High court gives bond plan OK

Decision for case in Colleton County
might bode well for District 50 as well

December 12, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

A South Carolina Supreme Court decision might have a lasting impact on Greenwood School District 50’s bond plan and other school districts across the state.
Several Colleton citizen and taxpayer associations sued the Colleton County school district in August over its installment purchase bond plan, which the groups alleged would negatively affect the district’s outstanding general obligation bonds, among other charges.
The district wants to create a non-profit corporation to fund the renovation and construction of district schools.
State justices decided Monday afternoon in favor of the school district, which upholds the constitutionality of Colleton’s bond resolution, according to the court’s opinion.
District 50 has suggested it would create a non-profit organization to help manage its bond plan and that the bond plan is legal.
The district has been plagued with mistrust and questions about the legality of the bond plan by public officials, including Greenwood County councilmen Dee Compton and Bob Jennings and state Rep. Mike Pitts.
The district’s bond plan would leverage as much as $145 million over a 25-year period to pay for construction of three elementary schools, and renovations and modifications to the rest of the schools in the district. Bonds are typically sold by government agencies to the public and investors to pay for large projects, where the money gained from the bond sale is given to the issuing agency and paid back over an established amount of time.
District 50 Superintendent Darrell Johnson was unavailable for comment Monday.
Board of trustees chairwoman Debrah Miller said she was pleased to hear the court’s decision, as District 50’s position all along has been that the bond plan is right for Greenwood.
“This decision proves that,” she said.
Miller said the decision also clears up the bond plan’s legality as part of the accusations Henry Johnson made in his lawsuit. “We’re continuing to defend ourselves from other allegations in the lawsuit,” she said.
District 50’s attorneys Childs & Halligan countersued Henry Johnson on Dec. 4 for $50 million, after Johnson, former owner of the Rental Center, and the South Carolina Public Interest Foundation sued District 50, its bond plan, superintendent Darrell Johnson and former chairwoman Dru James Nov. 3.
The countersuit asks for $50 million as that’s the amount the district and taxpayers will pay if the district can’t close on its bond plan in 2006, according to Childs & Halligan.
District 50’s attorneys also deny the majority of Johnson’s claims, including that the district has violated South Carolina’s 8 percent bonded indebtedness limit. The attorneys also claim Johnson and the foundation began the lawsuit to disrupt the bond plan.
Childs & Halligan is making an effort to discuss the Colleton County case with Jim Carpenter, attorney for both Henry Johnson and Colleton County’s cases, said Keith Powell, attorney for Childs & Halligan.
Carpenter declined to comment about the decision, only saying his team is reviewing the decision and considering their options.
Henry Johnson said he found most of the decision “disappointing” but noticed areas that were different between the Colleton and Greenwood cases. He declined to discuss those differences until he spoke to Carpenter.
Board member and former chairwoman Dru James, who was an important part of the initial bond process, said she was glad the court upheld the rulings of previous courts.
Board member Dan Richardson said he hadn’t heard the decision was made, but wasn’t surprised at the outcome because Colleton’s plan was modeled after Greenville County School District’s, where the board of trustees is divorced from the non-profit corporation. District 50’s plan has strings attached, in that the board has some say within the corporate body, Richardson said.
“I just think it’s wrong,” he said.
Board secretary Frank Coyle was pleased the way the decision came out.
“Truth be told, we expected it to be constitutional,” he said, referring to installment purchase bonds.
Board member James Williams said he didn’t know about the decision, but didn’t understand why people in Colleton County were making a big deal, considering the poor shape of the schools there.
“I can’t understand why they don’t want things better,” he said.
Board member Tony Pritchard said ‘thank goodness’ about the decision and that he hoped it would allow the district to move forward with the bond plan.
Board member Tony Bowers had no comment, while LeVerne Fuller was unavailable for comment. Board member Lary Davis said he didn’t want to talk about the decision until he’d had a chance to read it.

Generation gamer

How much do ratings affect which video games are played?

