Robbery suspect 'person
of interest' in 3 slayings

February 3, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

GREER - A crime that left three people dead could be closer to closure, authorities here said Thursday, following an arrest in Greenwood.
Greer Police Chief Dan Reynolds labeled a Spartanburg man arrested and charged after a credit union robbery at a Montague Avenue location in January a "person of interest" in the May 2003 triple homicide at the Blue Ridge Savings Bank. Greenwood authorities have said 34-year-old Lennell Dyches has confessed to robbing up to 17 banks during a six-year, one-man crime wave.
Dyches was held in the Greenwood Detention Center following his arrest Jan. 13 after an armed robbery at State Credit Union. Dyches allegedly fled to a nearby Dairy Queen, watched the post-robbery search and then apparently tried to blend into the crowd. A suspicious manager pointed him out to sheriff's investigators.
After questioning, Dyches was taken into custody by the FBI. He is in the Greenville Detention Center, according to Pat Maley, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI in South Carolina. The U.S. Attorney's Office has charged Dyches in connection with the Greenwood robbery.
"We've handed this guy to the FBI on a silver platter," said Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman.
"What we found was a pattern," he said. "His deal was Friday afternoon bank robberies. All 17 were on that timeline. His m.o. fit perfect. But something was missing there - we put the Blue Ridge robbery in there and the timeline's perfect.
"I feel like he's good for 40 (robberies)."
Wideman said calls came in to the sheriff's office Thursday from authorities in Georgia about robberies there. "We found 40 sets of keys. He was using those keys as trophies," he said. "We're at 17 (robberies) now, and Georgia's been calling all day today."
He said investigators put the timeline together on paper, checking on robberies across the state and looking on the Internet for descriptions of robberies. They "pieced it together" and then found what Wideman said was an abundance of evidence in Dyches' home.
"We did our job. (Investigators) did it well. If we had more jurisdiction maybe we could have made more charges," Wideman said. "We gave them (Greer authorities) the best lead they've had in a while."
At a news conference Thursday morning on the steps of his department's headquarters, Reynolds at times labeled Dyches "a suspect" in the Blue Ridge Savings Bank robbery. That holdup left bank teller Sylvia Holtzclaw and customers James "Eb" and Margaret Barnes dead. Questioned about the evidence that links Dyches to the crime, Reynolds amended his remarks to label Dyches as a "person of interest."
But he conceded the arrest is the first major break in the case in several years. "We hate to put the family through this, but investigators have an obligation to follow up all leads," Reynolds told a pack of print, radio and TV reporters.
There is a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of a suspect in the triple homicide. Reynolds couldn't say for sure that Dairy Queen manager Claudia Harrison would be eligible for the reward, if Dyches were convicted.
"The reward is for information that leads to a conviction," he said. Reynolds issues a plea to the public for any tips about Dyches - "let us determine if it's important or not."
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright said someone in the Upstate area knows Dyches, whose last known address was 106 Leisure Lane, Spartanburg, and investigators hope that person has information that could link him to Blue Ridge Savings Bank heist.
"A 10-year-old murder case in Spartanburg County was solved by one tip," Wright said. "Your tip could be just the ticket."
Wright said the families of the Blue Ridge Savings Bank homicides need closure. "I talked to a family member of a person in an unsolved murder and she said 'I can't help but think, every day when I see somebody, are you the one who killed my son?'"
Wright said Dyches eventually will be questioned in any unsolved robbery or homicide in Spartanburg County, and he acknowledged that the opportunity to do so - and possible close open investigations - came as a result of the work of Greenwood authorities.
"Dan (Wideman) did a great job, his Greenwood County staff did a great job," Wright said. "They deserve a pat on the back."
Greenwood County Sheriff's Office investigators suspected Dyches had committed other bank robberies after they compared his methods with unsolved cases in Greenwood and other counties. "Our guys knew right away that Dyches was most likely not only good for our robberies, but that he was probably a serial bank robber. We have hundreds of hours of investigative time tied up in this case, but we couldn't have done it without the help of our brother sheriff's offices and police departments across the state."
At the manufactured home-type building where the robbery and homicides took place nearly three years ago, no one who works there now worked there then. Employees did not want to be identified by name, but they were bracing for an all-day assault from news media after authorities announced the first significant break in the case.
It "would've been nice" to have gotten a heads-up from Greer police that the announcement was coming Thursday morning, an employee said. Despite the savings bank's "history," the employee said she's not concerned for her safety.
"My faith carries me," she said. "I worked at a bank before I came here; something could've happened to me there."
