Greenwood mission team to serve in Japan

Group traveling to spread word to Buddhists

June 28, 2005

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal intern

A team from Greenwood will be traveling to Japan next week to share God’s word to a population that is predominantly Buddhist.
North Side Baptist Church is sending a Japan mission team to reach out to the people of a country that lies on the other side of the world. There, the team hopes to touch people of the Buddhist faith, as well as bring support to people who are Christian. They will leave July 6 and return July 16.
“We are eagerly anticipating a chance to share our Lord to the people of Japan,” College Minister Travis Agnew said.
“We aren’t allowed to share the Gospel, but through our actions we hope to touch lives,” Cherri Smith, a team member, said.
Agnew said Japan has a high suicide rate. He explained that it is because Buddhists believe in reincarnation.
“A lot of Japan is under the belief that if the life they are living now is bad, then the life they come back to will be better,” he said.
While in Gamagori, Japan, the group will help out at a church called the International Christian Baptist Church.
They will also run a sports camp, give guitar lessons and conduct an American Beach Party.
Finally, the group will teach the English language. The group will go to schools and meet with the English clubs of those schools. They will also work with a school that was started by another North Side member, Anna Marie Tucker, who has been there for a year.
Upon graduating from college, Tucker decided she did not want to just get a job and make money. Instead, she went to Japan and started an English school while working with the International Christian Baptist Church.
Tucker invites people to the school to learn English and then connects them with the church.
The team members are excited about working with the school and the church, but they also anticipate the chance to experience the culture of Japan. One member of the team explained that she has been interested in the culture of Japan for quite some time.
“I know three Japanese students at school (Anderson College), and they got me excited about going and getting to experience their culture,” said Brooke Thompson, a team member.
They will be able to experience Japan first-hand, and they have already been practicing a little of the language. A Lander student and team member, Jessica Griffith, said that they were given a CD with Japanese phrases to listen to. Griffith also said they have tried sushi and practiced with chopsticks.
“The food is a lot different even from the restaurants here,” Smith said. “It will be very interesting to try and eat with chopsticks, too.”
“Right now we are trying to get used to the culture,” Lisa Daniel, a team member, said. “But when you go overseas you really don’t know what you may encounter. You have to go with an open mind and just be ready for anything.”
The trip costs each team member $1,033, plus money for spending. According to Brittany Robinson, a team member, the church had a car wash to raise money for the trip and many of the members sent out support letters.
Along with these letters, the group is also asking for prayers.
“Please keep us in your prayers,” Jessica Powell said. “Pray that it all goes well and we overcome the language barriers.”

Rain doesn’t dampen final day

Greenwood’s Vince Hatfield outduels Walter Todd
in playoff to win Festival of Flowers men’s tourney

