His dream still lives on

Officials share how King influenced them

January 14, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the nation’s most respected and revered civil rights activists, giving hope to millions by leading non-violent protests and delivering rousing speeches in the name of racial equality up until his assassination in 1968.
On Monday, people around the nation will reflect on King’s work and legacy as his birthday is celebrated with a national holiday. Many prominent members of Greenwood’s African-American community recently reflected on King’s life.
Mayor Floyd Nicholson credits King for paving the way for him to be able to get involved in politics.
“You know, I’m in the position I am because of the contributions of Dr. King during the civil rights movement,” Nicholson said. “It is because of the efforts of him and other activists that we are able to work together with equal opportunity toward the American dream.
“It’s inspirational to think about the things we can all accomplish if we work together.”
Greenwood School District 50 Superintendent Darrell Johnson said he has admired King over the years for the character and intelligence he displayed throughout the struggles he went through. Johnson said King’s works transcend race.
“The things he stood for mean a lot to me,” Johnson said. “But his message applies to everyone, to all races. It is a message of fairness and equality for all of humanity.”
As has become customary, several King celebrations are planned around the Lakelands throughout the weekend and Monday. County council member Edith Childs has been busy organizing one such event.
Childs has been helping coordinate the Children’s MLK Day Celebration, which is set for 5 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Post 224. She said there will be a music program and door prizes for the children.
“There are always programs for adults on Dr. King’s birthday,” Childs said. “We wanted to do something for the children. I think it’s going to be great.”
Childs said she thinks the events surrounding King’s birthday are appropriate.
“I’m so pleased with it,” Childs said. “Dr. King’s legacy will be long remembered by all, not just blacks or whites. He had the foresight to stand up for what America needed at that time.”
Greenwood County Councilman Gonza Bryant said he thinks he is participating in King’s vision.
“I feel like I have actually been able to partake in his dream,” said Bryant, who has served on county council for 18 years. “I’ve been able to take ownership of that. I’m the first, and only, black man to have served as chairman of county council here in Greenwood. Of course, Dr. King’s work led the way for things like that to happen.”
Johnson said he has noticed the increased emphasis that has been placed on the holiday over the last several years.
“I’m very encouraged by that,” Johnson said. “What I like to see is people united on all fronts, a community working together for continuous improvement. I think you are starting to see that with people recognizing this holiday.”

On the same frequency

Amateur radio fans ‘ham’ it up during festival

January 14, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Emmie Patience, of Belton, lived out her name during Hurricane Hugo in 1989.
She was on her ham radio for eight days straight, acting as net manager for a network of radio operators during and after the hurricane, which devastated parts of Puerto Rico, South Carolina and North Carolina.
Patience and other radio operators got word to people out of state and across the country who were worried about their loved ones while telephone lines were down.
People could get their information about Hugo from TV, but most wanted to hear from eyewitnesses, she said.
Patience didn’t mind talking on her ham radio every day for more than a week.
“Well, when you know you’re helping somebody, you don’t think about the time,” she said.
Her passion for ham radio stretches back 27 years, so it wasn’t surprising that she came to the Greenwood Hamfest Saturday at the Greenwood Civic Center.
Hamfest was created as a way for ham radio hobbyists to meet other “hams” (lingo for radio operators), attend forums and buy radio equipment, said David Zugsberger, president of the Greenwood Amateur Radio Society, the sponsor of Hamfest.
While ham radios become essential during disaster relief, hams are mainly in it for the hobby and the chance to talk to people around the world.
“It’s something we do because we like to do it,” Zugsberger said.
Hamfest brought about 350 people from all over the South to Greenwood Saturday.
People are required to have Federal Communications Commission licenses before they can be hams, but Zugsberger said it was harder to get one when he started in 1970.
The word “ham” used to be a derogatory term for the operators, but enthusiasts have adopted it for their own.
Zugsberger said.
Getting into ham radios can be cheap or expensive, depending on how much you want to spend.
“It’s kind of like fishing,” Zugsberger said.
But the main reason so many people come to Hamfest is the fellowship, Zugsberger said. Sometimes hams only meet each other in person once a year at conventions.
The hobby attracts people who grew up in ham radio’s heyday, when it was the equivalent of today’s Internet, but younger folks are getting involved as well, Zugsberger.
Paul Walker Jr., of Abbeville, works as operations manager and program director for WABV-AM, but he was encouraged to come out to Hamfest by his friend Chris Johnson, of Taylors.
Walker said most people his age don’t know what ham radio is, but he’s interested in getting his license so he could talk to people around the world.
Hams are friendly, so Walker doesn’t think it would be hard to talk to other operators.
Johnson’s been a ham since 1973 and has talked to people as far away as Africa.
He said he uses his ham to talk to people all over the world instead of using the Internet or a cell phone, because it takes a knack to work a ham radio.
“I could just as easily talk on the cellphone, but what is the challenge in that?” Johnson said.

