Masters fans pouring into Greenwood hotels

April 8, 2005

By TASHA STEIMER
Index-Journal staff writer

Although the weather was dreary for the first round of the Masters Thursday, Greenwood hotels didn’t feel blue.
The Masters brings fans from all over the country to the Lakelands – many of whom stay in Greenwood.
Mike King, general manager of Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites, said rooms are often booked months in advance.
“We tend to fill up anyway, but this week about one-third of our registrations are for the Masters people,” he said. “Most people made reservations six or seven months ago when their tickets for the tournament were verified. It’s the best value for the room and service you can get for the money.”
King said he knew that other hotels, such as the Econo Lodge, which are owned by the same corporate company, also fill up in the first week of April.
“We have some people from California and Michigan – all over the country,” he said. “Capsugel (administrators) got quite a few rooms at the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn.”
Brenda Floyd, assistant general manager of Comfort Inn, said many of the hotel’s guests during the Masters return each year.
“More than half of our rooms are booked for the Masters,” she said. “Most of them have stayed here before. There aren’t a lot of rooms in Augusta, and everything there gets booked up fast.”
Floyd said their guests come from all over the country including Minnesota, Ohio and Montana and from parts of Canada.
“We look forward to the business every year; it’s a great boost for us,” she said. “People like the convenience to S.C. 25 and a lot play on the local golf courses. Greens fees can be less than what they’re used to.”
King said Greenwood is easily accessible to Augusta and offers travelers not only good hotels but shopping and restaurants.
Kelly Kirkpatrick, director of membership development and public relations from the Greenwood Area Chamber of Commerce, said the tournament has a “significant” effect on the local economy.
“Throughout the whole week, hotels are booked and I’m sure restaurants are also feeling an increase in business,” she said. “Many people driving north out of Augusta will stop here on their way home plus those people who are staying in town also go out to eat.”

Wilbur ‘Bill’ Bishop

WARE SHOALS – Wilbur Taylor “Bill” Bishop, 86 husband of Myrtle Broadwell Martin Bishop, of 13 N. Greenwood Ave. Ext., died Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at his home.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of the late William Edward and Lillie Taylor Bishop. He was a member of the Ware Shoals First Baptist Church where he was active in the Callaham-Morgan Sunday School Class, the Senior Choir, and various other committees. He was a member of the Ware Shoals Lodge #306 A.F.M., the Hejaz Shrine Temple, and a former member of the Hejaz Oriental Band. He was retired from Riegel Textile Co. where he served as Personnel Manager for 28 years and later a compliance officer for the S.C. Department of Labor. He was twice married, first to the late Inez Jones Bishop. He was the youngest of ten children and a veteran of the U.S. Army, World War II. Surviving are his wife of the home, one son, Drayton Bishop of Ware Shoals, one step-son, Billy Martin of Pendleton, two step-daughters, Mrs. Wayne (Jane) Hall of Irmo and Mrs. Jimmy (Diana) Kilgore of Iva, one brother, James C. (Jake) Bishop of Ware Shoals, one sister, Sara Traynham of Ware Shoals, three grandchildren, Sheri Bishop Fricks of Greenwood, Scott Bishop of Waterloo, and Cathy Bishop of Ware Shoals, five great-grandchildren, Emily, Justin, and William Fricks, all of Greenwood, and Taylor and Zac Bishop of Waterloo, nine step-grandchildren and 12 step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 2PM Saturday at the Ware Shoals First Baptist Church with Rev. Leon Jones and Rev. Marcus Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The body is at Parker-White Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 PM Saturday. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 PM Friday at Parker-White Funeral Home. The family is at the home of a son, Drayton Bishop, 6167 Highway 252, Donalds. Memorials may be made to the Ware Shoals First Baptist Church, Box 449, Ware Shoals, S.C. 29692.
PAID OBITUARY

John Boxx

GREENWOOD – John Douglas Boxx, 77, resident of 434 Dogwood Drive, husband of Rita McCord Boxx, died April 6, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, September 28, 1927, he was a son of the late R. W. and Annie Lee Ayers Boxx. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and the Greenwood College of Commerce. He served in the US Navy and retired from the US Postal Service after 42 years of service.
A member of West Side Baptist Church, he was also a member of the Adult I Sunday School Department of the church and The Greenwood Country Club.
Surviving in addition to his wife of 56 years are two sons, John Stephen Boxx and wife, Jan of Lugoff and Eric Wesley Boxx and wife, Becky of Yorktown, VA; a daughter, Merry Christine Boxx of Charleston; two brothers, Frank Boxx and Harold Boxx, both of Greenwood; a sister, Mary Walters of Winder, GA; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Edward and Jack Boxx.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 AM Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Hal Lane and Rev. Mike Lewellyn officiating.
Burial will be inOakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Boxx, Frank Boxx, Jr., Bill Boxx, Joel Walters, John McCord, III, Brooks McCord, Derrick McCord, Brooks Cole and Perry Ellison.
Honorary escort will be members of the Adult I Sunday School Department of West Side Baptist Church along with Marshall Culbertson, James Jordan, Jr., Mark Palmer, Clarence Blackwell, James Edwards, Ralph Still, M.B. Ford, Clarence Wilson, James Childres, Vernon Lathren, Smiley Bryant, Charles Smith, J.C. Doolittle, Ed Seigler, Matt Gleber, Jack Ellis, Jack Wofford, Buddy Hawkins, Nick Nicholson, Curtis Shaw, Tom Chandler, Hack Robinson, Greg Culbertson, Chalmers Montjoy, Dr. Carlos Manalich and Dr. George Cone.
The family is at the home on Dogwood Drive.
Memorials may be made to West Side Baptist Church, PO Box 216, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE.
PAID OBITUARY

