Her lasting legacy

Day of fun honors community advocate

July 1, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

Five-year old Jalyn Posley — an enthusiastic little boy, full of joy and spunk — traverses the grounds of Magnolia Park.
He’s having a blast, but at the same time he knows why he can enjoy himself at the park. He understands one person helped make it possible for the small Greenwood community to have a park. That person was his great-aunt.
Emma Gaskin was a proactive community member before she died Dec. 12, 2005. During her lifetime she graduated from Lander University, worked for the Burton Center (then called the Emerald Center) and was a member of several active committees. She also was on the Magnolia Park Committee.
So when Melissa Murray, Gaskin’s niece, decided to have an event in Gaskin’s honor, there was no better place to have it than Magnolia Park.
Family members, including Posley, Posley’s parents and Murray, were in attendance. They were easily spotted wearing T-shirts Murray had made the night before featuring a picture of Gaskin and a few words above the photograph that read, “Some people live saintly lives and others are saints. She was both.”
The turnout of people Saturday showed Gaskin’s impact. People came to remember her legacy and have some fun at the same time.
Gospel entertainers came, free food was on hand, games were played at the park and the nearby R.L. Stevens Center, a dunking booth was set up, and face-painting was offered. It was an all-out party in honor of Gaskin.
People also talked about what Gaskin meant to them. Deona Lindholm was one of them.
“My mom got hold of the Burton Center, at that time the Emerald Center, and Emma said to her, and I quote, ‘You bring her here and we will find a place for her, and even if there isn’t any, we will make one.’”
Lindholm explained that at the time, living in Missouri, she was very angry and had considered suicide.
“She’s the one who inspired me to do things to improve the situation for people with disabilities, not just in Missouri but in South Carolina,” she said. “So you can say my life’s done a complete 360 since then.”
Today, while living in Greenwood, Lindholm serves on a number of committees to help those with disabilities.
Registered nurse Michelle Posley, mother of Jalyn, was especially happy to see Gaskin’s legacy carried out.
“It’s very special to see that it continues with her gone,” Michelle said of her aunt. “She had an impact on this community.”
To reward others who have had an impact on the community, county councilwoman Edith Childs, Murray and others presented a plaque to Gerdaline Smith and her family for their community involvement.
Through the recognition of the work of others and Gaskin, the event — which brought more than 500 people to the park — was successful.
“It was a great-success day,” Murray said as children followed her around asking for help with their flag football equipment before a game got under way.
“It did what our plans were, and that was to remind people that Emma Gaskin needs to be recognized,” Childs said.
Jalyn might have said it even better, without saying much.
When asked what his great-aunt did for him and others, he responded, “She gave me ice cream.”
“And,” Murray began, “she taught you to always put who first? God?”
Jalyn nodded his head. “Yes.”

