Decision pushed back

Blackwell’s fate to be announced April 23

April 13, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS – Residents of Ware Shoals will have to wait a week longer to learn whether suspended Ware Shoals High School principal Jane Blackwell will keep her job.
Blackwell was arrested in January on a charge of obstruction of justice. Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office investigators say she intimidated witnesses, imposed a gag order and locked down the school’s bathrooms to keep students and staff members from talking to anyone about an alleged alcohol and sex scandal involving the former cheerleading coach, Jill Moore, two squad members and two National Guardsmen.
On Thursday, the private, closed-door hearing in which Blackwell was asked to prove why she should keep her post officially came to an end. The hearing began last Friday, when the District 51 board heard 14 hours of witness statements. On Thursday the board heard an additional witness statement, plus Blackwell attorneys Billy Garrett and Lance Sheek presented a final argument.
“We finished the presentation of evidence and we presented a summation of our position on what the evidence showed,” Sheek said.
Following the hearing, the board began deliberation on the evidence it had heard. The board originally announced that it expected to have a decision regarding Blackwell at Monday’s regular school board meeting.
However, board attorney Bruce Davis said the board now has 10 days from the completion of Thursday’s hearing to make its decision. He said the decision will be announced at a special called school board meeting on April 23.
That meeting will be in the Ware Shoals High auditorium. The time has not been set.
“Because we have just (Thursday) concluded the hearing, the board has decided that it needs the 10 days provided by law in which to consider what a written decision should say,” Davis said. “There will be no decision made until the board puts its signature on a written decision.”
Davis said the board’s decision will be voted on and adopted in public on April 23.
One question that was posed to Davis Thursday was what would happen if the vote was split on April 23. There are four members of the District 51 school board, so a 2-2 vote is a possibility.
“That raises questions that I don’t wish to speculate about at this point,” Davis said.
In an article previously published by The Index-Journal, Ware Shoals Superintendent Fay Sprouse said a tie vote is a “no” vote on the issue at hand.
Sprouse excused herself from Blackwell’s hearing, as the two are first cousins. However, she did make a brief appearance Thursday, bringing the board updated agendas for Monday’s board meeting and some bottled water.
In another development, Sheek and Davis announced that a verbatim transcript of the entire hearing will be made available for the public.
“Mrs. Blackwell has given her consent for the release of a complete transcript,” Sheek said. “That will be made available at the earliest possible date.”
Davis corroborated Sheek’s claim.
“We are going to make a verbatim transcript for (the public) to read,” Davis said. “We are going to arrange for the transcript of record be placed in the Ware Shoals library and the library in Greenwood, at least, if not a bit wider than that. That way people can read all that was said.”
Davis said if people wish to have their own copy of the transcript, which is reported to be hundreds of pages long, they will be able to purchase a copy.
Davis and Sheek added that certain elements of the transcript, such as names and addresses of minors, would be omitted.
Davis said more information about when the transcript will be published will be made available at the April 23 meeting.
Blackwell’s hearing was originally announced as a public hearing, a choice made by Blackwell. However, she and her attorneys only wanted the meeting to be public if no cameras were active during witness statements.
Last Friday, after Davis requested media members at the hearing to turn their cameras off, WSPA reporter Carmen Coursey and her cameraman refused to comply. Coursey cited the desire to give the entire viewing public a look at the hearing as her reason for making the stand.
The meeting was closed shortly after, sparking an initial angry response from the crowd and a spirited debate on Freedom of Information Act laws that has lasted throughout the week.
The South Carolina Freedom of Information Act Section 30-4-90, sub-section C, reads as follows in regard to public meetings:
“All or any part of a meeting of a public body may be recorded by any person in attendance by means of a tape recorder or any other means of sonic or video reproduction, except when a meeting is closed pursuant to Section 30-4-70 of this chapter, provided that in so recording there is no active interference with the conduct of the meeting. Provided, further, that the public body is not required to furnish recording facilities or equipment.”
The case
Blackwell is accused of withholding information from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office during the investigation of former Ware Shoals cheerlading coach Jill Moore. Moore is accused of providing alcohol to a pair of then-16-year-old WSHS cheerleaders and putting them in an “incredibly inappropriate situation” concerning a sexual relationship Moore was having with a National Guardsman and one of his buddies.
According to reports released by the sheriff’s office, Moore also has admitted to investigators that she attended the Nov. 25 South Carolina-Clemson game with a group of students, got drunk and came home with a 19-year-old male student.
In previously released reports, the 19-year-old student admitted he had a sexual relationship with Moore, who is married.
Moore told investigators on April 1 — in a conversation that was videotaped — that she went to Blackwell’s house on Nov. 29 and told Blackwell about the trip to the Clemson game and getting drunk with the students. Moore said Ware Shoals High employee Betty House was at Blackwell’s home that day and could confirm the meeting.
Deputies reportedly contacted House, and House confirmed the meeting between Moore and Blackwell.
According to the sheriff’s office, on the day that Blackwell was arrested, Maj. John Murray — wearing a concealed recording device — asked Blackwell if she knew about Moore’s actions. Blackwell reportedly denied anyone had ever mentioned Moore’s actions to her.
The recording of Blackwell’s Jan. 22 conversation and Sunday’s videotaped interview with Moore have been placed into evidence by the sheriff’s office.

