A green day in Greenwood:

Wesley Commons puts blarney back in holiday

March 18, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Skies may have been gray Thursday, but Wesley Commons residents were decked out with green for their first St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
A light mist throughout the day caused organizers to move the festivities inside the community’s Asbury Hall, where dozens of residents and staff paraded around the large multipurpose room, competing for the best show of enthusiasm during the parade. Attendees also enjoyed live entertainment, provided by the community’s own “Kitchen Band,” as well as bagpipe music, green refreshments and a history of Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day.
“We weren’t going to let the weather stop us,” said Jane Roper, Wesley Commons activity manager and parade organizer. “We’ve always celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, but we’ve never done it on such a grand scale. We’ve got so many more residents here now that want to get involved more than ever, so we decided it was time to do something. ”
Roper said she hopes the success of this year’s event, which was open to the public, will help the Wesley Commons St. Patrick’s Day Parade become an annual tradition in the Greenwood community.
“We wanted to get something started here and expand on it to make it a great event each year – one that the community will want to come out and get involved with,” she said. “The residents have really looked forward to this. They’ve really gone all out to make or buy things for the occasion.”
Development Director Jon Scott said the parade was a great way to get the public involved with Wesley Commons.
“We realized there was not a St. Patrick’s Day event in Greenwood, so we wanted to open this to the community. It is a good way to welcome people from the community to our campus and for them to get to know our residents,” he said.
Wesley Commons resident Marjorie Todd said she, like many other residents, was excited to be a part of the day’s activities.
“Wesley Commons is a very festive place – we celebrate everything,” she said, laughing. “We’ve been looking forward to this. We’re sorry it rained, but rain never dampens a true Irish spirit.”

Lady Fleet are reaching new heights

Erskine women’s tennis team off to 12-0 start

March 18, 2005

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

DUE WEST — Even if it doesn’t win another match this season, the Erskine College women’s tennis team has something that can be talked about for years to come.
Coach Calhoun Parr’s team has never started with 12 straight victories, including six in the Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference.
That changed this year, however, as the Lady Fleet blanked the first three opponents before rolling over the next three by identical 7-2 scores. Three more 9-0 victories, a couple of 8-1 wins, and a 6-3 decision followed.
Senior Radha Bharathi of India and sophomore Julie Mages of Hixson, Tenn. are among starters undefeated in singles matches. Also, Bharathi and Jennifer Gennaoui of New Jersey are 8-0 in doubles, joining Chrissy Taylor of Walhalla and Jenna Tudor of Winchester, Ind. who are 9-0.
Freshman Katie Holmes of Augusta is 3-0 and sophomore Kimmons Kiser of Mayesville is 1-0 in singles. Undefeated in doubles, but paired with different players, are Miroslava Stojkovic, Holmes and Kiser.
Success breeds success, and Parr understands that. However, he also realizes it takes hard work and dedication by players to be successful.
“We’ve got 10 players and every one can contribute,” Parr said. “This is the deepest team I have ever had the opportunity to coach. They are working very hard on consistency, and the team is very motivated.”
A common goal at the beginning of each year is to win the CVAC tournament championship and earn the first NCAA tournament bid.
“They are really focused on that every day,” Parr said. “We have great team chemistry and relationships. It all works together for great results right now.”
Bharathi, the only senior on the roster, agrees.
“We’ve done a lot better,” she said. “I have confidence in the team and I think we’ll do a lot better and win the conference if we keep going. Each year, we have different goals and try to achieve them.
“We also do a lot of fitness and practice discipline — everything helps. All the training and physical fitness programs have helped a lot.”
There are other improvements.
“The team has shown mental toughness,” Parr said. “We faced some adversity this past week when Jennifer (No. 1 player) was out two weeks with a sprained ankle, and Julie couldn’t practice because she’s been sick.
“We went on the road to play Francis Marion, 10th in our region, and there were no excuses made. Everybody was ready to play when they hit the court. That’s what it takes.”
Even in practice, there are no excuses. There is an attitude toward helping each other and trying hard to achieve success.
“My slice game is probably stronger this year,” Mages said, giving credit to a teammate for help.
“I do a lot of hitting against my teammates and I see what will work and what doesn’t work. Katie Chester has a gorgeous slice, so I watched her and tried to figure out what she does. And I got tips from coach, and just worked at it.”
However, Mages added, “The thing that helps us the most is that we have stronger players, and that pushes everybody down (from top to bottom). That gives us all more success.”
Leadership is another key factor.
“Julie is a talented player who made first team all-conference last year,” Parr said. “All of the top three are very close, and Julie, at No. 3 with her talent level, has been excelling. She is doing a lot better job in being consistent with her play.
“Radha has been excited about her senior year and she is serious about having a great senior year. I have challenged her to give team leadership, because you always feel you can’t have a great team without senior leadership. She is the only senior and will have a critical affect on the team’s performance. She is taking that very seriously.”
That, however, isn’t taking anything away from the other players, he said. “Every player has done extremely well this year.”
No matter what the record is today, however, they all understand the big goal — winning the CVAC championship — lies ahead.
The next step is today in a CVAC match at Coker College, followed by Saturday, Monday and Tuesday matches on Hilton Head Island with UW-Whitewater, Towson University, Drury University and West Virginia State.
The next home match is April 4 with North Greenville College.