Players claim their turf

Northside athletes help roll out football field

July 1, 2007

By KENNY MAPLE
Index-Journal staff writer

Many young football players dream of running routes as a wide receiver, juking would-be tacklers, nailing a 45-yard field goal to win the game or diving over the goal line after intercepting a pass and then sprawling out on the end zone turf.
But how many players dream of laying out the turf to create the field?
They might not have dreamed of it before, but a group of young gridiron stars has spent the last four days rolling out the sod for the football field at the new Northside Middle School.
“Ain’t that pretty for a middle school?” Northside Middle School football coach Steve Ballard said Saturday as he gazed out upon the more than 100 yards of new, green football playing surface.
Sod-rolling volunteers Ryan Irby, Dean Duncan, Dekedre Fuller and Tramaz “Duck” Harrison had to agree, but they know it will still be awhile before they can lace up their cleats and take to the field in competition. Actually, three of the four football players will likely never play a down on the field. It won’t be used in the game setting until the following year, by which time the three will have moved up to high school.
Ballard did say the players should be able to take the field in October for practices.
When asked whether they volunteered because they thought the coach might make them run sprints once practice begins, the athletes shook their heads.
“They might think it would help them when it comes cut time,” Ballard said with a laugh.
If anything, Ballard will at least know the hard workers on his team.
“These guys actually outworked them,” Ballard said, pointing over his shoulder at the paid employees working on another section of the field.
But no matter how the work is divided, it’s on its way to completion. The workers started early throughout the week — beginning as early as 6 a.m. and working until lunchtime to stay out of the sweltering afternoon heat.
Mac McCalla, the ground supervisor for District 50 schools, calculated they’ll use 180 pallets of sod for the field. On Saturday the end zones and sidelines still had to be completed. The sod comes from the company Super-Sod out of Orangeburg.
Upon completion of the field’s surface, it will match the others in the district.
“All three middle schools have sod as well as the high schools,” said Rut Hammond, under labor contract to help maintain the ground facilities. Hammond began working for Greenwood High School in 1972. On Monday, he will start helping with all the sports facilities in the district.
But, to keep this particular school’s field in all-star shape, an irrigation system has been installed with timers to establish a schedule for the days and times it will water the field. “Hopefully we’ll get some rain to help us out,” McCalla said.
For now the district’s help comes via three young linemen and a hopeful wide receiver, as well as others who came to help the previous days.
“I’m a player for the school,” said Harrison, who hopes to play wide receiver. “I can say I helped build the field.”

His spirit serves as an inspiration

July 1, 2007

By JESSICA SMOAKE
Index-Journal intern

Ryan Cockrell is nothing less than an inspiration.
Cockrell suffered a brain injury while playing baseball for Greenwood High School on March 15, 2002. Since that day, his life has never been the same.
But instead of focusing on “what might have been” if he had not been injured, the recent GHS graduate cracks jokes and smiles constantly as he talks about everything from his high school friends and favorite rap songs to his future aspirations.
His dry humor, random impressions of mafia-like characters and witty observations about life make a career in comedy seem likely.
“My mom says that I should be a comedian,” Cockrell said. “I tell her that I’d have to be a sit-down comedian’”
His injury, and the complications since, have left him unable to walk or stand without assistance.
While this would be a debilitating problem to most people, Cockrell refuses to dwell on anything remotely negative and prefers instead to see humor in just about any situation.
Always a very sociable young man, Cockrell hasn’t let his injuries stop him from meeting and talking to other students. Pictures from his recent senior prom bring an even broader smile to his face.
“Prom was the best,” he said. “I danced the whole night and with everybody. Really, I didn’t sit down one time.”
A typical 18-year-old, he likes to watch wrestling, keep up with sports and listen to music.
His favorite artist is Toby Keith, and people who know him aren’t surprised when he suddenly bursts into an entertaining rendition of one of Big Dog Daddy’s greatest hits.
Even though Cockrell is legally blind, his condition doesn’t keep him from enjoying outdoor activities. He hunts deer every October, rides a jet ski on the lake and drives his new Polaris Ranger ATV, a graduation present from his parents.
Cockrell still loves baseball more than anything, but he doesn’t watch the games as much as he used to.
“Our life was nothing but baseball,” said Ryan’s mother, Angel Cockrell. “If we weren’t driving to games, we were watching them on television. That was all Ryan ever cared about.”
Cockrell’s favorite baseball team is the Atlanta Braves, and he has a special relationship with the team. He has met former Braves players Phil Niekro and Glenn Hubbard and has also had the chance to meet current Atlanta stars Chipper Jones and John Smoltz. Cockrell has also met former Miami Dolphin and Hall of Famer Larry Csonka.
He has received everything from signed pictures to baseballs. His room is covered in Atlanta Braves memorabilia, including a signed jersey, a picture of himself and Jones, and the most treasured piece in his collection — a picture signed by the entire team and given to him while he was in the hospital.
Cockrell gives back to the community by participating in fundraising efforts for organizations and participates in the Upstate Brain Injury Awareness walkathon and a diabetes walk.
He was given the opportunity to participate in an experiment with education majors at Erskine College. They had to figure out what type of brain disability he had and if it was the result of an injury or if it occurred at birth.
“He really liked that,” Cockrell’s mother said. “The students asked him all kinds of questions. It was really interesting.”
Also, Cockrell was given the opportunity to go to Wyoming by the Outdoor Dream Foundation and participated in a deer hunt.
Cockrell has made an amazing recovery since 2002 when his injury first occurred. He and his mother stayed in Atlanta for four months after his injury for rehabilitation. Angela Cockrell describes his recovery as a “gradual waking up process for five years.”
“He had to learn how to swallow, breathe and eat all over again,” she said.
He now travels to Greenville one day every week for physical and vision therapy.
When asked about her son’s condition, she always replies, “He’s doing good.”
To some people that may seem overstated, considering the complications that remain.
“One of my friends told me that it was so different to hear me say that Ryan was doing good,” she said. “He might not be good on a normal scale, but he has his own scale.”
The 2007 Greenwood High School yearbook included an entry dedicated to Cockrell and written by then-sophomore Megan Duggar. “(He) proved (to have) more strength and will than I’ve ever had the privilege of experiencing,” she wrote.
This seems to be the same feeling that Cockrell evokes in everyone he meets. “No matter where we are, people want to meet him and see how he’s doing,” said Angel Cockrell.
Cockrell has no feelings of bitterness about his injury. He believes that everything happens for a reason.
“This happened to me because God knew that I could handle it, and get through it,” said Cockrell.

