The ‘other’ gift of life

Group donates 110 bulletproof vests to Abbeville County

February 22, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Four of the county’s newest deputies are receiving new body armor courtesy of the BellSouth Pioneers.
The volunteer group raises money across the state to purchase bulletproof vests for law enforcement agencies. Their donation to Abbeville County totals 110 vests purchased by the group in South Carolina.
“We gave a vest to an officer in the Camden area, and two weeks later he was shot,” said BellSouth Pioneer member Bob Martin. “We can’t be sure that the vest saved his life, but we can be reasonably sure that he would not be with us today if he did not have that vest on.”
S.C. Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer was present for a Monday presentation ceremony in Abbeville, and held a vest worn by an officer during a shooting incident. The vest still contained the slug that was stopped by the armor.
“When you talk about charitable organizations, and you wonder where the money goes and if it’s really effective, the money that was spent on this vest was ultimately used to save this officer’s life,” he said.
Because of the expense of bulletproof vests — which often cost between $750 and $1,000 for each vest — many departments cannot afford to purchase armor for all of their officers, said Michael Letts, president of In-Vest, the non-profit group that supplies the armor to BellSouth Pioneers.
“These people put their lives on the line day-in and day-out to protect us, and the least we can do is show them how much we care,” Letts said.
“Every deputy in the agency has bulletproof vests,” said Abbeville County Sheriff Charles Goodwin. “The life expectancy of these vests is four or five years, and during that timeframe we try to find funds to replace these vests.”
The four officers who will be receiving the new vests are among the department’s most recent hires, he said, all having joined since the department last purchased vests.

No cuts to power

CPW won’t disconnect power in cold weather

February 22, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Elizabeth Verdin, 89, froze to death in her Greenville home in December just days after Duke Power turned off her electricity for failing to pay her bill.
Since then, electricity and gas companies across the state are reconsidering their policies for ending services, with utilities under the authority of the S.C. Public Service Commission already agreeing to adopt new disconnection policies for the remainder of the winter season.
Commissioners of Public Works, Greenwood’s local power utility, adjusted its disconnection policies immediately after Verdin’s death, said General Manager Steve Reeves.
“It’s not permanent yet,” he said. “We’re waiting to see if there were any legislative changes, and what the major power companies were going to do.”
Utilities regulated by the PSC have agreed not to disconnect customers when temperatures are expected to reach 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less during the following 24-hour period. This policy is effective only until March 31, the remainder of the winter season.
This is similar to the policy adopted by CPW in December, Reeves said.
“We’re not cutting off any customer when there is a forecast in a 24-hour period where temperatures are supposed to fall below freezing,” he said. “We’re not cutting off any customer without any contact, either by phone or by knocking on the door and getting a response by the customer.”
Duke Power is working toward developing a long-term plan that focuses on customers with special needs, said spokesman Tim Petit. These customers have unique concerns that extend beyond winter months, he said.
“People with special needs need careful handling year-round, not just in the winter time,” he said. “The changes we’re marking focus on those special needs — flagging accounts so that anybody, whether it’s a service technician going out to their home, or a service representative working with them over the phone, will know what they are dealing with.”
These policies are still in development, but would focus on customers 65 years old and older, as well as customers with special medial considerations.
Duke has already established a hotline for notifying the company of special needs customers, he said. Friends, family and neighbors can call 1-800-943-6914 to help track these customers.
Bills proposed in the S.C. General Assembly this year would require customers to notify power utilities of their age and income as a means to flag accounts as “special needs.”
A bill by Greenville state Rep. Karl Allen would require the elderly to tell their age and income to power companies to be protected. Anyone 65 or older with a taxable income of $15,000 or less would be covered. Utilities would have to notify the Department of Social Services of any planned disconnection and could not stop service for at least 45 days.
A similar bill by state Rep. John Scott would allow disconnections after 30 days and cover the elderly with incomes of $25,000 or less.
Under current state law, electric and gas utilities cannot terminate service during the months of December through March for customers who furnish a certificate stating that they cannot pay their bill, and that termination of services would pose a health risk for them or a member of their household. This certificate must also be signed by a physician.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Bearcats improve five spots