Sometimes people coming into the business ask about what happened, she said. "The community needs to heal. So many people knew her (Holtzclaw) and loved her. This would be a great healing for them."
An article on the Web site www.sc.edu says that "Eb" Barnes was a professor of physics at USC Spartanburg, now called USC Upstate. He also has been coordinator of USC Spartanburg programs at the University Center of Greenville for seven years.
He worked for USC Spartanburg for 28 years. His wife "Maggie" worked with the National Beta Club, based in Spartanburg.
"Dr. Barnes was one of the senior statesmen who built the university campus over the course of its history," the article quotes USC Spartanburg Chancellor John C. Stockwell as saying. The Barneses were survived by three children.
Elizabeth Davis, their daughter, reached an undisclosed settlement in August 2004 in a lawsuit she filed against the bank saying it failed to meet security requirements and warn customers of risks.
"They were lovely people," said Dottie Bryson, whose son was advised by "Eb" Barnes as a student at Greenville Tech. Bryson works with senior programs at Greer First Baptist Church, where Holtzclaw was an active member.
Every Wednesday night, the church prayer group has in its bulletin, "Continue in prayer for: … Resolution of Sylvia Holtzclaw, Barnes' murders."
The reward poster from three years ago is taped to the glass front door of the church's administration building, across from the stately church building in downtown Greer, just yards from the police department where Thursday's "person of interest" announcement was made.
Bryson came to know Holtzclaw after moving back to Greer in 1978 and then becoming more involved in the church after Bryson's invalid husband died.
"She was a go-getter. She could get it done, an organizer," Bryson said of her friend. "She worked with the youth on their Valentine's parties, progressive dinners, the autumn festival. She was in charge of getting everything together.
"She worked in the background, so all would be ready. She loved her church. She loved the youth. She loved this community."
If this is the suspect who is tried for Holtzclaw's death, Bryson said she feels for Holtzclaw's two sons because it will rekindle painful memories. "Actually," she said, "I didn't think it would be solved after this time."
People working in the kitchen for the Wednesday prayer group saw on TV that there would be an announcement, and Bryson said one woman told her, "I pray every time I see a red car. I pray that's the car. I saw a red car this morning and I prayed more than usual."
A red Olds Alero was the suspected get-away vehicle when the Blue Ridge Savings Bank, at S.C. 14 and I-85, was robbed in 2003.
In the Greenwood robbery, after Dyches was questioned, investigators found what they said was the intended get-away car - a late model Chevrolet Camaro - in a restaurant/nightclub parking lot near State Credit Union.
Authorities also found money, a fully loaded .380-caliber handgun with a round in the chamber, clothing identified as being worn during the robbery, a hat and multi-colored scarf in a satchel in a wooded area near Merrywood Elementary School, not far from the Dairy Queen where Dyches was observed acting suspiciously.
When they executed search warrants at Dyches' residence, Greenwood and Spartanburg investigators found more than 40 sets of stolen car keys. Investigators think stolen cars were used in many or all of the robberies, including the one in Greenwood.
On Thursday, Greer Chief Reynolds would not discuss specific evidence, such as a potential match between the caliber of the handgun used in the Greenwood robbery compared to the suspected gun caliber from the Blue Ridge Savings Bank robbery.
During a two-week probe, investigators have linked Dyches to 17 bank robberies in 11 counties. His first suspected robbery was April 2000 of a Carolina First Bank in Newberry, and the suspected robbery list includes January 2003 in Abbeville, March 2003 in Hodges, January 2004 in McCormick, and October 2004 in Abbeville.
State Law Enforcement Division records show Dyches has previous convictions in Spartanburg County for petty larceny and vandalism. He also was charged in June with armed robbery and possession of a weapon during a violent crime in Newberry County, the records show. The Newberry incident is not listed among the robberies to which authorities say Dyches has confessed.
"The fact that he was robbing banks at this time (May 2003) made him a good suspect" for the Blue Ridge Savings Bank robbery, Reynolds said. Dyches does not bear a resemblance to a suspect sketch released earlier from the time of the Blue Ridge Savings Bank robbery, he said.
Greer authorities chose to go public with their "person of interest" information now, Reynolds said, because it's the first solid lead in some time and, "we've had two or three good suspects but they did not pan out, plus it's been a while since the bank robbery."
For now, Dyches himself is something of a mystery. "We don't know much about him," said Reynolds, adding that Dyches was employed locally. As a "person of interest," his potential connection is among "hundreds of leads we've followed up."
Asked if any of those other leads were "substantial," Reynolds said. "If they were of any real substance we would be farther along than we are."
To report information: Greer Police Department, 864-848-2151 or 877-7906; Greenwood County Sheriff's Office, 942-8600.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