Obituaries

Melvin Bearden

HODGES — Services for Melvin W. Bearden will be at 11 a.m. on Monday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ryan Eklund officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Michael Suggs, Andrew Suggs, John Cook, Ricky Tipton, Charlie Bearden and Marion Suggs.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 10 to 11 a.m.
The family is at the home of his sister, Barbara Kowalski, 101 Lauren Circle, Greenwood.
Memorials may be made to Hospice House, HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the Faith Home, PO Box 39, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mr. Bearden, 75, of 515 Andrews Chapel Road, Hodges, died Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Lynchburg, VA, he was a son of the late Ellerbee Alexander Bearden and Zona Caldwell Bearden Shumate. He was retired from Greenwood Mills, Harris Plant and Bloomburg Mills. He attended chapel at the Faith Home.
Surviving are a daughter, Gail B. Bramble of Oak Island, NC; three sons, Charles Thomas Bearden of Simpsonville, Larry Bearden of Hodges and Frank Bearden of Chapel Hill, NC; two sisters, Shirley Suggs and Barbara Kowalski, both of Greenwood; a brother, Wayne Bearden of Greenwood; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sons, Jimmy Bearden and Albert Bearden.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Lottie L. Cloud

Lottie Lue Cloud, 87, of 101 Peachtree Street, Magnolia Place, widow of Weldon Cloud, Sr., passed away Thursday, June 28, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Ebb and Cora Quarles Jones. She was a member of Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Order of the Eastern Star No. 418 and attended the Ninety Six Senior Citizens Center. She retired from Greenwood School District 50.
She is survived by three daughters, Christine Davis (Charles) Williams of Greenwood, Cora Lee Chappelle of Far Rockaway, NY, and Ebelle Cloud of Inwood, NY; a son, Weldon (Christine) Cloud, Jr. of Hodges; a stepson, Robert Reid of Greenwood; 26 grandchildren, five reared in the home, Barbara Cloud of Florence, Linda (Robin) Anderson of Bradley, Brenda (Timothy) Jackson and Susie (Cortez) Gilchrist of Greenwood and Melvin “Buddy” Cloud of the home; 55 great-grandchildren; 40 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Flint Hill Missionary Baptist Church, with Reverend J.R. Brightharp, Pastor, presiding. Rev. Thomas Duncan is officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery. Flower bearers and pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary escort: Women of Ninety Six Senior Citizens Center.
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 Cloud family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Margaret Hall

