Deadly storm system floods roads
across Greenwood, Lakelands area

October 8, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD and JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writers

More than 2 inches of rain from what’s left of tropical weather system Tammy caused road flooding across Greenwood and the Lakelands area on Friday. One death was attributed to water on a highway.
Greenwood County Deputy Coroner Marcia Kelley identified the traffic victim as Sarah DeBenedittis, 20, of 42 Circle St., Ware Shoals. The car she was driving hydroplaned on U.S. 25 North about 9:15 a.m. and collided with another vehicle, Kelley said.
The other driver’s injuries were not life-threatening, Kelley said.
Law enforcement and public works personnel kept busy throughout the day responding to collisions and areas that were flooded. The S.C. Department of Transportation’s Greenwood office reported no road closings, however.
The Greenwood Police Department reported two traffic accidents Friday, but Chief Gerald Brooks said it was hard to say if they were weather related.
“We have two traffic accidents on just about any Friday, whether the roads are wet or dry,” Brooks said.
Though the rain was heavy, it wasn’t abnormally so, he said, and didn’t seem to deter drivers from going about their everyday routines.
One accident, near Sweetwater Road, did cause traffic to back up on U.S. 72.
Brooks said the rain was likely to blame for a tree limb that fell at the intersection of Wilson Street and Gracemont Drive, taking out cable lines. A tree also fell at a residence on Bailey Circle, taking down a power line. The residents of the home were reportedly the only subscribers affected.
No weather-related incidents were reported in Saluda, Abbeville or McCormick counties, though the McCormick Police Department did report “a lot of standing rain on the roads.”
At Lander University Friday morning, water leaked into a classroom on the third floor of the Carnell Learning Center. Smoke was produced when the water came into contact with a baseboard heater.
The building was evacuated as a precaution, but there was no fire, Lander officials said. The electricity was turned off to the building, so the heater would cool down and stop the smoke.
Rain, and the threat of more Friday night and today, caused cancellations. The Walk-4-Life event to raise money and awareness for The Women’s Center was postponed until Oct. 22.
The Greenwood-Westside football game was postponed until today. (See Sports for more cancellations.)
By Friday afternoon, the National Weather Service had recorded 2.7 inches of rain in Greenwood. Northern parts of the Upstate were hit especially hard by the downpour and rainfall there had surpassed the local amount early Friday morning, said meteorologist John Tomko.
Tomko said the rain and winds were the remnants of tropical weather system Tammy and were expected to start diminishing by late Friday night. Precipitation is still likely today, but should be gone by Sunday.
Even with the driving conditions that required caution and the inconvenience of travelling with a jacket and umbrella — a situation unknown during September when there was virtually no rain — there was a bright side.
Greenwood Clemson Extension agent James Hodges said fall and winter crops will benefit greatly from the rain. Grass pastures are too burned up to save, after sub-pair rain totals for the past four to five weeks.
But fescue pastures that thrive in the cool weather of October and November should spring to life, Hodges said. “There’s still time to fertilize these pastures,” he said.
A steady rain, rather than downpours that run off quickly, would be even more beneficial, Hodges said. “We’re already seeing pastures and lawns going from brown to light green. They’re not the deep green, yet,” he said. “This is very good for everybody.”
It’s particularly good for lawns, which need irrigation and nourishment just before going dormant for the winter. And there could be a benefit also for trees, stressed during the extended dry weather.
“This time of year you see some trees die,” Hodges said. “September was about like a dry August. We saw a lot of trees not looking good around town.”
Urban trees have a lot of stress anyway, Hodges said, without the added stress of bone-dry weather. When trees die there is a deterioration of the root system, sometimes making trees vulnerable to being blown over.
“Urban trees have a tough life,” Hodges said. “Their roots get run over. Their surface dries out. Sometimes there are even insects that attack trees, particularly during the summer when they’re under stress.
“It’s like an older person — they’re OK until they’re under stress.”
The dry September was not a good start of the fall growing season for crops such as collards, broccoli and greens, Hodges said. Now, with the Tammy-spawned rainfall, that growing season still could be successful.
“The net effect of this (rain) is great,” Hodges said. “I’m glad to see it.”