GHS’ Edwards wins Red Zone award

February 3, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Though he recently signed to play football in college, Armanti Edwards still isn’t done collecting honors for his play at Greenwood High School.
Edwards was named Old Spice Red Zone Player of the Year for South Carolina Thursday, one of 50 players nationwide selected for the award.
The award is given to players who performed well in clutch situations and who, according to Old Spice “embodies and exemplifies leadership and performance.”
The lanky, left-handed quarterback, who signed to play collegiately for Appalachian State Wednesday, was surpirsed he was given the honor.
“I couldn’t believe it, really,” Edwards said. “It made me feel good because this is a national award.”
It’s been quite a year for Edwards in terms accolades. He has notched a U.S. Army All-American game nomination, played in the Shrine Bowl and was a Mr. Football nomination.
Edwards and the other 49 winners of the Old Spice award were selected out of a field of 4,500 candidates. Greenwood coach Shell Dula said that fact made this award particularly special for Edwards and the Eagles program.
“What an honor for Armanti and for our program,” Dula said. “He is a good young man and he is very deserving. There were so many players in the nation nominated for this award, and only 50 won.
“Armanti is one of the few athletes at this school to be in the USA Today, which I believe he was in (Thursday).”
Besides national recognition, Edwards will also receive an Old Spice Red Zone prize pack. Since returning, Hamrick has made the most of his opportunity to return to the mat. He has an individual record of 29-1 for the season and is anticipating success at Saturday's Region I-AAAA meet.
"I'm expecting to win it," said Hamrick, who wrestles in the 189-pound weightclass. "I'm just competitive like that. The top four finishers at region will move on to Upper State, but I would love to win it."
It was that competitive drive that kept Hamrick focused during his knee rehabilitation.
Hamrick said many people told him if he simply made it back to the mat and was able to suit up, that would be enough. That didn't sit well with Hamrick. He said if he came back, he wanted to be able to compete for a state title.
Greenwood coach Greg Brewer said he was not surprised when hearing his wrestler's goals.
"John is just tremendous in terms of leadership," Brewer said. "He gets the younger guys going and he is a motivator for this team. I always say that John is six points. If he takes the mat, he's going to earn six points for this team. His teammates respect that and rally around him."
Hamrick said he is more than happy to assist the Eagles younger wrestlers. He said when he joined the team in eighth grade there weren't many wrestlers on the roster and he had no older grapplers to mentor and encourage him the way he does younger wrestlers now.
According to Hamrick, it wasn't until Brewer arrived, during his sophomore year, that he learned the more technical aspects of competitive wrestling.
"Coach Brewer has been great," Hamrick said. "Until he got here, me and some of the other guys on the team felt like we were by ourselves."
For Hamrick, Saturday will mark his first Region I-AAAA meet in two years. He was forced to sit out a year ago with a case of mononucleosis. However, the senior said he thinks that could serve as an advantage for him if he can move on to the Upper State and state levels.
"Since I haven't been in two years, a lot of the other wrestlers might not know who I am," Hamrick said. "And that's fine. I'm aware of some of the guys that advanced to state last year, but since I had mono and missed last year, they may not know me."
Brewer is enthusiastic about Hamrick's chances at the region meet.
"I feel like he's a sure thing for region champion," Brewer said. "We haven't had a guy like that since I've been here. Corbett Miller was a good one last year, but I would say John is a sure thing."
Hamrick said he would like to wrestle collegiately and has had contact with several schools, including Anderson University, Limestone and Appalachian State.
Hamrick also said he may consider walking on to the football team at his eventual college of choice.
Hamrick was coy when pressed for which sport he preferred.
"I like them both," said Hamrick, with a smile. "No, I've been away from football for a year now. Right now, I like wrestling the best. I want to win state. Not come in second or third. Win it."

