Faith-based investing proves
successful for GHS graduate

November 23, 2005

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

For some businessmen, faith is something reserved for church on Sundays. At work, they might have an entirely different moral code.
That’s not the kind of man Kenneth Parham wants to be.
A native of Greenwood, Parham, 42, is a financial consultant and senior vice president of investments at A.G. Edwards and Sons Inc. of Greenville. He’s been a financial consultant for 20 years and has been part of the A.G. Edwards team for 15 of those years.
A 1981 graduate of Greenwood High School, Parham is referred to as a faith-based consultant and received the Outstanding Broker Award for 2005, a national honor.
Parham’s faith plays a big part in his career, and he said he thinks that is a major part of why he’s been so successful.
“I look around and I can’t take credit for this,” he said of his success in business. “There are certainly secular factors that have helped this firm, but I have to give credit where credit is due — to the Lord for his many gifts. Most of (the firm’s success) comes out of a common faith. The people here share an excellence, a work ethic and a passion for what we do.”
Not everyone at A.G. Edwards & Sons shares Parham’s faith, he said, but most do and he said he is thankful that God brought that group of people together to help others.
“It’s been a real blessing,” he said. “What we do primarily is work with endowments and foundations. They are most often, but not exclusively, faith-based. That’s a natural for us because of our own faith and belief in Jesus Christ. We use the skills given by Him for Him.”
According to Parham, his job is “a bigger picture than just investing or just money.” It’s more like a mission, he said.
Parham and his team have grown their business significantly in recent years, thanks largely to their conservative investing style and long-term planning. As the firm’s reputation and the trust of their clients grew, the team began taking on more individual investors until that became about half of the client base.
Trust is the most important investing aspect for the firm’s clients, Parham said. The most satisfying aspect of Parham’s job is to hear clients say they don’t have to worry about their investments, because they fully trust the firm, he said.
“We look beyond just the numbers to really see what the purpose of what we’re doing is,” he said. “We might be positioning things so that a client can spend more time traveling or with their grandkids without worrying about their finances. Helping people is the real joy.”
Parham said his firm allows him and his team the flexibility to access most any investment vehicle, fund or money manager.
“That gives us the flexibility to give objective advice and counsel, a key in building relationships based on trust.”
In addition to divine blessings, Parham said he has the “wisdom and nurture” of parents Dr. Jack and Barbara Parham to thank for the path his life has taken.
“They definitely passed on the virtues of honesty, hard work, excellence, respect, compassion and service. In their example, I hope to not only live a life characterized by those virtues, but instill them in my children as well,” he said.
Parham and his wife, Diane, are working on instilling those virtues by raising chickens to teach his daughters, Lila Grace, 8 and Claire, 6, a lesson in business principles. They collected their first dozen eggs and sold them to a neighbor. The oldest, Lila Grace, offered to sell the eggs for $1, Parham said. When she was paid $1, she gave the buyer 50 cents in change and an additional $1, “because she thought she needed some money and wanted to help her.”
“She’s not exactly Warren Buffet, but I’d ‘settle’ for Mother Teresa any day,” Parham said.

