Remembering our troops

Families hope projections will keep
sons close while they’re far away

January 2, 2006

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

While the Christmas lights are on their way down, there are two very special decorations that will remain on display at two Virgin Heights homes.
The faces of two young men, just barely out of their teens and far from home, smile down on Coates Lane. It’s the work of Geneva Patterson and is meant to serve as a reminder that American men and women are still fighting overseas in Iraq and their safety needs to be prayed for.
Her son, 22-year-old DeMario RaShad, is one of those soldiers. When he was deployed to Iraq in 2003, Patterson spent her first Christmas without him. She went to the cemetery alone to put flowers on her mother’s grave and then to her father’s house for dinner, both Christmas traditions she usually shares with her son.
It was that Christmas she got the idea to project his photo onto the front of her house, where it could be viewed by all who pass by. It was something akin to putting his picture at his place at the table, she said — a way to remember him and keep him close when he’s far away.
The projector was banished for a time when DeMario returned home in March 2004.
It made a reappearance this Christmas and was joined by another at the house across the street, the home of David and Mildred Jeffery. While Patterson’s son is on his second tour to Iraq, David and Mildred’s son, 21-year-old Daniel, recently was deployed on his first tour.
The couple said it was Patterson’s idea to project their son’s image also and she helped to set up the projector and get it working. Meanwhile, at Patterson’s home, the display grew this year and now features four photos of her son.
For both families, the photos serve as a reminder that the young men will return home safe and they say they hope the photos speak to passersby.
Every photo Patterson gets of her son speaks volumes to her, she said. They communicate often via e-mail and instant messenger and she receives pictures from Iraq regularly.
“I love it when I get pictures and he’s smiling,” Patterson said. “Then I know he’s happy. When I get pictures and he’s not smiling …” Her voice drops off there as if its too painful to continue the thought.
The Jefferys don’t know when they can expect Daniel to return, they said. Patterson said DeMario is expected to arrive in March and her display again will remain up to welcome him. After that, she hopes the projector can be put away and never be brought back out, she said.
DeMario’s her only son and two Christmases away are more than enough, she said.

Louise T. Burgdorf

SPRINGFIELD — Louise Turner Burgdorf, 88, of 490 Lexington St., widow of Olin Karl Burgdorf, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 at Palmetto Health Richland in Columbia.
Mrs. Burgdorf was born in Heath Chapel, Chester County, SC, a daughter of the late Claude Hyatt and Susie Cloud Boyleston Jones Turner. She attended the Columbia School of Nursing. She was Chairman of The Old Exchange Building Commission in Charleston and began it’s restoration in 1972 as Vice Regent. She served as State DAR Regent and published a 30 year History and Roster. She had the honor of welcoming Prince Charles to the Old Exchange Building in 1992 and the Emperor of Japan in 1994. The Emperor presented Mrs. Burgdorf a set of Demi-tasse Spoons with the Japanese Seal. She was a charter member past president of the Springfield Garden Club and was a Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judge. She was State President of the Landscape Critics Council, member of the Palmetto Garden Club of America and the Governors Community Improvement Board. She was awarded “The Order of the Palmetto” by the Governor in 1990. She was the recipient of numerous awards by the DAR and SAR. She was a member of Springfield United Methodist Church where she served as former President of the Church Women’s Society and as a Steward and Trustee.
Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Olin Davie Burgdorf (Jan) of Springfield, Augustus Burgdorf (Jane) of Greenwood, and Karl Ferdinand Burgdorf (Katherine) of Hampton, Va.; a sister, Claudia Turner Corbett and husband, Malcolm of Fort Lawn, SC; a brother, Gene Turner and wife, Johnsie of Fort Lawn, SC; eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 4 at Springfield United Methodist Church.
Burial is in the Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 2-3 p.m. Wednesday at Springfield United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to Springfield United Methodist Church, Springfield, SC, American Cancer Society or to a Charity of one’s choice.
Dukes-Harley Funeral Home, Orangeburg, is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Lillie White Dansby

McCORMICK — Lillie White Dansby, 85, of 05 Lillie Loop, widow of Johnny Dansby Sr., died on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 at her home.
Born in Edgefield County, she was a daughter of the late Henry White and Atline Mims White Quarles. She was a member of Liberty Spring Baptist Church and the last survivor of her immediate family.
Survivors include six sons, Clarence Dansby, Robert Dansby, Johnny Dansby Jr. and Clisby Dansby, all of Edgefield, James Arthur Dansby of Promised Land and Charlie Dansby of McCormick; seven daughters, Thelma Jackson of Patterson, N.J., Maggie Lean Quarles of McCormick, Callie Peterson, Addie Mae Price, Rosa Lee Quarles, Patricia Chiles and Martha Quarles, all of Edgefield; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Callie Peterson, 06 Lillie Loop.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Sandra McMahan

