System Mechanic - Clean, repair, protect, and speed up your PC!OTIS B. KEMPSON, JR. -- Otis Bright Kempson, Jr., 71, died Sat., Feb. 9, 2002, with his family at his side, after battling cancer at Mountain Area Hospice Solace Center in Asheville, NC. Born September 29, 1930, and raised in Kingstree, Kempson excelled in all sports while a student at Kingstree High. A proud and active graduate of Clemson University, he was a member of the Clemson football teams that played in the Orange Bowl and the Gator Bowl and was a Distingui-shed Military Student. After graduating from Clemson in 1953, he served as a First Lieutenant in the U. S. Army during the Korean War. Kempson graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree in 1959 and practiced law for two years in Spartanburg, SC. He later organized a Trust Depart-ment for The National Bank of South Carolina, Sumter, prior to moving to Asheville in 1964 to organize a Trust Department for the Bank of Asheville. In Asheville, Kempson worked in the field of Financial and Estate Planning and belonged to a number of professional organizations, as well as being active in social and civic affairs. In addition to his family and Clemson football, Kempson loved Asheville and being surrounded by the mountains. He touched many lives with his wisdom, humor and philosophy of "turning things over to A Higher Power." Whistling a tune, dancing a step and giving a kind word to all, Kempson will be missed, but he will live on through all who knew him. Survivors include: three children: Harold B. Kempson of Charlotte, NC; Leigh K. Magee and husband, Charles, of Raleigh, NC, and their two children, Alexander and Katherine; and Otis Craig Kempson and wife, Sydney, of Raleigh, NC, and their two children, Will Creech and Grace. He is also survived by his former wife, Lucy Holman Bigby; his mother, Jennie Lee of St. Stephens; a brother, Harold and his wife, Zelene, of Kingstree; and a sister, Harriett Ahrens, of Charleston. A memorial service celebrating Kempsonıs life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Asheville, NC, on Sat., Feb. 16, 2002 at 11 a.m. The family will receive friends after the service in the Parish Hall and afterward at the home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Mountain Area Hospice, Post Office Box 16, Asheville, NC 28802 or to a favorite charity of choice. Morris Funeral Home, Asheville, NC, is assisting the family. Condolences may be e-mailed to morrisfh@charter.net.
MACKIE KEELS, JR. -- Funeral services for Mackie Keels, Jr., conducted by the Rev. Edward C. McLeod, were held Wed., Feb. 6, 2002, at Long Branch United Methodist Church in Greeleyville. Burial, directed by Redmond-Richardson Funeral Home, followed at Big Spring Cemetery. Mr. Keels, 65, died Fri., Feb. 1, 2002, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. He was born June 17, 1936, in Greeleyville, a son of the late Mackie Keels, Sr. and Lettie Rollerson Keels. He attended Williamsburg County Training School in Greeleyville. He was a member of Long Branch United Methodist Church. He was a self-employed handyman in Far Rockaway, New York. Survivors are: his wife, Mrs. Ruby K. Keels of Brooklyn, NY; one son, Mackie Kelton Keels of New York, NY; one daughter, Shonda Keels of New York, NY; one brother, Watson Keels of Greeleyville; and two sisters, Mrs. Sarah Abney of Far Rockaway, NY; and Sherbadine Keels of Arlington, Virginia.
LUCY WILDER -- Lucy Camlin Wilder, 81, widow of Olin Buford Wilder, Sr., died Fri., Feb. 8, 2002, at the home of her daughter in Manning. Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Grover Mixon, were held Sun., Feb. 10, 2002, at Stephens Funeral Home Chapel in Manning. Burial followed at Andrews Memorial Cemetery. Born Dec. 14, 1920, in Andrews, she was a daughter of the late Hebert Augusta Camlin and Mary Benton Camlin. She was owner of Wilder Brothersı Furniture of Greeleyville. She was a member of Greeleyville Baptist Church. Survivors are: two daughters, Linda Gamble of Manning; and Barbara Mixon of Kingstree; two sons, Bobby Wilder and Gerald Wilder of Greeleyville; and one sister, Helen Squires of Pawleyıs Island.