Credit change concerns teachers

Dual-credit classes getting same weight as AP courses

January 14, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Several Greenwood High School teachers are upset about a decision made by the state board of education last week that affects Advanced Placement classes.
The state Board of Education decided to stick with its September decision to give high school students who take dual-credit classes at colleges the same credit as AP and International Baccalaureate courses, according to The State newspaper.
Beginning in August, students who take dual-credit courses can get the same points for class-ranking calculations as students who take nationally recognized AP and IB courses.
State scholarship awards are linked to grade point averages, according to The State newspaper.
Katie Bradley, an AP English teacher at Greenwood High who has taught AP English Literature and Composition for 15 years, said she and her AP teaching colleagues are upset about the board’s refusal to overturn the decision.
Educators lobbied state school board members to change their minds about the decision, which was adopted as an amendment during September’s meeting, according to The State newspaper.
These educators think AP and IB classes are understood by colleges to be more difficult, and thus deserve extra weighting.
In a letter to the state Board of Education protesting the September decision, Bradley said the curriculum guide for Piedmont Tech’s English 101 and 102 doesn’t match the amount or level of work her students complete in her AP English class.
For example, the dual-course English classes at Piedmont Tech don’t require any summer reading, while her AP students have to read two novels and two plays during the summer prior to their senior year.
The board did change the uniform grading policy it amended last fall, according to The State newspaper.
Beginning with the 2007-08 school year, grade-point ratings will be figured to three decimal points instead of two and won’t be rounded higher.
College orientation courses offered in dual-credit programs will not be eligible for the points, according to The State newspaper.
Bradley said AP teachers expect a mass exodus of their students next year, as they opt to take dual-credit courses at Piedmont Tech.
The problem, she said, is that students who plan to attend private schools like Erskine College and Presbyterian College can’t always transfer their Tech credits.
“It is a ludicrous scenario in terms of actual learning and college preparation,” she said. “(Piedmont Tech) does not even teach two of these courses within 90 days.”
The turn-around time for dual-credit teachers at Greenwood High will be ridiculous, Bradley said.
“The limited time span restricts a teacher’s evaluation and feedback time,” she said.
Bradley, however, thinks motivated and hard-working students will continue to take the AP courses.