Staff writer Joanie Baker contributed to this report.

Dixie knocks off McCormick, climbs over .500

October 8, 2005

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports writer

DUE WEST — The Dixie High School football team’s turn-around season almost came to an end after just its first region game.
The Hornets needed two touchdowns in the final five minutes, including one with 56 seconds remaining, to knock off McCormick, 28-24, Friday night at a soggy Henry C. Oates Stadium on Homecoming Night.
“We’ve done that (the comeback) three times this year,” Dixie coach Steve Dunlap said. “It’s a tribute to these guys. They just don’t give up. They played 48 minutes. It would have been easy to pack it up when we got behind.”
The win —- the team’s third straight — pushed the Hornets to 4-3 on the season, the team’s first time over .500 since 2000. The four victories is the most in a season since 2000, which was also the last time Dixie had as long as a three-game winning streak.
More importantly for the Hornets, however, is that the victory put the team 1-0 in Region I-A play, which was crucial considering there are five teams battling for four playoff spots.
“Every region victory is key,” said Dunlap, whose Hornets travel to Thornwell next Friday for the first of three straight road games. “We didn’t play our ‘A’ game at all tonight. I told the guys after the game that we’re going to have to take it up a notch against Thornwell.”
The Chiefs (0-7, 0-2), whose losing streak increased to 19 straight games, will now have to win at least one of their final two (against Calhoun Falls and Thornwell) to put themselves in position for a playoff spot.
McCormick scored back-to-back touchdowns to take a 24-14 with 7:37 remaining.
But the Hornets responded with a pair of consecutive scores of their own.
Dixie drove the ball 57 yards on seven plays to draw to within one score. Senior running back Paco Pruitt opened the drive with a 26-yard run. Pruitt finished with 128 yards rushing.
Three plays later, Yavario Smith took a reverse 12 yards to put the ball on the McCormick 6. Two plays later, fullback Robert Miller barreled his way for the 3-yard score. Sean Lown’s extra point cut the deficit to 24-21.
The Chiefs took possession at their own 38 with 4:53 remaining. But after picking up one of their 11 second-half first downs, the series stalled after a pair of short runs and an incomplete pass.
McCormick then faked a punt on fourth-and-9 from its own 44, but upback Zack McDuffie was tackled for no gain by Dixie’s Elijah Proctor.
Five plays into the Hornets’ drive, Smith broke loose for a 15-yard pickup, and after tacking on a 15-yard penalty for a late hit, Dixie had a first-and-10 from the Chiefs’ 21.
Two plays later, Matthew Graham sprinted in for the 10-yard, game-winning score.
The Chiefs had 56 seconds left on the clock, but four straight incomplete passes turned the ball over to the Hornets.
“Our guys showed a lot of character and fought to the end, but it’s too bad we didn’t have a little help there at the end,” McCormick coach Art Mann said. “Those kids played their hearts out. They’re taking this one hard and as coaches, we have to get them to stick together.”
“They’re hurting, I’m hurting, we’re all hurting.”
The Chiefs had the ball for more than eight minutes to start the ballgame, thanks to one of Dixie’s three turnovers on a muffed punt return. However, McCormick couldn’t find the end zone.
The Hornets chose to punt on their first possession, and it was a decision that paid off.
On fourth-and-10 from the Chiefs’ 37, Lown dropped the perfect pooch kick that was downed at the Chiefs’ 5-yard line. One false start penalty and three short-yardage rushing plays later and McCormick would send up a punt of its own, but much to the Chiefs’ chagrin, the ball rolled out of bounds at their own 30 as the first quarter came to an end.
The Hornets took full advantage of the shortened field.
But at first it appeared the Dixie offense wasn’t going to do much more than it did on its opening series.
However, on fourth-and-4 from the 24, Gladden faked the handoff, rolled left and lofted a pass to tight end John Thomas Wilson, who was taken down at the 2.
Two plays later, senior Ajamal Davis ran around the left end for the only score of the first half.
But that lead quickly disappeared after the Chiefs’ first series of the second half. The McCormick offense took advantage of another Dixie turnover to put its first touchdown on the scoreboard.
Running primarily at the left side of the Dixie defense, the Chiefs picked up huge chucks of yardage, going 33 yards on eight plays. William Peterson capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.
The two-point conversion gave McCormick the 8-7 lead.