December 12, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

It’s up to parents to decide whether their kids should be allowed to steal cars, decapitate ninjas or run their own crime family.
In video games, that is.
The video game industry has long been known for producing violent, suggestive games. While games such as “Grand Theft Auto” and “Dead Rising” have garnered attention lately, the industry’s distribution of such games dates all the way back to the early 1980s, when “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” came out for the Atari 2600.
New studies are now suggesting, however, that video game companies and big box retailers are doing a better job of screening who buys violent games. In 1994, the Entertainment Software Ratings Board was established. The board issues ratings for all games released for Nintendo, Playstation and XBox games, as well as those for handheld systems and PCs.
The ratings range from Early Childhood (EC), which are deemed suitable for any age, to Adults Only (AO), which can only be sold to those over 18. Many games that often come into question are rated Mature (M), and are intended to be sold to those over 17, unless the person has parental permission.
In a recent news release from MediaWise, the group released the results of its 11th annual Video Game Report Card. MediaWise Gave big retailers (Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Kmart, etc.) and gaming console retailers a grade of “A” for their work in attempting to promote and enforce the ratings.
However, the group gave parents a mark of “Incomplete,” finding that many parents still do not understand the ratings system and need to pay more attention to what their kids are playing. Here in the Lakelands, some parents do have a firm grip on what type of games their children play.
“We don’t allow any of that crazy stuff in our house,” said Greenwood’s John Beale, who has four sons ranging in age from 6 to 13. “The Teen rating is as high as it goes with us. They have ‘Star Wars: Battlefront,’ which is about as violent as we let them play. It’s a shoot-’em-up type of deal, but it doesn’t have all the blood and gore.”
Beale said the issue of more mature games has never been pressed very hard by his kids. He said they have, on occasion, asked for a Mature-rated game, but did not linger on the subject when they were denied.
Abbeville’s Scott White has three sons — one in sixth-grade, one a junior in high school and one in college. White said he doesn’t have any problems with the games his two youngest sons play.
“My wife and I keep an eye on what they’re playing,” White said. “For one thing, the Xbox is hooked up on our main TV in the den. Also, my boys tend to play sports games like Madden or NCAA Football 2007. I’m aware of the ratings system, it just hasn’t come into play at our house.”
Retailers in Greenwood seem to be performing just as the MediaWise study indicates stores across the country are.
Tom Franklin, store manager of Kmart on Hwy. 72, said his store makes it easy for employees to control who can by Mature-rated games.
“Our cash registers prompt our cashiers to ask for ID on the M-rated games,” Franklin said. “I have seen parents decide not to purchase a game after that prompt. But it hasn’t happened all that often.”
Chandler Farmer, an associate at EB Games, said EB instructs its employees to ask for identification on Mature and Adult Only games.
Homer Sears, guidance counselor at Northside Middle School, offered his opinion on the ratings system, which squarely affects his teen and pre-teen students.“I would advise parents very strongly to monitor the ratings for games,” Sears said. “They need to be aware whether or not their kids are playing violent games, or listening to violent music, for that matter.”
Though many Lakelands-area families monitor games closely, there is always the question of whether children will simply play the games they are denied at home when they go to a friend’s house.
“You do worry that they may go to a friend’s house and play some of these games,” Beale said. “But, especially with my teenager, I know I can’t totally control that. But as long as he knows we don’t allow it, that will be in his conscience wherever he might go.”
Chris Trainor covers Greenwood County for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com

‘Worthwhile opportunity’