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

Opinion

Are lawmakers spending too much time at work?

February 3, 2006

Quick, now! How many laws are on the books in South Carolina? Give up? Who wouldn't? Without counting local or national laws, there are enough state laws on the books to boggle the mind. Over the years many go on the books and few, if any, ever come off.
Gov. Mark Sanford, while in Greenwood the other day, reviewed some of the problems facing South Carolina. For one thing, he noted, "You ought to have fewer laws, but the ones you do have, enforce them."
The governor is right, of course. Why pass laws, or keep laws on the books, if they are not or cannot be enforced?
You have to wonder why we're in such a legal never, never land. It's simple, really. State lawmakers are required to spend so many days in session. While there, they do what lawmakers do. They make laws.

IT'S REASONABLE, OR SHOULD be, for taxpayers to wonder if it's really necessary for legislators to spend so much time in Columbia ….. Washington, too, for that matter. There is, of course, committee work that takes up much of the working time. Nevertheless, there is time squandered because of the nature of the political give and take that defines political bodies all over the country.
Still, would it be out of the question for a select committee to be appointed to study the feasibility of shortening legislative sessions and another to weed out some of the outdated laws? Maybe with a little effort we could improve government in ways other than restructuring, which also needs more attention.

Mrs. Mamie Lou 'Connie' Carroll

McCORMICK, SC - Mrs. Mamie Lou "Connie" Carroll of The Oaks Apartment entered into rest on Wednesday, February 1, 2006 at Self Regional Healthcare in Greenwood, SC.
Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4, 2006 at Overbrook Cemetery, McCormick, SC with the Rev. Ryan Matheny and Mrs. Charlie Willis officiating.
Mrs. Carroll was a native of Madison County, GA and the daughter of the late Eppie "Gip" and Belle King Kidd. She was a retired textile employee after 30 years with Milliken and a member of Buffalo Baptist Church.
Mamie (Connie) leaves to cherish her memory of a loving and devoted daughter Sharron Carroll Burnett and husband, Steve of Ninety Six, SC; one special granddaughter, April Barrett Allen and husband, Kevin of Abbeville, SC; one precious great-grandson, Tillman Graham Allen; one brother, William "Billy" Kidd of Comer, GA; one niece, Phyllis Eves; five nephews, Lanny Kidd, Denny Kidd, Billy Ray Kidd, Tommy Kidd and Tim Kidd and a special friend, Louise Merri-wether.
Mrs. Carroll was preceded in death by her husband, Tillman C. Carroll; a sister, Maggie Lee Reynolds and a brother, Dorsey Kidd.
The family said that she was a precious mother, grand-mother and great-grand-mother, and was truly loved by all that knew her.
Pallbearers will be Lee Banks, Adrian Brown, Coke Brown, Tommy Coleman, Billy Dillashaw, Freddie Edmunds, Eric Gable, James Hastings, Jr., Forrest Spence and Bo Willis.
If so desired memorial contributions may be made to Buffalo Baptist Church, Rt. 1, McCormick, SC 29835.
Friends may call at the residence of Steve and Sharon Burnett, 110 Pinehaven Dr., Ninety Six, SC or from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday at Rees Funeral Home, 195 Peachtree St., Lincolnton, GA. (706) 359-3222.
PAID OBITUARY