February 22, 2005

From staff reports

The Lander University baseball team improved five spots to No. 9 this week in the Collegiate Baseball Magazine’s Top 30 poll for Division II.
The No. 9 ranking equals the highest spot Lander has had in the national poll, dating back to 1998 when the Bearcats reached the top 10 in their inaugural season.
Last week, Lander lost to Erskine College, 8-7, then took two-of-three against then-No. 4 Augusta State in a Peach Belt Conference series.
“This is great recognition and is great for recruiting,” Lander coach Mike McGuire said. “We think we have a chance to be pretty good and other people are taking notice.”
Lander began the week with a road contest at Erskine, in a matchup of undefeated teams.
The Bearcats (9-2) led 7-6 going into the bottom of the eighth, but gave up runs in the eighth and ninth to give Lander its first loss of the season.
However, the Bearcats bounced back with a doubleheader sweep of Augusta State Saturday.
Lander fell to the Jaguars, which droppped in the poll to No. 11, in the series finale after giving up nine runs in the fourth inning.
“All four games we had last week were on the road,” McGuire said. “We lost to a team that was undefeated and then beat Augusta State, who was fourth in the polls. We went 2-2 on the weekend against two very tough teams.”
This week, Lander travels to Presbyterian today, plays host to Benedict Wednesday and plays No. 16 UNC Pembroke at Legion Field in a PBC series on Saturday and Sunday.

Opinion

Future of Greenwood, area given a tremendous boost

February 22, 2005

While debates go on over other areas of education in South Carolina, it’s gratifying to see a good corporate citizen of Greenwood is committed to improving education. It’s even more encouraging to note it has no hesitation in putting its money where its mouth is on planning for our connected future.
That, of course, is Fujifilm, which now has invested $1.5 billion in its local operations.
At ceremonies last week marking the completion of a $100 million expansion of its first Greenwood facility, Fuji President Nick Sekiguchi announced a $100,000 pledge to go toward a new Greenwood County Library. At the same time, he also announced a $200,000 pledge to Lander University’s Comprehensive Capital Campaign.

AS EFFORTS BUILD IN THE planning of a new library, Fuji’s pledge should encourage others to join in providing funds to build a state-of-the-art facility. It will replace one that has served us well, but it must expand and improve. That’s necessary, to be sure, if it is to be a community catalyst for a better future, in every facet of life, in every respect. The present library has outgrown its building, and libraries, like most everything else, either grow or too often die.
A new library will, of course, be a significant enhancement to the educational and recreational resources for Greenwood and surrounding communities. Others have made pledges, too, certainly, but Fuji’s public announcement lends impetus to the drive to raise private dollars to mesh with public funding to build for the future of our children and their children.
A library – a good library – is an investment that will pay dividends for years. Fuji obviously believes in it, as do others in Greenwood. Together, it’s a positive step ahead.

* * * * *

The Fuji pledge to Lander addresses another critical need. In fact, Sekiguchi said, “We believe that it is critical for more young people in our state and community to choose engineering, math and science as career paths. Today we are announcing an initiative in partnership with Lander University to develop a multi-disciplinary science and math summer program for top high school students in Greenwood County to encourage them to develop interest in these fields.”
If anyone ever wondered why Greenwood and progress go together, look around. Fuji and many others are betting on the future, and they’re doing it tangibly. But, there’s still room to be part of it all. That’s what promise is all about: people.