Special teams delivers

Mattison’s punt return gives Abbeville region win against Walhalla

October 8, 2005

By KENNY MAPLE
Special to The Index-Journal

ABBEVILLE — Even with strong offensive and defensive efforts by the Abbeville and Walhalla High School football teams, it was the Panthers’ special teams that proved to be the deciding factor.
The game was not decided until the fourth quarter when Abbeville’s Jamal Mattison returned a Walhalla punt 69 yards to give the Panthers the 22-17 victory Friday night at Hite Stadium.
Mattison was very complimentary of his teammates and credited them for his long punt return.
“I liked the way the team blocked for me and the way they helped me return the punt for 70 yards,” the junior said.
The return was the first score for Abbeville since the first quarter when Desmond Peterson scored on a 3-yard run. The Panthers then opted to go for the two-point conversion as Toquavius Gilchrist pushed his way into the end zone, making the score 8-0.
Walhalla would come back with a score of its own on the ensuing possession, as Razorback running back John Brown scored from 16 yards out.
Closing out the busy first quarter, Abbeville again scored, with quarterback Mack Hite running the ball 8 yards for the touchdown.
The Panthers again added the two-point conversion for an 11-point lead.
With the score 16-7, Walhalla would put more points on throughout the next two quarters.
In the second quarter, Walhalla would recover a Gilchrist fumble, setting up field position on its own 42-yard line.
Marching down the field, Walhalla fullback Ryan Overton would barrel his way into the end zone for the Razorbacks’ second score of the night.
In the beginning of the third quarter, Walhalla’s Chip Clark booted a 24-yard field goal to give the Razorbacks the 17-16 lead. It was a lead Walhalla would take into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Abbeville forced Walhalla to punt on its first drive of the quarter. Mattison stood deep near the Panthers’ 30-yard line as he caught the ball cleanly and followed his blockers nearly 70 yards to give Abbeville the lead and eventually the win.
Walhalla tried valiantly to score again after recovering a Hite fumble, but the Razorbacks were unable to do so, turning it over on downs with 1:17 remaining.
The weather for the game was rainy, but Walhalla coach John Boggs said that it didn’t play a factor in the loss.
“No, the weather didn’t play a factor,” he said. “They made one more play than we did, and they won the football game. I’m proud of my kids. They played hard and left it all on the field. I can’t ask much more of my kids effort tonight.”
Boggs also praised Abbeville on the punt return that won the game.
“My credit’s to Abbeville,” Boggs said. “They did a great job on the punt return and that was the difference in the game.”
Mattison was not the only Panther who put up big numbers though.
Abbeville’s running backs added 163 yards combined with Peterson gaining 73 yards, Dexter Starks 35 and Gilchrist 55.

Opinion

Observations ... and other reflections

October 8, 2005

The more you hear about gasoline prices and why they are so high, the more you have to wonder. When it’s reported that South Carolinians are paying more for gasoline than motorists are in other states outside the Southeast, the obvious question is why. The reason given is the damage to production in the Gulf of Mexico by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
That, however, is because the Carolinas get as much as 90 percent of their oil from there.
Since that area is subject to hurricane interruptions, it could happen again. The whole situation should encourage a national supply and demand analysis and better planning. At least, try to help reduce the odds that any area in the country would be subject to that kind of disruption in the future?

* ** * *

Meanwhile, crude oil prices dropped for the fifth day in a row Thursday. That should mean prices at the pump would also drop.
Many consumers complain that when it’s announced that crude oil prices will go up, price jumps at the pump are immediate. When they go down, though, those consumers wonder why it takes longer for lower prices to reach them.

