Local man found guilty of murder

June 22, 2006

From staff reports


A Greenwood man was convicted Wednesday of killing of a local man.
A jury of Greenwood County residents found Charles Vandross guilty of murder at his third trial, Eighth Circuit Solicitor Jerry Peace said. Vandross also was found guilty of kidnapping, first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole, Peace said.
The jury deliberated for a little more than two hours.
Vandross was arrested and charged in November 2004 with murder in the shooting death of Sanford Best, of Greenwood, kidnapping in the alleged abduction of Joann Suber Wilson from her Promised Land home, first-degree burglary and possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime. The state argued that Vandross was jealous of the relationship of Best and Wilson, to whom Vandross had been engaged.
He has been in custody since his arrest. In May, a mistrial was declared just after the jury ate lunch in a second day of deliberations.
Similar deliberations over two days failed to produce a verdict in January.

Local Presbyterian leaders:

Delegates’ gay clergy action could hurt church

June 22, 2006

BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

A Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) national assembly decision has sparked discussion among area ministers as to which direction their church is headed.
The assembly voted to approve a measure giving congregations some leeway in choosing clergy and local lay officers who are homosexual, if the issue arises, while upholding a constitution that limits the sexual relations of clergy, lay officers and deacons to a marriage between a man and a woman.
Meeting in Birmingham, Ala., since the weekend, the assembly earlier gave congregations directions on how to incorporate new terms for the divine Trinity into their worship, if they want.
On Wednesday, delegates debated a plan to cancel a policy authorizing divestment from some companies operating in Israel.
The Associated Press reported there has been considerable debate within the denomination, with 2.3 million members, over a decision by the 2004 assembly to authorize divestment because of Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians.
Before the assembly, the denomination had official talks with five corporations that do business with Israel, but no investments had been withdrawn yet.
But the assembly action producing a ripple effect of fallout among local churches is the liberalizing of the gay clergy and lay officers policies.
The Rev. Chris Leonard, of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, had been following the assembly via an Web camera when he heard the news.
The assembly’s decision is saying the church believes homosexuality is wrong while still allowing it in churches, Leonard said.
“It’s a sad, sad thing,” he said.
Not only does Leonard think the measure shouldn’t have been passed, he thinks the presbyteries, or large groups of Presbyterian churches, should have been consulted about the proposed change to the church’s constitution.
Leonard wasn’t surprised by the decision, he said.
The church has been debating the issue of homosexual clergy for 28 years, but has voted down acceptance every time, Leonard said.
The implications of the vote aren’t going to be known for a while, but they will be far reaching, he said. Allowing homosexual clergy could cause current church members to leave the church, Leonard said. It could also damage the church’s reputation around the world.
Leonard’s already received several phone calls and e-mails from concerned members of his congregation. He’s urged for patience in discovering what disappointed church members should do in response to the decision. Several conferences scheduled later in the summer should give church members an idea of what they should do, he said.
The Rev. George Wilson, associate pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Greenwood, thinks his church will not need to make any changes.
He doesn’t think the measure is a strong move. Wilson isn’t sure how it will affect his church, but he’ll wait to see how his congregation reacts.
Wilson thinks his church will oppose the decision.
“We don’t want our church to move in that direction,” he said.
Wilson’s congregation is praying that the assembly’s decisions will keep the church together, “because it could come flying apart at this assembly,” he said.
General Presbyter Alan F. Arnold said he was confused by the actions taken by the assembly Tuesday and Wednesday.
The assembly refused on Wednesday to alter the Book of Order’s standards of ordination, Arnold said. The standards state that all ordained officers in the PCUSA have to be faithful in marriage or a chaste single person, he said.
Arnold said he thinks the assembly’s intent is not to ordain gay ministers, but to open the door for more talk about biblical interpretation in the 21st century.
Meanwhile, in Columbus, Ohio, Episcopalian delegates to their nine-day General Convention heard on their last day from the leader of the Episcopal Church about the issue of gay clergy.
Outgoing Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold said “humility” was needed in the delegates’ response to Anglican demands to stop electing gay bishops or the denomination and the entire Anglican fellowship could break apart.
Episcopal delegates asked church leaders Wednesday to “exercise restraint” when considering openly gay candidates for bishop, a vote that ended days of painful debate but fell far short of demands to preserve Anglican unity by banning gay bishops.
The measure calls on Episcopal prelates to “exercise restraint by not consenting to the consecration” of candidates for bishop “whose manner of life presents a challenge to the wider church.”
Episcopal delegates did vote to affirm the denomination’s commitment to the Anglican fellowship. The church is the U.S. arm of the Anglican Communion. But a proposal for a temporary moratorium on gay bishops never reached the convention floor.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Opinion

