot of Hartsville; paternal grandparents, James and Ila Drinkard of Hartsville; three nephews; and one niece. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Sory and Dell Thompson.
Memorials may be made to Helping Hands Hospice, 202 Second Street, Hartsville, SC 29550.
MARK O'NEAL
SOCIETY HILL - Funeral services for Mark Carroll O'Neal, 52, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at the Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Mark Huckabee and Robert Paquette will officiate, with burial in Antioch Baptist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight, Aug. 18, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, 1652 Mt. Olivet Church Rd., Patrick, SC 29584.
Mr. O'Neal died Wednesday, Aug. 16. Born in Darlington County, he was a son of Esma Stewart O'Neal and the late Robert Hudson O'Neal Sr. He was a lifetime farmer with O'Neal Farms, an artisan in his own right, enjoyed antiques, a nature enthusiast and known as Santa Claus at Christmas.
Surviving are his son, Mark O'Neal Jr. of Patrick; sisters, Iris (Jimmy) Tyler and Sarah O. Teal, all of Hartsville; brothers, Bobby (Mary Outlaw) O'Neal of Hartsville, John (Janice) O'Neal of Society Hill; and loving companion, Gail Hussey of Society Hill.
CHARLES STEPHENSON
Funeral services for Charles E. Stephenson, 63, were held 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 17, 2006, at Second Baptist Church. Burial followed services in Sandy Bluff United Methodist Church cemetery located in Bishopville, directed by Young & Young Funeral Home of Hartsville.
Mr. Stephenson, died Sunday, Aug. 13, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center after an illness. He was born in Darlington County, a son of the late Johnnie and Marie Belvin Stephenson. He received his education in the public schools in the area and was a graduate of Butler High School. Mr. Stephenson was a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church and served on the Trustee Committee and Usher Board.
Surviving are his wife, Sally Holloman Stephenson of Hartsville; three sons, Charlie (Jackie) Stephenson of Charlotte, N.C., Tony (Bridget) Stephenson of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Ronnie (Cynthia) Stephenson of Ocala, Fla.; seven sisters, Selma Prescott of Camden, Fronzia (Truman) Pooler and Lillie Stephenson both of Lamar, Patsy Scott of Fayetteville, N.C., Mary Murray of Lydia, Pastor Blondell (James) Miller and Hattie Stephenson, both of Hartsville; two brothers, Eldridge (Lillie Mae) Stevenson of Hartsville and George (Patricia) Stephenson of Fayetteville, N.C.; three sisters-in-law, Lucille Thomas of Bishopville, Dorothy (Samuel) McCleod of Virginia, Beach, Va., and Francis Jones of Chester; eight grandchildren; six aunts, a host of nieces, nephews and other close relatives and friends.
MILLARD McDONALD
LYDIA - Graveside services for Millard Murdick McDonald, 90, were held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 13, 2006, at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. The Rev. Terry Martin officiated with burial in the church cemetery, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, PO Box 56, Lydia, SC 29079.
Mr. McDonald, widow of Sara Taylor McDonald, died Friday, Aug. 11. Born in Ruby, he was a son of the late John Angus and Grace Crowley McDonald. He was a member of Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church and was the bell ringer. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was retired from Union Carbide. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening.
Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Tanya McDonald of Hartsville; sisters, Margaret Griggs of Columbia, Katherine Alred of Eastover; brother, Pete McDonald of Hartsville; granddaughters, Barbi McDonald of Florence, Jennifer McDonald of Coward.
JAMES JOHNSON
LYDIA - Funeral services for James Johnson, 31, were held 3 p.m. Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, at Harold L. & Dorothy J. Young Memorial Chapel. Burial followed services in the New Bethel Baptist Church cemetery, directed by Young & Young Funeral Home.
Mr. Johnson died Wednesday, Aug. 16, after an illness. He was born in Lee County, a son of Louise Rivers and the late Elray McCutheon. He received his education in the Darlington County public school system and was a Hartsville High School graduate. He was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
Surviving other than his mother, Louise Rivers of Sumter, are his adopted parents, Malachi (Rosa) Dargan of Lydia; a wife, Crystal Johnson of Sumter; five children, Cereise Noell Johnson, Esmee' Lenore Johnson and Eriel Jeanette Johnson, all of Sumter, and Erica Mae Johnson and Quaintavious Johnson, both of Albany, Ga.; a paternal grandmother, Rebecca Thomas of Florence; four sisters, Pamela Rivers, Vanessa Rivers and LaBrer Rivers, all of Sumter and Carolyn Miles of Jacksonville, Tenn.; five brothers, Michael (Shonette) Dargan and David (Tori) Dargan, both of Lydia, Issac (Greselda) Dargan of Tyler, Texas, Edward Dargan of Dallas, Texas, Leroy Miles of Tennessee, and Jack of Florence; 14 aunts, seven uncles; a host of nieces, nephews and other close relatives and friends.
MARY M. HANCOCK
BISHOPVILLE - Funeral services for Mary Maxcy Hancock, 93, were held at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 21, 2006, in the Community Bible Church with the Rev. Jerry Peacock officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery, directed by Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home.
