Dorn remembered as servant for all

Ex-lawmaker described as ‘humankind at its very best’

August 19, 2005

By ST. CLAIRE DONAGHY
Index-Journal staff writer

A man of “strong faith.” A man with a true “democratic spirit.” A man who is remembered as “a friend, a kinsman, a daddy” and someone who embodied the essence of the word “honorable.”
These are just a few of the ways in which friends and family described the late William Jennings Bryan Dorn during a funeral service Thursday at First Baptist Church of Greenwood.
The church was filled with family, friends and dignitaries including politicians, judges with local and state ties, and some with connections to Washington.
Dorn, a Democrat, represented South Carolina’s Third Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1947 and 1974.
Former Gov. Dick Riley delivered the main eulogy at Dorn’s funeral, but Dorn’s close friend Judge Jack Tracy, Dorn’s cousin, Steve C. Griffith Jr. and one of Dorn’s children, the Rev. Johnson Dorn also spoke.
“How, in a few moments, do you do justice to the life of Bryan Dorn?” Riley asked. “Like his namesake (William Jennings Bryan) Bryan was a master of oratory. He spoke up for veterans, for farmers, for the elderly and regular people, and he cared deeply about their needs … He had a true democratic spirit.”
As a teenager, Tracy met Dorn when he was first sworn into Congress and later accompanied him on the campaign trail.

Tracy recounted many experiences with Dorn, his wife Millie, and their children, and moved many people in the church to tears.
Dorn’s cousin, Steve Griffith Jr., described Bryan as “a man ‘of the people’ as his autobiography declares. He was humankind at its very best.”
One of Bryan’s sons, the Rev. Johnson Dorn, who has spent the last several years with his father on the farm in Callison, says, as a child, he was always intrigued by the mail his father would receive that was addressed to “the Honorable William Jennings Bryan Dorn.”
“An ‘honorable’ person carries a lot of weight,” Johnson said, recounting stories of how his father stood up for civil rights, even when others “cussed” his name for doing so, and how he stood against communism.
Johnson also shared family stories that illustrated the depth of Bryan Dorn’s love for his wife and children.
“He had been a lot of things — a former congressman, a former commander, a former chairman — but he had a father’s heart,” Johnson said.
Many at the funeral were people who worked with Dorn while he served in the U.S. Congress.
Elestine Norman, who now works as a senior caseworker for U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett in the Third Congressional District, worked with Dorn during his last 18 months in office.
Norman recalls taking dictation for Dorn to assist with much of his personal correspondence with his constituents.
“He would often call the office late in the afternoon and I would pack up the typewriter and head to the farm in Callison,” Norman said. “He was a very compassionate person who believed in corresponding with people who wrote him.
“I got to know him and his family very well, and even helped make slaw for some of his barbecues.”
While in graduate school in 1971, Jim Bradford, a York attorney, interned with Congressman Dorn at George Washington University.
“I called him up before I went to school and told him I needed help finding a job,” Bradford said. “He told me to come down to his house in Callison and I did — wearing a suit and tie. When I arrived, Congressman Dorn was in the middle of farm work, and I pitched right in to help, and I later ate 13 ears of corn at dinner. He said he figured anyone who would work that hard in church clothes was probably worthy of a job.”