* * * * *

When a victim of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is reunited with a pet that had to be left behind in the emergency, the depths of feeling shown is beyond the comprehension of some of us.
Those who have no pets may feel it’s over the top. For some, though, that pet is the only “family” they know. For others, that pet is the only creature on earth that loves them, and shows it without reservation.
Just think. If humans could somehow form that kind of relationship with all other humans, imagine how much different the world might be.
It’s amazing, really. We are provided examples everyday of how we could make the world better. Yet, we never learn. We – the human race – even kill each other in the name of God.
As some wise man once said, what fools these mortals be.

* * * * *

Some Democrats and Republicans spend so much time, energy and money trying to dig up dirt on each other, imagine how much good they could do if they channeled it all to helping people.

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

Obituaries

Jack Bennett

GREENWOOD — Jack S. Bennett, 58, of 1608 Marshall Road, died Thursday, October 6, 2005 at the Hospice House.
Born in Summerville, he was a son of Pauline Chastain Bennett and the late Joe Horace Bennett. He was a graduate of Greenwood High School and attended Lander College. He was employed as an aerospace engineer with Lockheed Martin and served in the US Army during the Vietnam era. He was a member of Woodfields Baptist Church.
Surviving is his mother of the home; a brother and sister-in-law, Thomas Horace Bennett and Belinda Bennett of Greenwood; a nephew and his wife, Thomas Horace Bennett, Jr. and Mary Beth Lowe Bennett of Conway; and a great nephew, Thomas Lee Bennett.
Services will be at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Greenwood Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum with Dr. Robert Miller officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the chapel mausoleum on Saturday from 2 to 3 p.m.
The family is at the home.
It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Hospice House, HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Woodfields Baptist Church, 1708 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Margaret Brown

ABBEVILLE, SC — Margaret McCord Brown, 84, resident of National Health Care in Clinton, SC formerly of 106 Haigler St. Abbeville, SC widow of Carl Gordon Brown died Thursday Oct. 6, 2005 at National Health Care.
Born September 5, 1921 in Abbeville Co. SC she was a daughter of the late William Godfrey and Mamie Miller McCord.
She was a graduate of Anderson College and a life long member of Abbeville Presbyterian Church where she served as a Deacon, she was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels, the Literacy Council and Self Memorial Hospital Auxillary.
Mrs. Brown is survived by 4 daughters Jeanne (Alan) Treeter of Greenwood, SC, Martha (Jim) Loftis of Newport, TN, Carla (Lynn) Doolittle of Greenwood, SC and Julie (Eddie) Pennebaker of Clemson, SC. 2 sisters-in-law Eleanor Knox McCord of Abbeville, SC and Julia Brown Hall of Cordele, GA, 8 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by 4 brothers William, Oscar, Miller and Godfrey McCord and 1 sister Lucia McCord Graves.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday Oct. 9, 2005 at 2:30 PM from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Alvin Hodges officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will recieve friends Saturday evening from 6:00 until 7:30 PM. The family is at the home of her daughter Mr. & Mrs. Alan Treeter 108 Devon Park, Greenwood, SC.
Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, Abbeville Senoir Center, PO Box 117, Abbeville, SC 29620.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Frances Cole

Frances Elizabeth Lisle Styron Cole, 85, of 201-A Brooks Stuart Drive, widow of Troy Cole, died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005, at the Hospice House.
Born in Columbus, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Jesse James Lisle and Annie Blanche Jones Lisle. She retired from Tropicana, Bradenton, Fla., and was a member of Lakeview Baptist Church and the Friendship Sunday School Class. She was twice married, first to the late James Luther Styron.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
Services are 4 p.m. Sunday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Herman Bradley and Roger McCullough. Burial is in Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery, Saluda County.
Pallbearers are Roger Tumblin, Joe Sisk, Robby Vinson, John Rodgers, Jack Scott and Walter Stickles.
Honorary escorts are members of Lakeview Baptist Church Friendship Sunday School Class.
Visitation is 3-4 Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Lakeview Baptist Church, 107 Smith St., Greenwood, SC 29649 or HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Norma Farmer

