Local residents unite to honor
King, give back to community

January 17, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

He had a dream for his country; a dream where the hands of whites and blacks joined together to pull the nation out of the bloodied waters of racial inequality, a dream where every man and woman, no matter their color of skin, were equal and united.
On Monday, people from across the Greenwood area spent time in local communities, building homes, cleaning yards and interacting with others to ensure that the dream Martin Luther King Jr. had so many years ago doesn’t fade away.
Volunteers, students and staff with Lander University and the Lambda Lambda Chapter of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority kicked off the holiday, honoring the American minister and civil rights leader, as daylight broke over Greenwood.
About 30 people gathered at Centennial Hall at Lander before splitting up into groups and heading out to work with children at the Greenwood Family YMCA and Bowers-Rodgers Home, cleaning yards on Phoenix Street and helping builders at a Greenwood Area Habitat for Humanity home site.
Adrienne Brown, president of the AKA Sorority Inc. at Lander, said the group’s day of service, with the theme “MLK Day of Service: A day on, not a day off,” has been performed for four years at the school and is part of the nationwide sorority’s programs.
Brown and Lander alumna Tanisha Graves, the on-campus adviser for the Lambda Lambda Chapter, said the group chooses to use the holiday as an opportunity to give back to the community in a way that promotes King’s message.
“Our (sorority) motto is to promote service to all mankind. I definitely believe that is part of his legacy,” Graves said. “We wanted some kind of cohesiveness to bring everyone together on this special day.”
“He would want us to reflect on him, not as a holiday, but as a day that we are here to provide,” Brown added. “A lot of us aren’t used to doing this — we’re just getting out there and roughing it, but it is a lot of fun. Everyone enjoys the fellowship and seeing the faces of the people we help. They look forward to us coming back each year.”
Lander junior Kim Buckner said she didn’t mind giving up her day off from classes to donate her time to the Greenwood community.
“(King’s) legacy is that everyone should be together as one, no matter your race or religion, just come together as one,” Buckner said. “We have different people coming out here today. We’re just helping each other out.”
AKA member and Lander sophomore Brittanni Scott said, though she’s not an expert at construction, she was prepared to travel with a group to East Kirksey Drive to help Habitat staff and other volunteers construct a new house.
“We’re ready,” she said, laughing, “as long as they show me how to do it and I don’t mess up someone’s house.”
At the Habitat home site, the Lander students joined with volunteers from Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, First Baptist Church of Greenwood, Pine Grove Baptist Church, Macedonia Baptist Church and others to construct the roof and do other work on the future home.
“It helps us when we have this many volunteers,” said Sandy Shelton, volunteer coordinator with Habitat. “If we have a lot of groups come out, we can accomplish more at one time.”
Shelton said Habitat also invited U.S. Rep. Gresham Barrett, Greenwood Mayor Floyd Nicholson and Grace Community Church Associate Pastor Martin Lester to a lunch program at Mathews United Methodist Church in honor of the day.
Connie Maxwell caseworker Latasha Bomar said the home provides a volunteer group for the holiday each year.
“It’s a way for them to have an opportunity to see what Martin Luther King Jr. Day is about. We already teach them about service and giving back to the community, and this is just part of that,” she said, adding that, though the teenagers may not fully understand the importance of their actions today, it may affect them in the years to come.
“Hopefully, with continued experience, it will be engrained in them and it will be something they can carry into adulthood.”
Oakland Elementary School fifth grade teachers Tami Burton-Reeder and Julian Gale spent the day away from the classroom and inside the future living room, bedroom and dining room of the Habitat homeowner. Burton-Reeder said the significance of owning a home ties in with King’s dream of equality.
“I think, for the homeowner, this house is going to be freedom. She’ll be able to have a piece of the American dream. That’s the biggest reason why I came out to help,” she said. “In this neighborhood, there is diversity. Being able to have that lends itself to (King’s) American dream.”

