‘I thank God for all my blessings’

Former solicitor Townes Jones receives Order of the Palmetto

June 10, 2005

By SHAVONNE POTTS
Index-Journal staff writer

Jerry Peace, solicitor of the 8th Judicial Circuit, left, presents the Order of the Palmetto award to his predecessor, Townes Jones. The award is the highest civilian honor for extraordinary lifetime achievement and service to the state.

It wasn’t a shock to Townes Jones that people were gathering at his home Thursday night to see him receive the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor. But that didn’t stop the former solicitor from being humbled by the support.
“I believe the original intent was to keep it a surprise,” he said.
However, after speaking with a state senator, the secret was out.
“I was overcome with humility and excitement,” Jones said. “To receive the Order of the Palmetto clearly is an award that signifies the pinnacle of my public service.”
As he received the honor, Jones was surrounded by family, friends, law enforcement officers and others he’s worked with throughout the years.
“It really caused me to reflect upon just how fortunate I was to have the opportunity to work in this field,” he said.
Jones said he thought that he’d been blessed in many ways, and that the award was another blessing.
“I thank God for all my blessings and praise him for his work and for his gift to all of us,” Jones said.
Jones thanked those who gathered to support him Thursday night and throughout the years.
“You have my heartfelt appreciation for being here. I feel undeserving of this award, but I’ll accept the award,” he said, amid laughter. Jerry Peace, solicitor of the 8th Judicial Circuit, began the process months ago to see that Jones received some type of honor for his work for the community and the state.
He spoke with Sen. Danny Burton, who represents Laurens, about seeing to it that Jones received this award.
“Townes has dedicated his life to public service. He has worked long and hard for the citizens of the 8th Judicial Circuit,” Peace said. “He’s deserving of this award.”
“We are all very proud of him,” wife Roseann Jones said. “It’s a wonderful thing, and we do appreciate the honor.”
She said the family has been so busy preparing for the reception that the “weight of the honor” hadn’t really hit her until he was presented the award.
The Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor awarded by theGovernor’s office. Gov. John West created the Order of the Palmetto in 1971 to honor the significant accomplishments of notable South Carolinians.
Other recipients of the award have been the rock group Hootie and the Blowfish, who gave their time to various charitable activities, and David Chestnutt, a University of South Carolina research professor, as well as many other people from around the state.

Shavonne Potts covers general assignments in Greenwood and the Lakelands. She can be reached at 223-1811, ext. 3306, or: spotts@indexjournal.com.

Keeping it in the family

McAlhany father and son to compete in Sunday’s triathlon

June 10, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Jack McAlhany, 11, and his father Johnny, 39, will compete in Sunday’s Festival of Flowers Triathlon. Jack will compete on a three-person relay while Johnny will be competing as an individual.