GREENWOOD — Norma Yvonne Brillhart Farmer, 77, of 208 Evergreen Drive, Greenwood, SC, wife of William Ingram Farmer, died Friday, October 07, 2005 at the Hospice House, Greenwood, SC.
Born in York, PA, she was a daughter of Treva Wolfe and stepdaughter of Claire Wolfe. She served as a den mother for the Boy Scouts, was a church hostess at First Baptist Church, South Boston, VA and was a volunteer for the Meals on Wheels program in Greenwood. She was a member of Northside Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by a son, Michael Wayne Farmer.
Surviving is her husband of the home; a daughter, Amanda Yvonne Saunders of Little River, SC; three sons, William Joseph Farmer of Waldorf, MD, John Phillip Farmer of Belmont, NC and Steven Patrick Farmer of Macon, GA; a sister, Ruth Glazier of Wilmington, NC; a brother, Richard Wolfe of Wilmington, NC; 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
A memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Northside Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Watson officiating.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Grace Hodges Herring

WARE SHOALS, SC — Grace Hodges Herring, 84, devoted sister, mother, grand-mother, and great-grandmother, died at St. Dominic’s Hospital inJackson, MS at 7 pm on Oct. 6, 2005 following a brief illness with respiratory problems.
She was born April 29, 1921 in the town of Greenwood, SC to the late William Earl Hodges and Myrtle Lee Carter Hodges. She spent much of her life in Ware Shoals, a life that was characterized by her acts of selfless giving and sacrifices to make sure those she cared about were provided for. On May 20, 1940, she was united in marriage to Jones Graham Herring, in Ware Shoals, SC.
She was active in the circle at Ware Shoals United Methodist Church. On Sundays the congregation enjoyed her floral arrange-ments. She also enjoyed playing bridge and was active in several bridge clubs in the area. During the summer months, her time was devoted to one of her other loves, gardening.
Grace is survived by three brothers, James Eugene Hodges and William Elmer Hodges of Ware Shoals, SC and Jody Carlton Hodges of Hodges, SC and her sister Ruby Hodges Ashley of Honea Path; two daughters, Annette Herring Morrah of West Union, SC and Olivia Herring Parks of Jackson, MS, and her son, Jones George Herring, of Columbia, SC; eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. She is further survived by many other relatives and friends. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband and her daughter, Nannette Herring Mullinax.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005 at Ware Shoals United Methodist church, with Pastor Fred Treaster officiating the service. The family will receive friends from 2:00-3:00 PM in the church prior to the service.
A short grave side service will be held at Oconee Memorial Park in Seneca, SC at 3:30 pm on Monday, October 10, 2005. The funeral arrangements will be handled by Davenport Funeral Home in Walhalla, SC. Pallbearers will be Chad Herring, TreyParks, Loren Parmley, Dwight Robinson,Michael Scott, and Bobby Whiteford.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Ware Shoals United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 59, Ware Shoals, SC 29692.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.davenportfuneralhome.com
DAVENPORT FUNERAL HOME IS IN CHARGE OF THE ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

David O. Kelley

GREENVILLE — David Oliver Kelley, 72, of 10 Treebrook Drive, died Thursday, October 6, 2005.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara F. Kelley of the home; three daughters, Terrie K. Thomas of Fountain Inn, Kathy Rice of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Laurie Lee of Greensboro, N.C.; two sons, Russell “Rusty” Kelley of Greenville and Tony Kelley of Williamston; a sister, Faye Kelley Ridge of Greenwood; two brothers, Billy Kelley of Hodges and the Rev. James Kelley of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Services are 3:30 p.m. today at The Mackey Mortuary, Century Drive, conducted by the Revs. David Hardy and James Kelley. Burial is in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation is 2-3:15 today at the mortuary.
Honorary escorts are Brookwood Wednesday Morning Prayer Group members.
Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605; Brookwood Community Church, Building Fund, 580 Brookwood Point Place, Simpsonville, SC 29681 or Greenville Hospital System Hospice, 255 Enterprise Blvd., Greenville, SC 29615.
Family members are at their respective homes.
The Mackey Mortuary is in charge.