ABBEVILLE — Sandra Fleming McMahan, 43, of 20 Madden Drive, wife of Bobby McMahan, died Sunday, Jan. 1, 2006 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

John Kempe Ruoff

GREENWOOD — Mr. John Kempe Ruoff, 91, widower of Mary Helen Gulledge Ruoff, of the Sterling House died on December 31, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Fort Stanton, New Mexico on July 26, 1914, he was the only son of the late Dr. John Sebastian and Maude Kempe Ruoff. Dr. Ruoff was in the Public Health Service and Kempe and his family lived all over the country as his father addressed the health needs of citizens of remote areas of the country such as South Dakota and Lake Placid, New York.
He attended the University of Alabama and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University. He then spent 2 years at the University of Michigan Law School before he said simply, “That is enough of that.” His proudest memories were of his 4 years of service in the United States Army in the Burma Theatre where he was a Bronze Star recipient. He retired from the Army in 1946 as Captain of the Medical Administrative Corps.
In Greenwood, he worked for many happy years and later retired from the Advertising Department of the Index Journal where he was known for his mischievous nature and sense of humor. For those who knew him well, it is with a smile that he will be remembered.
Survivors include his daughter, Leslie Ruoff Scanlan of Charleston and grandson, Brendan Kempe Scanlan of Boston, MA.
Visitation will begin at 1:30 PM on Tuesday preceding the funeral service to be conducted at 3:00 PM from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Joseph Curtis officiating. Interment will follow in Rehobeth United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Leroy Cockrell, Irvin Hurt, Tommy McCutcheon, Tom McCutcheon, and Kempe Scanlan.
Because Kempe was a 3 time cancer survivor, the family is requesting that anyone desiring to make memorials may address them to the Greenwood branch of the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 1741, Greenwood, South Carolina 29648.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is serving the Ruoff family.
PAID OBITUARY

Kim Boyd Seigler

Kimberly Ann Boyd Seigler, 35, of 319 Willard Road, wife of James Seigler, died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2005 at her home.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Larry and Joann Richard Boyd. She was employed with Bi-Lo Hwy 72 Bypass and was a member of Sandridge Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; her parents of Ninety Six; a sister, Becky Boyd of Greenwood and two brothers, Chris Boyd and Greg Boyd, both of Greenwood.
Services are 3 p.m. Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Randy Ouzts, David Thomason and Marty Dorn. Burial is in Sandridge Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Jesse Dorn, Joey Fowler, Perry Thompson, Rob Talbert, Steven McFerrin and Jody Boyd.
Honorary escorts are Teresa Dorn, Grace Pope, Missie Fowler, Teresa Crooks, Tonya Cooks, Barbara Phillips and Pam Bazzle.
Visitation is 7-9 p.m. tonight at Harley Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the family c/o Harley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 777, Greenwood, S.C. 29648.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Ulysses ‘Booleum’ Thomas

SALUDA — Ulysses “Booleum” Thomas, 74, died Friday, Dec. 30, 2005 at Saluda Nursing Center.
Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late Lonnie Bell Thomas Ouzts. He was a retired farmer and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two sons, Elijah Thomas and Pierce (Calvin) Thomas, both of Saluda; four daughters, Patsy Merriweather, Barbara Thomas, Mary Thomas and Betty Thomas, all of Saluda; a brother, Lonnie Ouzts of Saluda; 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Bethlehem Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Calvin Robinson. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are family and friends.
Flower bearers are family and friends.
The family is at the home of his daughter, Mary Thomas, 318 North Bouknight Ferry Road, Saluda.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Annie Sue Wilson

Annie Sue Wilson, 55, widow of Willie L. Wilson, died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2005 in New London, Connecticut.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of Carrie B. Anderson and the late James Tatum. She was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in New Haven, Connecticut.
Survivors include three sons, James P. Tatum of New Haven, Conn., Rev. Arthur T. Jackson of Hamlet, N.C. and David Wilson of Columbia; a daughter, Donna Trayham of Columbia; and 12 grandchildren.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at Rockford A.M.E. Church, Mount Carmel, S.C., conducted by the Rev. Fred Armfield, assisted by the Rev. Robert Belcher. The body will be placed in the church at 12:30. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens.
Viewing is noon Tuesday at Richie Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of her mother, Carrie B. Anderson.
Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville, is in charge.