Tatum at home back under center

Senior will run Flashes’ offense for 2 games

August 19, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

CALHOUN FALLS — Monterrio Tatum just wants to help the Calhoun Falls High School football team win.
With that in mind, the senior will be making a return to the quarterback position for two games this season.
Tatum was the Flashes’ signal-caller in 2003, leading the team to a 10-2 record, passing for 1,233 yards and 13 touchdowns as a sophomore.
When coach Eddie Roberts and his wing T offense arrived a year later, Tatum was moved to wingback, with fellow-senior D.J. Roundtree taking over at QB.
But Tatum will start under center for two games this season because Roundtree is serving a two-game suspension for what Roberts said is a “violation of team policy.”
“D.J. has been suspended for 20 percent of the regular season,” said Roberts, who guided the Flashes to a 14-1 record and an appearance in the Class A state championship game in 2004.
“It won’t necessarily be the first two games, but he will be forced to sit out two games.”
Tatum relishes the opportunity to play his old position for a couple of contests.
“It hasn’t been very hard moving back,” he said. “I’ll do whatever it takes to help us get back to state. When D.J. found out he would miss two games, I went to coach Roberts and told him I wanted to play quarterback. He’s been behind me 100 percent.”
Roberts said it has been a blessing having an experienced fill-in at such a key position. “We really are lucky in that regard,” Roberts said. “We haven’t missed a beat with Monterrio in there.”
Tatum said he has slowly picked up the intricacies of operating Roberts’ wing T set, which is quite different from the pass-happy spread offense Tatum ran under former coach Jimmy Towe. “It was hard at first because I’ve never run that offense before,” said Tatum, called “Pluck” by his coaches and teammates.
“Of course, I was part of it last year as a wingback. But as the quarterback, you have to know everything out there — where the line is supposed to be, what the defensive sets are. It took me a couple weeks to get the plays down.”
Tatum likened playing quarterback with sitting in the front row in class: You have to absorb everything.
But Tatum won’t have to keep it. When Roundtree returns, he will go back to his wing position.
It is a switch that Tatum welcomes with open arms. He said the Flashes are at their best with Roundtree at quarterback, Theo Tillman at halfback and himself at wingback. It’s a set the trio refers to as the “Def Package.”
“We call it that because it’s our best look,” Tatum said. “That’s the package where we bring the pain. So, last year, we started calling it the ‘Def Package.’
“When we’re lined up like that, watch out.”
Like most QBs, Tatum said he longs to throw the ball more.
“All quarterbacks love to throw,” he said, flashing a wide grin. “But, hey, we do what coach Roberts says. If we need to run to win games, then that’s what we do.”
Tatum will also start on defense, where he is slated to roam the defensive backfield as the free safety. Tillman and Roundtree, who will start at strong safety and cornerback, respectively, join him on the defensive side. Tatum said playing both ways with the same teammates has helped him forge a bond essential to any team with designs on a championship.
“We are a singular unit on this team. Not just the ‘Def Package,’ all of us,” Tatum said. “We’ve got 17 seniors, a lot of us have been together three or four years. We’ve got each other’s back.”
After making a run to Williams-Brice Stadium last season, Tatum said the pressure is on from fans to repeat. He thinks the glare of the spotlight becomes even brighter lining up under center.
“The fans are great, and we hear what they’re saying,” Tatum said. “At the same time, we listen to the coaches. We respect the fans, and we need them. But you have to understand, we tune all the trash talk out during the season and focus on what the coaches tell us.”
Tatum said he has turned to some paternal advice from his father, Darry Wilson, to cope with the responsibilities of returning to quarterback and attempting to repeat as Upper State champions.
“My dad told me, ‘Son, you go out there and play every game as if it’s your last, and you’ll be fine,’” Tatum said. “And that’s what I plan to do. We’re bigger, faster and stronger this year. So quarterback, wingback, safety, I’ll go wherever. If it helps this team out, I’ll play it.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

Opinion

S. C., nation not immune to Middle East overflow

August 19, 2005

Not too long ago this nation had the luxury of the kind of security that was enhanced by big oceans on both sides of the continent. In more recent times, though, that security has been squeezed by technology.
At one time, events in other parts of the world were of little or no concern to people in South Carolina. After all, they were far, far away and did not affect us personally. Now though, because of mind-boggling leaps in travel and communications techniques and technology, what happens in the Middle East can touch our lives in a variety of ways, not all positive, either. The squabbles there, going all the way back to biblical days, extend to the Lakelands of the Palmetto State.