Margaret Ann Hall, 61, of 420 Rivers Run, Hunter’s Creek, wife of Robert “Bob” Hall, died Friday, June 29, 2007 at her home.
Born in Lundale, WV, she was a daughter of the late Howard and Agnus Depta Kitts. She was Methodist.
Surviving are her husband of the home; two daughters, Wendy Hunkins of Mt. Vernon, OH, and Candace Hurt of Tiffin, OH; six grandchildren, Josh Hunkins, Lily Hunkins, Corey Hurt, Katyee Hurt, Jet Hurt and Jace Hurt.
Mrs. Hall will be interred in Tiffin, OH.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

James Jenkins

NINETY SIX — Services for James Leslie Kelly Jenkins will be at 8 a.m. Monday at Sandridge Baptist Church, with the Rev. Marty Dorn officiating. Burial, with military rites, will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church immediately following the burial.
The family is at the home, 2505 Highway 246 South.
Memorials may be made to the account of James L. K. Jenkins, Harley Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mr. Jenkins, 67, of 2505 Highway 246 South, Ninety Six, died Friday, June 29, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Holly Grove, WV, he was a son of the late John William Kelly and Marguerite E. Hager Jenkins. He was formerly employed by Greenwood Mills and was a US Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Sandridge Baptist Church.
Surviving are his former spouse, Carol J. Jenkins of the home; four daughters, Rebecca, Cathy, Karen and Sharon Jenkins, all of Waterbury, CT; two daughters, Samantha Woods and Bobbie Jenkins, both of Greenwood; a sister; three brothers; 19 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Vera Nicholson

ABBEVILLE — Vera Cheek Nicholson, 81, resident of Abbeville Nursing Home, formerly of Abbeville Arms Apts., widow of Roderic Nicholson, Sr., died Friday evening, June 29, 2007 at the Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Anderson, SC, she was a daughter of the late W.J. and Sadie Prince Cheek.
She was a retired textile employee with Abbeville Mills after many years of service. Upon retirement, she did volunteer work with the Abbeville Senior Center. She also worked at Burger King in Abbeville, where she was best known for her famous biscuits, but one of the loves of her life was the joy that she got out of fishing with her beloved sisters. She was also a member of Friendship Baptist Church.
Survivors are: 2 sons, Roderic Nicholson, Jr. and his wife, Sandy of West Virginia and Clyde Nicholson and his wife, Karen of Abbeville, SC; 1 sister, Janie Vanadore of Abbeville, SC; 7 grandchildren, Rodney Nicholson, Billy Nicholson, Ashley Nicholson, Andrea (Beth) Busbee, Angie Childs, Jill Evans and Clint Nicholson. She had 10 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday, July 2, 2007 at 3 p.m. in the chapel at Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, with Rev. Ed Kirkpatrick officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. The family is at the home of her son Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Nicholson, 63 Finley Road, Abbeville, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. Monday afternoon prior to services.
Memorials may be made to the Abbeville Nursing Home, 83 Thomson Circle, Abbeville, SC 29620 or to a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Nicholson family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com. The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Frances Plair

EDGEFIELD — Mrs. Frances Cheatham Plair, 55, of Jeter Street, entered into rest June 26, 2007 at the Medical College of Georgia.
Mrs. Plair, a native of Edgefield County, was a member of United Church of God, Johnston. Survivors include her husband, Johnnie W. Plair; four sons, Johnnie A. Plair, Columbia, S.C., Troy D. Plair, Edgefield, S.C., Antonio M. Plair, Augusta, Ga., and Hoseau T. Plair, Aiken, S.C.; her parents, Johnnie and Catherine Lee Cheatham, Aiken, S.C.; two sisters, Sherry (Theodore) Plair, Edgefield, S.C., and Catherine (John) Reddish, Aiken, S.C.; five brothers, Johnnie Cheatham, Sammie (Jamie) Cheatham, Russell Cheatham, Tommy (Ruby) Cheatham and Willie Cheatham, all of Aiken, S.C.; 6 grandchildren; aunts, Dorothy Perry and Mary (Doc) Drumming; uncles, Rev. Dr. Jasper (Lelia) Lloyd and Albert ( Josephine) Lee; great-aunt, Sallie Thomas; a host of other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, July 1, 2007 at the United Church of God, Johnston, with Bishop Charles Booker officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery.
Family and friends will assemble at the residence at 1 p.m.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, 250 Coral St., Edgefield.