Thompson’s return key for GHS girls

January 17, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Everybody, young and old, makes mistakes or bad decisions at some point.
It’s the ability to own up to those mistakes and move forward that allows people to regain a positive direction in life.
Take Greenwood High School girls basketball player Jacena Thompson, for instance.
Thompson, a junior, was forced to sit out during the first school semester of this season because of missing an excessive number of classes in the spring of 2005.
Any high school player who misses too many days during a semester is ineligible for athletic competition the following semester.
Thompson said being declared ineligible to play the sport she loves taught her a valuable lesson. “I learned how important it is to be in school,” the junior said. “I know now how crucial that is. I wasn’t able to help my teammates out while I was ineligible.”
Greenwood coach Susan Thompson said no guarantees were made to her star forward regarding whether she would be allowed to return to the team this semester.
“We told her she would have to earn her way back on the team,” coach Thompson said.
“She knew it would be (Greenwood assistant) coach (Jimmy) Towe’s and my decision whether or not she would be back.
“We held that decision until the last minute, to see how she would respond. She has been in practice and in class every day, working out with a team she didn’t even know she would be a part of. She earned her spot back.”
The coach said she wasn’t aware of what led to her player’s excessive absenteeism last spring.
“I’m not sure what the problem was,” coach Thompson said. “It was very much out of her character. It was personal issues of some sort. It seems to be resolved at this point.”
Since returning, Jacena Thompson has given her team a boost on the court.
The athletic forward is averaging 16.5 points per game during Greenwood’s 2-0 Region I-AAAA start.
In her season debut, during the Lander Bearcat Christmas Classic, she was named to the all-tournament team.
Her ball-handling abilities at the power forward position make her a match-up problem for other squads.
Thompson said it was hard not to be able to put her abilities to use during the first part of the season.
“It was very frustrating to sit by and watch, especially if we lost” the forward said. “I was thinking about how I could have grabbed rebounds or scored in certain situations and how that would have helped us out.”
Susan Thompson said Jaceena was able to help the squad in some capacity at that point. She was able to give advice to teammates and coaches on certain tactics and schemes she witnessed taking place on the floor during games.
Still, the junior sharp shooter longed to earn her way back onto the court.
“I’ve always loved basketball, ever since I was young,” Thompson said. “I knew I could add points and rebounds to this team.”
Susan Thompson said Jaceena’s return has had a positive effect on the Lady Eagles’ team chemistry.
“She gets along so well with everybody,” the coach said. “She is a leader out there on the floor. That’s been one of the reasons we have played better of late, because of the fact this team has so much chemistry and togetherness.”
Jaceena Thompson and senior guard Ashly Chandler serve as relative elder statesmen in the young Lady Eagles’ starting line-up. They are joined by freshman Syteria Robinson and sophomores Brantley Sacoco and Vijya Corbett in the starting five.
“With a young team like this, we learn something every day,” Thompson said. “We help each other as we go. I do my best to help the younger ones out.”
Thompson said she thinks her situation can serve as somewhat of a precautionary tale for current and aspiring high school athletes.
“It definitely provides a lesson,” Thompson said. “It shows that you have to come to school and get to class if you want to do the things you like to do or love to do.”

Opinion

Sometimes the information is just not trustworthy

January 17, 2006

The way people talk, it’s clear that many Internet users in Greenwood are susceptible to anything and everything that is “reported” as facts. Actually, users all over the country are prone to believing what they see on the Net.
The trouble is, however, everything that’s posted is not the truth. Some of it, in fact, has been shown to be nothing but propaganda for all kinds of “causes.” Other items turn out to be jokes or farces or worse.
Much of the information on the Net is accurate and truthful, of course. There is enough that’s not, though, to make anyone leery of almost anything. It’s like the old story about a farmer, after some of his watermelons were stolen.

THE FARMER PUT A sign in his watermelon patch which said “one watermelon in this patch is poisoned.” He was sure that would make thieves think twice before stealing again. After all, they wouldn’t know which was poisoned and which were not. However, the next day the farmer checked his watermelon patch and found another sign that said, “now two watermelons are poisoned.”
So how do we know which items posted on the Internet are true and which have been “poisoned” for whatever reason?
That vulnerability of the Net to be victimized by fraud shows a real need for strict laws to “protect the innocent.”
These days, though, there have been enough examples of fraud by some media reporters – print and electronic – that it not only reflects negatively on the media, it undermines the right of the public to be informed without having to worry about cheaters.