Opinion

Judicial nominees deserve better treatment in senate

March 18, 2005

U. S. Senate Democrats continue their campaign to make it difficult, if not impossible, for President Bush to win approval for any of his federal court nominees. This time they’re threatening to slow down or stop all Senate business if Republicans change Senate rules to help them get the nominees approved.
President Bush was re-elected, of course, and part of his campaign was based on what kind of nominees he would put forth for all federal courts, but particularly the U. S. Supreme Court. Many South Carolina voters of various political persuasions voted for Bush for that specific reason, too.
Those who ultimately fill court vacancies will determine many things in the future ….. things that will influence the direction of the nation for years to come.
National Democrats historically support liberal causes while Republicans champion conservative ones. Voters know that very well. It would seem, then, that the majority of American voters spoke their wishes at the ballot box. It would be surprising if most of them don’t take a dim view of some senators’ efforts to block any and all of Bush’s judicial nominees.

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

Obituaries

Billy Bagwell

WARE SHOALS — Billy Bagwell, 62, of 17 North Greenwood Ave., died Monday, March 14, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Rev. Ralph L. Bagwell and Ruby Lindley Bagwell. He was of the Pentecostal faith.
Survivors include four sons, Tommy Bagwell of Crystal River, Fla., Kenny Wayne Bagwell and Billy Ray Bagwell, both of Lecanto, Fla., and Timmy Bagwell of Greenville; a daughter, Tonya Bagwell of Gasville, Ark.; three brothers, Joseph L. Bagwell of Troy, Ala., Furman Bagwell of Spring Hill, Fla., and Bobby Bagwell of Ware Shoals; two sisters, Betty Hood of Greenwood and Vivian Black of Augusta, Ga.; and eight grandchildren.
Services are at 3 today at Parker-Whiter Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Barry Bryan. Burial is in Ware Shoals Cemetery.
Visitation is from 2-3 today at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of Bobby Bagwell, 50 E. Honea Path St.
Memorials may be made to the Billy Bagwell Fund, c/o Parker-White Funeral Home, P.O. Box 242, Ware Shoals, S.C., 29692.
Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, is in charge.

Agnes Kathleen Davis

ABBEVILLE – Agnes Kathleen Davis, 91, wife of the late “Buddy” Davis, formerly of 303 Richey St. died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at the Abbeville Nursing Home. Mrs. Davis was born in Abbeville to the late Pat James of Greenwood and Maggie Beauford James of Abbeville.
She was a retired textile worker and long time member and custodian of the Abbeville A.R.P Church. Surviving Mrs. Davis is her two daughters, Margaret Parker of Anderson, and Pat Vassey of Abbeville, four grandchildren, Kenney and Tommy Parker of Anderson, Rhonda Thomasson of Abbeville, and Wayne Len Vassey of Atlanta, GA., and seven great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends Friday, March 18, 2005 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11:00AM Saturday, March 19, 2005 in the funeral home chapel, conducted by the Dr. Randy Ruble. Interment will follow in Melrose Cemetery.
The family is at the home of Larry and Rhonda Thomasson, 305 Brooks St., Abbeville.
Memorial Contributions in memory of Mrs. Davis may be sent to the Abbeville A.R.P. Church, c/o Margaret Chandler, 1111 N. Main St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Davis family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com. HARRIS FUNERAL HOME, of Abbeville is assisting the Davis family.
PAID OBITUARY