Health statistics grim within state

Minorities run much greater risk of dying from stroke

April 13, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

Many South Carolina minorities stand a much greater risk of suffering the adverse effects of various life-threatening diseases than whites do.
As April is observed nationally as Minority Health Month, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control has announced its own campaign to raise awareness on the issue and develop initiatives.
Health disparities exist, and DHEC is getting the word out.
“The goals include raising and expanding awareness about health disparities in minority communities and implementing strategies to address these disparities,” said Gardenia Ruff, director of DHEC’s Office of Minority Health, in a news release. “In South Carolina, minorities experience higher rates of a variety of health concerns than other populations.”
Health “numbers” facing S.C. minorities are indeed sobering.
DHEC statistics show that in South Carolina alone, minorities are nearly twice as likely to die from a stroke as whites, and are also more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes.
Meanwhile, black men in the Palmetto State are nearly three times as likely to die of prostate cancer as white men, and black women are nearly twice as likely to die from breast cancer as their white counterparts.
Health officials give varied reasons for the alarming statistics.
“There are many underlying causes and reasons for these health disparities,” Ruff said. “(Reasons) range from unhealthy lifestyles such as poor nutrition, smoking, lack of physical activity, and other risky behaviors, to unequal access to medical care and unequal health care treatment.”
Battling health disparities in South Carolina will take an elevated level of effort on several fronts as individuals, government entities and communities alike will be required to take ownership of the problem.
“What are needed are effective strategies at the individual, community, health care and policy levels that address the unique needs of the minority population,” Ruff added. “This is crucial in preventing disease, promoting health and delivering appropriate care supported by policies and programs.”
The National Department of Health and Human Services says that for many racial and ethnic minorities, good health is an elusive prospect, as appropriate health care is often associated with economic status, race and gender.
Health disparities — defined by the The National Institute of Health as “differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States” — are found in access to health care, the burden of diseases and in the number of deaths resulting from disease.
One example within South Carolina shows racial and ethnic minorities are more than two times more likely to experience diabetes than are white people, and three times more likely to die from the disease.
Six areas of health disparities have been singled out for elimination by the year 2010, and chosen because of particular long-standing disparity trends between racial and ethnic minorities and whites at varying stages of life.
Those targeted areas are infant mortality, cancer screening/management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and immunizations.

Obituaries

Matthew Baldwin Sr.

