Brewer Alumni Association unveils design of history book

September 4, 2005

By CAROLINE KLAPPER
Index-Journal staff writer

The cover to “Brewer More than a School,” an account of the school’s history was unveiled by Robert C. Moore, left, Wilhelmenia Ruff Robinson, center, and Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs. The book will be available in February 2006, and all proceeds will go to the Brewer High School Alumni Association scholarship fund.

As former classmates celebrated their 50th class reunion at the Brewer High School National Alumni Association’s 9th Annual Convention, scholarships were given out and the cover of a new book about Brewer was unveiled.
Two college students received $1,000 scholarships from the Alumni Association for their academic achievements.
Lula M. Welton presented the awards to Charles Fisher, a freshman at Anderson College, and Darren Jones, a freshman at Morehouse College in Atlanta.
Tommie Boozer, president of the Alumni Association, was presented two $1,000 checks from the classes of 1954 and 1955 for the scholarship fund.
“We wanted to present this check for $1,000 so that some other child can get an education,” said Shirley B. Williams, representing the class of 1954.
Inducted into the 2005 Hall of Fame were Jessie Fortune Davidson, William Higgins, Sr., Earl McBride and Wilhelmenia Ruff Robinson.
After the 1955 class reunion dinner, Greenwood County Councilwoman Edith Childs unveiled the cover to a book about the history of the former black high school, titled “Brewer More Than a School.”
Childs asked all of the alumni attending the dinner to share information about their time at Brewer High School before the book is completed.
“If you will just give us more information, your information will be a part of this book,” she said. “We are excited and we hope that you are.”
The book will preserve the history of the school, and proceeds from the book sales will benefit the Alumni Association’s scholarship fund, Childs said.
“We needed to do something for ourselves because many of us are leaving and not coming back,” she said. “You’re going to be pleased with what’s in this book.”
“Brewer More Than a School,” is $25.99, and it will be available in Feb. 2006.

Opinion

Americans quick to help, but should learn lesson

September 4, 2005

Many people around the world, no doubt, cannot fathom the unpredictability of Americans. How can we be so quarrelsome at times, yet when tragedy strikes, we show a depth of concern that challenges the imagination.
We do many things that defy the very idea of unity. Then along comes a natural disaster like Hurricane Katrina and Americans show a sense of caring that leaves others confused.
Help for hurricane victims is amazing. Signs of it are all over Greenwood. People work to raise money. They give everything from blood to bandages, Business and industry play major roles.
The response by the health care community, relief organizations, law enforcement, individual and collective workers of all kinds has been magnificent.

SOUTH CAROLINA AND OTHER states, various government groups, the U. S. and the entire military structure almost literally are moving mountains to help save people who otherwise might perish. They also add significantly to the work of civilian authorities in helping eliminate the anarchy that often comes with despair. And, of course, that is a major factor in restoring order in the wake of one of the worst – if not the worst – disasters to hit.
There has been looting of course, and other criminal activity that always threatens the innocent and those already hurting. For many, looting is simply an effort to survive. For others it’s an opportunity to steal. Survival is no excuse for looting, maybe, but it is an explanation. For the criminal element, though, there’s no explanation or excuse. Thugs don’t deserve anything but harsh punishment.

THERE WAS DISAPPOINTMENT early because other nations did little or nothing. Since the extent of the calamity became known, though, nations all over the world have come to our aid. The United Nations finally said it would do whatever it could ….. whatever that means.
The federal government and President Bush have been criticized because some thought aid came too slowly. However, that changed.
No one could have predicted the severity of the situation. There has been no precedent of this size to teach us what to expect. President Bush noted results had not been acceptable ….. a direct commentary on the ineffective Homeland Security Department.
In future emergencies, and there will be some, whether caused by nature or man, we cannot afford on-the-job training. If we learn anything, that should be job one.

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

Obituaries

Dennis E. McGaha

CALHOUN FALLS — Dennis E. McGaha, 73, of 435 Jackson St., husband of Florence McGaha, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
Survivors include his wife; two sons, Steve McGaha of Mauldin and Terry McGaha of Calhoun Falls; a brother, Carl McGaha of Honea Path; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is at 3 Monday at Calhoun Falls Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Michael Ford.
Visitation is from 2-3 Monday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Church of God of Prophecy (Faith Harvest Fellowship), 716 Darlington St., Calhoun Falls, S.C., 29628.
Calhoun Falls Funeral Home is in charge.