For Erskine’s basketball squads, it’s youth gone wild

Talented freshmen starting for the men’s, women’s teams

January 14, 2007

By RON COX
Index-Journal sports editor

DUE WEST ­— The coaches Peeler are instituting a youth movement for the Erskine College basketball programs.
Husband-and-wife duo Mark and Maggie Peeler, the Erskine men’s and women’s basketball coaches, between them have a starting five of players who were enjoying the high school life only a year ago.
Freshman Brandon Wright has been in the Fleet’s starting lineup from the start of the season. But recently the Goose Creek native was joined in the starting rotation by fellow freshmen Jay Boulware and Victor Street Jr.
“I didn’t even expect one freshman to start, much less three of us to be out there,” said Wright, who leads the Fleet with 39 3s made and 312 minutes played. “I worked hard over the summer, but I didn’t expect it to be like this. I didn’t expect to play as much as I have been. It’s been a surprise to me.”
Like Wright, Audrey Timmerman has been on the floor to begin all nine of the Lady Fleet’s games, while her roommate Mary Ann Langford has started in all but one.
Maggie Peeler’s decision to start Timmerman and Langford didn’t raise too many eyebrows, as the two first-year college students are among the team’s leaders in several statistical categories.
Timmerman, a former Aiken standout, is second on the team in scoring average, with 12.6 points per game, while leading the Lady Fleet in 3-pointers made (23), free throw percentage (83) and assists (19). Langford, a native of Lagrange, Ga., leads the Erskine women in field goal percentage (64.4) and is fourth in points (7.7) and rebounding (3.9).
Likewise on the men’s side, it was a no-brainer for Mark Peeler to have Wright in his starting lineup.
Wright, the two-time all-state player at Goose Creek, is second on the Fleet in scoring and rebounding averages at 16.6 and 3.4, respectively.
He has scored 20 or more in the team’s last two games, including 25 in Thursday’s loss to Pfeiffer. Wright had a season-high 26 in the win over Francis Marion earlier in the season.
But the men’s coach might have raised more than just eyebrows when he inserted Street and Boulware into his starting five following the Fleet’s December loss to Newberry.
Street and Boulware are averaging about two points a game combined.
But Peeler has the two in for other reasons.
“I felt like those three guys bring so much energy,” Peeler said. “We seem to get after it more when they’re out there. They may be a little raw, but I felt like the more experience I can get them starting, the better for the program. We were just searching for a little more energy.”
But Peeler, who substitutes as much as your typical hockey coach, knows it’s not as much where you start but where you finish.
Street, the 5-foot-10 1/2 point guard, and Boulware, the 6-foot-3 defensive specialist, are adjusting to the change. Not only the change into the starting lineup but also the change to the college game.
Boulware was the primary go-to player for Chester last season, averaging more than 16 points an outing. That’s a far cry from the 0.8 scoring average this season.
“I don’t have a problem not shooting that much,” Boulware said. “We have a lot of people where it’s their role to score.
“It’s a lot easier to do just one thing. I have a lot less responsibility. I can focus more on my role.”
Street was the everyman, playing four different positions last season for Rock Hill, which defeated Wright’s Goose Creek squad for the Class AAAA state championship. Now, he’s settling in as the Fleet’s point guard.
“I played all of the positions in high school and I can’t do that here,” Street said. “Now, I can only play the guard position. I can’t play down low.”
Despite Wright’s start to the season, the 6-foot-2 freshman is adjusting to playing at the next level as well.
“I was real nervous at first,” Wright said. “I’m still nervous some times, like when we go to other gyms, but once the game gets going, I’m fine.
“The game is a whole lot faster in college, but on this team, I don’t have to do so much of a leading role like I did in high school. I get to sit back and play my game.”
Like Boulware and Street on the men’s side, Langford was surprised at her insertion in the Lady Fleet’s starting lineup. And like those two guys, the 5-9 forward has learned to accept a new role from the one she was used to in high school.
Langford was a part of what she called a “Big 3” at LaGrange Academy, with all three going on to play at the college level. She led the team with more than 20 points a night.
“Coming into college, I didn’t know what to think,” Langford said. “I don’t expect to score 20 a game. I just want to go out there and do what the coach needs me to do.”
The possibility of the two roommates playing alongside on another for the next three years is something the two are looking forward to.
“I really enjoy playing with Mary Ann,” Timmerman said, “I’m really looking forward to the next few years because of how we’re going to be gaining experience and I know coach will be bringing in some more good young players.”

Opinion

Hateful rhetoric reaches, affects all of the people

January 14, 2007

The negative campaigning that defines so much of politics these days, in South Carolina and all across the nation, affects more than just the attitudes of voters.
Voters, to be sure, are increasingly turned away by the constant exercises in character assassination that so many candidates and their party chairmen engage in.
That eventually is sure to be accepted and emulated by the people in general. The constant negativism, from every political direction, damages more than we might imagine, too.
The cancer within takes a bigger toll with every passing election. The destructive effects accumulate with time.

