Fund drive to help keep local residents warm

December 26, 2005

The Index-Journal and Countybank are teaming with The Salvation Army to provide warmth to those in need this winter.
The Fireside Fund gives residents an opportunity to reach out to neighbors in need of help with their home heating costs. Cold weather means an increased use of gas and electricity to heat the homes. For many here in Greenwood, the extra expense cannot easily be paid.
Beginning today, The Index-Journal, each week for eight weeks, will share stories of residents who are in need of help. You won’t know their names or see their faces, but their stories are genuine, their need real.
We are asking readers to help spread the warmth that this holiday season represents by making a donation to the Fireside Fund.
It’s as easy as stopping by the newspaper office or any of Countybank’s locations and making a cash or check donation. Each day during the fundraising campaign, The Index-Journal will publish a cumulative total and a listing of each day’s donations. The list will include donors’ names and amounts given. Donors who want to remain anonymous will not be identified, but the amount they give will be included in the daily tally.
“Readers gave tremendous support when The Index-Journal and The Salvation Army teamed up to help victims of Hurricane Katrina, and we have no doubt they will be more than happy to help their neighbors in need during the winter,” said Richard Whiting, Index-Journal executive news editor.
“We witnessed the kindness of our readers in helping the hurricane-stricken Gulf; now it’s time for them to step up and help others right here in Greenwood,” said Judith Mundy Burns, publisher and president of The Index-Journal.
“The generosity of residents in and around Greenwood is amazing,” said Salvation Army Capt. Joseph May. “Even though people have been called on to help so much throughout this year, we know we can count on them again to help others stay warm and healthy this winter.”
“We are happy to partner with The Index-Journal and Salvation Army in this endeavor,” said David L. Bell, Countybank senior vice president. “Our bank locations will make it easy for people to donate to this worthwhile cause.”
To make a tax-deductible donation, make checks payable to The Salvation Army and write “Fireside Fund” on the “for” line of your check. Donations may be dropped off at The Index-Journal offices at 610 Phoenix St. weekdays, from 8-5:30. Donations may also be made at the following Countybank locations: Main Office, 419 Main St; Reynolds Office, 1230 Reynolds Ave.; North Office, 311 Highway 72 Bypass.

100 years, three parties

Greenwood resident says staying ‘active’ helped her reach milestone

December 26, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

When you turn 100, one birthday party just isn’t enough.
That’s why Greenwood resident Mayme Holloway Scurry is having three.
“They (my family) kept saying they were going to give me three parties,” Scurry said, with a chuckle. “That suited me just fine.”
The Chappells native, who was born on Dec. 26, 1905, will celebrate two of those parties today. Her first party was on Dec. 16 at NHC Healthcare of Greenwood, where she lives.
The daughter of physician Dr. W.O. Holloway, Scurry grew up surrounded by those in the medical field. Her grandfather also was a physician, she said.
“It was all I knew,” she said. “My dad’s patients paid him with chickens — that’s how a lot of them paid their debts.”
After attending her sub-fresh year at Lander College, Scurry went on to graduate from Coker College in Hartsville, where she played field hockey, swam and participated in gymnastics, according to her family.
At first, she said, she thought she wanted to be a missionary.
“That was before I got out into the world and saw too much,” she said.
Like brother Dr. Jordan Holloway, who went on to practice medicine in Greenwood County, Scurry decided to follow in her father’s footsteps. After spending time at Furman University, she went on to the Tampa School of Nursing on Davis Island.
Following her wedding to Cross Hill resident Ralph Drury Scurry on Nov. 11, 1928, Scurry worked for many years as a nurse caring for patients at the old Greenwood Hospital and Self Memorial Hospital.
It was a job she said she “loved.”
Though her husband and two of her children, Sally Holloway Scurry and William Ralph Scurry, are deceased, her daughter Nancy Carol Scurry Marshall came into Greenwood from New Castle, N.H. to celebrate the special occasion with her mother.
“This is a real gift for us to be able to have three parties,” Marshall said.
Marshall said her mother has remained very independent through her years — Scurry lived at her own home until July of this year — and she attributes her mother’s longevity to activities such as reading, visiting with friends and playing Bingo.
“Even now she still tries to walk, and she’s motivated to do what (the nurses at NHC) need her to do. She’s always had the best of minds,” Marshall said.
“She’s always eaten healthy, but one of her favorite things is fried fatback,” Marshall added, laughing. “They even sent a bag of pork skins up with her at the hospital to take with her medicine.”
“I love them,” Scurry confirmed, with a grin.
Scurry said she had some advice for those who are looking to make it to their 100th birthday. “They have got to stay active and keep their minds active,” she said. “If you give up, you’re a goner.”
It’s advice her roommate at NHC, Nell Ridgeway, said she takes to heart.
“She does so many good things,” Ridgeway said of Scurry. “She just beats me all to pieces. It’s been wonderful to know her and her family.”
Though she said she doesn’t have any birthday wishes other than to celebrate the day with her family and friends, Scurry said she does have one hope for her 101st.
“I hope I can be back home,” she said.