‘Desperate’ Bearcats get first win
of season by downing Fleet

November 23, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

The Lander University men’s basketball team notched its first win of the season Tuesday as the Bearcats stopped Erskine, 61-57, at Finis Horne Arena.
It was a defensive contest marred by turnovers and uneven shooting. However, the coaches liked what they saw in terms of effort.
“These two team played desperate tonight,” said Lander’s Bruce Evans, whose Bearcats are 1-2 on the year. “Both of us wanted that first win. We were fortunate to win this one, because Erskine certainly made things difficult for us.”
Flying Fleet coach Mark Peeler, whose team is now 0-2, agreed on the nature of the game.
“You had two teams that were struggling offensively tonight,” he said. “But both teams gave a great effort. Our offense was inconsistent, and Lander created turnovers because of that.”
Lander was led by Derek Brooks, who had 11 points, and also got 10 points apiece from Jarred Jackson and Michael Griffin.
Erskine was paced by Craig Williams, who had 18 points, while Reed Long added 11.
The contest was played in front of a relatively raucous pre-holiday crowd.
“Our students are on Thanksgiving break, so I was very pleased with the turnout tonight,” Evans said.
The first 10 minutes of the game were evenly played and intense. Neither team seemed to be able to find any real offensive rhythm.
The Fleet were able to gain a 13-12 advantage at the 9:38 mark of the first half due in part to the tough inside play of Craig Williams and Dan Marsella, each of which hit baskets in the paint in the opening moments.
With just under 7:00 left in the half, Lander pulled into the 18-17 lead courtesy of a leaning jumper from senior guard J.T. Greene. Greene’s shot arced just over the fingers of Erskine’s Jay Waring.
The Bearcats made a switch to the 2-3 zone defense from a man-to-man with just over 5:00 remaining in the first. The move forced Erskine to the perimeter and allowed Lander to increase its lead to 21-17.
With just :08 left in the opening half, Bearcats Jarred Jackson picked off an Erskine pass near halfcourt and dashed to the hoop with the ball. His layup sent the teams to the locker room with Lander up 29-21.
The second half opened with a spurt from Erskine.
As Lander’s Jackson forced several jump shots that came up short, Erskine shoveled the ball into Williams and closed the Lander advantage to 31-30 with 15:23 left in the game.
Lander forward Joe McEachern came up with a big play midway through the second half. With the shot clock running down, McEachern took a backdoor pass from Jason Davis and made an acrobatic layup while being fouled. The hoop and harm put Lander up 36-30 with 12:03 remaining.
Fleet coach Mark Peeler was hit with a technical foul with 8:50 left in the game. J.T. Greene’s subsequent free throw, coupled with Derek Brooks’ 3-pointer pushed Lander’s lead out to 45-33.
Lander was able to hold its lead by shooting well from the free throw line down the stretch. The team was 16 of 20 from the line on the night.
The Bearcats were able to escape with the win despite poor shooting from their leading scorer, All-Peach Belt guard Jarred Jackson. Jackson was just 2 of 12 from the field.
“Jarred is pressing right now,” Evans said. “He’ll come through it.”
Lander will play Newberry and Presbyterian in the PeachBelt/ SAC clash in Aiken this weekend, while Erskine will travel Monday to face Charleston Southern.

Opinion

Any property tax reform must be fair to everyone

November 23, 2005

Property tax reform? Maybe this time? Who knows?
Several state lawmakers are among those who have announced plans to address property tax relief and what to do to replace the tax revenue that would be necessary for state and local governments to operate.
Actually, there are a number of studies and lawmakers offering their own solutions. It’s already obvious that whatever is done, if anything, will be a daunting task.
There’s no doubt, of course, that property owners want and should have relief. Too many people are being hit too hard as years go by.
Nobody said it would be easy, to be sure. At least lawmakers appear to be serious.

THE ISSUE HAS BEEN GIVEN a lot of lip service before, but nothing’s ever done. Maybe this year will be different. Somebody’s going to pay, though. Count on it!
There is one big concern. If the biggest part of the property tax burden is transferred to business and industry, it will have a negative effect on recruitment of new companies to create new jobs and boost the state’s economy.
It may be that some plan will make it out of the argument stages. It’s clear, though, that there are many pitfalls along the way and care must be taken to make sure that solving one problem doesn’t lead to the creation of another.
One thing should be uppermost in any reform plan that might be instituted. It must be fair to every property owner, rich, poor or in the middle.