McCORMICK — Mr. Matthew Baldwin, Sr., son of the late Henry and Pensacola Baldwin, was born Aug. 31, 1939 and entered into eternal rest on April 7, 2007. At an early age he joined the Holy Spring Baptist Church, and upon moving to Illinois he joined the Bethel AME Church. He received his education in the public schools of McCormick.
He was employed with the City of Evanston, IL, for 29 years and was later employed with Budget Rental Car of Atlanta, GA. He was married to Clotell Jenkins and leaves five children, Shelia, LaNita, Matthew, Jr., Ryan and Thelma; three sisters, Betty Frazier, Evelyn (Jesse) Johnson and Doris (Joseph) Jenkins; two brothers, Rudolph (Julia) Baldwin and Barry Baldwin; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services are Saturday at 1 p.m. at Holy Spring Baptist Church, with the pastor, Rev. Robert Knox, Jr., officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Walker Funeral Home Friday evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The family is at the home of Mrs. Jesse (Evelyn) Johnson on Brown Street, McCormick. The body will be placed in the church prior to service.

Chad Calhoun

NINETY SIX — Christopher Chad Calhoun, 25, resident of 205 Lowell Street, died April 11, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, May 8, 1981, he was a son of Julius Paul Calhoun and Robin Ouzts Calhoun. He was a graduate of Ninety Six High School and was employed as a machinist with Goodrich Corp. He was a member of Siloam Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to his mother of Greenwood and his father and stepmother, Sonya of Ninety Six are a son, Cooper Chad Calhoun of Greenwood and his fiancée, Bobbie Garvin of Greenwood; a brother, Greyson Calhoun of Ninety Six; his maternal grandparents, Hebron and Edith Ouzts, with whom he made his home.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Jason Webb officiating.
Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Todd Calhoun, Steve Calhoun, Scott Calhoun, Tony Alford, Brandon Griffin, Brandon Cason, Kevin Hewitt and Blane Gunnells.
Honorary escort will be Ty Chrisley, Adrian McCarty, Wade Ouzts, Jason Speake, Jacob Starnes, Jamie McClendon, Levi Cason, Greg Wilson and Bob Foster.
The family is at the home on Lowell Street and at the home of Julius and Sonya Calhoun, 2709 Hwy. 702, both in Ninety Six and will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 3 Friday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to the Faith Home, PO Box 39, Greenwood, SC 29648.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Calhoun family.

Minerva Williams Carroll

Minerva Williams Carroll, widow of Floyd Carroll, 624 Taggart Ave., died Monday, April 9, 2007, at HospiceCare of the Piedmont. Born in Greenwood Co., she was the daughter of the late Elijah and Sallie Dean Williams. She was a retiree of Greenwood Methodist Home (Wesley Commons).
Surviving is a daughter, Hazella Davis of Irvington, NJ; 2 sons, Marvin (Linda Faye) Carroll of Greenwood, Floyd (Louise) Carroll Jr. of Broken Arrow, OK; grandchildren, Tracey McGrier, Patrick Carroll, Corey T. Carroll, Angela Hinton and Keesa Carroll; 1 brother, Henry (Fannie Mae) Williams of Ninety Six; 1 sister, Alice Anderson of Washington, DC.
Funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Old Mt. Zion Baptist Church, with burial to follow in Oakbrook Memorial Park. Rev. Clyde Cannon will officiate, assisted by Revs.
Carolyn Clark, Thessa Smith and Andy Robinson. The family at the home.
Parks Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Bob Coleman