Mrs. Hancock, widow of Waddy Laneau Hancock, died Friday, Aug. 18, at Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center. Born in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late William A. Maxcy and the late Ida D. Capell Maxcy. Mrs. Hancock was retried from Bishopville Manufacturing Company and was a member of Community Bible Church.
Survivors include two sons, John A. Hancock (Myrtle) of Darlington and Elbert L. Hancock (Carolyn) of Hartsville; two sisters, Ethel Griffin of Camden and Carrie Lou Ardis of Lexington; five grandchildren, Beth Morgan (Dean), Barbara West (Roger), Arlene Ham (Barry), Reggie Hancock (Debbie), and Robin Pollard (Rox); and six great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Hancock was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary E. Hancock; one sister, Elizabeth Trapp; and three brothers, Harry Maxcy, Hazel Maxcy and Whit Britton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Community Bible Church, 5711 Red Hill Rd., Camden, SC 29020.
BERNICE ENGELBERT
Funeral services for Bernice Hall Engelbert, 59, will be held at 4 p.m. today, Aug. 23, 2006, at Liberty Hill Baptist Church. The Revs. Jim Beck and Billy Campbell will officiate with burial in the church cemetery, directed by Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Liberty Hill Baptist Church, 3224 Liberty Hill Rd., Hartsville, SC 29550.
Mrs. Engelbert died Sunday, Aug. 20. Born in Hartsville, she was a daughter of the late Will and Bertha Gainey Hall. Surviving are her husband, Guenter Engelbert of Hartsville; sons and daughters-in-law, Donnie and Jennifer Engelbert, Freddie and Danielle Engelbert, Teddie Engelbert, all of Hartsville; granddaughters, Jena Engelbert and Taylor Engelbert. She was preceded in death by her brother, Ernest Hall.
FRANK MELTON SR.
Graveside services for E. Frank Melton Sr., 63, who died Aug. 21, will be today, Aug. 23, 2006, at 3 p.m. at the Westview Memorial Park with full military honors, directed by Norton Funeral Home. The Rev. Mark Huckabee and Eddie Watford will officiate.
Frank was born in Hartsville, a son of Eugene H. (Buck) Melton and the late Christine Usher Melton. He was retired from the U.S. Air Force after 20 years of service and also retired from Progress Energy. He was very involved in the Old Darlington District Chapter of the South Carolina Genealogical Society and the Hartsville Genealogical Research Library, where he served as web master. Surviving are his wife, Brenda Kelley Melton of Hartsville; his father of Hartsville; son, Gene (Gina) Melton Jr. of Hartsville; daughters, Lisa Melton (Scotty) Beasley of Hartsville, Christine Virginia (Kenneth) Stewart of Kennesaw, Ga.; brothers, Dennis and Danny Melton of Hartsville; nine grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to the ODDC, PO Box 175, Hartsville, SC 29551.
SUSANA HERRINGTON
Funeral services for Susana Herrington, 92, were held at 12 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, 2006, at Jerusalem Baptist Church. Burial followed services in Greenlawn cemetery, directed by Young & Young Funeral Home.
Mrs. Herrington died Saturday, Aug. 12, after an illness. She was born in Lee County, a daughter of the late Lafayette and Lillie Wilson Aaron. She received her education in the public schools in the area and was a longtime member of Jerusalem Baptist Church.
Surviving are five grandchildren; four sisters, Edna Perkins and Willia Aaron, both of Washington, D.C., Willie Mae Aaron and Duddie Mae DeWitt, both of Hartsville; three special nieces, Norma Aaron of Washington, D.C., Pennie Nicholson and Deloris Holloman, both of Hartsville; one sister-in-law, Lillian Herrington of Sumter; and a host of other closer relatives and friends.
JOSEPH 'JB' GAINEY
LAMAR - Funeral services for Joseph B. 'JB' Gainey, 65, will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, 2006, at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church. Burial will be in Magnolia cemetery, directed by Norton Funeral Home, Hartsville Chapel. Visitation will be this evening from 6 to 8 at the funeral home.
Mr. Gainey, who died Aug. 21, was born in Chesterfield County, a son of Geneva Dixon Gainey and the late Woodrow W. Gainey Sr. He was a member of Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, retired from Sonoco Products Co. after 44 years of service and a member of the Old Timers Club. He coached American Legion Baseball in Hartsville, Darlington and Timmonsville and Pony League baseball in Hartsville. He coached Dixie Youth Baseball, Lamar High School baseball, midget football and Lamar High School football. He was an announcer for Lamar High School football for 27 years, and received an award as the official Voice of the Silver Foxes. He was a state certified high school baseball umpire for 20 years.
Surviving are his wife, Roma Gainey of Lamar; son, Joseph Scottie (Cheryl) Gainey and grandson, Jordan Gainey, both of Leesburg, Fla.; his mother of Kannapolis, N.C.; brothers, Carroll Gainey of Lamar, Larry Gainey of Kannapolis, N.C., Dennis Gainey of Mt. Pleasant, N.C.; sisters, Juanita and Sandra Gainey, Cathy Beaver of Kannapolis, N.C.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Woodrow Gainey Jr. and Clarence Gainey.