June 27, 2005

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

Greenwood’s Vince Hatfield predicted he would need to finish at 10 under to win the Festival of Flowers Men’s Golf Tournament.
He was one stroke and three holes off.
Hatfield shot a 4-under 68 Sunday to give him a two-day total of 135, tying him with Laurens’ Walter Todd after 36 holes at the Greenwood Country Club.
The pair played three extra holes to decide the winner, which was Hatfield when he sunk a par putt on No. 3.
“It just feels great,” Hatfield said. “Walter Todd is a great player and I’m just so proud to have beaten him.”
It’s the fifth time in 25 tournaments the festival has ended in a playoff. The last time was in 2003, when Stephen Poole beat Mike Gravley on the first playoff hole after the two tied at 138.
Three playoff holes were the most ever needed to decide a tourney champion, GCC head pro Tommy Pendley said.
The duo finished five strokes ahead of Marshall Swails, who was third at 140. West Strieb, Adam Hart and Greenwood’s Jeff McCutcheon tied for fourth at 142.
Hatfield and Todd entered Sunday’s play as two-thirds of the final pairing, along with Raymond Wooten.
And while their scores Saturday were low — Todd was the tourney lead after the first day with a 66, with Hatfield one stroke behind — that was about the only thing they had in common.
Hatfield, who just graduated from Greenwood High School and will be golfing for Clemson University in the fall, was playing in the festival tourney for just the second time.
Hatfield’s father, Ron, followed him during the day.
Todd has played in the festival tournament almost since it began, and has several top 5 finishes to his credit.
Todd’s wife and sons followed him around the course.
Hatfield and Todd also had dissimilar starts Sunday.
Hatfield eagled No. 1 to take the lead from Todd, and after a bogey on three, had birdies on 5 and 6 to open a two-stroke lead.
“The key for me is getting off to a good start and that eagle did it,” Hatfield said. The eagle got Todd’s attention, too.
“I came in with a lead and it was gone right away,” Todd said. “He’s aggressive and he wasn’t scared. I could tell that after the first hole.”
Both players birdied No. 8, the only hole that Todd didn’t par on the front nine, and Hatfield had a bogey on No. 9, cutting his lead to one stroke at the turn.
Todd, who had burned up the front nine Saturday, did the same to the back nine Sunday.
Playing in a steady rain, Todd birdied Nos. 11, 14 and 15. He also had a bogey on No. 12, and nearly took the lead on the par 3 No. 16, but his birdie putt hung on the lip of the cup and would not fall.
“I thought I played in the rain pretty well,” Todd said.
Hatfield also birdied No. 11, then played par golf to 18.
“I just didn’t want to have any bogeys on the backside, so even in the rain I still did what I wanted to do,” Hatfield said.
Hatfield had a scare at 18 when his second shot went left and appeared headed out of bounds, but the ball struck a tree and bounced back into the light rough just off the fairway and he was able to save par.
Tied at 135 after 36 holes, the two returned to No. 1 for the first playoff hole.
While Hatfield’s tee shot went left into the rough, he was still able to get on the green in two.
Todd’s tee shot was even farther left, putting him behind the trees that lined that side of the hole. He punched out, hitting below the trees to within 65 yards of the green and chipped on to the green with his third shot.
“That was the best I could play that (second) shot in 100 years,” Todd said.
Todd two-putted to finish with a bogey, and Hatfield appeared to be ready to take the title.
But his birdie putt stopped well short of the hole and he missed his par putt, giving Todd new life.
“I respected the green too much there,” Hatfield said about his first putt on No. 1. “It was downhill and I was worried about it going to fast, and I just didn’t hit it hard enough.”
The duo moved to par 3 No. 2 and hit drives that were short of the green.
Todd chipped first and put his ball within two feet of the hole. Hatfield followed and nearly chipped in, as his shot rolled right up to the hole and just slid by.
The two tapped in their par putts and moved to par 4 No. 3.
Both were in the fairways with their drives, and Hatfield reached the green with his approach shot.
But Todd’s approached shot went right and was short, and he had to chip on to the green. “I just chunked it,” Todd said of his approach shot.
Todd missed his par putt. Hatfield, after rolling within three feet of the hole on his birdie attempt, knocked his in to win the tournament.

Opinion

Property rights must be protected by legislature

June 28, 2005

A recent decision by the U. S. Supreme Court gave government the power to take private property for private development. In expanding the doctrine of eminent domain, a majority of the justices definitely stopped preaching and went to meddling ….. in the rights of the individual.
In the 5-4 decision, four liberal justices and one appointee by President Reagan, changed the system whereby eminent domain has been used historically to condemn private property for public use. The new ruling expands eminent domain to allow government to condemn private property for private use. For example, Greenwood County could condemn residential or business property for use by a private developer as long as the private development added tax revenue for the county.

IN A SHARP DISSENT, JUSTICE Sandra Day O’Connor said the decision bowed to the rich and powerful at the expense of middle-class America. That may be so, but more than that it gave government more power than government of the people, by the people and for the people ought to have.
Property owners – homes and businesses – still have limited rights, to be sure. Nevertheless, there’s no denying their rights have been eroded.
Some say the ruling is not likely to be used indiscriminately and, therefore, should not present any problems. That’s really not the point. What is important is that it provides the opportunity for abuse of power and a slew of other fraudulent possibilities. Beyond that, it’s just wrong.

