Fire displaces five families

Blaze damages 8 local apartments

June 5, 2005

By SHAVONNE POTTS
Index-Journal staff writer

It was shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday when Alquetta Walker, a resident of Twin Oaks Apartments in Greenwood, looked at an apartment several feet away and saw flames billowing from the roof and windows.
Five families were displaced by the fire and eight apartments were burned. The apartments are on Holman Street, off Bypass 72.
Although Walker did not live in the building that was damaged, the tragedy still hit home.
“I have friends who stayed there,” she said. “I dialed 911 twice.”
One tenant of the building, April Childs, was visibly distraught over the loss of her home.
“I lost everything,” she said through tears.
Childs said she and her family would have to stay with her mother.
Greenwood City Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the fire.
Officials won’t know the extent of the damage until they are able to fully investigate.
“Right now we’ll clean up and put out hot spots,” said Deputy Chief Hal Stockman.
No one was in the building when the fire occurred, neighbors and residents said.

Linda Batson

Linnie Louise “Linda” Batson, 64, of 1107 Central Ave., died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center. Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Lola P. Bluford

MOUNTVILLE — Lola Pulley Bluford, 90, of 48 Bluford Road, widow of Jim Bluford, died Friday, June 3, 2005.
She was a daughter of the late Daniel and Sally Atkinson.
Survivors include seven daughters, Lula Pyles and Bernice Williams, both of the home, Gladys Goggins, Nellie McKinght, Lillie K. Wallace and Sally Ann Wallace, all of Mountville, and Sarah M. Tribble of Laurens; five sons, James Bluford, Charles Bluford and Henry Bluford, all of Mountville, Ulysses Bluford of Laurens, and Odell Bluford of Charlotte, N.C.; a brother, James Pulley of Laurens; 42 grandchildren; 57 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
Services are at 3 Monday at Zion Hill Baptist Church.
The family is at the home.
Childs Funeral Home Inc., Clinton, is in charge.

Wilbert ‘Suir’ Booker

Wilbert Lewis “Suir” Booker, 52, of 318 Baldwin Ave., died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of William Thomas Booker and the late Janie G. Booker. He was a member of Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his father of Greenwood; a daughter, Lanisha Kinard of the home; a sister, Diane Payne of Columbia; five brothers, the Rev. William H. Booker Sr. of Promised Land, Ronald Booker of Clinton, Md., Cornell Booker and Robert Booker, both of Bradley; four grandchildren, two reared in the home, Symone Williams and Aaron Harper.
The family is at the home and at the home of his father, 307 Watson Court.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com.

D. Alfred Brownlee

LAURENS — David Alfred Brownlee, 81, formerly of 20767 Highway 221, died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at National Health Care of Laurens.
Born in Laurens, a son of the late William B. and Ella Ennis Brownlee, was a self employed carpenter and a member of Lucas Avenue Baptist Church.
Survivors include a brother, Joseph C. Brownlee of Laurens; and a sister, Ennis Haulbrook of Greenwood.
Services are at 11 Monday at Kennedy Mortuary, conducted by the Revs. Bob Cato and Joe Chapman. Burial is in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Visitation is from 10-11 Monday at the mortuary.
The family is at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, S.C., 29615.
Kennedy Mortuary, Laurens, is in charge.

Antonio M. Coleman

CLINTON — Antonio Marqual Coleman, 17, of 106 North Bell St., died Friday, June 3, 2005 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of Billy and Alfreda Coleman. He was employed by Hardees of Clinton, and a member of Antioch AME Church.
Survivors include his parents of Clinton; a sister, B’oncus B. Coleman of Clinton; a brother, Billy Coleman Jr. of Clinton; grandparents, Willie Lee and Jeraldine Gary of the home, Elder Willie and Marion Coleman, and Charlie and Beverly Taylor of Charlotte, N.C.; and great-grandparents, Katherine M. Williams and William D. Taylor of Clinton.
Services are at 3 Tuesday at Antioch AME Church in Clinton.
The family is at the home.
Childs Funeral Home Inc., Clinton, is in charge.