At least some are trying for spending restraints

June 22, 2006

Part One:
Sometimes it may not seem to be happening, especially to taxpayers, but there are efforts to control government spending in Columbia and Washington.
In Columbia, of course, Gov. Mark Sanford has made it a priority to control spending, even as he’s been the target of tax-and-spend critics. It’s an ongoing battle, too, so it’s in the interests of every South Carolina taxpayer to pay attention to what’s happening ..... and if necessary, act accordingly.
In the nation’s capital, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham has signed on in support of the “Stop Over-Spending Act of 2006.” The act seeks to make structural changes to how Washington spends taxpayer dollars.
One thing, however: Every action has a reaction ..... in this case, opposition.

“THIS LEGISLATION,” SAYS Graham, “will place long overdue spending restraints on the Congress. We need to be more efficient in how we spend taxpayer dollars. The bill empowers people in Congress who want to control spending and reduce the size of government. It is the worst nightmare of those who want to continue to waste taxpayer dollars,”
Graham, a member of the Senate Budget Committee, says this will bring about real change, that something has been lost: fiscal discipline.
It’s good that both Sanford and Graham are working on stopping over-spending wherever it occurs. Had such “tools” been available through the years, there’s no telling how much better off taxpayers would now be.

IT ALWAYS SEEMS THAT anytime unexpected revenue comes in, as it did this year in the Palmetto State, lawmakers can’t wait to spend it. Whether it’s needed or not, that’s the way it always is.
Sometimes spending is critically necessary, in both state and national budgets. It’s the “spending-just-because-new money-is-available” way of doing things that concerns most taxpayers. If asked, is there any doubt that the biggest majority, if not all, would say unexpected extra revenue ought to be given back to the taxpayers in a rebate or tax cut. Either way would go a long ways toward repairing the public’s negative view of government in general.
Tomorrow, Part Two

Obituaries

Linda Taylor Coleman

GREENWOOD, SC — Linda Taylor Coleman, age 66, of 119 W. Winston Court died Wednesday, June 21st at the Hospice House of the Piedmont in Greenwood.
She was born in Laurens and was a daughter of the late Johnny H. and Louise Finley Taylor.
Mrs. Coleman was retired from the Laurens Glass Company, was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Laurens and in 1958 was selected Miss Anderson and Miss Congeniality of the Miss S.C. Pageant.
Surviving are her husband, Robert A. (Bobby) Coleman of the home, three daughters; April Coleman Smith of Laurens, Kelli Coleman Metts of Chapin, Dayle Coleman Mumford of Greenwood; one brother, Terry K. Taylor and wife Wanda of Dunwoody, GA; five grandchildren, Nicholas, Emily, Lee, Grayson, and Taylor Jane.
Graveside services will be held Friday, June 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Laurens.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Gray Funeral Home of Laurens.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Laurens, 400 W. Main St.
Laurens, SC 29360 or the Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646 Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.grayfuneralhome.com
GRAY FUNERAL HOME OF LAURENS.
PAID OBITUARY

Bob Fulmer, Sr.