THE LONG-TERM CONSIDERATION, then, should be about how it could permanently rip apart the very fabric of civil society. The debilitating effect of the threat within diminishes the American character, not to mention the ties that bind us as a people and nation.
There have always been disagreements where partisan politics is concerned. In recent times, though, the rancorous rhetoric has grown increasingly hateful.
Debating serious issues seriously has given way to petty and abusive name-calling that further erodes civility, and that, in turn, leads us further down the road to self-destruction. For example, critics of President Bush have made a career of gratuitously questioning his intelligence ..... and worse.
The major political players and their surrogates ought to see the obviously negative results of their pandering and realize where they are leading the nation.

WHAT THEY ARE DOING IS NOT an ingredient of common effectiveness or even something to support optimism. It tears down instead of building up, and that’s not just a national situation. The nastiness among us was evident during the 2006 political campaigns in South Carolina as well.
Now is the time, while people are making resolutions, to devote ourselves to repairing the damage that has resulted from our egotistic grabs for power, It’s safe to say that the majority of Americans have had it with the constant bickering and finger-pointing. It’s also safe to say they want and are likely to demand a more civil approach to how we govern ourselves, naturally. Most of all, though, they have shown they want us to get along, with everything that implies.
Listen to the people. They usually know what’s right.

Obituaries

Joyce Bolen

MT. PLEASANT — Joyce Argo Bolen, resident of 1804 Great Hope Drive, wife of Charles Steven Bolen, entered into eternal life on Jan. 13, 2007, at Hospice House of Greenwood.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late George C. and Rebecca Bradberry Argo of Lake Secession.
Surviving in addition to her husband are a daughter, Georgia Caudle and husband Billy of Charleston; a son, Jim Brown and wife Codey of Gastonia, N.C.; and a stepson, Will Bolen of Taylors; a brother, Ron Argo of Greenville; grandchildren, Madison Brown McElheney, Blake Steven Brown, Catherine L. Caudle and Rosalyn R. Caudle.
Joyce was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, caregiver, and servant of her Lord. She attended Furman University where she earned her RN degree. She held the distinction of Certified Occupational Health Nurse Specialist. She was a recipient of the Occupational Health Nurse of the Year in South Carolina and held offices in the SC Occupational Health Nurse Association. Joyce served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross and was a former member of Berea Friendship United Methodist Church in Greenville. She retired from Duke Power and worked part time at Geschmay Corp. in Greenville before relocating to Mt. Pleasant.
A memorial service honoring the life of Joyce A. Bolen will be conducted at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel in Greenwood. The family welcomes friends for visitation immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Greenwood, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
To make online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Bolen Family.

Earle Evans

WARE SHOALS — Earle Evans, 87, of 33 Sullivan St., died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at his home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Holloway’s Funeral Home Inc., Belton.

David Gable

IVA — Maben David Gable, 81, of Iva, formerly of Anderson and Greenwood, widower of Joyce Lark Gable, died Jan. 13, 2007, at the Willow Creek Nursing Center in Iva.
Born in Troy, Aug. 5, 1925, a son of the late Thomas Maben and Mattie Bowick Gable, Mr. Gable was a US Army World War II Veteran and stormed the beaches of Normandy on D Day. He was retired from Oryon Mills in Anderson and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving is his grandson, Andrew and wife Jennifer L Gable and great-grandson, Hunter W. Gable, all of Myrtle Beach. He was preceded in death by his son, David Thomas Gable.
Graveside funeral services will be conducted Monday at 2 p.m. in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Gable family.

