Who would steal donations from a cancer patient?

Thief breaks into store, takes jar with about $10 in it

March 30, 2006

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

As a convenience store owner, Lewis Boniface is familiar with break-ins, but he’s never experienced anything like what happened this week.
About 11:15 p.m. Monday, just about an hour after the store closed, someone threw a brick through the glass front door of The QuickWay on S.C. 34 to gain entrance. The thief was in the store for only a few minutes and, judging from footage captured by a security camera, apparently knew exactly what he was looking for and where to find it.
He didn’t touch the cash register and no merchandise was taken. The thief left with only one item: a donation jar set out to assist the family of a cancer patient in need of a bone marrow transplant.
“It takes a pretty sorry person to do something that low,” Boniface said. “Somebody in need was crying out to the community for help and someone came in and stole from them.”
Boniface said he and the two police officers who investigated the theft were shocked. The jar, emptied weekly, is estimated to have contained about $10.
“It’s the strangest thing I’ve seen since I bought this store about 12 months ago,” Boniface said.
The jar had been on the store’s front counter but had been obscured by other items. Boniface said he thinks the thief broke in specifically to retrieve the jar.
The jar was set out to assist former Greenwood resident Christine “Chris” Lawson Oden, 32, now of Whitehouse, Tenn. A mother of two, she was diagnosed Aug. 25 with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), a disease that primarily affects adults and children younger than a year old.
AML causes certain blood cells of the immune system, which grow in the bone marrow, to lose their ability to mature and specialize. Oden, who has had multiple blood transfusions and several rounds of chemotherapy, had only a 20 percent chance of survival when first admitted to the hospital.
On Jan. 24, Oden underwent a successful umbilical cord transplant and is in remission. She is expected to be released from the hospital May 4. Though her health has taken a positive turn, Oden’s family is experiencing financial trouble because of her illness. Her insurance company refused to pay for her treatment and the hospital stay, claiming hers was a pre-existing condition. Her medical expenses totaled more than $500,000 before the transplant.
That’s why Oden’s father, Jerry Lawson, of Greenwood, said he put out the donation jar at QuickWay.
“Whoever took that money, I think they’re about the lowest person there is,” Lawson said.
“People who do stuff like that don’t even need to be allowed to breathe.”
Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact the Greenwood Police Department, 942-8632. Oden’s family in Greenwood has set up an account at Bank of America, where donations can be made in person or by mail to the Chris Lawson Oden Medical Fund, 323 Main Street, Greenwood, S.C. 29646. Donations will be accepted at any Bank of America branch.

Turner touring pro circuits

Greenwood native with PGA dream playing on pair of golf tours

March 30, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

A Greenwood native is taking aim at a career in professional golf.
Greenwood High School alumnus Emmett Turner, who graduated from Augusta State University in December after a stellar golf career for the Jaguars, is splitting his time on two pro tours — on the NGA/Hooters Tour and the Tarheel Tour.
Turner has played in four tournaments so far this year, two on each tour.
“It’s kind of like what the minor leagues are to baseball,” said Turner of the tours. “I have a goal to make it to the PGA Tour, and to do that you kind of have to work your way up.”
Turner’s best performance of the year came in his first pro event. He finished tied for fourth at the Sandlapper Real Estate Classic, a Tarheel Tour event Feb. 21-23. The finish netted Turner $2,537.50.
The golfer missed the cut of his next two events — the Tarheel Tour’s Patriot Point Open and the Michelob Ultra Classic of the Hooters Tour — before finishing “in the money” for the first time on the Hooter’s Tour last weekend with a tie 61st at the PGM Classic in Perdido, Fla. He earned $600 for the finish.
Turner was even par after the first two days of the PGM Classic, good enough to make the cut. However, he was 10 over par for the final two days, shooting a 298 for the four-day tourney.
“It made for a long drive back from Pensacola,” said Turner with a laugh. “But I am glad to have made the cut, which you have to do to even give yourself a chance to win. I’d rather play bad the last two days than the first two.”
According to Turner, who drives to the different tournaments from his Augusta home, there are some differences between the Tarheel and Hooters tours.
First, the Tarheel tournaments are 54-hole events, while the Hooters tournaments are 72. Second, the level of play is a bit higher on the Hooters Tour.
Turner said when the Hooters Tour ventures north in May, he will go back to playing more Tarheel events.
“It’s just based around where tournaments are located,” Turner said. “Obviously, it’s easier for me to compete in the southeast, in terms of the travel.”
Neither tour has a tournament this week. The next stop on the Hooters Tour is the Hooters Tour Classic at Royal Lakes, April 3-9 in Flowery Branch, Ga.
Turner said one aspect of playing professionally that has taken some getting used to is the competitive nature as compared to collegiate golf.
“In college, you have some guys out there who just want to get through school and enter the work force,” Turner said. “Out on these tours, the guys are ultra-competitive and driven by the same goal: to make it on the PGA Tour. Everybody is absolutely trying as hard as they can.”
Turner also said the process of making a cut after two days has also been an adjustment to him, though he said he is becoming comfortable with the notion.
The former Eagle said he has enjoyed playing at different courses throughout the south. Turner said he doesn’t find it particularly difficult to adapt to new courses, crediting the pre-tournament practice rounds with helping to adapting to fresh surroundings.
Turner may be having a homecoming of sorts next month. The Hooters Tour will make a stop in McCormick for the Savannah Lakes Resort Classic April 17-23. Turner said venturing to McCormick — which is nearly halfway between his home in Augusta and his native town of Greenwood — would be nice, but said he hopes to have other plans that weekend.
“The Nationwide Tour is having the Athens Regional Classic in Athens, Georgia that weekend,” said Turner, speaking of the tour he said is the golf equivalent of AAA baseball. “I’m going to play in the qualifier for that one the Monday before.”
If he doesn’t qualify for the Nationwide event, Turner said he would be more than happy to tee it up in the Savannah Lakes Classic.
“That’s one of the big money events of the Hooters Tour,” said Turner of the McCormick event, from which the winner will take home nearly $35,000. “Plus, it would be good to play close to home.”