Yolonda Childs

LAS VEGAS - Yolonda Maria Webb Childs, 54, widow of Joe Childs, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2006 in Las Vegas, after an extended illness.
Born in Abbeville, S.C., she was a daughter of Thelma Valentine Webb and the late Robert Webb. Formerly of Kingsport, Tenn., she graduated from Allen High School, Asheville, N.C., in 1969 and received a business degree from Tuskegee Institute in 1973. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Living in Atlanta for several years, she lived in Greenwood, S.C., for four years before moving to Las Vegas.
Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; a son, Anwar Jolani Childs of Las Vegas; three sisters, Mrs. Harry (Roberta) Lanauze of Knoxville, Tenn., Andrea Webb of Pittsburgh, Bonita Johnson of Douglasville, Ga.
Memorial services are at noon Saturday at Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood.
The family is at the home of her mother, Thelma Webb, 205 Georgia Ave., Greenwood.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Carrie Mae Crawford

JOHNSTON - Carrie Mae Crawford, 93, of Johnston/Batesburg died Wednesday, February 1, 2006. A funeral service conducted by Rev. Lowell Clark will be held in the Chapel at Milton Shealy Funeral Home, 115 N. Pine St., Batesburg-Leesville at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 3rd, with visitation thirty minutes before service. Burial will be at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, Greenwood, S.C.
Mrs. Crawford was born in Leesville to the late Ernest and Fannie Riser. She was a member of Johnston United Methodist Church. She was predeceased in death by her husband, James Robert Crawford. She is survived by one sister, Odette Baird of Batesburg, nieces & nephews & many friends.
Memorials may be made to St. Mark Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 255 St. Mark Church Rd., Leesville, SC 29070 or Johnston United Methodist Church, PO Box 186, Johnston, S.C. 29832.
Milton Shealy Funeral Home (803) 532-6100 is in charge of all arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Maudelle Howard Mathews

GREENWOOD - Maudelle Howard Mathews, 86, of 101 Lanett Street, widow of William Joseph Mathews, died Thursday, February 02, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Lincolnton, GA.; a daughter of Ruth Robertson Howard. She was retired from Nantex after forty-seven years of employment. She was a member of Harris Baptist Church, where she was a member of the T.E.L. Sunday School Class and the Joy Group. She was predeceased by two daughters Grace M. Goldman and Thelma Schlock Croy.
Surviving are two brothers Russell Howard and Cliff Howard both of Thompson, Ga.; five granddaughters Pam and her husband Tony Williams of Greenwood, Phyllis and her husband Ralph McAlister of Greenwood, Joyce and her husband Tony Kelley of Greenwood, Angie and her husband Robert Gahagan of Greenville and Cindy Schlock of Greenwood; three grandsons Perry and Larry Goldman both of Greenwood and Chris and his wife Laura Croy of Charlotte, NC; a son-in-law Clyde Croy of Greenwood; thirteen great grandchildren.
Services will be 3:00 p.m. Sunday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frank Thomas officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jimmy Burnette, Fred Schlock, John Rhodes, Bobby Wood, David Crotts and Dan Grubbs.
Honorary pallbearers are the TEL Sunday School Class.
Memorials may be made to Harris Baptist Church.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home where the family will receive friends Sunday from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m.
The family is at the home of her granddaughter, Phyllis and Ralph McAlister, 226 Woodlawn Street, Harris Mill Village, Greenwood.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Marie Darcy Palonis

