Celebrating 135 years in Greenwood

First Baptist Church marks anniversary with reunion, dinner, variety program

September 26, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

When First Baptist Church was founded on Sept. 25, 1870, the church had 23 charter members representing 10 families.
When the Greenwood church celebrated its 135th anniversary on Sunday, about 600 past, present and future members gathered to recount the church’s history and blessings over the years.
Festivities for the event included a reunion gathering for former and present members and staff, a dinner on the church’s grounds, and a camp meeting and variety program, featuring entertainment by past and present church members, anniversary committee Chairwoman Lee Wyndham said.
“It has been a great time renewing friendships and being together,” she said.
During the worship service, Senior Pastor Tony Hopkins said he shared stories of the church’s past with the congregation.
“There was grace and laughter and a lot of joy,” he said. “We feel great gratitude to God in how blessed we’ve been in the past 135 years, but at the same time we believe God has a future for us. We believe God wants us to be a church where great things are happening and will continue to happen.”
Hopkins said the church has experienced many changes over the years, including three location changes. The church was originally located on Church Street — now East Cambridge — before moving to Bailey Circle in 1897 and finally Grace Street in 1956.
But, he added, the church’s vision and dedication to God has remained steadfast throughout its history.
“The four characteristics of our church that signify and reflect our history are Christ-centered worship, priority on missions, courage and leadership,” Hopkins said. “These are the pillars of our identity.”
Members of the “Singing Strings,” a guitar group comprised of church members, reunited to perform together for the first time since the 1970s, and original group member Lillian Moneyham said it was a joyous event.
“We’re just going to strum like we always did,” she said before the group performed. “I just think it is a time of joy for all of us to be together again, sharing God’s love through song.”
Though he has moved on to sing with the Sante Fe and New York City operas, past church member and Greenwood native Keith Jameson said he was excited to be back at the church to perform during the worship service.
“It was very special,” he said. “Just hearing those stories about all of the things that have happened here in the past 135 years – I had no idea.”
Charles and Nancy Murphy, who on Sunday celebrated their second year as members of First Baptist Church, said they learned many things about the church during the anniversary service.
“We’ve just leaned back and enjoyed all of it,” Nancy said. “I found the stories most interesting.”
As an 85-year member, Boykin Curry, who has been with First Baptist Church since July 1, 1920, knows many of the stories of the church’s past.
“There are a lot of memories in action today,” he said of the anniversary celebration. “It is one of the most special days in my lifetime.”
For 12-year member Tim Fender, the anniversary seemed like a reunion as well, adding that the church is like an extended family to many.
“It is good to see members, former members and staff returning to celebrate the life of an institution like this church,” he said. “We had a sense of togetherness with people we haven’t seen for a long time.”

Herman Loftis

ABBEVILLE — James “Herman” Loftis, 84, resident of 125 McGowan Ave., husband of Elizabeth Mundy Loftis, passed Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005 at National Health Care in Greenwood, SC.
Born in Abbeville, SC, he was a son of the late Herman Reid and Lilly Smith Loftis.
He was a retired clerk and yardmaster with CSX Railroad having over 40 years of service. He was one of the founders of Little League Baseball in Abbeville County. He coached Little League and Pony League baseball for over 15 years. He was a World War II Veteran with the Army Air Corps. He was a very active member of Abbeville Presbyterian Church where he had also served as a Deacon and Elder of the church.
Survivors are: His beloved wife of 59 years, Elizabeth Mundy Loftis of the home, twin sons, Johnny Loftis and his wife Brenda of Abbeville, SC, Jimmy Loftis and his wife Martha of Newport, TN, 5 grandchildren, Russell Hinton, John Michael Loftis, Ashley Loftis, Tracy Hays and James Carl Loftis.
He was preceded in death by a twin sister, Mary Elizabeth Loftis Mundy.
Graveside services will be conducted Tuesday, Sept. 27, 2005 at 2:30 PM from Long Cane Cemetery with the Rev. Luthur Mundy officiating.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 PM Monday evening, Sept. 26, 2005. The family is at the home 125 McGowan Ave. Abbeville, SC.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetic Association, 2711 Middleberg Drive, Kittrell Center, Suite 312 Columbia, SC 29204.
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Margaret Ross