Violet D. Pressley

Services for Violet Dover Pressley will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jeff Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be grandsons.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Sunday from 3 to 4 p.m.
The family is at the home of her grandson, Steve Pressley, 1009 Briarwood Road.
Mrs. Pressley, 99, formerly of 925 Burnett Road, widow of Lyman David Pressley, died Friday, June 29, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Habersham County, GA, she was a daughter of the late Andrew and Sally Edmonds Dover. She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Surviving are four sons, Marvin D. Pressley, Dewey F. Pressley and Jerry L. Pressley, all of Greenwood and Dewitt J. Pressley of Florence; a sister, Ruth Phillips of Toccoa, GA; 13 grandchildren; and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, Roy A. Pressley. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Gary Proctor

SALUDA — Gary Proctor, 76, of 635 Hickory Grove Road, died Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Saluda Nursing Center.
Ramey Funeral Home is in charge.

Jimmy Smith

WARE SHOALS — James W. “Jimmy” Smith, 64, died Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Wesley Commons. He was born in Greenwood County, a son of the late James P. and Sue Coleman Smith. He was retired from Solutia and was a member of Ware Shoals First Baptist Church. He coached Ware Shoals recreation baseball and football for many years.
Surviving are two sons, Greg Smith, Hodges and Sandy Smith, Simpsonville; a daughter, Donna Higgins, Atlanta; two brothers, Joel Smith, Greenwood and Ronnie Smith, Honea Path; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday at Parker-White Funeral Home at 1 p.m., with Rev. Ray S. Boggs officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be Mike Smith, Tony Smith, Jimmy Ray Madden, Shannon Calvert, Charles Putman and Ralph Boyter.
Honorary escort will be Cecil Boggs, Lamar Cain, and Myron Tony Memorials may be made to Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29649.
The family is the home of Greg and Terry Smith, 1909 Miller Road, Hodges, SC, and will receive friends noon to 1 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Opinion

Only we can help solve growing animal problem

July 1, 2007

There are many people around Greenwood who have never heard of the late E. L. Caldecott. Some who remember him had their run-ins with him. to be sure. Chances are, though, they did not know the sterling character of this short man who cast a giant shadow.
Suffice it to say that Mr. Caldecott, who should be in the County Hall of Fame but is not, was the heart and soul of animal welfare and control in Greenwood County. It’s highly likely that had he not been the pioneer he was, the Greenwood Humane Society and the animal shelter would not exist ..... at least not to standing they now have. Still, today they cry out for the attention they have to depend upon to survive ..... not to mention the survival of hundreds and hundreds of kittens/cats and puppies/dogs.

MR. CALDECOTT, WHO SPENT much of his own money to support work with animals, insisted that all who wanted to adopt a cat or dog be prepared to support their new pets, economically and emotionally. That rubbed some the wrong way, but it showed, without doubt, the depth of compassion he had.
Now fast forward to today. Read the letter on the opposite page by Karen Pettay of the Humane Society. Look at the pictures of the kittens. Consider the fate that awaits them.
Now consider the emotional pain that all the people who labor at the animal shelter feel every day as they are forced to euthanize so many kittens, puppies and adult cats and dogs. It’s hard to imagine how terrible and depressing it must be.

THEN CONSIDER THIS. MR. Caldecott wrote an article for The Index-Journal each week. On the days he brought his article in, he often left with tears streaming down his wrinkled face, mourning the euthanization numbers.
That was the E. L. Candecott the public never saw. Nevertheless, this gentle man was traumatized over the losses of so many lovable creatures. He cried, without shame. Those who face the same circumstances today can be forgiven if they react the same way ..... as can many others who care about animal welfare and want, with all their heart, to find a viable solution to the growing problem. Since adoption rates have tumbled in recent times, there appears to be only one answer: spay and neuter so the rising tide of animal sacrifices can at the least be impeded ..... maybe. Animals want and need our help. Unfortunately, they can’t ask for it. It’s up to each of us.