Abbeville city manager to retire

December 12, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Much has changed in the world in the last 24 years.
Fashion trends have shifted, gas prices have sky-rocketed, wars have been fought and the “Rocky” films have thrived, died and are now set to be resurrected again.
But in the Lakelands town of Abbeville, one thing has remained the same for nearly a quarter of a century: David Krumwiede has been the city manager.
That will change on Dec. 29, however, as Krumwiede is retiring as city manager, ending a tenure that began in 1982.
“Since I came in in 1982, I have worked with many different mayors and council members,” Krumwiede said. “There have been many changes in Abbeville during these years, and many were changes for the better.”
Krumwiede’s path was geared toward city management long before his career began. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science from The Citadel in 1965 and a master’s in political science from the University of South Carolina in 1967. After graduation, he served two years in the Army.
“After I got out of the military, I looked at where my education could take me,” said Krumwiede, 64. “I felt like city management would be a very worthwhile opportunity.”
Besides Abbeville, Krumwiede has served in city management in Lancaster and county management in Catawba County in North Carolina. He was a city administrator in Greer from 1977-81.
Krumwiede outlined a pair of advancements in Abbeville that have occurred under his watch of which he is most proud.
One is a water line that was installed that runs to Calhoun Falls.
“We’re proud of the water line to Calhoun Falls,” Krumwiede said. “That creates a whole regional system for water down the freshwater coast, down into McCormick and Savannah Lakes.”
The second area in which Krumwiede said he takes some of his greatest pride is the four-laning of Highway 72 through Abbeville and on toward Calhoun Falls. The retiring city manager said he has been told the highway will be four lanes all the way to Athens, Ga., by 2011 or 2012.
Krumwiede said he was happy to help oversee the Historic Preservation Ordinance, which was announced last year. The HPO came about in order to help maintain the historic integrity of the city long touted as the “birthplace and deathbed of the Confederacy.”
Krumwiede said there will be initiatives stemming from HPO to maintain the picturesque town square and keep it in good condition and repair.
Though he is retiring, Krumwiede is not stepping completely out of the management business. He will be doing some consultant work for McCormick County, and will also be teaching political science part-time at Clemson. He has an extensive background in teaching the subject, doing so at Piedmont Tech for 18 years. He also taught several years at the men’s prison in McCormick and Leath Correctional in Greenwood.
“That was interesting,” Krumwiede said. “The prisoners I met were into the subject because they knew how tough it would be to get a job once they got out. Also, it was interesting to note how much of a toll life in prison took on women, in particular. That life really wore on them as time went on.”
Krumwiede said he was touched by the crowd that gathered for his retirement drop-in last week at Abbeville Opera House. More than 180 people attended the event.
Krumwiede expressed his love for the city, saying there is no place he would rather live.
“It was a great place to raise my family,” Krumwiede said. “Some people move out to Phoenix and Tucson and have a cactus in their yard and all of that. They can have it. There’s no place I’d rather be than in Abbeville.”
As he winds down his last few weeks of service to Abbeville, Krumwiede pondered what has been most difficult about the retirement.
“Someone asked me and I told them the hard part will probably be not being in charge,” said Krumwiede, with a hardy laugh. “I always think about issues. I’m sure for a while I’ll be worried about things like street lights being on and things like that.
“That’s the hard part, letting things go.”
Chris Trainor covers area news for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

All area teams face off tonight across Lakelands

Boys games

December 12, 2006

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

It’s a good night to be a hoops fan in Greenwood and the Lakelands area. The area has four non-region rivalry games involving eight area teams, with three of those contests being in Greenwood County alone.

