Local woman’s first year at Clemson
on hold as she heals after wreck

March 15, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Alicia Hanley is supposed to be at Clemson University right now, finishing the second semester of her freshman year.
Instead, the Greenwood teenager will be spending the next few months at home, recuperating from a Feb. 18 accident in Union County that left one teen dead and three others – including Hanley – injured.
Hanley, 18, spent the day of the accident in Union with her boyfriend, Jonathan Malone, 18, of Union, and two of Malone’s friends, Adam Reynolds, 17, and Mallorie Harris, 15. After going horseback riding during the day, the four drove to a restaurant for dinner before going bowling, Hanley said.
At about 11 p.m., Malone was driving the four home in Hanley’s 1994 Mustang, when he lost control of the car. The car ran off of the right side of the roadway, striking a ditch and a utility pole, the Union Daily Times reported. All four teens were ejected from the car.
Hanley, who had been riding in the passenger seat, suffered a shattered pelvis and right ankle. She also sustained a subdural bleed in her right temporal lobe that left her with no memory of the accident.
Malone, also a Clemson freshman, sustained massive head trauma and was pronounced dead at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. Reynolds and Harris sustained serious injuries in the crash.
Hanley’s mother, Pam, a nurse with Self Regional Healthcare, said she knew something was wrong when the phone rang early the next morning.
“We got a call about 1 a.m. from a doctor in Spartanburg. He said that they thought they had our daughter. They told us she was moving her arms and legs, and that she was listed in serious condition,” Pam Hanley said. “But, being a nurse, I knew that the (emergency room) people don’t always tell everything. Sometimes they sugarcoat it, so I was extremely concerned and anxious.”
Alicia Hanley underwent surgery to reconstruct her hip and ankle, and she returned to her Greenwood home on March 5, after spending more than two weeks in hospitals in Spartanburg and Greenville.
Due to her injuries, Hanley is not allowed to put any weight on her feet for 12 weeks.
“I feel better being at home,” Hanley said. “I’m not sure what happened in the wreck, because I don’t really remember much of it. I guess that’s a good thing in itself.”
Although she does have pain in her ankle and hips, Hanley said “it is not unbearable.” She said one of the hardest parts of the recovery has been losing her friend.
“I have my good days and my bad days,” she said. “When I start thinking about losing Jonathan, I get upset, so I just try not to think about it.”
Hanley said family and friends have really shown their love and support in the weeks since her accident, even spelling out large “welcome home” messages using white cups placed in a chain link fence at Hanley’s residence.
Hanley’s aunt, Paige Fender, created an informational page about the Hanley’s accident and recovery at the CaringBridge Web site, and more than 600 people have posted messages at the page for the teen.
Although Hanley has months of recovery and physical therapy ahead of her, she said she is trying to keep a positive outlook for the future. She plans to return to Clemson in the fall.

Cause of blaze at old mill still undetermined

March 15, 2005

By SHAVONNE POTTS
Index-Journal staff writer

NINETY SIX — The cause of a fire that left the Ninety Six Plant No. 10 in a pile of rubble remains a puzzle.
The Thursday night fire continues to burn slowly as investigators put pieces together and residents return to some kind of normalcy. There is no more that the State Law Enforcement Division can do to gather evidence, said a spokesman.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office is still awaiting the final report from SLED, said Maj. Jeff Miller.
“I am still waiting for them to submit a report to me with their findings,” he said.
Miller had said earlier that investigators did not intend to go inside the plant since any samples and evidence that could be gained by entering the smoldering remains are likely destroyed.
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control have put their focus on any pollutants that might result from runoff of the water used to fight the massive blaze.
“We assess how best to eradicate anything that might have gotten in (the water),” said Clair Boatwright, DHEC spokeswoman.
She said officials would assess streams to reduce environmental damage and then test the streams to determine if there are any impurities.
Boatwright said firefighters help impede any possible water runoff. “Firefighters are trained to capture runoff. That’s one of the first things they do,” she said.
One concern from many residents was the potential harm from asbestos in the abandoned textile mill.
“The initial concern is not as great in this fire as it appeared to be because asbestos does not burn — fire is not a threat,” Boatwright said.
The only concern from asbestos, she said, would be if it had dislodged.
“This is a minor concern because it was weighed down by water,” she said.
Boatwright said she has not received any feedback regarding the runoff from DHEC officials.
DHEC does not remove asbestos, but rather monitors the company that the building’s owner chooses to remove the hazardous material.
“We oversee it, the property owner is required to do that (remove asbestos),” Boatwright said.
The owner of mill, Vintage Building Materials of South Carolina Inc., was in the process of removing the asbestos before it was allowed to deconstruct the mill.
The plant closed in 1989 and was scheduled for deconstruction in September 2004. The mill’s bricks were going to be salvaged and had been slated for reuse for a shopping mall near Jacksonville, Fla.

