Final assignments

Greenwood native retires from Navy with award presentation

May 31, 2006

By JOANIE BAKER
Index-Journal staff writer

After spending much of 36 years under more than 400 feet of water, Charles Young has risen back to the shore to cast a permanent shadow on the large number of sailors he commanded.
Rear Adm. Young, a Greenwood native, retired from the Navy after 40 years in uniform. After four years as a student at the Naval Academy and 36 as a submarine engineer and commanding officer, Young said the retirement transition hasn’t been easy.
“I enjoyed it beyond words,” Young said of his career. “I went to the Naval Academy for the express interest of receiving an education to become an engineer. I left thinking I’d serve a five-year stint and then return to civilian life. But the Navy gave me opportunities and challenges at every corner. Every day I’d be smiling going to work and smiling coming home because I enjoyed it that much.”
During his change of command ceremony May 10, Young passed on his last position as Director of Strategic Systems Programs, a job that made him responsible for all the ballistic missiles launched from the Trident Class Submarines, to another admiral at the Washington Navy yard. Young then was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Delores Etter, the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition.
“I think I served honorably and with integrity,” Young said. “I think I gave back as much as I got and I got a tremendous amount, and I would do it all again.”
At his retirement ceremony at the Naval Academy’s Memorial Hall, about 300 of Young’s friends and family gathered to watch a personal and touching ceremony that commemorated all of Young’s achievements and missions.
During the recessional “piping” ceremony, Young and wife Karen exited the commemoration to the playing of father John Young’s Boatswain Pipe. John Young, who served in the Navy during World War II as a Boatswain Mate Chief in Normandy, died last year.
The pipe now rests in Young’s shadow box, given to him by the Navy for leaving his “shadow,” or impression, on the military. The box holds a list of all Young’s duty assignments, awards and ranks.
Now living in Arlington, Va., Young has completed 17 assignments and duties for the Navy. He said the Navy provided him the opportunities to travel and see places all over the world.
“Where else would a guy from Greenwood get a chance to do something like that?”Young said.
After all his assignments to far-off places such as Guam, Young said he is ready for his final assignments — playing golf and reading the 20 books he has waiting at home.

Success breeds success

Greenwood High’s Shell Dula reflects
on his achievements at the school

May 31, 2006

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

Many times achievements are measured in increments of five, or more, and Shell Dula is entering his second leg of that time frame at Greenwood High School.
The GHS athletic director and head football coach is ready to start his 10th season at the local high school. He is also entering his 30th year as head coach (38th overall), and success has followed him everywhere he has coached.
It started as an assistant at Woodruff High School, kept going as his teams won state championships at Ninety Six, Union and Greenwood.
Times have changed, but Dula’s success hasn’t. He manages to get his teams into the “W” column every year.
It hasn’t been easy, though.
“The biggest difference is the kids are so much bigger, faster and stronger now,” he said. “Weightlifting has come to where it is expected now. When I first started, kids lifted weights on their own. Now, we’re lifting weights throughout the year.”
And, Dula continued, “sports medicine has come a long way. When we began, coaches were also trainers and everything. We might be lucky enough to have a doctor in the community who would help you.
“Now, a large percentage of our programs are fortunate to have full-time trainers, or you have doctors who are very involved. In our case, we are fortunate enough to have both.”
Both are necessary to have a successful program, no matter the sport.
“Another change is the number of coaches on the staff,” Dula added.
Several years ago, a head coach was lucky if he had two or three assistants on his staff — depending, of course, on the size of the school.
“Today, you are able to do more teaching of the student-athlete, whether it be football or whatever,” he said. “Now, we’re fortunate enough to have some excellent coaches, and you have to let them coach. We do a lot of individual work, where before you did it as a team of coaches.”
A coach for different aspects of the game is another key to success, which is also a result of the sport continuing all year on some level.
“It used to be that you started football Aug. 15 and when the season was over, you didn’t worry about football until Aug. 15 of the next year,” Dula said. “Now, we have spring practice and other things, and football is almost a year-round sport for those who don’t play other sports.”
Practice brings on more success, and Dula’s seven state championships (five as head coach) prove it.
He was an assistant to Willie Varner at Woodruff for his other two state titles.
One key to his success as a coach has been the mindset of the athletes.
“As a coach, you look for a person who will be a hard worker,” he said.
“Some are born with God-given athletic ability. We’ve been fortunate to have kids come along who may not be the greatest athlete, but they worked and put forth a lot of effort to do what you ask of them. It all goes back to how hard a young person will work.”
Dula said one important part of his coaching years has been the people who work around him.
“One of the main things is that we’ve been able to surround ourselves with good people, whether it was at Ninety Six, Woodruff, Union, or here at Greenwood. If you’re going to be successful, you’ve got to surround yourself with great assistant coaches and let them coach.
“Also, we have kids who have bought into what we’re trying to do. Even our first year at Greenwood, we were 2-9 but we had a group of seniors who bought into what we were trying to do. They realized they were very important in getting the improvement that took place here.”
Even when he coaches his state championship team at Ninety Six, Dula said he never envisioned anything like putting four more in the books.
“You appreciate every one of them, and we certainly appreciated the one in Ninety Six,” he said. “That was a great event for the town of Ninety Six. You appreciate each one, and each one is special. And, each one brings back many, many fond memories.”
For his success through the years, Dula has received numerous awards.
They include being named coach of the year four times by one or more organizations, named region coach of the year 12 times, as well as being selected to carry the Olympic Flame as it passed through Union in 1996.
He is a member of the South Carolina Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame.
Success breeds success.