Grant Harris Sr.

HODGES — Grant Harris Sr., of 112 N. Hodges School Road, widower of Alice L. Harris, died Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Honea Path, he was a son of the late Grant Taylor and Lillian Harris. He was a member of Pine Grove A.M.E. Church and an Army veteran.
Survivors include three sons, Freddy Elum, Grant Harris Jr., both of Hodges and Tyrone L. Harris of Mauldin; two daughters, Diana H. Anderson of Waterloo and Peggy H. Fisher of Ninety Six; two sisters, Minnie Freeman of Ware Shoals and Lois Williams of Greenville.
Visitation is at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Stanley (Diana) Anderson, Waterloo and his sister, Minnie Freeman, 13 Sullivan St., Ware Shoals.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Louise Lagrone

Louise Buchanan Lagrone, of 842 Sunset Drive, widow of James M. “Stump” Lagrone, died Sunday, December 25, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at their respective homes.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Dorothy M. Moore

BRADLEY — Dorothy M. Moore, 72, of 4707 McCormick Highway, wife of Bob Moore, died Sunday, Dec. 25, 2005 at her home.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home.

Janelle B. Smith

HODGES, S.C. — Janelle Blackwell Smith, 62, of 6826 Hwy. 25, widow of Terry D. “Bubba” Smith, died Saturday, December 24, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center. She was born in Greenwood County, a daughter of the late Homer and Frances Knight Blackwell. Mrs. Smith was retired from Emerald Center and was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Eddie Dodgen and wife, Regina, Waterloo and Tracy Dodgen, Waterloo; four daughters, Ann D. Wrenn and husband, Ricky, Waterloo, Jackie D. Gillenwater and husband, Ronald, Greenwood, Ray Nell Burdette and husband, Terry, Waterloo and Tammy Dodgen Keesee and husband, Norman, Greenwood. One brother, Melvin Blackwell, Honea Path and one sister, Sue B. Hahn, Hodges. Also, eight grandchildren, Ricky Lee Wrenn and wife, Jessica, Adam Gillenwater, Matthew Gillenwater, Cody Dodgen, Waylon Dodgen, Dallas Dodgen, Rayna Burdette and Rylan Burdette and one great-grandchild on the way.
Funeral Services will be conducted Tuesday, 2 PM at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Brian Burgess and Rev. Grady Lothridge Sr. officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Grady Lothridge Jr., Issac Lothridge, Michael Well, Mark Wells, Joe Babb and Sonny Nelson.
The body will be placed in the church at 1 PM Tuesday.
The family is at the home of Ann Wrenn, 619 Cannon Road, Waterloo and will receive friends Monday, 6-8 PM at Parker-White Funeral Home.
PAID OBITUARY

Origin -- room for effort by parents and churches

December 26, 2005

The Scopes “Monkey” trial was a long time ago – 1925 – when Darwin’s theory of evolution was aired in a Tennessee courtroom. It pitted famous lawyer Clarence Darrow against the great orator, William Jennings Bryan. A play about it (Inherit the Wind) was presented a while back by Greenwood Community Theatre.
High school teacher John Thomas Scopes, defended by Darrow, was found guilty of violating a Tennessee law that made it illegal to teach evolution in public schools. The theory, of course, was that humans, over time, developed from simpler forms of life. The decision was later reversed on a minor technicality.
THAT TRIAL GOT WORLDWIDE notice then, and the current debate, no doubt, is getting the same kind of attention.
Did the human race and everything around it simply develop from one stage to another over millions of years? Or, did a Supreme Being say let there be light and there was light ….. and everything else that goes with it?
The argument over our creation has been going on for years, of course, but it has regained the spotlight as people once again grapple with their origin. Mainly, though, the debate is centered on whether evolution or “intelligent design” should be taught in public schools, and the Palmetto State has not been spared the controversy.
Needless to say, there are many on both sides of the question. All are adamant in their beliefs.

FINITE HUMAN MINDS CANNOT fathom the limitless capabilities of an Infinite Being, to be sure. Therefore, there’s really no way of knowing whether millions of years of evolution that some believe in amounted to anything more than a moment in time for God ….. as best we humans can know and understand the concept of time.
But, let the scientists and theologians debate that complex and highly emotional issue. The fact that it is being debated now – still – should tell us there’s lots of room for churches and families to do a better job in explaining to our young what they believe and why. Provide young people the basics and let them decide for themselves. More than likely they’ll make the right choice.