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

Opinion

Violation of speed laws by officials inexcusable

March 30, 2006

The first thought that many South Carolinians no doubt had when they heard their lieutenant governor was caught speeding was: What? Again?
Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has had run-ins with the law before over speeding. This time it was reported that he was stopped twice for speeding in the last month. One time he was going 101 in a 70 mph zone. Neither time did he get a ticket.
Some may argue that if Bauer had been traveling to or from his duties as presiding officer for the state Senate, he had immunity. The driving pattern that Bauer has developed, though, argues otherwise, regardless of where he was headed. And, no matter how much good work he does, this kind of deed negates it.

FIRST OF ALL, AS AN OFFICER sworn to uphold the law, he has sent a pitiful message to the public. How can we expect anyone to respect the law when it is taken so cavalierly by high officials?
Bauer apologized, but that shouldn’t get him off the hook. He owes a lot more than that to all South Carolinians ..... especially the people who elected him.
The Department of Public Safety says a citation should have been issued and that it has since directed that enforcement decisions should not be made based on status. Don’t blame the troopers, though. They are put in a very awkward position when they encounter influential officials. Officials, though, are also obligated to uphold the laws they make. It’s their responsibility when caught, not the troopers’.

FROM ALL APPEARANCES, Bauer, this time, has no excuse for his heavy foot. He’s swung and missed twice ..... that we know of. A third strike is an out in anybody’s book. Should it happen again, how could Bauer satisfactorily explain it all to the other drivers in the Palmetto State ..... all the law-abiding drivers? Furthermore, how could he explain the whole thing to drivers who have been ticketed under similar circumstances?
Bauer, in effect, has thumbed his nose at them, not to mention state laws and all those who work to uphold the laws. A public reprimand should be added to his apology. Unless Bauer can show he will respect the laws, he should have no role in how they are made or applied. Voters expect those elected to show mature judgment. Bauer’s penchant for speeding and endangering the lives of others does the opposite.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Johnny Crosby

Johnny Crosby, 59, of 315 Creek Road West, husband of Luella M. Crosby, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Ruffin, he was a son of the late Louella Crosby and was reared by his grandparents, the late Johnnie and Luva Crosby. He was a retired loan officer with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and a licensed Funeral Director with Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Men and Sons of Aide No. 55. He was a 1969 graduate of South Carolina State University and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Terrence Crosby of Columbia.
Services are 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Ronnie Jeffcoat. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park Inc. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
Pallbearers are the staff of Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Honorary Pallbearers are Kappa Alpha Psi.
Flower bearers are Trinity United Methodist Church Women and Missionaries of Lockhart Baptist Church.
Honorary Escorts are funeral directors and United Methodist Men.
Visitation is 6-8 Friday at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com

George W. Hulsman

ABBEVILLE — George W. Hulsman Jr., 61, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at his home.
Services will be announced by Harris Funeral Home.

Rebecca W. Johnson

CLINTON — Rebecca Williams Johnson, 103, widow of Will Johnson, died Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at National Health Care.
Born in Abbeville County, she was the oldest member of Rock Ford A.M.E. Church, Mount Carmel.
Survivors include three grandchildren; several great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a cousin, Lawrence Rouse, Pine Street, McCormick.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Ernest McCray Jr.