MARGUERITE CONYERS -- Funeral services for Mrs. Marguerite L. Myers Conyers, conducted by the Rev. Talbert Dickson, were held Sat., Feb. 9, 2002, at St. John Baptist Church in Greeleyville. Burial, conducted by Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home, followed at the church cemetery. Mrs. Conyers died Sat., Feb. 2, 2002, at Roper Hospital North in Charleston. She was born in Williamsburg County on July 3, 1939, a daughter of the late Robert Myers and Minnie Hanna Myers. She received her education in Williamsburg County Public School System and received her B.A. from Benedict College. She was employed with Williamsburg County School District and was coach for the SC Special Olympics, Area 9. She was a member of St. John Baptist Church and served as president of the Missionary Board, taught Sunday school, and was president of the Program Committee. Survivors are: her husband, Louis Conyers of the home; two daughters, Kimberly Y. Conyers and Kayretha Conyers, both of Charleston; one brother, Robert Myers, Jr., of Laurelton, NY; and four sisters, Rosanna Nelson of Philadelphia, Pa; Minnie Y. Dukes of Kingstree; Patricia Cooper of Jersey City, NJ; and Ruth McCullough of Brooklyn, NY.
FRANCES SMITH -- Funeral services for Mrs. Frances V. "Fannie" Smith, conducted by the Rev. Frank James, were held Sun., Feb. 10, 2002, at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Kingstree. Burial, directed by Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home, followed at the church cemetery. Mrs. Smith, widow of Gillen B. Smith, died Mon., Feb. 4, 2002, at Williamsburg Regional Hospital in Kingstree. She was born in Williamsburg County on Sept. 25, 1914, a daughter of the late Jake Brown and Hester Scott Brown. She graduated from Tomlinson High School and received a B.S. in elementary education from Allen University in Columbia and attended Morgan State University in Baltimore, MD. She also received a masterıs degree in special education from New York University in New York City, NY. She taught school in Williamsburg County School District for 42 years. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church and lifelong member of the NAACP. Survivors are: one son, Francis Smith of Baltimore, MD; one daughter, Mrs. Johnnie Mae Cantey of Kingstree; three brothers, John Brown of Baltimore, MD; Fred Brown of Andrews and Thomas Brown of Darlington; and five sisters, Della Alston of Lane; Mary Felix of Brooklyn, NY; Agnes Keels of Tampa, FL; Willie Esther Simon of Brooklyn, NY: and Merdith Gadson of Walterboro.
LONZELL WHEELER -- Funeral services for Lonzell "Roper" Wheeler, conducted by the Rev. Oliver Davis, were held Mon., Feb. 11, 2002, at Oak Grove A.M.E. Church in Lake City. Mr. Wheeler, 30, died Thurs., Feb. 7, 2002, at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. He was born Sept. 9, 1971, in Olanta, a son of Glory Mae Wheeler and Levi Brown. He graduated from Lake City High School in 1989. He also attended Chris Logan School of Cosmetology. He was a member of Oak Grove A.M.E. Church. He was a school bus driver for ten years with the Florence County School District and also a former employee of Quincyıs of Florence. He was a self-employed hair technician. Survivors, in addition to his parents, are: eight brothers, Lucious Wheeler of Aiken; Otis Wheeler of Florence; Ceaser Wheeler, Gregory Wheeler and Stevie Brown, all of Olanta; Emanuel Brown of St. McLeod, MD; Lee Charles Brown and Minister Harry Brown, both of Lake City; seven sisters, Mrs. Lorraine Pendergrass; Mrs. Jennifer Johnson and Shana Oliver, all of Olanta; Mrs. Genene Harley of Florence; Mrs. Gretchen Smith of Athens, GA; Joyce Brown of Columbia; and Valorie McCut-cheon of Charleston; one adopted sister, Lesa McFadden of West Palm Beach, FL; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Nancy McFadden of Olanta; and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Mettie Brown of Scranton.