WITH SUCH THINKING BY liberal justices, the filling of any expected vacancies on the Supreme Court becomes even more important. In the meantime, though, this ruling should not be left to stand without legislative relief.
First, the South Carolina Legislature should address this ruling as soon as possible. It should rush through legislation that adds property ownership protection the U. S. Supreme Court has taken away. Likewise, Congress should immediately make it a federal case and pass legislation to reverse the effect of what the court has wrought.
Even before this ruling, the power of government has increased, sometimes incrementally, but sometimes by great leaps. That, in effect, negates the basic premise of the U. S. Constitution. That is, the rights of the individual are paramount. Those rights should be jealously guarded, too. The Court hasn’t done that in this case.

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

Obituaries

Ronald W. Barnes

EDGEFIELD — Services for Ronald W. Barnes, of Eastview Road, are at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Springfield Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Johnny Gallman. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Viewing is after 1 p.m. today at G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary.
The family is at the home of his mother, Essie Barnes, 240 Carroll St.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary is in charge.

Marshall ‘Pete’ Brown

ABBEVILLE — Marshall “Pete” Brown, 59, of 204 Abbeville Ave., husband of Clara Brown, died Saturday, June 25, 2005 at Hospice House in Greenwood.
Born in Calhoun Falls, he was a son of Mary Brown and the late Marshall Brown Sr. He was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses of Abbeville and retired from Pirelli Cable Corp.
Survivors include his mother of Calhoun Falls; his wife of the home; a daughter, Nashari Brown of the home; a son, Kaon Hamm of Elberton, Ga.; two stepsons, Russell Brown and Jeffery Brown of Abbeville; three sisters, Gloria Thomas and Teresa Williams of Calhoun Falls and Brenda Jackson of Columbia; four brothers, Clarence Brown of Calhoun Falls, Frank Brown of Colorado Springs, Michael DuBose of Greenville and James DuBose of Abbeville; and grandchildren.
Memorial services are 4 p.m. Wednesday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Lowndesville Highway, 32 Agape Lane, conducted by Elder Anthony Davis. Burial is private.
Abbeville & White Mortuary is in charge.

Kevin Eugene Coleman

ANDERSON — Kevin Eugene Coleman, 34, of 106 Wishire Drive, died Thursday, June 23, 2005 at Anderson Area Medical Center.
Born in Anderson, he was a son of Claudette Grier and the late Charles E. Coleman. He was a 1989 Dixie High School graduate, served two years with the National Guard and was a former employee of Partners in Textile, Piedmont. He was a member of New Friendship Baptist Church, Honea Path.
Survivors include his wife, Jacqueline Crosby of the home; his mother of Donalds; a sister, Marian Cade of Simpsonville; a stepson, Kentrell Crosby of Anderson; a stepdaughter, Chezney Clinkscales of Anderson; and a stepfather, Charles Grier of Greenwood.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at New Friendship Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Harold D. Johnson and Frances W. Cox and Ministers Ola M. Pruitt, Debra Jackson and Lagree Walker. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Reggie Blanding, Charles Crosby, Tracy Lee, Eddie McClinton Jr., Tommy Miller, Don Pruitt and Larry Darnell Pruitt.
Honorary pallbearers are Dr. S. Darby Pendergrass and Larry Pruitt.
Flower bearers are Nedra Brown, Sandra Clinkscales, Tonya Lyons, Tara Pruitt, Jessica Walker and Laura Walker.
Honorary flower bearers are Jane Carnell and Billie Fain.
Viewing is at noon today at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals.
No wake is planned.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service is in charge.

Frank A. Neil, Jr.