THERE’S NO QUESTION, then, that the communications industry in general must always make sure that it polices itself to assure constituents that what they see and hear is true. Even then, though, there will be those who’ll find a way to get around the safeguards. Those with criminal intent always do. Still the efforts must be made to keep the system clean. Fortunately, that’s what responsible media undertake everyday. Even then, though, it’s all but impossible to verify all the “information” on the Net. It’s particularly difficult when some people are quick to believe anything negative. It’s like some people get a big kick out of being deceived.

Obituaries

Bobbie C. Cobb

GREER — Bobbie “Mema” Crain Cobb, 77, of 1314 West Poinsett Street, wife of the late Harold Herman “Bobby” Cobb, died Sunday, January 15, 2006 at her home.
Mrs. Cobb was born in Greenville County, daughter of the late Cline L. and Carrie Sawyer Crain. She was the former owner and operator of Poinsett Casual, a charter member of Riverside Baptist Church, and a longtime volunteer for Allen Bennett Memorial Hospital.
Surviving are her sons and daughters, Rev. David and Tommie Cobb of Abbeville, Carey W. and Charlotte Cobb of Wellford, Steve and Karen Cobb of Blue Ridge, and Kim and Joey Duck of Greer; a brother, Jim Crain of Greer; a sister, Mary Ellen Solesbee of Greer; seven grandchildren, Renae and Josh Bradley of Memphis, Tennessee, Matthew Cobb and Lacey Rhymer of Greer, Jodie and Josie Duck of Greer, Tiffany and Chris Jackson of Greer, Holly Cobb and Joe Glover of Greer, and Jeffrey Cobb of Blue Ridge; one great-grandchild, Dawson Bradley of Memphis, Tennessee; and a special friend, Doris Bull of Greer.
Mrs. Cobb was predeceased by one brother, Woodrow Phillips, two sisters, Sammie Lee Greene and Ruby C. Oddone, and one grandson, Donald Lee Duck.
Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Riverside Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Jerry White, Dr. Drew Hines, Dr. Phillip Whitt, Dr. Randall Jones, and Rev. David Cobb. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jeffrey Cobb, Matthew Cobb, Josh Bradley, Chris Jackson, Joe Glover, and Jim Craig.
Honorary escort will be the Judy O’Shields Sunday School Class.
Visitation will be held 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Wood Mortuary.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Riverside Baptist Church Building Fund, 1249 S. Suber Road, Greer, S.C. 29651 or Washington Baptist Church Building Fund, 3500 N. Highway 14, Greer, S.C. 29651. / The Wood Mortuary, Inc.
PAID OBITUARY

Otelia ‘Mrs. G.’ Wiggleton Gardenshire

MARTINEZ, GA — Home-going Service for Otelia (“Mrs. G.”) Wiggleton Gardenshire of Martinez, GA, will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Pine Grove AME Church in Plum Branch, SC, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Garden-shire will lie in state at Williams Funeral Home, in Augusta, on today from 12:00 (Noon) until 6:00 p.m.; and at Pine Grove AME Church in Plum Branch, SC from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on this evening.
Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home, 2930 Colonial Drive, Columbia, SC is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Gardenshire died Jan. 15, 2006. Born in Plum Branch, she was the daughter of the late Charles & Mattie Wells Wiggleton, and the widower of James T. Gardenshire.
She was a 1954 graduate of Mims High School and retired as an Orthopedic Nursing Technician from the Medical College of Georgia. Mrs. Gardenshire was an active member of Pine Grove AME Church.
Surviving are her son Adrian Gardenshire; daughter, Glennis G. Davis; brother, Charles (Bernice) Wiggleton; four grandchildren.
PAID OBITUARY

Arthur Lewis Holder

ROCK HILL — Arthur Lewis Holder, 78, of 5049 Valleymere Road, formerly of Greenwood, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Arthur Ok Holder and Cannie Bagwell Holder. He retired from Greenwood Mills Joanna Plant and was of the Pentecostal faith.
Survivors include a son, Curtis O. Holder Sr. of the home; a daughter, Vela Polin of Orangeburg; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. Wednesday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to a hospice of one’s choice.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blythfuneralhome.com

Rev. W.H. McCain

TRENTON — Services for the Rev. W.H. McCain are 1 p.m. Thursday at Springfield Baptist Church, Edgefield, conducted by the Rev. Arthur L. Kemp. Burial is in Carey Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Visitation is at the home on Winding Road.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, 614 West Ave., North Augusta, is in charge.