Clarence ‘Bill’ Elledge

CLINTON — Clarence “Bill” Arthur Elledge, 82, of 1008 Sloan St., widower of Thelma Prather Elledge, died Thursday, March 17, 2005.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Clarence E. and Lillian McKuen Elledge. He was retired from Clinton Mills Cloth Room; a Navy veteran of World War II and of the Baptist Faith. He was a member of the Masonic Order.
Survivors include two sons, Phillip Walter Elledge and Steve Clarence Elledge, both of Clinton; a brother, Frank Elledge of Snellville, Ga.; a sister, Margaret Peace of Newton Falls, Ohio; 10 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services are at 4 Saturday at the Gray Funeral Home in Laurens. Burial is in Rosemont Cemetery in Clinton.
Visitation is from 7-9 tonight at Gray Funeral Home.
Gray Funeral Home, Clinton, is in charge.

James ‘Skeet’ Hearst Sr.

EDGEFIELD — James Edward “Skeet” Hearst Sr., 58, formerly of Manor House, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at Aiken County Hospital.
Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late James Sims and Elizabeth Hearst.
Survivors include a son, James Hearst Jr. of Greenwood; a brother, Robert Hearst of Greenwood; two sisters, Audrey Hearts and Trudie Johnson of Greenwood; and five grandchildren.
Visitation is from 5-7 tonight at the home of a sister, Audrey Hearst, 207 N. Bethune St., Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Gladys P. Kennedy

DUE WEST, SC – Gladys Plowden Kennedy, 88, resident of the Due West Retirement Center, Due West, SC, died March 17, 2005. She was the widow of Barron D. Kennedy, Jr. and the daughter of Estelle Youngblood and Jesse Clifton Plowden, having been born in Greenville, SC, where she lived until moving to Due West in 1992.
Mrs. Kennedy graduated from Furman University in 1938. She worked in banking until her marriage when she became active in the Greenville A.R.P. Church, the P.T.A., Y.W.C.A., and Meals on Wheels.
Mrs. Kennedy is survived by her son Barron D. Kennedy, III, daughter-in-law Joanna Buis Kennedy, grandson Barron D. Kennedy, IV, granddaughter Sarah Joanna Kennedy, three nieces, and four nephews. She was predeceased by her twin sister, Dorothy P. Futral Boynton, and two brothers: J.D. Plowden and J.C. Plowden, Jr.
Memorial Services will be held at the Due West A.R.P. Church at 2:00 on Sunday, March 20, 2005. The family requests flowers be omitted and memorials made to the Due West Retirement Center or the Salvation Army, Rutherford Road, Greenville, SC 29609.
The family will receive friends in the church Fellowship Hall after the service and at the Greenville A.R.P. Church from 7:00 to 8:30 on Sunday evening.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Eddie Holloway

Services for Eddie Holloway of Lillington, N.C., at 1 Sunday at New Hope Baptist Church, McCormick, S.C., conducted by the Rev. Cedric Smith. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in church at 12:30.
Pallbearers are Curtis “Doc” Freeman, Bobby Joe Barksdale, Jerry Jones, Leroy Wells, John Bread, Asia Lindsey.
Flower bearers are Jodeshia Walker, Alexus Walker, La’Shay Johnson, Kanshaun Holloway, Shanella Barksdale and Yanda Barksdale.
Visitation is Saturday evening at the home of a niece, Mrs. Bobby Joe (Isabelle) Barksdale, Highway 10-215 McCormick.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, S.C., is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com.

Ellis Lowery Sr.