Richard Gentry

SALUDA — Richard Earl Gentry, 74, of 422 Bethany Road, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at Newberry County Memorial Hospital.
Born in Saluda County and a son of the late Columbus David and Lula Mae Shealy Gentry, he was the husband of Lorine Long Gentry. Mr. Gentry was a member of Dean’s Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church where he was a board member and Sunday School Superintendent. He taught Sunday School at Long’s Residential Care Center for over 28 years. He retired from Riegel Textiles, Mt. Vernon Mills, Johnston Plant with 40 years of service and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. Mr. Gentry was a Korean Conflict Veteran having served in Korea from 1953 to 1955. He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.
Surviving are his wife, Lorine Long Gentry, one son and daughter-in-law, Earl and Sherri Gentry of Prosperity; two daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Jack Roberts of Ninety Six and Beverley and Bob Bowman of Fort Mill; one brother, John Gentry of Saluda; four sisters, Jackie Wasson of Laurens, Arlee Salters, Willette Miller and Claudia Gentry all of Saluda and five grandchildren, Ethan and Eric Roberts, Matthew and Kaitlyn Gentry and Alana Bowman.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, at Dean’s Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church with Rev. Lester Hunter and Rev. Kyle Knight officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Ramey Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Dean’s Chapel Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Etta Bradley, 211 Lenora Mitchell Rd., Saluda, SC 29138

Jody Hamlett

WATERLOO — Jody Bart Hamlett, 35, resident of 1097 Dillard Road, died Jan. 13, 2007, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
Born in Charleston, S.C., Jan. 17, 1971, he was a son of Betty Campbell Hamlett and the late Vernell Cleveland Hamlet. He attended Greenwood High School and served as vice president of Simply Ceilings of Greenwood.
Mr. Hamlett was a member of Harris Baptist Church where he formerly served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher. He was an avid boater and enjoyed racing Go Carts.
Surviving in addition to his mother of Waterloo are a daughter, Summer Reid Hamlett and a son, Austin Grey Hamlett, both of Greenwood; a sister, Cheryl Hamlett Todd of Simpsonville; two brothers, Cleveland Darrell Hamlett and Clarence Bradley Hamlett, both of Epworth; eleven nieces and nephews.
Mr. Hamlett was predeceased by a son, Andrew Blair Hamlett; a sister, Everline “Lynn” Hamlett Reep and a brother, Marvin Lee Hamlett.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Monday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Frank Thomas officiating.
Burial will be in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Josh Todd, Marvin Lee Hamlett Jr., Kevin Johnson, William Faulkner Jr., Thomas Pate, John Franklin McGee, Chris Reeder, Jim Thompson and Eric McMahan.
Honorary escort will be Keith Todd and Randy Todd.
The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends at the funeral home from 6-8 Sunday evening.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 231 Hampton Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Hamlett family.

Ella F. Knox

ABBEVILLE — Ella Brooks Ferguson Knox, 90, of 103 Lee St., died Saturday, Jan. 13, 2007.
Born in Abbeville County, she was the daughter of the late James Henry and Annie Wilson Ferguson. Mrs. Knox was a housewife, a mother, grandmother and a lifelong member of Warrenton Presbyterian Church.
She was the last surviving member of her generation. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband James Wallace Knox, ten older brothers and a granddaughter.
Surviving Mrs. Knox are her two daughters, Sara K. Morgan of Abbeville and Frances K. George and her husband Charley of Greenville; three sons, James W. Knox Jr. and his wife Pam of Greenville, Frank E. Knox and his wife Marilyn of Abbeville, and Robert W. Knox of Greenwood; nine grandchildren; thirteen great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007 in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The family is at her home, 103 Lee St.
Memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Knox may be made to Warrenton Presbyterian Church 191 Watts Rd. Abbeville, SC 29620 or to the Alzheimer’s Association 521 N. McDuffie St., Anderson, SC 29621-5528.
Online condolences may be sent to the Knox family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Knox family.