Robert Carlton “Bob” Coleman, 61, resident of 224 West Cambridge Avenue, husband of Phyllis Diane Snider Coleman, died April 10, 2007.
Born in Tampa, FL, April 17, 1945, he was a son of the late John S. Coleman of Greenwood and the late Constance Allaire Coleman of Tampa, FL. He was a 1963 graduate of Greenwood High School and was a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Coleman had been active in real estate development in the Greenwood area for over 40 years and was owner of Coleman Realty Company in Greenwood.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a son, Johnathan Pope Coleman and wife, Erica of Memphis, TN; a daughter, Elizabeth Coleman Oliver and husband, Nick of Georgetown; two stepsons, Evan Rutter and Andy Rutter, both of Greenwood; a stepdaughter, Ann Sekanena and husband, Martin of Atlanta, GA; a sister, Karen Coleman Free and husband, Al of Greenwood; his stepmother, Leecy Goodloe Coleman of Greenwood; two stepbrothers, Bill Henry and wife, Diane of Augusta, GA, and Bunky Henry and wife, Marsha of Eatonton, GA.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Tony Hopkins officiating.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the church Narthex.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars, 5821 North Main Street, Columbia, SC 29203.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Coleman Family.

Willie Joe Dandy

HODGES — Willie Joe Dandy, 60, of 4503 Cokesbury Road, passed away Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at Savannah Heights Nursing Center.
Born in Greenwood County Dec. 8, 1946, he was a son of the late Jimmy Bell Dandy and Donella Hart Dandy. He was a member of Marshall Chapel Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon. He was a graduate of Brewer High School, Class of 1966 and a member of Masonic Lodge No. 629.
He is survived by a daughter, Monika Dandy of Greenwood; two son, Damian Dandy of Greenwood and Willie Joe Dandy of Hodges; three brothers, Pete Dandy, Harold Dandy and Eugene Dandy of Hodges; two grandchildren, Desiree Lewis and Kishawn Wright of Greenwood.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday at Marshall Chapel Baptist Church, with Reverend Eric Morton officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Flower bearers will be Ushers and friends of the family, and pallbearers will be Deacons. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Dandy family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Callie Mae McCurry

ABBEVILLE — Callie Mae McCurry, 90, resident of 408 Maple St., died Thursday, April 12, 2007, at Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Abbeville, SC, she was a daughter of the late Julius A. and Lucy Powell McCurry.
She was a retired textile employee with Abbeville Mills for many years and was a loyal member of Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Survivors are: a son John McCurry of Abbeville, SC; 1 sister, Marie Patterson of Abbeville, SC; a brother, Jack McCurry of Abbeville, SC; and 1 grandson.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, April 14, 2007, at 2 p.m. from the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church, with the Rev. Ray Massey officiating. The burial will follow in Melrose Cemetery.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends Saturday, April 14, 2007, from 12:30 until 1:30 p.m. at the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church prior to services.
Families will be at their respective homes.
Memorials may be made to the Abbeville Pentecostal Holiness Church, 109 Barnett St., Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the McCurry family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Mary Ann Moore

McCORMICK — Mary Ann Moore, 84, formerly of 1 Holiday Road, widow of John Thomas Moore, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the Hospice House of the Piedmont. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Henry and Annie Bell Prince. She retired from Self Regional Healthcare as an Environmental Service Tech. She attended Living Word Tabernacle of Faith.
Survivors include one son, Marshall Prince of Central Islip, NY; two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Betty) Vaughn of Greenwood and Eddie Mae Holloway of Greenwood; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Memorial services are 2 p.m. Saturday , April 14, 2007, at Living Word Tabernacle of Faith, conducted by Bishop Bernard Newsoms. The family is at the home of her daughters, Betty Vaughn, 521 Marion Ave. and Eddie Mae Holloway, Apt. A-2, Holly Tree Apts. In lieu of flowers, donations may be contributed to Living Word Tabernacle of Faith. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc., is in charge of arrangements.