NINETY SIX — Margaret Ellison Ross, 84, resident of 106 Bohmari Lane, widow of William Charles Ross, died September 25, 2005 at her home.
Born in Belton, January 21, 1921, she was a daughter of the late Floyd Casper and Annie Lois Bannister Ellison. Mrs. Ross was the first female accounting major graduate from the Greenwood College of Commerce. She was formerly employed by Greenwood Mills and retired as accountant for Supreme Propane Gas Co.
She was a member of Cambridge United Methodist Church where she taught in the Sunday School Department and was a former troop leader for a Girls Scout’s Troop in Ninety Six.
Surviving are a daughter, Bonnie Ross of Greensboro, NC. Sisters, Sara Childress and Etrulia Bradley, both of Williamston. Five grandchildren, Charles Ellison Ross of Ninety Six, Perrin Anderson Ross of Aiken, Benjamin Carson Ross of Abbeville, Holly Elizabeth Piacentino of High Point, NC and Joseph Piacentino, Jr. of Atlanta, GA. Four great-grandchildren. Daughter-in-law, Charlotte Anderson Ross of Ninety Six. Friends and care givers, Pearl and Bill McClam and Hospice Care of the Piedmont.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4:00 PM Tuesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Harvey Peurifoy officiating.
Burial will be in the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be grandsons along with Mark Moore and Willie Booker.
The family is at the home on Bohmari Lane and will receive friends at the funeral home from 3:00 to 4:00 Tuesday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information and online condolences visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ross family.
PAID OBITUARY

Sarah Wideman

Sarah Tucker Wideman, 81, of 321 Gatewood Drive, widow of Frank J. Wideman Jr., died Saturday, Sept. 24, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection. Burial is in Horeb Baptist Church Cemetery near Troy.
Visitation is after the burial service at “Sylvania,” home of Frank Wideman III on Millway Road.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Friends easing her grief