Saluda at Greenwood

Tonight’s contest, set for 7:30 p.m., is the first of two matchups between the Eagles and the Tigers (4-4) this week. Thursday’s game at Saluda was rescheduled because of Greenwood’s state championship night Dec. 1.
In last year’s matchup at Greenwood, USC signee Trevor Deloach poured in 41 points in a Saluda win, including 18 in the fourth quarter. The 6-foot-4 Deloach is averaging 31 points a night.
“As far as Trevor’s concerned, everybody knows about him. Greenwood knows about him,” Saluda coach Jimmy Kinard said. “So he’s not going to surprise anybody.”
Deloach has done his part for the Tigers, but the coach said the rest of the team has been the difference in his team’s success this season. In a win over Abbeville, the rest of the team accounted for 42 points, while that same group managed 18 points in a loss to the Panthers two days later.
“They’re the key,” Kinard said. “As long as Trevor stays healthy, he’s going to do his thing. The key for our success is getting consistency from the rest of the guys.”
The Eagles have been keyed this season by a mix of experience and youth. Senior Andre Day has been one of the team’s leading point-provider. The point guard chipped in a team-high 16 against Emerald and scored 13 in the season opener against North Augusta.
Sophomore center Sam Montgomery, a returning starter, scored 23 points against the Yellow Jackets but was limited to just nine in the loss to the Vikings. Freshmen Demarcus Harrison and Javaris Rhode have been key factors for the Eagles as well.
“We’re kind of going in blind,” Kinard said. “I know they have a couple of good young players and Montgomery is solid in the post and Dye is a good outside shooter.”

Calhoun Falls at Emerald

The Blue Flashes (1-2) and the Vikings (2-4) have already met one time this season, with Emerald walking away with a 60-52 win Dec. 5 in Calhoun Falls.
“We beat them by eight or 10 last time, but they didn’t have their point guard,” Emerald coach Robin Scott said. “Even though we outsized them, they did a good hitting the boards against us. I don’t think we had a rebounding edge in that game at all.”
The Flashes’ point guard that Scott mentioned, junior David Bryant, also won’t be available for tonight’s rematch, which is slated for 7:30 p.m. Bryant is still out with a broken thumb.
Both teams have won once their previous meeting.
Calhoun Falls got revenge from a big loss to Crescent in its season opener by edging the Tigers by a point Friday night on senior Ricky Holland’s buzzer-beater.
Holland, who leads the team with 17 points a game, is one of only two returning players from last season. He and fellow returner Adrian Tatum, who is averaging 10 a night, are also the only two starting seniors. The Flashes also start two freshmen and a junior.
The same night the Flashes got revenge, the Vikings pulled the upset on crosstown rival Greenwood, winning in overtime after overcoming a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit. Senior Kadarron Anderson, who leads the team with 16 a night, pitched in 24 against the Eagles. Juniors Trey Woolridge and Ben McIntosh are bringing in about 10 points apiece.
But the good feelings didn’t last long, as the Vikings fell the next night by 16 to Abbeville.
“There a couple of things we need to work on. Things we need to address before we go much further,” said Scott, who the Vikings will be playing in their fifth game in eight days. “We’ve got to get more consistent play inside. We’ve got to get on the boards better.”

McCormick vs. Abbeville at Erskine

The basketball rivalry between the Chiefs (4-0) and the Panthers (3-1) has become a big one over the years. So much so, that this season, the two schools are playing Abbeville’s home game at Erskine’s Belk Arena.
“We hate to leave our gym, because the crackerbox is such a home-court advantage for us,” Abbeville coach James Herman said. “But we can get so many more people in playing at Erskine. We always have good battles with McCormick. In the last two years, the first game has gone to overtime.”
The Panthers enter tonight’s contest, which is scheduled for 8, riding a two-game winning streak, picking up double-digit victories over Saluda and Emerald. Thursday’s 61-35 win over the Tigers came just two days after losing in Saluda, 76-48.
“Those were two big wins for us,” Herman said. “I don’t remember the last time we beat Emerald twice in one season if we ever have. And to beat Saluda with Deloach is a great win, especially after what happened two days earlier. The turnaround was unbelievable.”
Senior forward Ty Suit leads the Panthers in scoring with a 12.2 points per game average, while junior forward Toquavius Gilchrist and senior guard Michael Butler also average in double figures, at 11.2 and 10 points, respectively.
The Chiefs’ winning streak spans the length of their season, winning all four games. McCormick has a balanced offensive attack, having four players average in double figures and one close.
Brandon Sisco leads the way with 15 points, while Cody Mursier comes off the bench for 12.5.
Backcourt duo Darius Bussey and William Peterson are scoring 11 a night.
“I saw them beat Saluda by 13 or so. If they have a weakness, then I haven’t found it yet,” Herman said. “I hope I do before (tonight).”