Amos Coleman Nicholson

Amos Coleman Nicholson, 60, of 571 Maxwell Avenue, husband of Beatrice Sanders Nicholson, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Johnny Nicholson and Callie Coleman Nicholson. He was formerly employed as a Resin Tech at NSO Resin and a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church. He was a member of Clemson Extension and received the Best Farmer Award in 1998 and Certificate of Achievement Award from Mathis Street Community Club.
He is survived by, in addition to his wife of the home, two sons, Anthony Nicholson and Derrick Nicholson, both of Greenwood; two daughters, Lorraine Ross of Greenwood and Diane Mathis of Saluda; one brother, John Henry Nicholson of Bradley; six sisters, Margaret “Snookie” Nicholson, Mary Nicholson, Rosa Roundtree, Janie Talbert, all of Ninety Six, Alma Nicholson and Susie Culbreath, both of Greenwood; five grandchildren, one reared in the home, Detravious Andre Ross; and two great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Saturday at Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home Chapel, with Reverend Dr. Willie S. Harrison officiating.
Burial will be in Evening Star.
Flower bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family. The family is at the home. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Nicholson family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Kamayia K. Self

Infant Kamayia K. Self died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
She is survived by her parents, Katara Covin and Thomas O. Self, both of Greenwood; brother, Altedrius Evans of Greenwood; maternal grandmother, Gwendolyn Hill, Ware Shoals; paternal grandparents, Darlene Lake Self and Larry Lake, both of Greenwood.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Friday at Christian Hope Baptist Church. The family is at the home.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals, is in charge of the arrangements.

Willie E. Smith

WARE SHOALS — Willie Edward Smith, 54, of 10 Pearl St., died Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at his home.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Shameka Rouse, 40 Heritage Circle, Donalds.
Services will be announced by Robinson-Walker Funeral Service.

Rev. Gene Thrasher

ANDERSON — Rev. Eugene “Gene” F. Thrasher, age 74, husband of Lorene Branyon Thrasher of 103 Donaree Drive, Anderson, SC, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson, SC.
Born in Anderson, SC, on May 4, 1932, Rev. Thrasher was the son of the late Franklin Thrasher and Lula Patterson Thrasher. He formerly pastored in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Illinois, Maryland, Ohio and South Carolina and presently at Whitehall Church of God in Greenwood, SC. He was also a former chaplain with the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Survivors include his wife, Lorene Branyon Thrasher of the home; sons, David Thrasher and his fiancée, Marilyn Murphy of Temple, GA, Bobby Thrasher and his wife, Tanya of McDonough, GA; daughters, Linda Kelley and her husband, David of Hampton, GA, Teresa Hobby and her husband, Eddie of Jonesboro, GA; stepson, Randy Dean and his wife, Von of Anderson, SC; stepdaughter, Beckie Steele and her husband, Stan of Winnsboro, SC; sisters, Juanita Pearson, Frances Couch and Millie Daniel, all of Anderson, SC, and Shirley Poel of Rocky Mount, NC. Seventeen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren also survive.
The funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 14, 2007, at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home, officiated by the Reverends Cliff Waters, Bob Philyaw and J. B. Vanderford.
Members of Whitehall Church of God will serve as honorary escort. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson, SC.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, April 13, 2007, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
The family will be at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Whitehall Church of God Baptistry Fund, 1625 Highway 221 South, Greenwood, SC 29646.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.
The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Pearl Turner

NINETY SIX — Pearl Turner, 98, former resident of Ninety Six, died Tuesday, April 10, 2007, at the Henry Medical Center, Stockbridge, GA.
Born in Saluda County, she was a daughter of the late Albert and Ora Alene Smith Turner. She was a member of First Baptist Church of East Point, GA, and was a long time member of Temple Baptist Church.
Surviving are a sister, Ora Turner Adams of McDonough, GA; a brother, Jessie Turner of Greenwood; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with the Rev. Johnny McDaniel officiating.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of East Point, 2813 East Point Street, East Point, GA 30344.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Dot Howard Walker