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

Obituaries

Dr. Louise Thompson Anders

BEAUFORT, SC – Dr. Louise Thompson Anders, 85, widow of John Willmore Anders, died Sunday at her residence.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 PM at Copeland Funeral Home.
Funeral services will be Wednesday at 11:00 AM at The Baptist Church of Beaufort. Interment will be Thursday at 11:00 AM at Woodlawn Cemetery, Greenville, South Carolina.
Dr. Anders was born September 30, 1919, in Greenville, South Carolina, a daughter of Haskel Benjamin Thompson and Eliza Floyd Thompson.
She attended Converse College and was a graduate of Spartanburg Methodist College and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Furman University in 1956. She received a Master of Arts from Furman University in 1958 and a Doctor of Education Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1973.
She formerly taught in Spartanburg City Schools, Laurel Bay and Parris Island, South Carolina, and retired from the Beaufort County School District in 1985 as the Director of Adult Education and Secondary Schools.
She was a member and former Sunday School Teacher at the Baptist Church of Beaufort. She was a cofounder and first President of the Beaufort Chamber Orchestra Guild.
She was a member and Past President of the Ribaut Garden Club, member and Past President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Association of University Women; member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, Stephen Elliott Chapter; founder and past Board Chairman of the Coastal Speech and Hearing Committee, served on the Beaufort County and South Carolina Council on Drug and Substance Abuse and served on the Lowcountry Council of Governments.
She was a member and Past President of the South Carolina Administrators Association, South Carolina Principals Association and the South Carolina Adult Education Association.
She was a National Consultant on Migrant Education and was on the South Carolina Task Force for Juvenile Discipline. She was former President of the WilLou Gray Reading Council.
She was a member and former South Carolina Vice-president of Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority and was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority. She was the South Carolina Business & Professional Women’s Club Woman of the year in 1969; Beaufort Career Woman of the Year in 1969, and the La Sertoma Club Woman of the Year in 1978. She was named the Outstanding School Administrator of the Year in 1979 and the Outstanding Adult Education Director of the Year in 1973.
She was a member of the University Professors of Adult Continuing Education Association, the South Carolina Supervision Curriculum Association and was a former Board Chairman of the Palmetto Unified School District Board of Corrections Educational Division.
She was a member of the Beaufort Historical Society, the Beaufort County Open Land Trust, Friends of the Library and the Christian Woman’s Club.
She is listed in the Marquis Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, the Dictionary of International Biography, Two Thousand Women of Achievement, the World Who’s Who of Women, the Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans and the Who’s Who Biographical Record of School District Officials.
She was predeceased by her husband; her only child, Mrs. Elliott D. (Patricia A.) Dulaney of Jacksonville, Florida; four brothers, Maxie H. Thompson, Haskel B. Thompson, Jr., Marion Floyd and Edward Thompson; and three sisters, Mrs. G.B. (Elizabeth) White, Evelyn Thompson and Mrs. Tony (Betty) Groce all of Greenville, South Carolina.
Surviving are: her son-in-law, Elliott D. Dulaney and his wife Julie; a sister, Achsa Rollins and her husband Don of Greenville, South Carolina and Mrs. Billy J. (G’Nell) Gilstrap of Pickens, South Carolina; one brother William P. “Bill” Thompson of Greenwood, South Carolina; and two grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. John (Barbara) Dulaney and Mr. and Mrs. Cole (Ellen D.) Reeves and one great granddaughter, Amelia Reeves, all of Jacksonville, Florida.
The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Dr. Louise T. Anders Endowment Scholarship, USC-Beaufort, 801 Carteret Street, Beaufort, South Carolina 29902.
Copeland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Vickie S. Cook

NORTH CHARLESTON — Vickie Lynn Spencer Cook, 49, formerly of Greenwood, wife of Henry Cook, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 at her home.
Visitation is 5-7 tonight at the funeral home.
Dial-Murray Funeral Home, Moncks Corner, is in charge.