SOME OF OUR TROOPS ARE serving in harm’s way in Iraq and Afghanistan while trying to bring democracy to a region where democracy is nothing more than a word.
The ultimate cause of all the Middle East conflict is, to be sure, the relationship between Israel and it’s Arab and Muslim neighbors. Most of its enemies still refuse to accept the idea that Israel even has a right to exist. That includes the Palestinians who are in and around Israeli territory.
Israel settlers are being moved out of Gaza so Palestinians can have it back. At the same time, Israel is building a security barrier along one border.
That hasn’t gone over well with some people. In fact, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has denounced that security barrier and said Israel policy throughout the territories involved has brought “extreme hardship” to Palestinians. Other American church groups – the Presbyterian Church in the U. S., for example, have considered divestment from companies that do business with Israel.

CONTRAST THAT TO A statement by Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Surrounded by security guards, Abbas, successor to Yasser Arafat, speaking to thousands of Palestinians celebrating the Israeli withdrawal from Gaza City, said, “From here, from this place, our nation and our masses are walking toward the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.”
Israel has Jerusalem. Abbas’ words indicate the violence will go on.
The mindset involved doesn’t allow for recognition of any Israeli sovereignty, particularly in Jerusalem where Judaism, Islam and Christianity all have sacred sites. While that continues, the struggle will continue. And, we’ll all feel the effect in some way. Attitudes, time, technology and enmity make that a reality.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Sara Anderson Carson

LAKELAND, Fla. — Sara Anderson Carson, 77, died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, S.C., she moved to Lakeland 50 years ago. She was senior vice president of People’s Bank, an officer and director for Citrus Regional Blood Bank and Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, board member for Paint Your Heart Out and advisory board member for University of South Florida and Explorations V Children’s Museum. She served on the city of Lakeland Advertising and Publicity Board, Polk County Builders Associates Committee and Florida Bankers Association commercial and real estate committees. She also worked with Host Task Force and received the “She Knows Where She’s Going Award” from Girls Inc. A member of Lakeside Baptist Church, she attended the Friendship Sunday School Class.
Survivors include a son, Robert Owen Carson Jr. of Lakeland; a daughter, Kay Prothro of Manning, S.C.; a sister, Marie Anderson Timmerman of Greenwood, S.C.; and two grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. today at Lakeside Baptist Church.
Memorials may be made to Friendship Sunday School Class, Lakeside Baptist Church, 1736 New Jersey Road, Lakeland, or the Scleroderma Foundation, 12 Kent Way, Suite 101, Byfield, MA 01922.
Heath Funeral Home is in charge.

Lula ‘Tootsie’ Rogers

CALHOUN FALLS — Lula ‘Tootsie’ Rogers, 94, formerly of 113 Rogers St., died Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2005 at National Healthcare in Greenwood.
Born in Calhoun Falls, she was a daughter of the late Maggie Rogers. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church of Calhoun Falls, where she was a mother of the church.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Survivors include nieces and a nephew.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Springfield Baptist Church, Calhoun Falls, conducted by the Rev. Johnnie Waller, pastor. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are nephew and friends.
Flower bearers are great-nieces and friends.
The family is at 113 Rogers St. and the home of the nieces and nephew.
Friendly Funeral Home is in charge.

Maggie Walker

Services for Maggie Walker, of 625-A Evans St., are 11 a.m. Saturday at Dunham Temple C.M.E. Church, with the Rev. James McKee presiding and Bishop Emanuel Spearman officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 10. Burial is in Evening Star Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Cornelius “Bo” Hurley, Jonathan Kinard, Edward Jackson, Michael Jackson, Ernest Baker and George Sanders.
Flower bearers are nieces, great-nieces and other relatives.
Honorary escorts are members of Women’s Aide Society No. 55.
Visitation is at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Nancy Chiles Speed in Thursday’s paper, visitation was not included in the information given to The Index-Journal. Visitation is 7-8 tonight at Walker Funeral Home, McCormick.