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

Obituaries

Rebecca M. Akins

McCORMICK — Services for Rebecca M. Akins, of 1 Holiday Road, are 11 a.m. Friday at Robinson & Son Mortuary, Greenwood, conducted by the Rev. Thomas H. Graves Jr.
Viewing is 10-11 Friday at the funeral home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Robert Brian Hughes

SPARTANBURG — Robert Brian Hughes, 47, of 784 Jackson St., husband of Barbara Sprowl Hughes, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005 at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center.
Born in Philadelphia, he was a son of the late James and Wilma Stevens Hughes. He was a construction worker.
Survivors include his wife of Greenwood; a brother, Gregory Leon Hughes of Spartanburg; and a sister, Jackie Hughes of Spartanburg.
The family is at the home of a sister-in-law, Brenda Carter, 411 Beechwood Circle, Greenwood.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Willie Ruth Miller

NINETY SIX — Services for Willie Ruth Johnson Miller, of 106 Carter Road, are 2:30 p.m. Friday at Mount Olive Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Tommy Ligon. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Mike Archer, Joe Butler, Jesse Coleman, Claude Crawford, George Hawkins and George E. Lark.
Flower bearers are Linda Logan, Denise Butler, Arlette Logan, Barbara Conway and Dorothy Garner. Viewing is 8:30-12:30 Friday at Robinson & Son Mortuary.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.net

Jimmie Strom

McCORMICK – James Preston “Jimmie” Strom, 72, resident of Rt. 2 Box 286, husband of Carolyn Langley Strom, died November 22, 2005 at Hospice House of Greenwood.
Born in McCormick, June 9, 1933, he was a son of the late John Eddie and Sara Talbert Strom. He was a US Navy Veteran of the Korean Conflict and retired as Pipe Foreman for Daniel Construction.
Mr. Strom was a member of Troy United Methodist Church, the church choir, Men’s Sunday School Class, Men’s Club, Young at Heart Senior Group and served on various boards of the church. He was also a member and past Grand Master of the Mine Lodge #117. In his free time he enjoyed golfing, hunting, fishing and woodworking.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are three daughters, Deborah and husband Guinn Curry of McCormick, Judy and husband David Crotts of Greenwood and Allyson and husband Dave Switzer of Myrtle Beach. Five grand-children, Rhianne Larson, Erik Larson,Levi Larson, Mandy Crotts and Erin Crotts.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:00 AM Thursday at Troy UnitedMethodist Church with Rev. Henry Schwarzman and Rev. George Boyd officiating.
Burial with Masonic Rites will be in Overbrook Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be James Robinson, George Mason, Alfred Langley, Edwin Langley, Johnny Brinkley, John Langley, Harvey Talbert and Bill Talbert.
Honorary escort will be the men of Troy United Methodist Church, friends and co-workers from Daniel Construction along with Claude Butler, Mose Patterson and Pal Roper.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood and will be placed in the church at 10:00 AM Thursday.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Troy United Methodist Church, 127 Church St., Troy, SC 29848.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Strom family.
PAID OBITUARY

Leith Paul Trask III

BEAUFORT — Leith Paul Trask III, 20, died Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2005 in Beaufort County.
Born in Beaufort, he was a son of L. Paul and Meredith “Merry” Carmichael Trask. He was a 2004 graduate of Middlesex School in Concord, Mass., where he was an athlete and football team captain. A sophomore at The Citadel (Tango Company), Charleston, he was a pre-business major and was a member of the football team his freshman year.
Survivors include his parents of Beaufort; maternal grandmother, Eleanor J. Carmichael of Abbeville; paternal grandmother, Marjorie F. Trask of Beaufort; two brothers, Stuart L. Trask and Webster Trask of Beaufort.
Graveside services are 1 p.m. today at Evergreen Cemetery, Beaufort.
Memorials may be made to Ramsey Hall School, 201 Romford Road, Washington Depot, CT 06794; Middlesex School, 1400 Lowell Road, Concord, MA 01742; or The Citadel, 171 Moultrie St., Charleston, SC 29409.
Copeland Funeral home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com