HODGES — This year’s Wachovia Festival of Flowers Triathlon will be a family affair, for at least one family, as a father and son will be competing in the event.
Johnny McAlhany, 39, and his son Jack, 11, are the familial tandem that will brave the Olympic-distance race at 8 a.m. Sunday at the Lake Greenwood Recreation Area.
Johnny will compete as an individual, while Jack will be part of a three-person relay team that he has dubbed the “pre-teen Dream Team.”
It will be the first Olympic-distance triathlon for either competitor. Sunday’s triathlon features a 0.9-mile swim, a 40K bike ride and a 10K run.
“This will be my third triathlon in all,” Johnny said. “It will be the first time I’ve tackled Olympic distance. I’m really looking forward to doing it.’
Jack also expressed his eagerness at competing in Sunday’s event.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Jack said. “I’m doing the running portion of the race. Running is my strongest event.”
The other members of the pre-teen Dream Team are Greenwood’s Matt Van Swol, 11, and Hilton Head’s Jack Felix, also 11. Van Swol will swim for the team while Felix will bike.
Jack is the one that got his father interested in triathlons. The older McAlhany was training for road races when he changed events.
“I was doing a lot of running and trying to get in better shape,” McAlhany said. “In fact, I was training for a marathon. When the YMCA put on their triathlon earlier this year, Jack decided to do it so I did it to support him. Now, I’m about to do my third one. It’s addictive.”
Jack, in turn, credits his father with getting him interested in triathlons.
“Dad was training for a marathon, so I started running with him,” the younger McAlhany said.
“Then, when the YMCA triathlon came up in January, I just wanted to do it.”
Jack finished third in his age group in the Kids Triathlon April 17, while Johnny also finished third in his age group in the Sprint Triathlon April 18.
The two were all smiles when asked whether or not they would be competing with each other Sunday.
“It’s sort of like a competition between us,” said Jack, shooting a look in his father’s direction.
The elder McAlhany laughed off the idea.
“Oh, he’ll be out to beat me,” Johnny said. “I imagine his 10K time will be a little better than mine because he’ll be fresh at that point, and I’ll be coming down the home stretch.
“Mostly this race serves to strengthen camaraderie between Jack and I.”
The 10K road race portion that Jack will be running does indeed play to his strengths.
“Jack participated in his first 10K run late last year,” Johnny said. “He ran a 45 minute 10K, which is phenomenal for his first time out.”
Johnny was optimistic about the benefits that the triathlon offers to the city and to the Festival of Flowers.
“It brings so many people into town,” he said. “There will be over 200 people in this race, and only a handful of those are from Greenwood. It really helps that it is coordinated with the festival, because that gives people an extra incentive to get involved.”
Johnny insists he will continue to participate in triathlons, but perhaps Sunday’s race will be his last of this year.
“I’m definitely going to enter in more races next season,” he said. “It has been a great start for me this year. I think this Olympic-distance race will be a good way to cap off the season for me.”
Jack said he would participate in more triathlons as well.
“I want to do more sprint-distance triathlons,” he said. “I really enjoy this type of competition.”

Opinion

Some positive legislation makes it in 2005 session

June 10, 2005

Lawmakers don’t always get the credit they sometimes deserve. So give credit in several areas this year. One, they approved a cut in income taxes for small business. They also made changes to the legal system that would limit frivolous lawsuits, which should be welcomed by all taxpayers. After all, taxpayers are the ones who very often get the short end of the stick when frivolous suits are filed.
These two improvements, particularly, offer help for small businesses to grow and create new jobs, which is a benefit all around.
There were other pluses this year, of course, one being a law to make domestic abuse/violence penalties tougher. Maybe, just maybe, abusers now may at least think twice before resorting to violence. If not, if convicted, there should be no mercy. That sounds like a tooth for a tooth, but sometimes, that’s the only thing violent people understand.

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

Obituaries

Nell Bone

GREENWOOD – Winelle G. “Nell” Bone, 78, of 61 Wisewood Apartments, widow of Ralph L. Bone, died Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Commerce, GA, she was a daughter of the late Grady F. and Emma Morrison Davis. She was a former employee of Greenwood Mills Plant #5 and was a member of Augusta Highway Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Seniors Ladies and the Willing Workers Sunday School Classes.
She was twice married, first to the late Alfred E. Golding and was preceded in death by her son, Mike Golding.
Surviving are two grandsons, Tony Golding and Jeff Golding, both of Augusta, GA; two brothers, Raymond Davis of Greenwood and Don Davis of Colorado Springs, CO and three great grandchildren.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Augusta Highway Baptist Church with the Rev. Craig Hughes officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Honorary escort will be the members of the Senior Ladies and the Willing Workers Sunday School Classes of Augusta Highway Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
The family is at the home of her brother, Raymond Davis, 408 Bond Avenue.
Memorials may be made to the Foothills Christian Youth Camp, c/o Augusta Highway Baptist Church, 3716 Highway 25 South, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Robert M. ‘Bob’ Davis