Anita R. Rosser

WARE SHOALS — Anita Ruth Ross Rosser, 50, of 19 Walnut St., wife of Teddy Joe Rosser, died Friday at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Ware Shoals, she was a daughter of the late Luther Claude and Carrie Lollis Ross. She was of the Holiness faith.
Survivors include her husband of the home; three sisters, Darlene R. Ashley of Ware Shoals, Sue R. Baker of Hodges and Bonnie R. Traynham of Greenville; and a brother, Carroll Ross of Anderson.
Services are at 4 Monday at Parker-White Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Leon Jones and J.C. Sorrow. Burial is in Ware Shoals Cemetery.
Visitation is from 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of Renee Blackmon, 106 Baker Court, Highway 25 North, Hodges.
Memorials may be made to the Anita Rosser Memorial 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.

David Turman

MT. CARMEL — David Turman, 68, of 257 Highway 823, husband of Delois Turman, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in McCormick County, he was a son of the late Tina Holloway. He was a member of Holy Rock Reform Presbyterian Church in Willington, and a retired construction worker.
Survivors include his wife of New York; four daughters, Lois Freeman of the home, Snoppy Turman and Tina Turman, both of Bronx, N.Y., and Priscilla Turman of New York; two sons, Mark Turman and Gent Turman, both of New York; and three grandchildren.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Lois Freeman, 257 Highway 823 Mt. Carmel.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home, Abbeville.

Dr. Ann Warner

Dr. Ann Bowen Warner, 79, resident of The Tree House of Wesley Commons, widow of John H. Warner Sr., died September 3, 2005 at her home.
Born in the Troy community of Greenwood County, July 3, 1926, she was a daughter of the late William R. and Ruth McAllister Bowen. Dr. Warner graduated from Winthrop College in 1947 with a BS Degree in Home Economics. She then received her masters in Nutrition and Microbiology from the University of Alabama in 1949. In 1975 she received her doctorate in Vocational Education from the University of Georgia.
Dr. Warner taught biology and home economics at Lander Unversity from 1959-72 and from 1975-77. She also served on the Winthrop College faculty for three years. In 1994 Dr. Warner retired after more than 16 years service from the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control as District Director of Nutrition for the Upper Savannah Health District.
The first recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award at Lander University, Dr. Warner also established the Ann Bowen Warner Scholarship at Lander to be awarded to students from Greenwood County. Travel being a significant part of Dr. Warner’s education, she was a veteran of Lander study trips to Greece, the Netherlands, Scotland and New York. Her interests in her late husband’s forestry business led to her becoming the first woman to be elected as a director of the SC Forestry Association. She also served on the Clemson Extension Advisory Board.
A devoted member of Main Street United Methodist Church, Dr. Warner served on the Council of Ministries, the Board of Stewards, as a Sunday School Teacher and a volunteer office worker for the church. She formerly served as Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Greenwood Methodist Home and Secretary of the Greenwood County Extension Advisory Council. She also served on the Executive Board of the SC Nutrition Council and was Past President of the SC Home Economics Association. She was a member of the Iris Garden Club and the Cateechee Study Club.
Surviving are two sons, John Hampton, Jr. and wife Jill Warner, and Dr. William R. and wife Kristie Warner, all of Greenwood; a sister, Dr. Margaret B. DeVore Walker of North Augusta; six grandsons, Christopher Warner, Keary Warner, Jay Warner, Karson Warner, Kensey Warner, and Hampton Warner; a granddaughter, Herin Warner.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4:00 PM Monday at Main Street United Methodist Church with Reverend James D. Dennis, Jr. officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Christopher Warner, Keary Warner, Karson Warner, Kensey Warner, Danny Warner, Andy Warner, and Dr. Douglas DeVore. Honorary Escort will be Dr. O.M. Cobb, Jay Warner, Betty Laster, Willa Drennon, Dalphene Boyd, Tammy Payne and Pam Garner.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the Church at 3:00 PM Monday.
The family is at the home of Dr. and Mrs. William Warner, 2 Harper Lane and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 Sunday evening.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church Building Fund, 211 North Main Street, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Street, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION SERVICES IS ASSISTING THE WARNER FAMILY.