GREENWOOD, SC — Robert Clark “Bob” Fulmer, Sr., 66, of 107 Melanie Court, died Monday, June 19, 2006, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Laurens County; a son of the late Chester Garfield and Victoria Metts Fulmer. He was a graduate of Ford High School and was retired from Duke Power. He was currently employed by Piedmont Agency of Aging. He was a member of the National Guard and First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, where he was current President of the Miller-Sprouse Sunday School Class.
Surviving are Loving friend and companion, Billie Rae Hodges of Greenwood; a daughter Donna Lynne Beacham of Clinton; a son Robert “Robby” Fulmer, Jr. of Greenwood; three sisters Raye Johnson and Ruth Nelson both of Laurens and Shirley Smith of York; two brothers Von Preston “Fats” Fulmer and James “Bubba” Fulmer both of Laurens; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church with the Rev. Bryant Sims and Rev. Kenny Standley officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Laurens.
Pallbearers will be Zeke Booker, Roy Keller, Jerry Scott, Larry Davis, Tony Dahl, David Daniel, Dennis Little, and Danny Polatty.
Honorary escorts will be Billy Coursey, Bill Rushton, Don Rushton, C. Brown, Dale Kittles, Christine Parkman, J.C. Doolittle, former and present employees of Duke Power, and members of the Miller-Sprouse Sunday School Class of First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church.
Visitation was Wednesday night from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. and the body will be placed in the church at 1:00 p.m. today.
Memorials may be made to the First Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 2107 Mt. Moriah Road, Greenwood, SC, 29646. The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Sara Rhodes

GREENWOOD — Sara Murphy Rachels Rhodes, 86, formally of 1517 Woodlawn Road, widow of Paul Rhodes, died Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at NHC Health Care.
Born in Opelaka, Al, she was the daughter of the late James Clem and Frances Askew Murphy. She was retired from Greenwood Mills Plant # 5 and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. Mrs. Rhodes was the last surviving member of her immediate family and of the Methodist faith.
Surviving is a daughter, Connie Schultz, and her husband Mike, of Greenwood; a son, Jerry Rachels, and his wife Lisa, of Greenwood; five grandchildren, Brent Rachels, Brad Rachels, Kevin Schultz, Dana Schultz, Laurie Nickles and Heather Parker; six great-grandchildren; and four step- great-grandchildren.
Services will be 12:00 noon, Thursday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Schultz, Brad Rachels, Brent Rachels, Bruce Robinson, Tommy Robinson and James Hughes.
Visitation was Wednesday night from 7:00 until 9:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741 Greenwood, SC 29648.
The family is at the home of her daughter, Connie & Mike Schultz, 119 Woodlawn Road, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.
PAID OBITUARY

Clara Hawes Smith

CHICAGO — Clara Hawes Smith, 78, wife of Herman Smith, died Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at her home in Chicago. Born in Greenwood, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Ulysses G. and Derquis Moragne Hawes. She was a former member of Cross Road Baptist Church and a member of Independence Boulevard Seventh Day Adventist Church, Chicago.
Survivors include her husband of the home; two daughters, Sandra Gail Vanderbilt of the home and Catherine Smith-Harris of Naperville, Ill.; two sons, Tyrone Smith of Chicago and Robert Dion Smith of Worthington, Ohio; two sisters, Jeanette H. Humphries and Annie H. Evans, both of Greenwood; seven grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.
Services are Friday at Independence Boulevard SDA Church. Burial is in Burr Oak Cemetery
Announcement courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., Greenwood.

Ollie Wells

WARE SHOALS — Ollie Mae Madden Wells, 97, widow of James Washington Wells, died Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at National Healthcare of Laurens.
Born in Laurens County, she was a daughter of the late Glenn Leland and Rannie Lou Lollis Madden. She was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church and retired from Riegel Textile Corp.
Survivors include a son, Curtis Wells of Ware Shoals; two daughters, Virginia W. Campbell and Dorothy W. Pulley of Ware Shoals; two brothers, Horace Madden of Ware Shoals and the Rev. Truman T. Madden of Mauldin; a sister, Christine M. Cothran; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren.
Graveside services are 11 a.m. today at Mount Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. Gerald Crawford.
The families are at their respective homes.
Parker-White Funeral Home is in charge.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Conner Parsons in Wednesday’s paper, survivors were omitted from the information given to The Index-Journal. The paternal great-grandparents are Jack and Willie Mae Bagwell of Greenwood.