Opinion

Competition by schools? Some see positive effect

May 31, 2006

It’s been said many times by many people in South Carolina that competition among schools would do wonders for education. More often than not they cite charter schools as catalysts for positive change. Seldom, however, do you hear education officials doing it, even inadvertently.
Consider the situation with the Thornwell Home schools. They have run into a financial bind and officials are looking at becoming a charter school. In the meantime, though, there is the possibility the schools could be merged with Laurens School District 56.

OFFICIALS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE question apparently have not decided which way to go for sure, although Thornwell officials have gone forward with submitting the application for becoming a charter school.
Officials said “The charter school would be a state-funded school which would operate separately from the school district ...” It would be governed by its own board and be separate from Thornwell. Charter schools don’t necessarily have to go by the same regulations as regular schools. Things could change, though.
District 56 outgoing Superintendent Charles Lackey says district officials are working on a proposal that would make the Thornwell Elementary School a part of the Clinton Elementary School.

THE MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLS would also be worked into the district’s system, it’s reported, but that proposal has not been completed.
“We would prefer to have the schools become a part of the district,” Lackey said, “because we’ve always had a good relationship with Thornwell,” he continued.
Here, though, is the interesting part. If Thornwell became a charter school, Lackey said, “... it would become a competition to see who is better. That’s what happens between charter schools and the district schools.”
Competition? Better? Don’t these words define the kind of results that public schools should strive for? Isn’t that what all the commotion is all about these days?

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

Obituaries

Evelyn Robinson Gantt

PHILADELPHIA — Evelyn Robinson Gantt, 69, wife of Willie James Gantt Sr., died Monday, May 22, 2006.
Born in Greenwood County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Warren and Sallie Monroe Robinson. She was a member of True Light Fellowship Church and a graduate of Rosenwald High School, Saluda, S.C.
Survivors include her husband of the home; four sons, Cecil Gantt, Willie James Gantt Jr., Gordon P. Gantt and Kevin A. Gantt, all of Philadelphia; three daughters, Audrey V. Gantt, Waverly V. Gantt and Juanita R. Gantt, all of Philadelphia; four brothers, Daniel Robinson of Baltimore, Anderson Robinson of Detroit, Warren Robinson of Philadelphia and Kenneth Robinson of Ninety Six, S.C.; three sisters, Lillie Mae Seigeler of Philadelphia, Gelena Motes of Columbia and Fannie R. Hardy of Washington, D.C.; 17 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Greenwood County, conducted by the Rev. Johnny Gantt, assisted by the Revs. Tommy Legons and Anderson Robinson. Burial is in Evening Star cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 12.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are family and friends.
The family is at the home of a brother Kenneth and Wilhelmenia Robinson, 110 Julian Road, Ninety Six.
Butler & Sons Funeral Home, Saluda, is in charge.

Ruth Gilmore

GREENWOOD, SC — Ruth Redding Gilmore, 102, resident of 1415 Parkway, widow of Alpha Fry Gilmore, died May 29, 2006 at Magnolia Manor.
Born in Jeffersonville, IN, April 16, 1904, she was a daughter of the late John and Nellie Dunn Redding. She was a graduate of Jeffersonville High School, co-owner of Gilmore-Jersey Farm and was formerly employed by DuPont Powder Co. Mrs. Gilmore was a member of Wall Street United Methodist Church in Jeffersonville, IN, Christ United Methodist Church in Leesburg, FL, the Order of the Eastern Star and the Eagles Nest Ladies Club in Leesburg, FL. She was also a Volunteer for the American Red Cross during World War II and served as secretary of the Indiana-Jersey Cattle Club. She had made her home in Greenwood since 2002 after moving from Leesburg, FL.
Surviving are a son, William “Bill” Gilmore and wife Jan of Boonsboro, MD; three granddaughters, Carolyn and husband Vance Fish of Greenwood, Linda and husband Don Hadley of Middletown, PA and Ann and husband Gary Motz of Knoxville, TN; two grandsons, Stuart and wife Linda Hunter of Sugarland, TX and Bill and wife Susan Gilmore of Annandale, VA. Ten great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Gilmore was predeceased by a daughter, Jean Gilmore Hunter.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is at the home of her granddaughter, Carolyn Fish, 226 Swing About in Stoney Point.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Gilmore family.
PAID OBITUARY

Ruth Ilene Lackey

MODOC — Ruth Ilene Lackey, 90, widow of Raymond Lackey, died Thursday, May 25, 2006 at McCormick Health Care.
Born in Bippis, Ind., she was a daughter of the late Ida and Mathias Schilling. She attended Ball State University and was a graduate of Butler University, Indiana. A kindergarten and first grade teacher at Union Township and Colston elementary schools, she retired after teaching for 39 years. She was a member of Trinity on the Hill United Methodist Church.
Survivors include a brother, Emery Schilling of Columbia, Ind.; two sons, John “Steve” Lackey of Modoc and Douglas Lackey of Ljubljaina, Slovenia; five grandchildren.
Services are 6 p.m. Saturday at Elliott Sons Funeral Home, Martinez, Ga. Burial is at a later date at Forest Hill Cemetery in Indiana.
Elliott Sons Funeral Home, 4255 Columbia Road, Martinez, is in charge.

Mac McKinney

CROSS HILL — Henry League “Mac” McKinney, Jr., 58, resident of 560 Cane Creek Camp Road, husband of Rita Goodman McKinney, died May 29, 2006 at his home.
Born in Greenville County, February 27, 1948, he was a son of Henry L. McKinney, Sr. and the late Annie Mae Beeks McKinney. He was a graduate of Hillcrest High School in Greenville and attended the Baptist College of Charleston. Mr. McKinney formerly owned and operated Cane Creek Campground and Marine.
He was a member of the Cross Hill Volunteer Fire Department and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home and father of Union are a son, Henry L. “Mackie” McKinney, III of Greenwood and a step-daughter, Angela B. Davis of Ninety Six; his step-mother, Jo Anne Lawson McKinney of Union and two step-grandsons, David Blake Allen and William Brooks Allen.
Funeral services will be conducted at 4 pm Thursday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood with Rev. Richard Saxon, Jr. and Rev. Don Talley officiating.
Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Blake Allen, Brooks Allen, John Eric Frank, Shane Goodman, Scott Goodman, Lindsey Cole, Floyd Moore, Jr. and Vance Baldwin.
Honorary escort will be Maxie Putman, Bobby Putman, Wayne Avant and Steve Gay.
The family is at the home on Cane Creek Camp Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 Wednesday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC, 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the McKinney family.
PAID OBITUARY

Columbus Wardlaw

McCORMICK — Columbus Wardlaw, of 712 Pine St. Extension, died Monday, May 29, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood after a sudden illness.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of the late Fred Wardlaw Sr. and Kitty Harper Wardlaw. He was a retired truck driver and of the Pentecostal faith.
Survivors include two sisters, Mary Lee Ryans of the home and Annie L. Wardlaw of McCormick; three brothers, Henry Wardlaw of Miami, Bernard Wardlaw of Cincinnati and John W. Wardlaw of McCormick.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Mary B. Woolridge

Mary Bernice Woolridge, 72, of 230 E. Cambridge Ave. Apt. 220, died Sunday, May 28, 2006 at her home.
Born in Bradley, she was a daughter of the late Edward Woolridge and Mahulda Woolridge Mims.
Survivors include two daughters, Jacquelyn Robertson and Marilyn Robinson, both of Greenwood; a niece reared in the home, Cynthia D. Robinson of Greenwood; a nephew reared in the home, Byron W. Smith of Greenwood; three sisters, Mrs. Blanton (Anita) Smith and Mrs. John (Alice) Butler, both of Greenwood and Yerstine Dickens of Washington, D.C.; seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home of a daughter Jacquelyn Robertson, 501 Haltiwanger Road, Apt. H2.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Mitchell Wright Sr.

SALUDA — Mitchell Wright Sr., 79, of 109 Pine St., widower of Dora Mae Hopkins Wright, died on Sunday, May 28, 2006 at Palmetto Health Richland, Columbia.
Born in Saluda County, he was a son of the late Joe and Ada Culbreath Wright. He was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, a retired Army veteran with 24 1/2 years of service and a recipient of the Purple Heart.
Survivors include a son, Mitchell Wright Jr. of Saluda; four daughters, Bernita D. Wright of Raleigh, N.C., Adrianne Wright and Greta D. Wright, both of Saluda and Lora Yancey of Annapolis, Md.; five sisters, Laura A. Wright, Christine Wright, Eliza Wright and Thelma Triplin, all of Saluda and Annie B. Chappell of Greenwood; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Friday at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Johnny Gantt. Burial is in the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at 2.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are family and friends.
The family is at the home.
Butler and Sons Funeral Home is in charge.