Greenwood blanks rival Emerald, 6-0

March 15, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Special to The Index-Journal

The Greenwood High School tennis team shut out crosstown rival Emerald, 6-0, on an overcast Monday night at Gatewood Racquet Club.
It was the Eagles’ second victory of the year over the Vikings.
“Any time you can get a win over Emerald it’s big,” said Greenwood coach Jim Steele. “Our kids always look forward to this one.”
Vikings coach Ike Dickey agreed with Steele on the importance of the rivalry.
“It is important to our kids as well,” Dickey concurred. “It presents a challenge to our players, but it’s more of a friendly competition because they all know each other.”
The event was highlighted by two marathon matches, the first of which was at No. 2 singles, featuring Greenwood eighth-grader Edward Snead and Emerald sophomore B.J. Barraca.
The two played into a third-set tiebreaker, with Sneed coming out ahead, 5-7, 6-2, (7-5).
“Edward has played my number two all year and I’m really proud of him,” Steele said. “He’s had good consistency.”
Dickey was equally high on Barraca.
“B.J. gave a great effort, much better than last time. I know how good of a player he could be,” Dickey said.
The other marathon match was at No. 4 singles, as Greenwood’s Matt Moore took out Emerald’s Joshua John, 6-7, 6-3, (7-5).
The match took just a little less than two hours to be played.
“Joshua played much better against Greenwood this time around,” Dickey said. “I really am pleased with what he was able to do.”
In the event’s marquee match-up, Greenwood’s Nicholas McCalister had no trouble defeating Emerald’s Pres Payne in No. 1 singles.
“Nick has been playing for us for a while now,” Steele said of the junior.
“He’s just solid, he’s the only player on our team that hasn’t lost a match all year. When he goes out there we pretty much expect to put a point on the board.”
In the doubles match the Greenwood tandem of Austin McCalister and John Psomas downed Emerald’s Chandler Puckett and John Erwin 6-0, 6-2.
“I’m really excited about those young guys,” Steele said. “John (Erwin) has just been ‘Mr. Consistent’”
The Vikings will square off today with Newberry in a key Region III-AA match.
“That’s a big one for us. That match will go a long way towards determining the champion in our region,” Dickey said.
The Eagles (7-0) will travel today to take on Wren High School. The match will begin at 5 p.m.

Opinion

Old mill fire burned more than what folks could see

March 15, 2005

When Greenwood Mills’ Ninety Six Plant Number 10 was destroyed by fire Thursday night, a lot of memories went up with the smoke.
It was only an old drafty and dusty building, of course. Nevertheless, seeing it burn to the ground had to leave a lot of heavy hearts ….. a sadness that only the folks who remember working there, along with their families, could really appreciate.
The building had been sold, and the new owners were planning to tear it down anyway, to sell what they could get out of it. Nevertheless, something as unexpected and dramatic as a fire makes it seem more personal, more traumatizing. Knowing it would be demolished and losing it all of a sudden to fire just aren’t the same when memories are concerned.
It’s a shame, but in a way the fire was emblematic of what’s happened to the textile industry in South Carolina and the rest of the South. Losing ol’ Number 10 this way just adds insult to injury.

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

Obituaries

Albert Agnew Jr.