SALUDA — Ernest McCray Jr., 61, of 376 Logan St., died Monday, March 27, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Holly Hill, he was a son of the late Ernest and Maggie Green McCray. He was a retired construction worker and of Baptist faith.
Survivors include two sons, Timothy McCray of Wilingboro, N.J. and Cortney Lurk of Saluda; a daughter, Sylvia E. McCray of Collingswood, N.J.; three stepsons, Charles Long, Randy Long and Mento Long, all of Saluda; a stepdaughter, April Merriweather of Saluda; a brother, John McCray Davis of Raiford, Fla.; a sister, Mary Lee McCray; two grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at Bethlehem Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Marcus Long.
Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
The family is at the home.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

Ida M. Moss

McCORMICK — Services for Ida M. Moss are 1 p.m. Friday at Little Mill Baptist Church, Willington, conducted by the Revs. Carroll Wells and Paul Saunders. Burial is in Springfield-Green Olive A.M.E. Church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
Pallbearers are church officers.
Flower bearers are church ushers.
The family is at the home of Annie L Moss, 179 Norman Lane, Willington.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Elizabeth ‘Lib’ Norris

ABBEVILLE — Elizabeth “Lib” Buice Norris, 84, of 1502 Greenville St., wife of Hubert “Pete” Norris, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at Abbeville County Memorial Hospital.
Services will be announced by Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

James Robinson, III

BRADLEY — James Pressley Robinson, III, 70, resident of 2734 Greenwood Highway, husband of Margaret Noffz Robinson died March 29, 2006 at his home.
Born in McCormick, December 15, 1935, he was a son of Annie Langley Robinson and the late James Pressley Robinson, Jr. He was a graduate of McCormick High School and was a US Navy Veteran where he served in the Naval Seabees. He retired from Duke Power Co. after 32 years of service.
Mr. Robinson was a member of Troy United Methodist Church, the McCormick County Clemson Extension Advisory Board, Past President of the McCormick County Forestry Association and was a member and Past Master of the Friendship Masonic Lodge Post #25.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home and mother of McCormick are two sons, James W. Robinson of McCormick and Steven Robinson of Epworth; a daughter, Kristi R. Reichert of McCormick; a sister, Margaret Hazel of McCormick and a step-son, Chris Stone of Newberry.
Twelve grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Mr. Robinson was predeceased by a daughter, Maria R. Kirkland.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM Friday at Troy United Methodist Church with Rev. Henry F. Schwarzmann officiating.
Burial with Masonic Rites will be in Troy Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Larry Davis, David Daniel, Horace James Kirkland, Steven Lawson, Bill Robinson, Andy Langley, Keith Langley and Clyde Blizzard.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood and will be placed in the church at 10:00 AM Friday.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 to 8:00 Thursday evening.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648 or to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Greenwood, is in charge of arrangements
PAID OBITUARY

Charles Tatum

Mr. Charles Tatum “Big Red” of Trinity Mission Health and Rehabilitation in Edgefield South Carolina, formerly of 102-A Montclair Drive, husband of Karen Boyd-Tatum, entered into rest on March 25, 2006 at the Hospice House after an extended illness.
Born in Greenwood County, he was the son of the late Benjamin Tatum, Sr. and the late Jesse Mae Jackson. Additionally, he was reared by two loving aunts, Ms. Lucille Martin and Ms. Kitty Cowans. He was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where he was a former member of the Trustee Board. He was a graduate of Brewer High School, and a retiree of the County Bank after dedicating over 30 years of service.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a son, Brandon Boyd of the home, a sister, Paulette (Willie) Randall of Greenwood; two sisters-in-law, Stella Tatum of Ninety Six, and Rosa Ann Boyd of Greenwood; one Ninety Six Darrick (Theodora) Boyd of Hephzibah, Georgia; a devoted mother-in-law, Carrie Boyd of Greenwood; and a devoted aunt, Lola Tatum of San Diego, California.
He leaves to cherish his memories a host of nieces, nephews other relatives, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Benjamin Tatum, Jr.
Services are 12:00 noon Friday at Macedonia Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Norris Turner assisted by Rev. Jonathan Greene. The body will be placed in the church at 11:00 A.M. Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Honorary Escorts will be Deacons of Macedonia Baptist Church and Dennis Hammett.
Flowerbearers will be Dea-coness of Macedonia Baptist Church and The Trinity Mission Health and Rehabilitation Staff.
Pallbearers will be Trustees of Macedonia Baptist Church along with Lee Heyward Blocker, Victory Mills and Theodore Aiken.
Visitation will be Thursday at 6 - 8 pm at Parks Funeral Home.
The family is at the home, 102-A Montclair Drive.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Gordon Weatherman

DUE WEST — Gordon Miles Weatherman, 88, of Due West Retirement Center, widower of Wanda Hester Weatherman, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at Carlisle Nursing Facility.
Born in Iola, Kan., he was a son of the late Miles Weatherman and Estelle Mayfield Weatherman. He was a retired realtor and of Presbyterian faith. He was a World War II Army veteran serving in the 132nd Signal Company of the Rainbow Division.
Survivors include two sons, Howard Weatherman of West Covina, Calif. and Donald Weatherman of Due West; 10 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial may be made to Carlisle Nursing Facility, DWRC; PO Box 307, Due West, SC 29639.
The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com