L. Ross Rollins, Jr.

LAKE CITY — Mr. Lewis Ross Rollins, Jr., 87, died Friday, January 13, 2006, in Lake City Community Hospital after an illness.
Mr. Rollins was born in Orangeburg, SC, a son of the late Lewis Ross Rollins, Sr. and Emily Glaze Rollins. He was a graduate of Lake City High School and employed with W. Lee Flowers & Company for 47 years. He was a member of Lake City Presbyterian Church and a former Elder and Deacon of the church. He was past president of the Lake City Rotary Club and past director and chairman of the board of the Lake City Community Hospital. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in the 5th Armored Division where he attained the rank of Captain and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
SURVIVORS INCLUDE: Two sons, Lewis R. (Phyllis O.) Rollins, III of Greenwood and Dr. Kent L. (Dr. Nadia P. Blanchet) Rollins of Midlothian, VA.; one brother, William G. (Anne) Rollins of Lake City; and five grandchildren, Kristy Rollins of Columbia, Laurie Rollins of Clemson, Deidre Alexander of Rock Hill, Kent B. Rollins and Ariana Rollins, both of Midlothian, VA. He was predeceased by his wife, Miriam Lee Rollins, and a brother, Herbert Rollins.
Funeral service was held at 3:30 P.M. Sunday, January 15, 2006, in the Lake City Presbyterian Church with burial in the Lake City Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials may be made to: Lake City Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 477, Lake City, SC 29560 or Lake City Community Hospital, Attn: Administration, P. O. Box 1479, Lake City, SC 29560.
Brockington Funeral Home, Lake City, is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Jim Straessle

PORTLAND, OR — A funeral will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, in Lincoln Memorial Funeral Home for James Joseph Straessle, who died Jan. 14 at age 64.
Mr. Straessle was born Feb. 22, 1941, in Roland, Ark., and moved to Portland in 1944. He graduated from Benson High School and served in theNavy for nine years, including in the Vietnam War. He worked for Boeing for 28 years, retiring as an electronics system manager. He moved to Milwaukee in 1997. In 1961, he married Carolyn Peppers, daughter of James and Elizabeth Peppers of Ninety Six; she died in 1995. He married Janis Srofe Fitzpatrick in 1998.
Survivors include his wife; son, Jesse; daughter, Jenne Heric; stepsons, Dan Fitz-patrick and Mike Fitzpatrick; brother, Alvin; sisters, Edna Burch and Cathy Wiley; and four grandchildren. Remembrances to the Salvation Army.
PAID OBITUARY

William N. Watkins

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — William N. Watkins, 74, formerly of Ninety Six, S.C., died Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 at Jennie Edmundson Hospital.
Born in Ninety Six, he was a son of the late William A. and Mary Freeland Watkins. He graduated from Ninety Six High School in 1949 and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. A route salesman for Butternut Bread Co. for more than 10 years, he retired in 1986 and was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Ninety Six.
Survivors include his wife, Sandra Bogardus Watkins of Council Bluffs; two daughters, Mrs. Tom (Jody) Green of Osceola, Wis., and Mrs. Jim (Leslie) Jerdee of Garfield, Minn.; four sons, William L. Watkins, Michael A. Watkins, Christian M. Watkins and Patrick S. Watkins, all of Council Bluffs; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. today at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church. A lunch is at the church after the services.
Cutler-O’Neill-Meyer-Woodring Funeral Homes & Crematory is in charge.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Gary Vaughn in Saturday’s paper, there was an error in the information provided to The Index-Journal. He died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006.