Albert Agnew Jr., 64, of 5 Wilson Court, died Thursday, March 10, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services are at 2 Wednesday at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Charles Agnew and Johnny Henderson. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are sons.
Flower bearers are nieces and cousins.
The family is at the home of the Rev. Robert Earl Agnew, 7 Austell Road, Ware Shoals.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Ray Ash

EASLEY — Elbert “Ray” Ash, 80, of 872 Holly Bush Road, husband of Carolyn Looper Ash, died Monday, March 14, 2005 at Richard Campbell Veteran’s Nursing Center.
Born in Elizabethtown, Ky., he was a son of the late Everett and Isabell Irwin Ash. He was a 1950 graduate of Clemson University and a retired engineer from Southern Bell Corporation. He was a Army veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corp. He was a member of Cross Road Baptist Church and the Glenn Williams Sunday School Class.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, David Ash of Chicago, Ill.; a daughter, Deborah Cooper of Anderson; a sister, Jean Kirkpatrick of Greenwood; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services are at 2 Wednesday at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, Easley, conducted by the Rev. Mark Ford, Dr. Paul Cooper and David Ash. Burial is in Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is from 1-2 Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Cross Roads Baptist Church Bus Fund, 160 Cross Roads Church Road, Easley, S.C., 29640.
Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, Easley, is in charge.

Lorie Burton

RIDGE SPRING — Lorie Kenner Burton, 61, husband of Lugoff Burton, died Thursday, March 10, 2005.
Survivors include her husband; two daughters, Ethel Burton and Sherry Dorch; four sons, Lugoff Burton Jr., Charles Burton, Riley Burton and Craig Burton; a brother, Earl Kenner; 14 grandchildren; and 4 great-grandchildren.
Services are at 3 Wednesday at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Ridge Spring.
Visitation is from 7-8 tonight at Davis Funeral Home.
Davis Funeral Home Inc., Ridge Spring, is in charge.

William Campbell

ABBEVILLE — William Campbell, 78, of 110 Sunset Drive, husband of Mabel Pack Campbell, died Sunday, March 13, 2005 at Self Regional Healthcare.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of the late Eldred Samuel and Helen Martin Campbell. He was retired from Pro-Med in Greenwood and was a member of Guthrie Grove Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Suzanne Moss of Abbeville; two brothers, Edgar Campbell and Benny Campbell, both of Abbeville; two grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Services are at noon today at Guthrie Grove Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith, conducted by Pastor Mike Montgomery. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is from 11-12 today at the church.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of Guthrie Grove Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith, 403 Guthrie Grove Church Road, Pelzer, S.C., 29669.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer, is in charge.

Ronald Cromer, Sr.

SALUDA, SC – Ronald Perry Cromer, Sr., 77, of 149 Werts Road, died Sunday, March 13, 2004 at Trident Medical Center, North Charles-ton.
Born in Saluda County, and a son of the late Henry Coleman and Eliza Riley Cromer. He was retired from the U.S. Navy and from Saluda County Tax Assessor office. Mr. Cromer was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church.
Surviving are two daughters, Jinx C. Myers of Moncks Corner and Candy C. Hardison of Kinston, NC, a son, Ronald Perry Cromer, Jr. of Lexington, a sister, Louella Crouch of Saluda, two sisters-in-law, Mary Cromer of Newberry and Frances Cromer of Johnston, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He is also survived by three stepchildren, five step-grandchildren, one special step-grandchild, Billy Blackwell and two step-great-grandchildren.
Two brothers, Jasper Cromer of Newberry and Henry Cromer, Jr. of Johnston, preceded Mr. Cromer in death.
A memorial service will be held 2PM, Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at Bethany United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Griffith officiating. Family will receive friends in the church following the service.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to American Cancer Society, 5900 Core Rd., Suite 504. North Charleston, SC 29406.
Ramey Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Alice Harrison

Services for Alice Harrison of 315 West Alexander Road, are at 2 Thursday at Springfield Baptist Church in Edgefield, conducted by Bishop Bernard Newsome, presiding is the Rev. E.M. Gordon Sr., assisting are the Revs. Dewayne Gaskin, Curtis Bowman, and Bishop Emmanuel Spearman. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 1.
Pallbearers are nephews.
Flower bearers are nieces.
Visitation is Wednesday evening at the home.
The family is at the home, 315 West Alexander Road, (Bell Place), Greenwood.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting robson@emeraldis.com.

Frances Hicks

Frances Elizabeth Thomas Hicks, 90, of 105 Rock Creek Drive, widow of James H. Hicks, died Monday, March 14, 2005 at her home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home.