NINETY SIX — Ellis Lowery Sr., 69, of 2203 Island Ford Road, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home.

Mrs. Verna Gravely McCravy

Mrs. Verna Gravely McCravy, 92, passed away Wednesday, March 16, at Lexington Medical Center following a short illness.
Preceded in death by her husband, John R. McCravy, former legislator and Historian of Pickens County, Mrs. McCravy was a native of Pickens and daughter of the late Calvin Mack and Margaret Kelley Gravely. Mrs. McCravy attended Georgia State Teachers’ College and taught for several years in the Pickens County schools. A long-time member of the First Methodist Church, Mrs. McCravy was an avid genealogist and active member of the Grange and the DAR.
Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, John R., Jr. and Meg McCravy of Greenwood, Edwin P. and Sue McCravy and Paul G. and Sandra McCravy of Columbia; six grandchildren, John R. McCravy, III of Greenwood, Lt. Col. Laura M. Hunter of Washington, D.C., Edwin P. McCravy, Jr. of Greensboro,NC, Kevin R. McCravy of Washington, D.C., Mary Elizabeth McCravy of Greenville and Jenny McCravy of Rock Hill.
A celebration of the life of Verna Gravely McCravy will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Easley, with burial in Westview Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.
PAID OBITUARY

Rosa Lee Mobley

Rosa Lee Mobley, 62, of 232 Lindsey Ave., wife of Rufus Mobley, died Thursday, March 17, 2005 at her home.
Born in Chappells, she was a daughter of the late J.W. Kinard Sr. and Rosa Bell Graham. She was employed with Greenwood Methodist Home as a nursing assistant. She was a member of St. Vaughnville Baptist Church in Chappells and of the Westside Community Club.
Survivors include her husband of the home; a son, Michael Mobley of Anderson; a daughter, Glenda Griffin of Greenwood; and five grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Mr. Ted Parks

San Antonio, TX – Mr. Ted Parks, 36, went to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on The Lord’s Day, March 13, 2005.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, 2005 at the Parksville Baptist Church, Parksville, SC with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:30 p.m. until the time of the service.
Pallbearers will be Ted’s family members: brother-in-law, Luis Antonio Reyes; uncles, Floyd McCarty and Jerry McCarty; cousins, Mark McCarty, Bill McCarty, Bruce McCarty, Michael Willis, and nephew, Luis Reyes II.
Honorary pallbearers will be his uncle. Bill McCarty and cousins, Brian McCarty and Chris Richardson.
Ted was a graduate of MacArthur High School in San Antonio, TX. He attended San Antonio College in San Antonio and Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos, TX. Ted was a loving son and a devoted friend. He will be deeply missed.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, James W. (Tuck) Parks and Hazel Parks of Parksville, SC and Eugene McCarty of Modoc, SC.
He is survived by his parents. Bob and Myrtle Parks and sister Barbara Reyes of San Antonio, TX; his grandparents, W.A. and Floy Rankin of Batesburg, SC; uncles and aunts, Rick and Donna Smith of Martinez, GA; Calvin and Patsy Willis of North Augusta, SC, Floyd and Laverne McCarty of Smithville, SC; Bill and Dot McCarty of Orange-burg, SC; and Jerry and Linda McCarty of Aiken;, SC; niece, Bridgett Reyes of San Antonio, TX; great nephew, Luis Reyes, III of San Antonio, TX. Rowland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Lewis Pilgrim Sr.

SPARTANBURG — Lewis Pilgrim Sr., 77, wife of Norma Jean Pilgrim, died Tuesday, March 15, 2005 at his home.
Born in Spartanburg County, he was a son of the late P.L. Pilgrim and Bessie Scott Pilgrim. He was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Spartanburg, where he served as a deacon.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Lt. Lewis Pilgrim Jr. of Spartanburg; a brother, the Rev. W.A. Pilgrim of Greenwood; two sisters, Marjarie Tynes of Las Vegas, Nev., and Anease Wilkins of Campobello; and two grandchildren.
Services are at 2:30 Saturday at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church in Spartanburg. Burial is in the church cemetery.
J.W. Woodward Funeral Home of Spartanburg is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.