Ware Shoals at Ninety Six

The Wildcats (2-3) enter tonight’s matchup, which is set for 8, looking to put a narrow loss to the Chiefs behind them, while the Hornets (0-1) will be striving for their first win of the season in the team’s final remaining game of 2006.
“This game will set the tone for us over the holidays,” Ware Shoals coach Joshua Pratt said.
“It’s a big rivalry game. I know what it means to the community.”
The Hornets dropped their only game so far this season, falling to Palmetto Thursday at home. But Ware Shoals was playing without starting center Letavious Williams, who missed because of the North-South All-Star football game. Pratt said Williams will most likely not play tonight either.
Senior Tony Lomax, who didn’t play last season, picked up the slack, leading the Hornets with 17 points in the loss to Palmetto. Junior Patorious Leverette chipped in 10 points, while sophomores LaDarius Hawthorne and Lance Richardson added 10 and nine for the Hornets. Those four accounted for all but nine of the team’s points against Palmetto.
“They have several athletic guys,” Ninety Six coach Ike Dickey said. “I saw them play and I’ve seen most of them before, but I was really impressed with ‘Moon Pie’ (Lomax), and how he controlled the game for them.”
Dickey said he plays as many as 11 guys during a game and he hopes to use that depth to his advantage. Senior Ken Mathis is averaging a team-high 15 points a night, while Daniel Longmire and Quin McGraw are chipping in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

All area teams face off tonight across Lakelands

Girls games

December 12, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

You shouldn’t have to travel far if you’re looking for a basketball fix tonight.
Eight Lakelands girls’ basketball teams face each other in four games across the area, so there shouldn’t be a shortage of basketball anywhere.

Saluda at Greenwood

Coach Susan Thompson and the Lady Eagles (2-1) battle coach Patsy Rhodes and the Lady Tigers at 6 tonight at Greenwood High School.
According to Thompson, practice has gone well for the Lady Eagles.
She is still trying to find the lineup that will give her team the best chance to win as they play their second game in as many nights.
“I’m still changing girls around trying to find the perfect five,” Thompson said.
Thompson added that the preparation for Saluda would start following Monday night’s game which means her team will have to soak in a lot of information in a very small amount of time.
Before the season, Rhodes said that the bulk of the Lady Tigers’ experience was going to come from the seniors who she considers the nucleus of the team.
Rhodes might look to Taralissa Holloway and Kayla Downing to control the boards for the Lady Panthers inside.
The bulk of the Lady Tigers offense, according to Rhodes in the preseason, will likely come from junior Marlissa Coleman, Kayla Downing, Ashley Proctor and junior Alexis Adams.
Downing is the Lady Panthers’ top returning scorer from last season.

Calhoun Falls at EmeraldEmerald Lady Vikings coach Annarie Duckett and her squad have had a full slate to start the season as they have already played eight games.
“I don’t think fatigue will be a factor. They’ve had the weekend to recover a little bit,” Duckett said. “It probably was Saturday night, but we still had our chances.”
The Lady Vikings (4-4) enter tonight’s game against the Calhoun Falls Lady Blue Flashes (1-2) looking for results similar to last week’s 60-30 win over coach Risha Bomars’ team.
“We’re just going to try to play the same game that we played before,” Duckett said. “A pressing defense and just being very aggressive defensively and hopefully good things will happen.”
Brittany Conner has been hot for the Lady Vikings over the last few games. She will try to keep it up tonight. She’s scored in double figures in the last four games and Duckett figures that shouldn’t change.
“She’s one of the main leaders on the team and she’s just consistent,” Duckett said. “Hopefully, that’s something that she’s going to continue to do as well as the other people stepping up and scoring more points.”
Coach Bomar is expecting a better effort out of the Lady Blue Flashes tonight against the Lady Vikings.
“I’ve already told them that I wasn’t going to accept being beaten by 30 points again,” Bomar said. “It was just a lack of hustle in the last meeting. We’re teaching them that if you make a mistake, keep playing and get after it.”
Bomar said that she has been pleased with the play of Postell, “She’s played very well on Friday,” Bomar said. “She actually played like I know she is capable of playing.”
Spencer had a good game on defense for the Lady Blue Flashes and Bomar said that Elmore has stepped up also.
Bomar hopes that her players will stay focused throughout tonight’s’ game.
“Your attitude within yourself can kill you,” Bomar said. “We came back after being down at halftime on Friday. We just have to keep fighting.”