JAMES McCREA -- Funeral services for James Bennett McCrea, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Cobin, were held Sat., Feb. 9, 2002, at St. Mary A.M.E. Church in Salters. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at the churchyard cemetery. Mr. McCrea was born Oct. 29, 1915, in Williamsburg County, a son of the late Johnny McCrea and Bell Hugee McCrea Washington. He died Mon., Feb. 4, 2002, at his residence in Salters. He attended the public schools of Williamsburg County. He was a member of St. Mary A.M.E. Church. He was also the leader of Class #10. He was married to the late Mrs. Lula Darby McCrea. Survivors are: three sons, Willie James McCrea of Washington, DC; Thomas Jefferson McCrea of Salters; and Emerson Bufkin of Kingstree; three daughters, Willia Dean Turner of Colorado Springs, CO; Felisha Bell Brown of Las Vegas, NV; and Harietha Pippen of Hempstead, NY; one sister, Mrs. Rebecca Patrick of Salters; and one step-sister, Mrs. Sylvester Miller of Florence.
EUGENE MILLER -- Funeral services for Eugene "Gene" Miller, conducted by Elder Joe T. Gamble, were held Thursday, December 6, 2001, at Nesmith Way of the Cross Holiness Church. Burial, directed by Nesmith-Pinckney Funeral Home, followed at Friendship Cemetery. Mr. Miller died November 28, 2001, at Williamsburg Regional Hospital. He was born November 1, 1965 in Williamsburg County, a son of Mrs. Rosena Tisdale and the late Joseph Franklin. He attended Kingstree Senior High School. He was a member of the Nesmith Way of the Cross Church in Nesmith and of Faith and Deliverance Holiness Church. Survivors, in addition to his mother, are: his wife, Sharon Montgomery Miller of Pompano Beach, FL; one daughter, Sharie LaGina Miller of Johnsonville; one step-son, Samuel Montgomery; his father-in-law, Bishop Samuel Montgomery of Pompano Beach, FL; 11 sisters, Rosa McGill of Andrews; Celia Cooper of Newport News, VA; Shirley Chandler, Gracie McFadden, Gwendolyn Brockington, Earline Franklin, Linda Keels, Trisha McFadden, Cassandra and Stacey Shaw, and Martha McGill, all of Kingstree; and five brothers, Lawrence ³Chuckie² Scott of Kingstree; Harry Franklin of Andrews; and Joseph Shaw, Jerome Shaw and Harry Shaw, all of Kingstree.
SAMUEL GAMBLE -- Samuel Raymond Gamble, 75, died Monday, December 17, 2001, at East Cooper Regional Medical Center in Mt. Pleasant. Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 19, 2001, at Happy Home Original Free Will Baptist Church. Burial, directed by Andrews Chapel of Mayer Funeral Home, followed at Piney Forest Cemetery. Mr. Gamble was born in Lecanto, FL, on August 27, 1926, a son of the late Samuel Lawrence Gamble and Minnie Estelle Taylor Gamble. He attended Williams-burg County schools. He served in the Army during the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Sgt. 1st Class, and was awarded the Bronze Star medal. He retired in 1985 after 33 years with the Woodland Division of Interna-tional Paper Company, where he was a mamber of the Quarter Century Club. He was a member of Happy Home Original Free Will Baptist Church. He served his church as a member of the Finance Committee and president of the Menıs Fellowship. Survivors are: his wife, Janelle Ray Gamble of Andrews; two sons, Samuel R. "Randy" Gamble, Jr., and James L. Gamble, both of Andrews; one daughter, Deborah "Debbie" G. Daniels of Inverness, FL; one brother, Ralph Woodrow Gamble of Andrews; and one sister, Claudia Mae Gamble of Andrews.
HARRY NESMITH -- Funeral services for Harry "Heavy D" Nesmith, conducted by the Rev. Talbert Dickerson, were held Friday, December 21, 2001, at Antioch Baptist Church in Cedar Swamp. Burial, directed by Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home, followed in the church cemetery. Mr. Nesmith died Friday, December 14, 2001, at Carolinas Hospital System-Florence. He was born in Williamsburg County on May 4, 1966, a son of Hartwell Pendergrass, Sr., and the late Mrs. Sallie Mae Nesmith. Mr. Nesmith attended Blakely High School. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. Survivors, in addition to his father, are: three sisters, Henrietta Nesmith of Kingstree, Antonia Andrews of Kaline, TX, Cicely Pendergrass of Columbia; one brother, Hartwell Pendergrass, Jr., of Kingstree; and his grandmother, Elizabeth Nesmith of Kingstree.