Dorothy Bolton “Dot” Howard Walker, 84, recent resident of Morningside Assisted Living, wife of L.G. Walker, died April 12, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, Jan. 20, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Herbert L. and Anna Fowler Bolton.
She was a 1940 graduate of Greenwood High School and was retired from the South Carolina Highway Department, Department of Engineering. She sang for many years with the Two Dots and a Dash Group.
A member of West Side Baptist Church and the Evelyn Ford Sunday School Class, she was also a longtime member of the church choir. She was also a member of the Professional Secretaries Association.
Mrs. Walker was first married for 53 years to the late Robert Inman Howard, Sr.
Surviving in addition to her husband of Greenwood are a daughter, Pam H. Strieter and husband. Steve of Florence, KY; two sons, Bob and wife, Julia Howard of Woodruff and John and wife, Susan Howard of Greenwood; two sisters, Frankie B. Terry of Fuquay-Varina, NC, and Faye B. Turner of Albany, GA; a sister-in-law, Dorothy M. Bolton of Greenwood; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Saturday at West Side Baptist Church, with Rev. Hal Lane officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Steve Terry, David Turner, Bruce Bolton, Buddy Bolton, Gene Howard, Andy Anderson, Kevin Anderson, Davey Bolton, Casey Bolton and Ronnie Anderson.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The family is at the home, 120 Clifton Street, and will receive friends at the church from 1 to 3 Saturday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to West Side Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 216, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.

Rev. James Wiegman

The Rev. Grover James Wiegman, 64, of 210 Bypass 225, husband of Kathryn Ann Lee Wiegman, died Thursday, April 12, 2007, at his home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Lee Wiley

Lethemn “Lee” Atkinson Wiley, 78, of 212 Woodland Way, widow of David Samuel Wiley, died Thursday, April 12, 2007, at Hospice House.
Born in Roanoke, VA, and living in Baltimore, MD, for many years, she retired from Sears after 31 years of service. She was a member of Mathews United Methodist Church.
Surviving are 14 nieces and nephews, 19 great-nieces and nephews and 10 great-great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. G. Thomas Cartledge officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be James Butler, Bobby Atkinson, Jerry Davis, Charles Brown, Andy Wanto and Woody Haynes.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home of a niece, Janie and Cam Gulledge, 108 Portsmouth Road, Wellington Green.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Hospice House, HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Opinion

‘Reform’ not really reform as DOT power stays as is

April 13, 2007

How long has the South Carolina Highway Department been involved in controversy? How long has it been in existence?
The Highway Department has been split into two separate entities - Departments of Transportation and Highway Patrol - but the DOT can’t seem to avoid controversy. The most recent charge of money being wasted created a clamor for reform. Whether that clamor came from the taxpaying public or the State Legislature might be debatable.
One thing has become obvious, though, no matter what has recently transpired. Reform in one of the most expensive departments in state government is still needed. Gov. Mark Sanford asked that authority to hire and fire the executive director of the DOT be given to the governor to enhance accountability.

THE STATE SENATE APPROVED a measure that would, in effect, make some changes but DOT control would remain in the hands of lawmakers. It would be deceptive: change, yes, but control change, no.
The House passed a different version of “reform,” but what comes out of a conference between Senate and House members to arrive at a final “reform” plan is anybody’s guess.
Accountability? That’s anybody’s guess, too.
State lawmakers obviously don’t want to reform. They want to retain control. That way their influence on how much money is spent and where it is spent rests with them. That simply means business as usual. And history proves that’s not always in the interest of all taxpayers but favors those whose lawmakers can bring the most influence to bear on DOT projects and spending.

CONTROVERSY BETWEEN THE governor and lawmakers is nothing new, of course. South Carolinians old enough to remember when the late Olin D. Johnston was governor, back in the 1930s, or those who study state history, recall the battle he had with the courts, the Legislature and the Highway Commission over a road bond issue and authority. Johnston called out the National Guard, declared martial law, drove the Commission from its offices and seized highway funds from several Columbia banks.
Gov. Johnston lost that battle and, as they say, the rest is history. The Legislature still controls the DOT and the Senate decision on “reform” reiterates that. As long as that continues, controversy is not likely to go away. And accountability? How will taxpayers know who to hold accountable when control rests in the hands of so many?