George Lee Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Mr. George Lee Jr., 80, of 1024 Haigler St. Ext., died Jan. 11, 2007, at his home.
He was born in McCormick County and was the son of the late George and Lizzie Burton Lee Sr. He was a member of Mulberry A.M.E. Church, a WWII veteran and a retired plumber.
Surviving are a daughter, Lula Mitchell of Columbia; a brother, Lucious Lee of Abbeville; a sister, Evelina Allen of New Haven, Conn.; a granddaugher, Andrea Frasier; a great-granddaughter, Mercedes Gantt.
Services will be Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Mulberry A.M.E. Church with the Rev. Wanda Aull officiating.
The family is at the home.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Foster McLean

APOPKA, Fla. — John Foster McLean, 70, of Apopka, Fla., formerly of Greenwood, husband of Mary Heinzen McLean, died Jan. 11, 2007 in Apopka, Fla.
Born in Greenwood, Mr. McLean was a US Air Force Veteran and was of the Christian Faith. Serving as Stewart at Walt Disney World, he was a member of Local Union #385.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are daughters, Vickie McGill and husband Thomas of Heathrow, Fla., Frostee Flavin and husband Tim of Geneva, Fla., Tanja and husband Robin of Mt. Vernon, Ohio and Kathryn Hancock and husband Samuel of Apopka, Fla.; grandchildren, Rex Shawn Walker of Atlanta, Ga., Tyler James Flavin, Heaven Leigh Flavin and Marie Flavin all of Sanford, Fla., Kendra Lanae Ross, Lacy Michelle Ross and Thomas Ceth Ross all of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, Thomas Ceth McGill of Heathrow, Fla. and Keeley Alberta Hancock and Kerrigan Foster Hancock, both of Apopka, Fla.; sisters, Ruth Snelling and husband Ronnie of Greenwood, Turner Rushton and husband Henry of Goldsboro, N.C.; maternal grandmother, Pat McLean. He was preceded in death by brother, Gartrel McLean and sister, Mary Lou Keogh.
Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. from the chapel of Loomis Funeral Home in Apopka, Fla. and will be announced later in Greenwood.
Those desiring may make memorials to Hospice of the Comforter, 480 West Central Parkway, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 in memory of Mr. McLean.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com or www.loomisfuneralhomes.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Greenwood and Loomis Funeral Home in Apopka, Fla. is assisting the McLean family.

Slick Summey

GREENVILLE — Leonard R. “Slick” Summey, 83, of 225 Courtney Circle, husband of Bert Vickery Summey, died on Friday, Jan. 12, 2007.
Born in Transylvania County, N.C., he was a son of the late Hubert and Ethel Burns Summey.
Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Judy Barksdale and Kay Smith; a brother, Roy Summey of Greenwood; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at Buncombe Road Baptist Church. Burial will be in Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Buncombe Road Baptist Church, 111 Courtney Circle, Greenville, SC 29611 or charity of one’s choice.
Thomas McAfee Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Announcement courtesy of Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.

Hattie N. Welton

PROMISED LAND — Hattie N. “Silk” Welton, 62, of 106 Lemon Tree Road, wife of James “Sam” Welton, died Friday, Jan. 12, 2007, at the Hospice Care of the Piedmont.
Born in the Promised Land Community, she was the daughter of Rufus and Lizzie Wimes Nash. She was a member of Mount Tabor Baptist Church where she served as chair person for the deaconess, youth advisor, Sunday school teacher and Missionary Society. She was a graduate of Brewer High School Class of 1962 and attended North Carolina A&T College, Greensboro, N.C. Mrs Welton was a member of the Women’s Aide Society #69 and Order of the Eastern Star #337. She retired from the Department of Social Services.
Survivors include her husband of the home; parents of Promised Land; three sons, Anthony D. Welton of Alpharetta, Ga., Vanorez Nash Welton of the home and Byron J. Welton of Lee, S.C.; a sister, Zelda Nash-Simpson of Woodbridge, Va.; a grandson, Austin K. Welton of Alpharetta, Ga.
Funeral services will be 12 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at Cross Road Baptist Church, Promised Land, presided by Pastor Joseph Caldwell, officiated by Rev. Bernard White and assisted by the Revs. Willie Neal Norman, Bruce Norman and Krystal Bryant.
The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. Burial will be in the Mount Tabor Baptist Church Cemetery.
Honorary escorts will be the Women’s Aide Society #69 and Stella Chapter #337 OES.
Flower bearers will be nieces and Mt. Tabor deaconess; pallbearers will be nephews and Mt. Tabor deacons.
The family will receive friends Monday 6-7 p.m. at the home.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is assisting the Welton family.