Ware Shoals at Ninety Six

The Ware Shoals Lady Hornets (1-2) and coach Kem Owens come into their game against Ninety Six coach Donna Leopard and the undefeated Lady Wildcats (3-0) with hopes of getting their second win of the season.
Lady Hornets’ point guard Nydra Edwards has played well and has shown a lot of leadership, Owens said.
“She has also shown a lot of hustle on the court,” Owens said. “We still have a lot of work to do before the others shine through, but I feel they’ll get comfortable soon.”
Owens hopes that her team plays harder than they did last week against Palmetto.
“I think our team is feeling a little ashamed of their performance and is looking to redeem themselves this week. We are really working on our defense right now,” Owens said. “Our practices since Thursday have been much better. There is more focus and a lot more hustle. I’m hoping that this will continue for the next few weeks as we head into Christmas break.”
Although it is early in the season, Owens said that the Lady Hornets have had to reevaluate our goals for the season in order to stay on track.
“We simply must learn to work together, hustle, and play hard defense if we want to be contenders for the region this year,” Owens said.
Leopard said she will count on Ashley Washington, Sirrena Boyd and Sarah Trowbridge in tonight’s game for the Lady Wildcats.
“They’ve really been our big scorers and they’ve got to continue to do that,” Leopard said.
“We’ve got to work on rebounding and cut down on turnovers.”
Leopard said that practice has gone well and the wins have a lot to do with that.
“Once you get a couple of wins they start gaining confidence and it helps a lot,” Leopard said. “They just have to continue to work together and communicate on the floor.”

McCormick vs. Abbeville at Erskine

McCormick coach George Edwards and the Lady Chiefs (1-3) are going through the growing pains that many young teams face as they try to find an identity.
They’ll have to be ready tonight as they face the undefeated Lady Panthers (4-0) and coach Brenda Jackson at Belk Arena, on the Erskine College campus.
“We’re so young right now, and we really don’t have any veteran players,” Edwards said. “We should be alright when the region comes.”
Edwards said that from the first game until now there has been improvement but more game experience is needed.
“They just need to play more,” Edwards said. “They are hustling and playing hard, but we just need more experience.”
The Lady Chiefs’ inexperience showed when they squandered a fourth-quarter lead before eventually losing to Ninety Six in overtime last week.
The Lady Panthers are coming into tonight’s game looking to remain unbeaten. Seniors Lakia Bailey, Adrienne Moore and Quintella Morton all scored in double figures in the Lady Panthers’ win over Emerald on Saturday.
Overall, the Lady Panthers are at the opposite end of the spectrum when it comes to game experience, led by Bailey, who has led the team in scoring since her freshman year.
Although the Lady Panthers might have the upperhand based on their roster, the game, just like the rest, will be decided on the basketball court.

Opinion

School bond plan brings more taxpayer questions

December 12, 2006

It is more than evident - much more - that the proposed $145 million bond sale by Greenwood School District 50 trustees, to be paid off over 25 years, has touched a public nerve ..... a raw one at that.
As the controversy gets more intense, more taxpayers are showing interest, too. Furthermore, more of them are beginning to take notice of the entire situation and, it seems, they are looking for answers to questions that keep coming up, even as some answers are provided in what often appears to be a roundabout way.
The fact that the bond issue has become a legal football enhances public interest.