Eliza Leake Boyd

CROSS HILL — Eliza Pearl Leake Boyd, 69, of 51 Longview Road, wife of Leroy Boyd, died Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at her home.
Born in Laurens County, she was a daughter of the late Ed Chang and Carrie Henderson Leake. She was a member of St. Vaughnville Baptist Church, Chappells, and the Women’ Aid Society No. 49. She attended Goggins School in Chappells.
Survivors include her husband of Cross Hill; five daughters, Francine Boyd of the home, Margaret Boyd, Carrie Boyd, Alice Boyd and Chryleen Boyd, all of Cross Hill; a son, Deroy Boyd of Cross Hill; two grandsons reared in the home, Jamie Boyd of Cross Hill and Clifton Boyd of Greenwood; two sisters, Mrs. Tommy (Dorothy) Richard of Cross Hill and Helen Graydon of New York; two brothers, Sammie Leake of Greenwood and Eddie Leake of Cross Hill; a niece reared as a sister, Lillie Leake of Cross Hill; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at St. Vaughnville Baptist Church, Chappells. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Childs Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge.

Leslie Bryson

Leslie S. Bryson, 92, of 2901 Highway 25 S., widower of Bertha Kelley Bryson, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Visitation is 6-8 Saturday at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Ellen Martin, 110 Pembroke Road.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home.

Ernie Crawford

WATERLOO — Ernest “Ernie” Crawford, 54, of 2202 Dillard Road, died Wednesday, April 6, 2005 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of Laura Abercrombie Crawford and the late Charles H. Crawford. He retired from Solutia and was an Air Force veteran of the Vietnam conflict. He was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include his mother of Ware Shoals; a son, Jay Crawford of Ware Shoals; and a brother, Herman Crawford of Ware Shoals.
Services are 4 p.m. today at Parker-White Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Marcus Bishop and Leon Jones. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Visitation is 3-4 today at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of his mother, Laura Crawford, 28 Sparks Ave., Ware Shoals.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Bobbie Culbertson

Bobbie Joyce Casey Culbertson, 73, of 2511 Highway 72 W., wife of Marvin B. Culbertson, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Manson Jolly Casey Sr. and Eva Martin Casey. She was a member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two sons, Marion T. “Tommy” Culbertson and Myron Glenn Culbertson, both of the home; two sisters, Ethel C. Hawkins of Columbia and Mrs. Gerald (Shelba) Ellison of Williamston; two brothers, Manson Jolly Casey Jr. of Williamston and Joe Edward Casey of Pelzer.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Edgewood Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Alvin Hodges, the Rev. Jimmy Tucker and Manson J. Casey Jr.
Visitation is 7-8:30 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 1975 Highway 72 W., Greenwood, SC 29649.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Charles Sweezy

HODGES — Charles Johnson Sweezy Jr., 73, of 130 Pineridge Drive, widower of Rita Mae Swink Sweezy, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 at his home.
The family is at the home of a granddaughter, Michelle Lollis, 106 Smith Drive, Hodges.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Tara Elizabeth Valentine

PALM BAY, Fla. — Tara Elizabeth Valentine, 31, died Thursday, March 31, 2005.
Born in Edgefield County, S.C., she was a daughter of Ophelia Martin Valentine and the late Eddie Valentine. She was a member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist and was employed at Easter Seals of Florida.
Survivors include her mother of Palm Bay; a brother, Leonard Valentine of Melbourne; two stepsisters, Sherell and Angela Valentine of Philadelphia; and a grandmother, Ora Mae Martin of Edgefield, S.C.
Graveside services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Rock Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, Saluda, S.C.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, is in charge.

Betty Ward

Betty L. Ward, 79, of 1715 E. Durst Ave., wife of Everett L. Ward, died Thursday, April 7, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Visitation is 7-9 Saturday at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home.