Marie Darcy Palonis, 90, died Sunday, Jan. 29, 2006 at the Hospice House in Greenwood.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Barbara Peters, 162 Lake Ridge Drive, Ninety Six.
Memorial services will be announced.
Cremation Society of South Carolina

Doris Olivia Perrin

McCORMICK - Services for Doris Olivia Perrin are 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Mount Moriah Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Roderick Cummings, assisted by the Rev. Melvin Searles. The body will be place in the church at 1:30. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jesse Dennis, Eddie Dennis, Paul Dennis, Russell Lord, James Searles and Carl Perrin Jr.
Flower bearers are granddaughters.
The family is at the home, 205 Crawford-Fleming Road.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

George S. Perrin Jr.

McCORMICK - Services for George Smith "Bootney" Perrin Jr. are 2 p.m. Saturday at Mount Zion Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. W.B Brown, pastor, assisted by Minister Eric Butler and the Rev. Isaac Booker III. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Gary Jones, Dan Perrin, James Minor, Alfonso Myers, Raymond Todd, Jesse Perrin, Kerry Anderson and James Cunningham.
Flower bearers are granddaughters.
The family is at the home, 414 S. Main St.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Malachi Christ Quarles

Graveside services for Malachi Christ Quarles are 11 a.m. Saturday at Bailey Bethel AME Church Cemetery.
The family is at 115-B East Cambridge Ave.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

Horace Edward Robinson

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - Horace Edward Robinson, 53, of 6715 Cedar Hurst Trail, died Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2006 at his home.
Born in Abbeville, S.C., he was a son of Robert Robinson and the late Dorothy A. Robinson. He graduated from Abbeville High School in 1970 and was a former engineer with CSX Railroad. A former member of St. James AME Church, Abbeville, he moved to Georgia and joined Elizabeth Baptist Church in Atlanta.
Survivors include two sons, DeShon Tinch of Greenwood, S.C., and Kelvin Robinson of Stone Mountain; a daughter, Tamblia Bolden of Abbeville; two grandchildren; his father of Abbeville; two brothers, William S. Robinson of College Park and Robert A. Robinson of Abbeville.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at St. James AME Church, Abbeville. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in Harbison Cemetery, Abbeville.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
Viewing is 1-8 p.m. today at Abbeville & White Mortuary.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Abbeville, is in charge.

Anna Doris Sayles

JAMAICA, N.Y. - Anna Doris Sayles, 72, of 168-30 127th Ave., widow of Gus Sayles, died Monday, Jan. 30, 2006 at Flushing Hospital in New York.
Born in New York, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late Tom and Viola Gilchrist Thomas. She retired from Peninsula Hospital in Arbernie.
Survivors include a son, Tyrone Thomas of Bronx; a daughter, Tina Sayles of Greenwood, S.C.; two grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Services are 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Willie Elmore. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery, Greenwood.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.

Latasha Denise Smith

Latasha "Tasha" Denise Smith, 21, of 108 Spring Valley Road, died Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of Shirley Elaine Smith and Joseph Dennis Tolbert. She attended Greenwood public schools and was a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church and the church Sunday School Class, Youth Ministry and Young People's Choir.
Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; her father of McCormick; a daughter, Kennedy Alexandria Smith and a sister, Shuwanda Tomieka Smith, both of the home; maternal grandmother, Viola Smith of Greenwood.
Services are 2 p.m. Saturday at Morris Chapel Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Ricky V. Snydab, assisted by the Revs. Thessa G. Smith and Dora Ann White. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Stanley Lark, Kenny Coleman, Ryan Logan, Donnie Logan, Tavious Morgan, Rick Christian, Chris Kelley and Tony Christian.
Flower bearers are Shantell Christian, Anna Hughey, Zandria Moore, Tinkle Thomas, Rhonda Thomas, Angela Leverette and Tilia Hamson.
Honorary escorts are Tawanda White, Lashae Morgan, Mercy Chiswa and Christine Young.
Viewing is 1-8 today and 9-10:30 a.m. Saturday at Parks Funeral Home.
Visitation is at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.