Gary Cox

Thomas Gary Cox, 69, of 158 Cherokee Drive, husband of Doris Jean Calvert Cox, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Raymond Guy and Gertrude Buchanan Cox. He was an Air Force veteran and retired from the S.C. National Guard with 20 years of service. He also retired from Southern Brick Co. and was a member of West Side Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three sisters, Guynell C. Bell of Greenwood, Nancy C. Bailey of Spartanburg and Roseann C. Tumblin of Florence; a brother, Robert R. “Bobby” Cox of Greenwood.
Graveside services are 3:30 p.m. today at Edgewood Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Ouzts.
Visitation is 2-3 today at Blyth Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to American Lung Association of S.C., Upstate Region, 11 Brendan Way B-2, Greenville, SC 29615.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Maggie Louise DeVaux

COLUMBIA — Maggie Louise DeVaux, 82, widow of Willie DeVaux, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 at Lowman Nursing Home in White Rock.
Born in McCormick County, she was a daughter of the late George and Mallie Bentley Patterson. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, McCormick.
Survivors include seven sons, George DeVaux of McCormick, Willie DeVaux Jr. and Phillip DeVaux, both of Abbeville, Joe M. DeVaux of Conway, Archie DeVaux of Columbia, James O. DeVaux of Wilmington, N.C., Thomas DeVaux of Simpsonville; two daughters, Georgia D. Hampton of Augusta, Ga., and Eula M. DeVaux of Greenville; a sister, Annie Williams of Brooklyn, N.Y.; 22 grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Mary Gehman

Mary Riley Gehman, 90, formerly of 149 Cherokee Drive, widow of Israel Gehman, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 at McCormick Health Care Center.
Born in Cecil County, Md., she was a daughter of the late William Henry and Anna High Riley. She was a member of North Side Baptist Church in Greenwood.
Survivors include two sons, Michael Riley Gehman of Greenwood and Lewis Stephen Gehman of Sarasota, Fla.; two daughters, Anna Catherine G. Walworth of Greenwood and Julia Pauline G. Copping of North Fort Meyers, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service is in Fort Meyers, Fla., at a later date.
The family is at the home of a son Michael R. Gehman, 149 Cherokee Drive, Spring Valley Subdivision.
Blyth Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Thomas Jackson

ABBEVILLE — Thomas Jackson, 89, of 108 Adams Drive, husband of the Rev. Jo R. Jackson, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Services will be announced by Richie Funeral Home.

Frances Gallivan Lineberger

GREENVILLE, SC – Frances McCall Gallivan Line-berger, 84, of One Parkins Place, died Sunday, February 20, 2005, at her home. She was the devoted wife of Earle McCorkle Lineberger, her husband of sixty-two years. Also surviving are her four children, Susan McCall Lineberger and Arthur Henry Lineberger, both of Greenville, Earle McCorkle Lineberger, Jr. and his wife Lyn Welborn Lineberger of Pawleys Island, and Jane Lineberger Pridgeon and her husband Douglas J. Pridgeon of Spartan-burg.
Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at Spring-wood Cemetery, Greenville, conducted by the Reverend Patrick E. Cooper.
The family is at One Parkins Place, Greenville.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Francis Hospice, 414 Pettigru Street, Greenville, SC 29601; or to the charity of one’s choice.
An online guest register is available at www.floydmortuary.com Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel.
PAID OBITUARY