DILLON – Frank A. Neil, Jr. 52, residing at 819 Park Circle, died Monday, June 27, 2005 in his residence at 4:30 A.M.
Born in Kershaw County, Oct. 28, 1952 he was the son of Rev. Frank A. Neil, Sr. and the late Lynda Johnson Neil. He graduated from Greenwood High School and attended Lander College after a three year tour in the U.S. Navy.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, June 29, 2005 in the Latta Presbyterian Church officiated by the Rev. Bob Maclin. Burial will be held 2:00 P.M. Thursday in Silver Brooke Cemetery in Anderson, SC.
He is survived by his father, Rev. Frank A. Neil, Sr. of Dillon; his sister, Lyn Neil of Dillon. His mother is the late Lynda Neil, daughter of the late Lynwood and Mattie Lois Winter Johnson. His father is the son of the late Gettys and Lucille Pressly Neil.
PAID OBITUARY

Wes Newell

OKLAHOMA CITY — Westfield “Wes” Newton Newell, 88, of 6001 N.W. 55th St., husband of Jane Burkhalter Newell, died Thursday, June 23, 2005 at his home.
A native of Abbeville, S.C., he was a son of the late Andrew Baskin and Louise Milford Newell. He graduated from Abbeville High School and attended Erskine College. A World War II Army veteran, he served in the 178th Field Artillery Battalion until his transfer to Fort Sill, Okla. After serving as an aeronautic maintenance engineer and flight instructor, he was an automotive instructor/mechanics until retirement in 1988.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three children, Daniel Newell, Mrs. Kenneth (Janice) Witten, both of Oklahoma City, Mrs. Clint (Deborah) DeWitt of Norman; three sisters, Thelma Suber, Doris Richey and Polly Smith, all of Abbeville; four brothers, Ray, Aldolphus, Jack and Mortimer Newell, all of Abbeville; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Graveside services with military rites are 10 a.m. Wednesday at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
Announcement courtesy of The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Charles Owens

ABBEVILLE — Charles Robert Owens, 69, of 1219 Secession Road, died Monday, June 27, 2005 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Born in Simpsonville, he was a self-employed painter and an Air Force veteran. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was the last member of his immediate family.
Memorial services will be announced at a later date.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge.

Mattie Smith-Gold

TEANECK, N.J. — Mattie Smith-Gold, 80, formerly of New York, died Friday, June 24, 2005.
Born in Greenwood, S.C., she was formerly married to Quincy Gold. She worked for the New York/New Jersey Port Authority for 20 years, retiring in 1987 and was a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church in New York.
Survivors include two daughters, Tramel Gold-Garner and Herschel Gold; a grandson; five brothers, Theodore Smith of Colorado Springs, Colo., Benjamin Smith, Franklin Smith and Tyrone Smith, all of Greenwood, S.C., and Jacob “J.B.” Smith of Columbia, S.C.; two sisters, Jessie Smith-Rogers of Bronx, N.Y., and Wilhelmenia Smith-Williams of Spokane, Wash.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Volk-Leber Funeral Home, 789 Teaneck Road.
Visitation is 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Volk-Leber Funeral Home is in charge.

Roosevelt Starks Sr.

Roosevelt Starks Sr., 83, of 714 Weldon Ave., widower of Mary C. Starks, died Sunday, June 26, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Austin and Marie Dean Starks. He was a World War II Army veteran, a member and trustee of Macedonia Baptist Church and a member of American Legion Post 224.
Survivors include two sons, Roosevelt Starks Jr. of Florence and Charles Alvin Sparks of the home; three daughters, Jonnie Mae Mason of Florence, Deborah Starks of the home and Rosa Brown of Greenville; three sisters, Ann Perrin, Susie Lomax and Martha Nedwards, all of Greenwood; and nine grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeradlis.com

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Brunson Evans Jr. in Saturday’s paper, survivors were omitted from the information given to The Index-Journal. Survivors include a daughter, Sharon Luchie and a granddaughter.