Woodrow Fisher

Woodrow Fisher, 88, of 628 Gage St., died Friday, June 3, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Edgefield County, he was a son of the late Luke and Bell Walker Fisher. He was retired from the State Highway Department and a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church.
Survivors include a son, James Fisher of Orlando, Fla.; three daughters, Bobbie Williams, Effie Morgan and Minnie Lee, all of Greenwood; a brother, Luke Fisher of Washington, D.C.; two sisters, Ollie Watson of Washington, D.C., and Ethel Bailey of Largo, Md.; 16 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
The family is at the home and at the home of a daughter, Minnie Lee, 206 Louvenia Ave., Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Trudy M. Louden

McCORMICK — Trudy Martin Louden, 35, of 502 Highway 378, died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at her home. A native of Edgefield County, she was a daughter of Charlie and Minnie Martin of McCormick. She was a 1988 graduate of Strom Thurmond High and QC Auditor for National Textile. She was a member of Springfield Baptist Church.
Survivors include her parents of McCormick; a daughter, TuNidra Antonae Mansel of Mcormick; a sister, Vicki Martin of McCormick; two brothers, Stacey Martin of McCormick and Stanley Martin of Spartanburg; and grandfather, Solomon Jones of Edgefield.
Visitation is at the home.
Services will be announced by G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, Edgefield.

Bill Rush

GREER — William Austin “Bill” Rush, 74, of 505 Devenger Road, husband of Cynthia Matthews Rush, died Saturday, June 4, 2005 at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Lowry T. Young

ABBEVILLE — Lowry T. Young, 80, of 1210 Highway 20, husband of Margaret Frances Young, died Saturday, June 4, 2005.
Services will be announced by Harris Funeral Home.

John Young

John Henry Young, 84, of 326 Circle Drive, husband of Lucille Clinkscales Young, retired Greenwood City Police Chief, died June 3, 2005 at Hospice Care of the Piedmont Hospice House in Greenwood.
Born in Greenwood County, April 24, 1921, he was a son of the late Henry Broadus and Lola Davis Young. He was a US Navy Veteran of World War II. After 36 years on the force, Mr. Young retired in 1986 as Chief of the Greenwood City Police Department.
A member of New Market Baptist Church, he was also a member of American Legion Post 20, the International Association of Police Chiefs and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Association.
After his retirement Mr. Young’s favorite past-time was the fellowship of his many coffee drinking friends at the Dixie Drive Inn and the Caravan.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a daughter, Barbara Y. White of Greenwood and two sons, Micky Young of Greenwood and Rear Admiral Charles B. Young of Arlington, VA. A sister, Gladys Y. Willis of Anderson and a brother, Claude Young of Blythewood. Eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:30 PM today from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Stanley Sprouse officiating.
Private family burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Bruce Ridge, Stuart Hinchliffe, Alan Marshall, Chip Young, Robert Rolfes, Mark Rollings, Robert White and Joel White.
Honorary escort will be the retired Greenwood City Police Officers along with Fred Teeter, Travis Higginbotham, J.L. Willing, Ralph Mathis, Giles Daniel, Hon. James Moore, David Price, Sonny Cox, Dr. O.M. Cobb, Charlie Miller, Bob Miller, Steve Brown and Michael Butler.
The family is at the home on Circle Drive and will receive friends at the funeral home from 2:00 to 3:30 this afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to New Market Baptist Church, 906 Ninety Six Highway, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home is assisting the Young family.
PAID OBITUARY

Finding the right balance

LU’s McGuires combine coaching with raising daughter

June 5, 2004

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Lander University baseball coach Mike McGuire, left, and wife Angela McGuire, the Lander University volleyball coach, hold their baby daughter Courtney.