Johnathan Malone

UNION, SC – Johnathan M. Malone, 18 year old Clemson Freshman, son of Robert and Melinda Malone of 140 Springdale Drive, Union, SC, died Saturday, February 19th, 2005 due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Born in Greenville, SC on April 29, 1986, he was the son of Marion Robert Malone III and Melinda Parker Malone. A 2004 graduate of Union High, he was a member of the Beta Club, National Art Honor Society, Cross Country, Wrestling Team, and the gifted and talented program.
Upon graduating he was enrolled at Clemson University. He was evolved in the Clemson Collegiate Wrestling Club. He was a member of Wayside Baptist Church of Laurens. He also attended First Baptist of Union and was active with First Baptist youth group.
Surviving in addition to his parents are sisters Johnnie Lee Malone, student at Charleston Southern University, and Heather Malone Robertson and her husband Brad T. Robertson. Two brothers, Robert Christopher Malone of the home, and Robert John Malone, a student at the University of South Carolina, Columbia. Grandparents, Norma and Kyle Pridemore of Clinton, SC, Wayne and Kay Parker of Newberry, SC, Marion and Judy Malone of Union, SC and Great Grandparents, Mabel Malone of Union and Elizibeth Gregory Pridemore of Union. Aunts and Uncles, Billie Ann Parker of Greenwood, Karen and Kitt Kittrell and family of Gray Court, Jeffery Scott Malone of Union. Special pets, Sam and Ryker, and many other special friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be Wednesday, February 23, at 4:00 PM at First Baptist Church. Visitation will be held Tuesday, February 22, from 6-9 PM at Lewis Funeral Home.
Pallbearers are Joe Knox, Blake Mcmillian, Derrick Coile, Lee Moss, Adam Mullins, Jake Hutchinson, Trevor Strom, Taylor Black, Chris Farr, and Brandon Vaughan.
Memorials may be made to Wayside Baptist Church, PO Box 1077, Laurens, SC 29360.
He lived his life to help others and will continue to do so in death through the gift of his organs, so that others may continue to have life.
For the Family Send E/condolences to lewisfuneralhome@bellsouth.net PAID OBITUARY

Mary Helen Moore

Services for Mary Helen “Tit” Moore, of 701 White Oak Lane, are 2 p.m. Wednesday at Second Damascus Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Leroy Robertson. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1.
Pallbearers are Theodore Moore, James Collier, Larry Coleman, Bernard Fisher, John Martin and Bobby Joe Brooks.
Flower bearers are Mabel Williams, Patricia Robinson, Ruby Harling, Mary Chamberlain, Loretta Brooks and Mamie Duncan.
The family is at the home and at the home of a nephew, Melvin Moore, 107-A Jones St., Greenwood.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

William Arthur Price

LAURENS — William Arthur Price, 86, died Monday, Feb. 21, 2005 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
Services will be announced by Gray Funeral Home.

Frank Elbert Sprowl

HODGES — Services for Frank Elbert Sprowl, of 3306 Conner Road, are 4 p.m. Wednesday at Old Field Bethel A.M.E. Church, Greenwood, conducted by the Rev. Paul Wharton, assisted by the Rev. Brooks. The body will be placed in the church at 3. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons.
Flower bearers are nieces and cousins.
Honorary escorts are S.C. Combat Veterans Group.
Visitation is at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Rachel Johns Stewart

ABBEVILLE — Rachel Johns Stewart, 64, of 77 Hummingbird Lane, died Sunday, Feb. 20, 2005 at her home.
Born in Lanett, Ala., she was a daughter of the late Charlie R. and Mattie E. Foster Johns. She was the former owner and operator of Quiet Acres Nursing Home in Abbeville and a member of New Life Worship Center.
Survivors include a daughter, Rhonda T. Hannah of Abbeville; a son, Danny Turner of Abbeville; a sister, Patricia Burkett of Rock Hill; 13 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Services are 4 p.m. Wednesday at Harris Funeral Home. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to New Life Worship Center, 104 Chestnut St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Harris Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harrisfuneral.com

Sam Young Jr.

TOWNSEND, Ga. — Deacon Sam Young Jr., formerly of Greenwood, S.C., died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2005.
He was a retiree of Monsanto Corp., serving for 29 years.
Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth L. Young; a brother, John H. Young; four children and adopted children; Mrs. A. Terry (Mia Collette Young) Bryant, Sammy Andre Young, Cynthia L. Cason and King David Cason III; and an adopted grandchild.
Services are 1 p.m. Friday at Sam’s Memorial Church of God in Christ, 230 Blount Crossing Road, Darien, Ga.
Darien Funeral Home is in charge.