Meredith Martin has the help of her teammates in her time of need

September 26, 2005

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Everyone deals with grief differently.
For Emerald High School junior Meredith Martin, it’s being on the court with her Lady Vikings tennis teammates that has helped her cope with a great deal of loss.
Martin, 16, lost her mother Kaye, a former teacher at Pinecrest Elementary School, to a prolonged battle with acute myeloid leukemia a little more than two weeks ago.
Meredith’s father, former Brewer Middle School coach and teacher John, died after his own bout with cancer on April 20, 2004. John and Kaye were vibrant, popular figures in the community.
Meredith said it has been difficult to deal with losing both parents in less than a year and a half.
“When my dad passed away, my attitude was ‘Well, I still have my mom,’” she said. “It’s tough when you lose a loved one, even if it’s not exactly unexpected.”
Emerald tennis coach Susan Timmerman said the team was quick to console Martin and let her know they were there to support her.
“The morning Kaye passed, I got about five text messages from different team members letting me know what happened,” the first-year coach said. “I rushed over to Meredith’s house after school, and there they all were, sprawled out on the floor with Meredith, talking and reflecting.
“They really are so close.”
Fellow-junior Courtney Khondabi, who Martin says is her best friend, said it was second nature to the Lady Vikings’ squad to step up and support Martin.
Khondabi said the team, which has nicknamed itself “The Girls,” has become more like family over the last few seasons. It is a sentiment shared by teammate Victoria Hutto.
“This team has been through everything together the last couple of years,” Hutto said. “We’re here for Meredith, whatever she needs.”
Martin voiced her appreciation of the team reaching out to her during a time of loss and grief. “Having my team around me, it really has helped me out,” Martin said. “Getting out here and playing really helps me get my mind off of everything. I’ve played tennis since I was 9 or 10 years old, so it really does give me something familiar I can turn to.”
The Martin family is what one might call a “tennis family.” Meredith said Kaye introduced her to the game when she was nine. John coached tennis at Emerald for several years, and Meredith’s brother Trey, 23, was a standout for the Vikings’ boy’s squad.
“Tennis is natural to me,” said Martin, who is currently living with Kaye’s longtime best friend, Kathy Ligon. “I know my parents would both want me to continue to play this year.”
Meredith said Trey has been essential in helping her though her grief, calling her nearly every other day to check in. She said her brother was the one who helped her get through their father’s passing, and the siblings are sticking close together this time around.
“Trey mean’s the world to me,” said Meredith of her brother, who resides in Charleston. “He’s been checking on me all the time since mom died.”
The Lady Vikings were scheduled to play Greenwood in a match the day Kaye died. The Lady Eagles respectfully complied with Emerald’s request to postpone the match, which will be made up sometime in October. Martin was thankful the team did not have to forfeit, which would have been the case if Greenwood had not agreed to postpone.
“I was really glad we didn’t have to forfeit,” said Martin with a smile. “I wanted a chance to play Greenwood.”
Martin said she thinks team sports could be an appropriate outlet for young athletes who may face a similar situation of losing a parent or loved one. In her case, playing a game that is closely connected with her family, which at the same time gives her an opportunity to unleash pent up frustrations and spend time with friends has been highly therapeutic.
Timmerman provided one example of the healing and communal nature of high school athletics in a specialized situation such as this one. She said when Emerald played Greenwood Christian on Sept. 12, the Lady Hawks presented Martin with a sympathy card signed by the whole team.
“I thought that was really remarkable,” Timmerman said. “So many times, things get really, really competitive in high school sports. I thought that was a very nice moment and a thoughtful thing for them to do.”
In another example of the closeness of the high school tennis community, Timmerman cited Emerald’s match with Batesburg-Leesville on Sept. 20. Lady Panthers’ coach Cathy Watson approached Timmerman and inquired how Martin was coping with the loss of her father. It was at that time Timmerman revealed to Watson that Martin’s mother had also recently passed.
“She got very emotional,” said Timmerman of the Batesburg-Leesville coach. “She really felt for Meredith and for our team and community.”
Martin said she is looking forward to the rest of the tennis season, and she has been impressed with what the Lady Vikings have accomplished so far.
“I think we’ve done great so far, we’ve only lost to Greenwood and Clinton,” Martin said. “That’s another thing that’s helping me right now. We have won our region every year for a while now. I want to do my part to help us win another one.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

Governor tackles problem others have let get worse

September 26, 2005

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford created a hullabaloo a while back when he introduced a plan to restructure Medicaid in the state. Some lawmakers and others in the state complained that Sanford should have gone to the Legislature before submitting his plan to the federal government, which was done in June.
It even brought a lawsuit by a group of Pee Dee physicians who argue the governor should indeed have gone to the Legislature first.
How that challenge will come out is unknown, of course. One thing is known, though. Medicaid costs have gone up so much in recent years that unless something is done it could threaten the financial stability the state even more than usual.

IT HAS LONG BEEN OBVIOUS that something had to be done, but no one, apparently, wanted to tackle the problem ….. mainly because it is a hot political issue.
We should count our blessings that someone is willing to meet the situation head-on and help focus our attention on health needs and how to stay better prepared to cover them. Unless something is done, the whole program could go down the drain.
Sanford said the issue was so important, “It would be brain-numbing for me not to touch this issue. If I were playing politics, I’d leave it alone and let it be somebody else’s problem,” the governor said.
Whether anyone agrees with Sanford or not, it would be foolish to keep ignoring the Medicaid problem.

THE PROBLEM IS GROWING, not shrinking. It makes it even harder to improve, though, when we’ve all become accustomed to expecting government to be all things to all people …... and voting for the people who believe that’s exactly the role government should play in our lives.
The operative words there, of course, are why spending continues to go up, regardless of what political party is in the majority. Those words are in our lives. There’s too much of that now. It’s supposed to be the people’s government, not the government’s people. The more we keep asking of government and the more it gets entangled in our daily lives, though, the reverse takes hold.