GHS freshman proving to be a factor

January 2, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

It would be a big jump for a basketball player to go from playing in middle school one year to competing at the Class AAAA varsity level the next.
Someone forgot tell Greenwood High School’s Sam Montgomery.
The 6-foot-4 freshman, who played at Northside Middle School last year, has been getting extended playing time as a reserve for the Eagles this season.
Montgomery had his coming-out party, of sorts, in the championship game of the 13th Annual Bearcat Christmas Classic Dec. 22 at Lander University.
The Greenwood center got his first start that night in the Eagles’ 72-58 win over crosstown rival Emerald.
Montgomery provided 19 points and 16 rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team.
“That was a really good experience for me,” said Montgomery of being named all-tournament. “It was unexpected but good. I just wanted to help the team win.”
Helping his team win is a running theme for Montgomery.
When asked what his goals for his high school career are, he simply said he wanted to help the Eagles win a state title.
Going from playing against seventh- and eighth-graders to banging in the paint with varsity veterans in just a year is something Montgomery concedes he has had to adjust to.
“It’s different this year because I can’t rely on just power and strength,” he said. “I have to use more finesse and out-think the other guy. The biggest difference I’ve seen in varsity is that you have to bring your ‘A’ game every night. It’s a battle out there every time.”
There are several other freshmen around the Lakelands area starting for varsity clubs.
At Saluda, Tevin Brooks is manning the point-guard position for the Tigers. Brooks has proven adept at handling the basketball and facilitating the Tigers’ offense.
The Greenwood girls team features freshman Syteria Robinson as a starter.
The lanky small forward has become an immediate contributor for the Lady Eagles. Her best game thus far came Dec. 13, when she poured in 24 points, including four 3-pointers, in a win against Saluda.
The Ninety Six girls team also has a freshman starter in Sara Trowbridge, who was a teammate of Robinson’s at Edgewood last year.
This season, the 6-foot center Trowbridge has been a solid rebounder, shot-blocker and secondary scorer for the Lady Wildcats.
Greenwood coach Hob Chandler said he has been pleased and pleasantly surprised with the play of Montgomery.
Chandler said he was aware of the freshman last season but was not familiar with his game.
It didn’t take long for the coach to become familiar with Montgomery once this school year rolled around.
“Sam has really helped us out,” Chandler said. “Yeah, he’s a freshman, but he’s built like a senior. He’s got tremendous upside. He has a lot of strength and power, I just want to see him get more polished offensively. That will come.”
Montgomery knows he has several areas of his game he needs to improve, including free throw shooting and ball-handling.
As the second semester of the school year approaches, Chandler said he expects to utilize Montgomery as one piece of a twin-tower puzzle, alongside 6-foot-5 junior Xavier Dye.
“I like having them both out there because of the height it gives us,” Chandler said. “The two of them seem to work well together.”
Part of being a member of a varsity team as a freshman is the requisite ribbing and good-natured hazing from the upperclassmen.
Montgomery takes it all in stride.
“I love these guys,” he said with a laugh, as team veterans Dye and junior point guard Andre Day stood nearby smiling and quite obviously listening in. “I love each and every one of them like brothers. They help me get ready for the games.”

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

U. S. attorney nomination is good for race relations

January 2, 2006

It would be shortsighted to think that vestiges of racism don’t exist still in South Carolina ….. or any other state for that matter, whether north, south, east or west. As long as there are human beings, somebody is always going to discriminate against some one else for some reason ….. and it’s not always going to be based on race.
On the other hand, we’ve come a long way, despite racial demagogues of every color. Perhaps nothing is more indicative of that than the appointment of a new United States attorney for South Carolina and the overall reaction to him.

THE NOMINEE IS CIRCUIT Judge Reginald Lloyd who happens to be black. If confirmed by the U. S. Senate, the 38-year-old Lloyd would be the first black lawyer to be named permanent U. S. attorney for South Carolina since the Reconstruction era following the Civil War. U. S. District Judge Margaret Seymour served twice on an interim basis.
Judge Lloyd, although a Republican, has generally received high praise from across the political spectrum. That’s unusual in times when judicial nominees have been lambasted more often than not. He has earned the respect, though, with his work ethic, attitude and one other characteristic. He has a sense of humor and is not reluctant to show it.

ONE OF HIS PROFESSORS at the University of South Carolina School of Law, Robert Wilcox, says he may tell a joke or two in the courtroom but there’s never any doubt about who is in charge. In fact, Wilcox says, “You don’t want to confuse his good humor with any unwillingness to be firm when he wants to be firm.”
That speaks well of Judge Lloyd. The fact that he is respected by Democrats as much as Republicans, though, speaks even louder.
There was no reason to even refer to race except for the fact he is the first black permanent U. S. attorney in South Carolina. When we get past noting any “firsts” because of race, then we can say we’ve really come a long way. We haven’t quite gotten there yet. But we’re making progress. Judge Lloyd proves it.