Imagine being the head coach of a successful NCAA baseball team. The grueling schedules, recruiting, traveling, managing wins and losses, and mentoring a team of young people are all part of your daily life.
Now imagine that you married a woman who is a successful NCAA volleyball coach at the same university. She has all of the same trials and tribulations that you do with athletics, plus the two of you are coping with your first year of marriage.
Now imagine you just welcomed your first child into the world.
Such is the case at Lander University, where baseball coach Mike McGuire and volleyball coach Angela McGuire are closing in on their first anniversary.
The couple just had their first child — daughter Courtney, born May 15 — after Mike wrapped up his third baseball season at Lander.
“The last three weeks have gone by so fast,” Angela said. “She (Courtney) does something different and new every day. It’s been a whirlwind.”
The McGuire’s met in February 2003 when Angela, originally from Illinois, arrived at Lander after a coaching stint at Converse College.
Mike was already at the school, having been hired in June 2002.
Being the only two single coaches, the two found common ground.
“A lot of times we would be the only coaches in the offices at night,” Mike said. “We struck up a friendship that way. We really had a lot of camaraderie, because each of us knew what the other was going through. Obviously, it blossomed into a lot more.”
Angela said that the fact that the two coach’s teams play at different times of year, hers in the fall and his in the spring, helps to soften the blow of hectic schedules and tough losses.
“It would be really tough if we both had to come home after tough losses,” Angela said. “As it is, we can help each other through it. We don’t have to say anything when we come home. He immediately knows whether I won or lost.”
The McGuire’s know things will be busy once fall rolls around.
“When we start playing in the fall is when Mike’s guys have fall practice,” Angela said. “There might be times when Courtney will be in a playpen at Horne (Lander’s Finis Horne Arena) or playing in the dirt at Legion Field. We’ll get through it with communication.”
Mike agrees there will be a period of adjustment.
“Being first-time parents is an adjustment in itself,” he said. “When you throw in school and two different sports, it can be tricky. I believe we’re ready for it.”
The couple has yet to decide whether Courtney will be prominent on the softball diamond or the volleyball court.
“I think she has the hands of a (volleyball) setter,” Angela said with a smile.
Mike admits that Angela’s evaluation is correct.
“Yeah, she does have big hands and feet so maybe it is volleyball,” Mike said. “We’re just taking this whole thing one day at a time right now.”
The couple says the athletic administration, as well as their players at Lander, have been supportive about their transition into parenthood.
“The administration has been great,” Angela said. “They threw us a party. They have been very supportive about the time we need with the baby. And my players have been supportive from day one. They threw us a shower and everything. They’re ecstatic.”
Mike said his players have been congratulatory as well.
“They’ve been calling to say congratulations and everything,” Mike said. “They’re a little bit curious about the whole thing. At the field I’m the gruff coach, and at home I’ve got this role of new dad. They’re adjusting to that.”
Angela is encouraged by the upcoming season for her volleyball program.
“I have high expectations about what we can do next year,” Angela said of her team. “We have a lot of good ones coming back and a lot of good ones coming in. I’ll never predict what we’re going to do before the season. But my expectations are high.”
Mike is optimistic about the professional prospects for one of his current players.
“David Wilson is out in Cincinnati right now at an invitation only tryout,” Mike said. “The MLB draft is coming up on Tuesday, so we hope that he will get good news.”
With all that’s going on in their life, the couple is sure about one thing: the future looks bright for Courtney.
“Courtney will have no problem getting acclimated to our lives,” Mike said. “Whether she’s shagging volleyballs or chasing foul balls, we look forward to her growing up in the Lander family.”

Paid trips are not unusual for too many in Congress

June 5, 2005

Not too many days ago, while the critics were tearing into U. S. Rep. Tom DeLay over trips he took that were paid for by private interests, the spotlight began to fall on other lawmakers in Washington. What was seen should tell everyone why the effort to “get” DeLay on “ethics” violations was what some say, with some evidence, a witch hunt.
One of the House members in that spotlight was South Carolina’s Rep. Jim Clyburn. It was shown that he was high on the list of congressional travelers who got expense-paid trips.
Don’t blame Clyburn, though. He hasn’t done anything that hasn’t been done by almost all members of Congress through the years. Republicans, Democrats, Independents ….. all have hit the road at others’ expense time after time after time.

IN FACT, A RECENT REPORT shows that the close looks at Majority Leader DeLay’s travel has served another purpose. It has led to the belated disclosure of at least 198 previously unreported special interest trips by various House members and their aides. Included was eight years of undisclosed trips by the second-ranking Democrat.
According to the report, at least 43 House members and aides had failed to meet the one-month deadline in ethics rules for disclosing trips financed by organizations outside the U. S.
government. Most of the previously undisclosed trips occurred last year. Some, however, go all the way back to the late 1990s.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., disclosed 11 prior trips that had not been reported. Rep. John Linder of Georgia, a former chairman of the House Republican campaign committee had filed nine trips long after the fact.
These are simply indicative of normal operating procedure in the House and Senate.

BLAME ONE YOU HAVE TO blame them all. That makes it highly unlikely that anything serious will come of the debate over DeLay.
There is no penalty for filing late, so no big deal, right? As one former chairman of the House Ethics Committee said, “… They get lax. They don’t think about it.” Under the circumstances It seems obvious that neither side places too much importance on the whole procedure. It’s not right, but that’s how it is.
If one goes down for violations, many will. That won’t happen, but that won’t stop the partisan bickering. People who live in political glass houses, in Congress or elsewhere, still throw rocks. Unfortunately it’s the voter and taxpayer who gets hit the most.