THERE’S NO QUESTION ABOUT that. It should stir the interest of taxpayers, too, because they will have to pay the high price ..... for the bonds and interest.
But, then, there were, for some taxpayers, unanswered questions right from the beginning, and that, obviously, generated the law suit against the district trustees. When the trustees decided to counter sue, a full-fledged battle was assured, not to mention more public interest.
The district’s attorneys did get to the core of the matter, although the context of a comment was, perhaps, puzzling to some opponents. The district’s attorneys claimed the suit was brought against the district to prevent the bond plan from being implemented.
Of course!

PRAY TELL, UNDER THE circumstances what else would have motivated it?
At the moment, there’s no indication of how or when the courts may rule on either of the suits. There is one other question, though, that begs clarification: Why has it been necessary for elected school trustees to need attorneys to communicate with the people who elected them? It’s not a matter brought about by a legal suit, either. That situation apparently existed long before lawsuits entered the picture. At least that’s an impression many taxpayers have had for some time.
Why attorneys is a legitimate question, and one that taxpayers have every right to ask. If nothing else, it’s something to wonder about.

Obituaries

Eddie Baer

MARIETTA, Ga. — Edwin A. “Eddie” Baer, 69, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2006 at Shoreham Nursing Home, Marietta.
The family is at the home of his brother, Billy Baer, 306 Crosby Road, Greenwood, S.C.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home and Crematory, Greenwood.

Harvey Cunningham

WATERLOO — Harvey Cunningham, 56, of 135 Riverfork Road, passed away Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006 at his home.
Born in Laurens County, he was the son of Mamie Campbell Cunningham and the late Horace Cunningham. He was a member of Laurel Hill Baptist Church, a 1968 graduate of Thomas Sanders High School and a former employee of B.F. Shaw Industries.
He is survived by, in addition to his mother of the home, a son, Leslie Pyles of the home; a sister, Nancy (Roscoe) Cunningham of Greenwood; a brother, John Henry Williams of Waterloo; two grandchildren; and a loving, caring and devoted friend, Ms. Bernice Frye of Inman.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday at Laurel Hill Baptist Church with Reverend Ray C. Holloway officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Flower bearers and pallbearers will be relatives and friends of the family. Honorary escorts will be the Thomas Sanders High School Class of 1968.
The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Troy Ferguson

Lewis Troy Ferguson, 89, resident of 412 Sagewood Road, husband of Rubye Treadway Ferguson, died Dec. 10, 2006 at his home.
Born in Ware Shoals, Aug. 21, 1917, he was a son of the late Martin Luther and Roxie Lister Ferguson. He was a US Marine Corps Veteran of WW II and during the Korean Conflict and was retired from the US Postal Service, Greenwood office.
Mr. Ferguson attended Harris Baptist Church and was a member of the Marine Corps League Post #1112.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a daughter, Pam Ferguson Alexander of Charleston; and a son, Kenneth B. Ferguson of Lexington; a sister, Ruth F. Lovelace of Greer; a grandson, Mark Alexander; four granddaughters, Beth Alexander, Amy Alexander, Bonnie Butler and Roxann Burgess; three great-grandchildren, Bodie Alexander, Ashleigh Burgess and Jasper Butler.
Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Harris Baptist Church with Rev. Frank Thomas officiating.
Burial with military honors will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Michael Cranford, Tony Cranford, Maurice Rhymer, Jr., Lonnie McManus and Chuck McManus.
Honorary escort will be members of the Marine Corps League Post #1112.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at noon Wednesday.
The family is at the home on Sagewood Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 Tuesday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to Harris Baptist Church, 300 Center Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ferguson family.

Dorothy Mae Jones

Dorothy Mae Jones, 69, of 204 Stonehaven Drive, widow of Bennie Jones Jr., died Monday, Dec. 11, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.

Sara Mayzelle Vanadore

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sara Mayzelle Vanadore, 84, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2006 at St. Thomas Alive Hospice.
Spring Hill Funeral Home is in charge.