CEDAR BLUFF, Ala. — Robert M. “Bob” Davis, 62, husband of Jane Hagen Davis, died Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at his home.
A native of Abbeville, S.C., he served as mayor of Cedar Bluff for 13 years and was owner of Davis Lawn Maintenance. He was a member of Fair Haven Baptist Church, Cedar Bluff Civitan Club, American Motorcycle Association and the Board of Region’s Bank, Cedar Bluff. A Mason, he served with the Abbeville National Guard, Company C, 151st Signal Battalion.
Survivors include his wife; a son, Ron “Arnie” Davis of Gaylesville; his mother, Myrt Satcher Davis of Abbeville; two brothers, Mike Davis and Roger Davis, both of Abbeville; and two grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Perry Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Wendell Lawson. Burial is in Weiss Lake Memory Gardens.
Pallbearers are Harold Woodall, Lewis Grace Jr., Harvey Dupree, Jeff Davis, Sammy Lewis, Chris Davis, Tony Davis and Andy Ellis.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home in Cedar Bluff.
Perry Funeral Home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Harris Funeral Home, Abbeville.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harrisfuneral.com

John S. Loftis

WARE SHOALS — John S. Loftis, 78, of 11 Davis Drive, died Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
A native of Abbeville County, he was a son of the late Jessie T. and Daisy Ables Loftis and was previously married to Delora Loftis.
Survivors include a daughter, Jewel Dean Loftis of Maine; a sister, Willie Davenport of Aiken; two grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services are 2 p.m. today at Parker-White Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Billy Slatten.
Burial is in the Garden of Memories.
Visitation is 1-2 today at the funeral home.
Family members are at their respective homes.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge.

Robert Mosley

Robert Mosley (Bowie), 88, of 113 Carver St., widower of Emma Lee Philips Mosley, died Thursday, June 9, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Henry Bowie and Annie Mae Hill Mosley and a stepson of the late Robert Mosley. He was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church, Palmetto Grand Masonic Lodge No. 419 and retired from Roberts Foundry.
Survivors include a son, Robert Hannah of Rochester, N.Y.; three daughters, Annie Lee Jenkins of Jamaica, N.Y., Gloria M. Wilson of Charlottesville, Va., and Shannon Taylor of Myrtle Beach; a sister, Jessie Mosley of Greenwood; and several grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Rosetta Robinson

HODGES — Rosetta Wilson Robinson, 76, of 816 Nations Road, died Sunday, June 5, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Ozie and Ida Latimore Wilson. She was a homemaker and a member of Dunn Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, William McKinley Robinson of the home; a daughter, Carrie Watley Jones of Cincinnati; five sons, James Edward Watley, Eddie Watley Jr., Thomas Michael Watley and Roy Lee Watley, all of Ware Shoals and Isaac Watley Sr. of Hodges; a sister, Sara Hodges of Hodges; 24 grandchildren; and 46 great-grandchildren.
Services are 4 p.m. Saturday at Dunn Creek Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. James F. Davis III, Stanley Haltiwanger and Delores Henderson and Evangelist Florence Sheppard. Burial is in Good Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
Viewing is after noon today at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals. No wake is planned.
The family is at the home and at the home of a sister Sara Hodges, 7103 Highway 25 N.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service is in charge.

Mariel Nicholson

ABBEVILLE — Mariel Durner Nicholson, 86, of 112 College Ave., widow of John Nicholson Jr., died Wednesday June 8, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Born in Glen Burnie, Md., she was a retired guidance office manager with the public schools and a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a son, Bruce Nicholson of Abbeville; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Services will be at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Mrs. Conway Shirley, P.O. Box 566, Due West, SC 29639.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.

Vivian Wicker

DUBLIN, Ga. — Vivian Jeanette Wicker, 72, wife of Robert Wicker, died Wednesday, June 8, 2005.
Born in Joanna, she was a daughter of the late Pete and Helen Price Evans. She lived most of her life in Greenwood, S.C., and lived in Dublin for the past seven years.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a daughter, Mrs. Chuck (Denise) Haywood of Dublin; and two grandchildren.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. today at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by Dr. Frank Wood. The family is at the home of her daughter, Denise Haywood, 274 Veal Lane.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 10794, Greenville, SC 29603 or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Attn: Communications Department, 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, MD 20814.
Townsend Brothers Funeral Home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood.