Who keeps the ‘green’ in Greenwood?


October 27, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

There’s a secret team of people in charge of maintaining Greenwood’s namesake trees.
They also protect shrubs, grass and keep the streets clean for everyone else.
It’s not the CIA; it’s Greenwood Public Works. And Public Works employees don’t actually work in secret.
But the crews that cut the grass in Uptown Greenwood, prune the trees along Main Street and do upkeep on the bushes spend a lot of time working to make sure everything looks good for Greenwood residents.
“We put our all into it,” said public works director Billy Allen.
Public Works deals with most of the maintenance of Uptown, from streets and right of ways to the grass, trees and shrubbery. For example, maintenance crews cut the grass along Uptown on a weekly basis — no matter the season, Allen said.
Crews also built and put up games during Thursday night’s Boo Bash for kids in Uptown, he said Erek Leary has been with Public Works cutting grass for a few weeks now and likes the job. He was helping put up portable lights for the celebration Thursday night.
Leary said he’s proud of the work he does.
Residents often stop and comment on the condition of the plant life around Uptown, whether it’s good or bad.
“People notice this stuff,” Leary said.
Public Works also does a little extra street cleaning before the festivities, Allen said. Boo Bash brought several hundred kids to Uptown this year.
Crews plan rye grass in the winter to keep the green going during December, Allen said.
They take the existing grass and “scalp” it, almost cutting it to the ground, then plant rye grass between the stems of the regular grass, Allen said. The rye grass will stay in until the summer of next year, when it dies out and the other grass, which is dormant during the winter, will regrow.
Allen, who has worked for the city for 14 years, said Public Works does its best to make sure the town is looking the best that it can. They’re trying to keep the green in Greenwood, after all, Allen said.
Public Works also trims the tree. Plant life in Uptown gets watered regularly during the summer, Allen said. Watering usually happens at 3 a.m. and stops when the temperature drops.
Crews also put out fertilizer and lime as needed, prune shrubbery and edge grass, Allen said.
“There’s something to do up there all the time,” he said. “We would like to do more.”
Public Works maintains plant life for the rest of the city as well. Its employees also make sure Greenwood is safe to travel during South Carolina’s winter ice storms, Allen said.
Uptown isn’t much of a problem compared to the rest of the city.
Public Works will take care of the new Greenwood sign near Greenwood High Apartments.
Allen said he occasionally points out to his 8-year-old son some of the projects Public Works does as they drive through town.
“He knows I work for the city,” he said.

 

 

Ware Shoals dominates Dixie


October 27, 2006

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

DUE WEST — The Ware Shoals High School football team has had its troubles with converting extra points this season.
The team had plenty of chances to work on that in the first half, as the Ware Shoals offense put up six touchdowns in the first 24 minutes, cruising to a 39-6 win over rival Dixie Thursday night at Henry C. Oates Stadium in Due West.
“We’re getting ready to come into the playoffs and we wanted to come out in the first half injury-free and looking like a state championship team,” Ware Shoals coach Jeff Murdock said. “I thought we executed pretty good out there.
However, the lone bad news for Region I-A champion Ware Shoals was that the teams only converted on three of those six extra-point kick attempts. Sophomore Bo Brown connected on two kicks, while senior Damien Robinson added the other.
“We hit them at practice, but if it isn’t one thing or another for us in games,” Murdock said. “I’m about like (Clemson University coach) Tommy Bowden, I’m just not going to kick. We’re kicking off well. We’re punting well. It’s just our extra-point kicking.“To get where we want to go, we’re going to have to hit some of those. It might come down to something like that in the playoffs.”
The Ware Shoals offense touched the ball six times in the first half, and it crossed the goal line all six times from four different Hornets, racking up 239 yards of offense along the way.
Junior wingback Patorious Leverette, who finished with a team-high 66 rushing yards, picked up a pair of touchdowns, scoring on runs of 6 and 5 yards in the first quarter. Sophomore fullback Lance Richardson followed with two touchdowns of his own on a 1-yard run and a 53-yard punt return.
Senior wingback Tony Lomax, who chipped in 58 yards rushing, took an inside reverse 35 yards for the score to put Ware Shoals up 32-0 with a 5 minutes, 9 seconds left in the first half. Sophomore quarterback LaDarius Hawthorne capped the first-half onslaught by connecting with Letavious Williams on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds remaining for the 39-0 halftime lead.
Dixie, facing primarily Ware Shoals’ second string, mounted a scoring drive late in the fourth quarter. Senior running back Kyle Crawford, who led Dixie with 55 yards rushing, keyed the series with five carries. Demario Washington capped the 11-play, 75-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.

 

 

 

Opinion


Some of the new issues will play on ‘06 races

October 27, 2006

Candidates for political offices this year, whether in South Carolina or federal races, face tough choices on issues that have become more than the usual issues that dominate elections.
This year there are considerations that may be relatively new to candidates and voters. Nevertheless, they are extremely high on the priority lists of Americans all over and could well be the issues that win or lose elections for many candidates.
There will likely be some candidates and voters who have different opinions about what the critical issues are.
However, if they don’t recognize the importance of a few concerns that have recently become subject to debate, and give them the priority they demand, they may look back and wonder why they didn’t win.
Take just four issues, for example: The English language, illegal immigration, religious discord and security.

English: There is a growing concern that the language should be official. Some say wanting to do that is racist. Others see it as a natural part of being a citizen.

Illegal immigration: Many people are anxious to solve this rapidly growing problem, particularly controlling our borders. They see it as a growing threat to stability and security.

Religious discord: The debate is over same-sex marriage. There’s a concern that Christianity is under assault more and more.

Security: The terrorist threat is a constant concern since 9/11 and is magnified by the attacks around the world against innocent civilians. The fear of more attacks in the U. S. is never far from anyone’s mind.

This is not to agree or disagree with any of these issues. It is a commentary on what have become serious concerns among many Americans, and the likelihood that they are people issues but not necessarily candidate issues ..... of any political party.
It doesn’t matter what Congress, the President, the S. C. Legislature or the Governor might do or say, these are issues that are on the minds of the average voters. The “normal” issues - economic, education, etc. - are relevant, certainly, but there’s a new urgency that envelops new issues. That will impact candidates’ chances, and those who recognize and address voters’ concerns about language’ immigration, religious questions and security are likely to fare better.

 

 

 

 

Obituaries


Hazel Abercrombie

SIMPSONVILLE — Hazel Ouztes Abercrombie, 80, of 103 Steeple Chase Court, formerly of Ware Shoals, widow of John Allen Abercrombie died Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006 at Summit Place. She was born in Franklin County, Ga., a daughter of the late O’Dell Ouztes and the late Eula Ouztes and Paul Traynham. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Ware Shoals, SC.
Surviving are: one son, Johnny P. Abercrombie, Simpsonville, one daughter, Elaine A. Lee, Ware Shoals, two sisters, Helen Davis Smith, Ware Shoals and Pauline T. Cooley, Honea Path, grandchildren, Josh Lee, Jessica Lee, Jeff Abercrombie, Tricia A. Sturgill, Greg Abercrombie and Mark Abercrombie and seven great-grandchildren.
She was pre-deceased by a son, Milton Eugene Abercrombie and a daughter, Joyce Allen Abercrombie, brothers, Franklin Traynham, Berlin Ouztes and Carl Ouztes and sisters, Eva Nell Gunnells, Sara Mae Martinez and Gatha Martin.
Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday at 3 p.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Ware Shoals with Rev. Robert Emory and Rev. Hans Wunch officiating. Burial will follow in Lickville Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers.
The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Saturday. The family is at the home of Ralph and Helen Davis Smith, 4 Parkway Dr., Ware Shoals and will receive friends at Parker-White Funeral Home, Ware Shoals, Friday 6-8 p.m. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 420, Ware Shoals, S.C.


Dollie Bernice Anderson

Mrs. Dollie Bernice Anderson, 49, wife of Jessie J. Anderson, of 109 Wheat Dr., died Oct. 26, 2006 at the Hospice House of the Piedmont.
She was born in McCormick County to the late Clyde and Hazel Briggs Martin. She was a member of Durham Temple C.M.E. Church, where she served on the Usher Board.
Surviving besides her husband of the home is one daughter, Jessica S. Anderson of the home; three sons, Arentha and Tracy L. Martin of McCormick, SC and Algenor Anderson of Spartanburg, SC; three sisters, Hazel Green of Columbia, SC, Linda M. Freeman and Teresa K. Young of McCormick, SC; two brothers, Jimmy Martin of Greenwood, SC and James Martin of McCormick, SC; eight grandchildren, two that were reared in the home, Jadicas and Agenia Anderson.
The family is at the home.
Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.


Donnie Rice Blackwell

MYRTLE BEACH — Donnie Marie Rice Blackwell, 85, resident of The Lakes at Litchfield Retirement Community, widow of Homer DeWitt Blackwell, died Oct. 24, 2006 at her home following a long illness.
Born in Greenwood, Sept 22, 1921, she was the fourth daughter of the late Richard Donnie and Sarah Jane Geddens Rice.
She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School where she starred on the 1936 S.C. State Champion H.S. Girls Basketball team. She co-captained the 1937 and 1938 state semi-finalist squads. She was a 1941 graduate of Spartanburg Junior College and later attended Lander College.
She taught a one room school in Newry, SC for several years before becoming a homemaker. She was a longtime active member of Groveton Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA.
Surviving are two sons, H. DeWitt Blackwell, Jr. and wife, Susan of Hickory, NC and J. Mark Blackwell and wife, Lisa of Myrtle Beach; four sisters-in-law, Mrs. L. Milford (Ellen) Rice of Ninety Six, Mrs. George (Hazel) Nelson, Mrs. Gene (Marcelle) Grindle and Mrs. Harvey (Catherine) Bowick, all of Greenwood; two brothers-in-law, Harold Blackwell and Carroll Blackwell and wife Evelyn, all of Greenwood; two grandsons, J. Clayton Blackwell and Benjamin R. Blackwell, both of Hickory, NC.
Mrs. Blackwell was predeceased by her sisters, Mrs. Eddie (Alma) Seigler, Mrs. Robert (Nell) Winchester, Mrs. Tully (Sara) Graham, Mrs. William (Clara) Hanvey and a brother, L. Milford Rice.
Graveside services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. Wade Burton officiating.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 Friday evening. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Upstate SC Chapter, P.O. Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Blackwell family.


Charles Bridges

Charles David Bridges, 55, resident of 2302 Highway 221 South, husband of Virginia Elaine Ridlehoover Bridges, died Oct. 25, 2006.
Born March 29, 1951 in Washington, GA, he was son of the late Bowden Wills and Zadie Mae Brown Bridges. A Trade Supervisor with the McCormick Correctional Institute for almost 20 years, he was an avid outdoors man and was a lifelong member of the Phillips Mill Baptist Church in Washington, GA.
In addition to his wife of 34 years of the home is his son, Dan Bridges of Parksville; sisters, Carolyn Burnam of Washington, GA; Dorothy B. and husband, William T. McCord of Thompson, GA; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert E. and Doris B. Ridlehoover of Modoc.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at Plum Branch Cemetery with Reverend Robert C. Rayner officiating.
The family is at the home and will receive friends following the service at the graveside.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Bridges family.