Charles White

ST. LOUIS – Charles H. “Cotton” White, 74, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis after a brief illness.
Born in Ware Shoals, SC, he was a son of the late Charlton and Eppie Lou Pitt White. He grew up in Greenwood and played American Legion Post 20 baseball. After a twenty-two year career in the US Air Force, he served as Administrative Division Chief at the V.A. regional offices in Baltimore, MD, Houston, TX and Los Angeles, CA.
He was a wonderful person who will be greatly missed by all who knew him and whose lives he touched so meaningfully.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; two sons, Mike White and wife, Cherie of Texas and Chuck White and wife Della of St. Louis; a grandson, Damien of St. Louis; a daughter, Wanda and husband, Gene Collins, also of St. Louis; two sisters, Maria Quattlebaum and Betty White, both of Greenwood; two brothers, Herbert White of Ware Shoals and Jimmy White of Laurens.
Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 AM Friday, April 8th from the Hutchens Mortuary in Florissant, MO.
Burial will be at Jefferson Barracks with full military rites.
ANNOUNCEMENT COURTESY OF BLYTH FUNERALHOME.
PAID OBITUARY

Ray Tackett taking over Cambridge football program

April 8, 2005

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

When Cambridge Academy football coach Ryan Young announced he was leaving, the school’s administration didn’t have to look far for a replacement.
Cambridge athletic director Ray Tackett takes over as head coach of the Cougars and will lead the team in its second straight jayvee season in the fall.
Tackett, in his 25th year at the school, has never coached football before and didn’t play the sport in high school or college.
But he does know the players, having coached most of them during basketball season, leading the Cougars to a 9-3 record.
And with assistant coaches Mike Adams, Kyle Bullock and Andrew Johnson staying for the 2005 season, Tackett says he’s up to the task.
“I know the game well and the assistants are staying, and they are familiar with the system,” Tackett said. “I’ve coached basketball, golf, baseball and to me, coaching is coaching. It’s a matter of reaching the kids.”
Adams coached the offensive line, Bullock the defensive line and Johnson the wide receivers last year.
Cambridge should have 26 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade players out for spring practice, Tackett said.
He would like to see the Cougars return to a varsity schedule for the 2006 season.
Young, who coached the jayvee squad last year, has taken a job at Chesterfield High School to coach with former Cambridge head coach Steve Taneyhill.
Young was an assistant for Taneyhill when the Cougars won back-to-back SCISA state titles in 2000-01, and will be assistant coach and linebackers coach for the Class AA Golden Rams.
“It’s hard to leave, but it’s a big step for me,” Young said. “Steve is keeping five guys (from the old Chesterfield staff) and needs someone to help them learn his system.
“They (Chesterfield) have been a down program, but they have good basketball teams and good baseball teams, so they have good athletes. There are 60 kids signed up for spring practice.”
Chesterfield finished 1-9 last year and was 0-5 in Region VIII-AA. The Golden Rams scored just 63 points, while giving up 360.
Cambridge’s spring practice begins in early May, and Young said he would work with the Cougars through the spring drills to help ease the coaching transition.
Chesterfield’s spring practice begins May 16, Young said.

Sanford’s approach likely has a lot of silent support

April 8, 2005

Does statewide or national politicking ever end? That, no doubt, is a question a lot of people ask themselves every day. From all appearances, it has a simple answer. No!
That comes to mind as the “race” for South Carolina begins to heat up ….. one more time ….. or still. A news item reported that Democrats have taken the offensive against Republican Gov. Mark Sanford’s bid for a second term.
The first shot across Sanford’s bow was on the economy, particularly the unemployment situation and the growth of income among South Carolinians. Democrats say both are among the worst in the nation.
They continue to use the same old rhetoric that smacks of class warfare. Pitting the poor against the rich has become standard through the years and it appears that’s not about to change.

THE LAY OF THE LAND is shifting in the political world, though, and more South Carolinians who consider themselves average voters cannot be taken for granted as many have in the past.
For one thing, Sanford has not been the typical chief executive. He came to office questioning the status quo in state government. He started off challenging the way “things have always been done.” That, to be sure, was something that was out of the ordinary. In the past, the ship of state sailed along routinely, with nobody rocking the boat.
There’s a good bet that many South Carolinians tend to relate to that questioning approach. They may not be all that vocal about it publicly, but in the privacy of their homes, work places and the voting booths, it’s very likely a serious topic.

MOST VOTERS, IT SEEMS, think of themselves as the “little guy,” the underdog who could use a champion. Meanwhile, they picture government as the “city hall” that nobody can fight ….. and win. So, then, they are likely, even if quietly, to welcome a surrogate to fight their political (and related) battles.
Sanford has been that surrogate, regardless of whether anyone credits him with that particular aspect of his administrative thrust.
Under those circumstances, state Democrats may find it difficult to make much headway in the next election. And no one should want them to lose ground as an equal partner in the two-party political system. That system should maintain the loyal opposition, no matter which party is on top at the moment.
One thing is obvious, though. Voters have left little doubt they want a system that is free of petty rancor. It doesn’t seem, however, to be even a possibility as the political wheels turn.