Mildred Luckey

Mildred Ora Luckey, of 208 Sherard Road, widow of Julius John Luckey, Sr., died Sunday, March 13, 2005 at Self Regional Hospital.
Born in Saint Jo, Texas on January 21, 1915, she was the daughter of Lorenzo Dow Childress and Nell Rankin. She was the oldest of four children and is survived by one younger brother, Milton Childress, (wife Margie), of Wichita Falls, Texas and one sister-in-law, Dorothy Childress of Stillwater, OK.
She devoted her life to the care of others, as she entered nursing school directly out of high school in Denton, Texas. She served in the nursing corps as a lieutenant in the Army for several years, before becoming charge nurse on the surgical floor of Doctors’ Hospital in Coral Gables, Florida, where she worked for over thirty years. She was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and attended the Kingdom Hall here in Greenwood. She volunteered countless hours each month for over fifty years in volunteer work in her community. She set a fine example as a devoted wife, mother and daughter, as she nursed both of her parents and her husband in her home until their deaths.
Her devoted family also include two sons, Gary William Luckey, (wife Lynn), of Greenwood and Julius John Luckey III (wife Pam), of Gainesville, Florida, four grandchildren, Christopher Luckey and Nicole Luckey Ellis (husband Randy), of Greenwood; Cameron Luckey, (wife Marissa) of Gainesville, FL, and Natasha Luckey of Tampa, FL. Her three great-grandchildren are Kyle, Tyler and Collin Luckey of Gaines-ville, FL.
Memorial services will be held at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 611 New Market Street, Greenwood, SC on Sunday,March 20, 2005 at 3:00 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Cremation Society of South Carolina is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Sara Slack

WARE SHOALS — Sara M. Wells Slack, 95, widow of Frank Slack, died Sunday, March 13, 2005 at Leesburg Health Center, Leesburg, Fla.
Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Vernon and Gertrude Gilstrap Kirby. She was a charter member of Providence Pentecostal Holiness Church in Greenwood.
She was twice married, first to the late Roy Wells.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
Survivors include a son, Douglas Wells of Ware Shoals; two grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandchild.
Services are at 2 Thursday at Parker-White Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Hayes Riddle.
Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Visitation is from 6-8 Wednesday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of her son, Douglas Wells, 12597 Highway 25 North, Ware Shoals.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Henry Thompson

HUTCHINSON, Minn. — Henry “Hank” Thompson, 88, formerly of Hopkins, husband of Aletta Thompson; died Sunday, March 13, 2005.
Survivors include two daughters, Joan Hill of Springfield, La., and Beverly Koenig of Saukrapids, Minn.; a son, Wayne H. Thompson of Willmar, Minn.; two step-daughters, Ann La Plantof Richfield, Minn., and Bonnie Demings of St. Louis Park, Minn.; and a step-son, Russell Waters of Ninety Six, S.C.; 14 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
Services are at 11 Wednesday at Shalom Baptist Church, 1215 Roberts Road SW., Hutchinson, Minn. Burial is in Green Lake Cemetery.
Visitation is at 10 at the church.
Dobratz-Hantge Chapel of Hutchinson, Minn., is in charge.

Floride Turner

ABBEVILLE, SC – Floride ‘Floss’ Edwards Turner, 101, resident of McCormick Health Care, formerly of 101 Turner Lane, widow of George Crawford Turner died Sunday March 13, 2005 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Abbeville County, SC she was a daughter of the late James and Lillie Edwards.
She attended Thornwell Orphanage in Clinton, SC. She was a homemaker and a member of Lebanon Presbyterian Church where she was the oldest living member until the time of her death.
Survivors are: daughter-in-law Betty Turner of Abbeville, SC; 2 grandchildren Pat Davenport and Evelyn Horton, both of Abbeville, SC; 5 great-grandchildren J.P. Davenport, Mark Davenport, Sara Beth Horton, Turner Horton, Hannah Horton and great-great grandson Gabe Davenport.
Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at 1:00 PM from Lebanon Presbyterian Church Cemetery with the Rev. Arnold Johnson officiating. The family is at the home of her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Betty Turner, 103 Turner Lane, Abbeville, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville.
Memorials may be made to the Whitten Center Parents Club, Clinton, SC 29325.
THE CHANDLER-JACK-SON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGE-MENTS, PAID OBITUARY