Margaret H. Johnson

Maragaret “Gene” Hines Johnson departed this earth on Oct. 25, 2006, in the home of her daughter Becky Johnson. Gene was born Dec. 22, 1928 in Mt. Olive, North Carolina to Eugene Harvey Hines and Ruth Hatch Hines. She grew up in Greenwood, South Carolina. She was pre-deceased by her beloved “Sister” Ruth Hines Swearingen.
She is survived by her husband, James T. Johnson of Ahoskie, North Carolina and her sister, Rebecca Hines Harmon and brother, Cullen Hatch Hines and sister-in-law Norma of Greenwood, South Carolina.
She was the proud mother of three children and their spouses, James W. Lea III and wife Catherine Lea of Wilmington, North Carolina and Rebecca Lea Johnson and husband James T. Johnson Jr. and Margaret Rhett Quattlebaum and Corey Quattlebaum of Ahoskie, North Carolina and the stepmother to James T. Johnson, Jr., Hugh Johnson, Mandy Johnson, Katy Lewis, and Evans Johnson.
She was “MiMi” to six grandchildren Tillery, Loftin, and Steed Johnson, Cullen Lea and Eliza and Addy Quattlebaum and step-grandchildren Lauren, Ashley, Scarlett, Jason and Michael.
Gene lived a full and blessed life. She attended St. Marys School in Raleigh and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she excelled academically, socially and athletically. She was a Tri Delt, was on the honor roll and the May Court at both St. Marys and Carolina and in 1950 was a beauty sponsor for the annual Blue White football game amongst many other honors.
She was an accomplished artist and avid sportswoman who loved to play tennis and golf and was often seen at the pool of Coral Bay condominium at Atlantic Beach and ViQuest in Ahoskie doing water aerobics. Gene was elegant, opinionated, fun loving, loyal to her friends, and devoted to her family. She lived a spiritual and Christian life. Gene was a member of the Daughters of the King of St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ahoskie.
Her children have made a donation to her alma mater, St. Marys School in Raleigh, North Carolina where a student activity room will be named in her honor. Gene’s life will be memorialized on Oct. 29, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Saint Thomas Episcopal Church in Ahoskie, North Carolina, with a celebration following at the home of Corey and Rhett Quattlebaum at 901 Memorial Dr., Ahoskie, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Marys Capital Campaign, Hospice, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, All Saints Church of Atlantic Beach or All God’s Children Church in Aulander, North Carolina.
Garrett Funeral Home Ahoskie, N.C. is assisting the Johnson Family with arrangements.


Joseph Rapley, Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Mr. Joseph Rapley, Jr., age 54, of 105 Pettigrew St., died Oct. 24, 2006 at his home. He was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and was the son of Mamie Rapley Pinson and the late Joseph Rapley, Sr. He served in the U.S. Air Force and was a retired textile employee.
Surviving are his mother of Abbeville; a daughter, Contessa R. Hill of Abbeville; a son, Damien J. Rapley of New York; sisters Mamie L. Waller of Columbia, SC, Patricia Stinson of Athens, GA, and Linda Craig of Comer, GA; brothers James T. Hill of Atlanta, GA, Michael Rapley of Abbeville and Carl Rapley of Greenville, SC; and five grandchildren.
Services will be Sunday, Oct. 29, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at Glovers Chapel Baptist Church with Rev. M.L. Taylor officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family is at the home of his mother, Mamie R. Pinson, 105 Pettigrew St.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.


Alice W. Tolbert

Alice Webb Tolbert, 81, of 328 Milford Springs Road, widow of Roy Howard Tolbert, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 at the Hospice House.
Born in Elberton, GA, she was a daughter of the late George and Cora Phelps Webb. She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School, where she was valedictorian of her graduating class and attended Greenwood College of Commerce. She retired from Bank of America after 32 years of service as an executive secretary and banking officer and was a member of I.A.A.P. (International Association of Administrative Professionals) since 1962, where she served as president of the Emerald Chapter and SC Division President. She was an active charter member of North Side Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Dorcas Sunday School Class and the Senior Citizens Group.
Surviving are two sons, Samuel Howard Tolbert of Greenwood and Terry Lee Tolbert of Anderson; a sister, Barbara Cauthen of Jekyll Island, GA; five grandchildren, Jessica L. Tolbert, Mary Elizabeth Tolbert, Luke W. Tolbert, Jonathan D.
Tolbert and Allison K. Tolbert; and two great grandchildren.
Services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday at North Side Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Watson and Dr. Jeff Lethco officiating. A private family entombment will be held following the service in Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be J. Felton Burton, Frank Setzler, Horace Culbertson, W.G. Stevens, J.W. Davis, Ray Berry and Bill Lloyd.
Honorary escort will be members of the Dorcas Sunday School Class of North Side Baptist Church and members of the International Association of Administrative Professionals.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of her son Sam Tolbert, 115 Parkwood Road, Gatewood.
It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to North Side Baptist Church, 409 Northside Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.


Caroline Whitener

Caroline McAlister Whitener, of 119 Carmel Circle, wife of Newell R. Whitener, died Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006, at Hospice House.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.


CORRECTION

For the obituary of Florence F. Richey Finley in Tuesday’s paper, there was an error in the information provided to The Index-Journal.
She was formerly married to the late B.F. Manning and the late Capt. Ralph Richey.