Sarah Reed Kelly

McCORMICK — Services for Sarah Reed Kelly are 3:30 p.m. today at Tranquil AME Church, conducted by the Rev. Derrick Scott, pastor, assisted by Pastors Bobby Chiles, Rose Chiles, Albert Bell and Carnell Morton. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are great-nephews.
Flower bearers are great-nieces.
Honorary escorts are Women’s Home Aide Society members and church officers.
The family is at the home of a niece, Gladys Leverette, 205 Jackson Drive, Promised Land.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Henrietta Massey

ROCK HILL — Henrietta Floyd Massey, 71, of 930 Crawford Road, died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005 in Columbia.
Born in Laurens County, she was a daughter of the late Willie James and Clairrander Ferguson Floyd. She was educated in Laurens County schools, graduating as co-valedictorian of Sanders High School Class of 1950. Receiving a bachelor of science degree and graduating with honors from Allen University, Columbia, in May 1954, she also studied at Temple University, S.C. State University, A&T State University and received a master’s degree in education from Winthrop University, Rock Hill in 1970.
Survivors include three sons, Raymond Massey, Curtis Massey and William Wylie Massey, all of Rock Hill; a daughter, Vivian Massey Funderburk of Charlotte, N.C.; four grandchildren; five brothers, Dr. Jeremiah Floyd of Bethesda, Md., James Floyd and Joseph Floyd of Greenville, Johnny Floyd of Laurens and Dr. Michael D. Floyd of Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters, Mrs. Clyde (Claire Floyd) Porter of Columbia and Mrs. Arthur (Liz Floyd) Miles of Gainesville, Fla.; a nephew reared in the home, Dr. A. Howard Floyd of Gaithersburg, Md.; and two step-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Trinity Baptist Church, Crawford Road. Burial is in Rock Hill Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home.
Announcement courtesy Childs Funeral Home, Clinton.

Bennie McCary

NINETY SIX — Bennie F. McCary, 75, of 217 Duke Street, Ninety Six, died Friday, October 7, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda, he was a son of the late Julian L. and Maggie Ella Hall McCary. He was a retired used car dealer and was a US Army veteran of the Korean Conflict. He attended Faith Temple Holiness Church.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Iredell McCary and James J. McCary, a grandson, Ryan Busha and a great grandson, Bradley Wright.
Surviving is his very special companion, Sadie Rushton of Ninety Six; two daughters and son-in-law, two sons and daughters-in-law, Patricia Hoffman of Greenwood; Ricky and Judy McCary of Greenwood; Debbie and Arthur Hatton of Charlotte, NC; Donnie and Tina McCary of Ninety Six; two stepchildren, Cathy Clinkscales of Greenwood and Sheila Forrells of Waynesville; five sisters, Doris Perry and her husband, Maxcy, of Saluda, Erline McLendon and Louise Scott, both of Belvedere, Estelle Spearman and Rosalind Turner and her husband, John, all of Greenwood; three brothers, Allen L. McCary and his wife, Pearl, of Bradenton, FL, Henry “Preacher” McCary and Edward McCary, both of Saluda; grandchildren, Brandon Busha, the Rev. Jason R. McCary, the Rev. R.C. Davenport, Jason D. McCary, Michael Cockrell and Brandy Wright; 15 great grandchildren and two step grandchildren, Wesley Clinkscales and Brent Miller.
Services will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Danny Swinnea, the Rev. Jason R. McCary and the Rev. R.C. Davenport officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Busha, Jason D. McCary, Michael Cockrell, Wesley Clinkscales, Lewis Barker and Carroll McCary.
Honorary escort will be the men of Faith Temple Holiness Church along with Colie Rushton, Allen Fortner, Al Fortner, Phillip Fortner, Timmy Price, Harold Stewart, Melvin Pace, John Pettigrew, Wayne Cline, Bill Montgomery, Harold Easler, Charles McCall, Jerry Bradberry and nephews, Ronnie McCary, Randy McCary, Joe McCary, Julian McCary, Darrell McCary, Jay McCary, Travis McCary, Allen L. McCary, Jr., David McCary, Lavern Perry, Mike Perry and Brian Sexton.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the Bennie F. McCary Fund, c/o Ricky McCary, 404 Fairforest Drive, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY