2 facing charges

Total of 3 men now charged in reported sexual assault

June 28, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Two more arrests have been made in a case in which two teen girls were reportedly sexually assaulted early Sunday.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office has arrested Jason Miller Bush, aka “J.B.,” 24, of 27 Dairy St. in Ware Shoals, and charged him with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Deputies also arrested Lamarcus Alexander Stewart, aka “Soldier,” 18, of 203 Indian Branch Road, Hodges, and charged him with two counts of criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
The sheriff’s office had previously arrested Charles Steven Bullock, 20, and charged him with criminal sexual conduct with a minor.
On Sunday morning, the first victim in the case told deputies she was raped at a Park Terrace apartment near Highway 25 late Saturday night and in the early hours Sunday. She said her friend, the second victim, also was raped there.
The deputy questioned the second victim about this, and she said she had been sexually assaulted.
The second victim told deputies she was contacted by Bullock while she was at work Saturday. He reportedly asked her if she wanted to come to a small party when she got off work. Bullock reportedly told the girl some mutual female friends would be at the party.
The second victim said she and the first victim sneaked out of the second victim’s house on County Line Road late Saturday night and met Bullock at the end of the driveway. In the car with Bullock were Bush and Stewart.
The victims said the three men took them back to Park Terrace. They said the female friends they were told would be there were not present.
The victims say they were sexually assaulted while at the apartment. The first victim claims she was assaulted by Bullock and Stewart.
The second victim claimed she was assaulted by Stewart and Bush.
The girls said they were eventually able to get into a bathroom at the apartment, where they locked themselves inside. They said they sent a text message to a friend, who came and picked them up.

The art of teaching

McCormick artist helps unleash kids’ creativity

June 28, 2007

By LARRY SINGER
Index-Journal staff writer

PROMISED LAND — Inside a Mount Zion AME Church activity room, 36 young people focused on organized, creative pandemonium.
Filling chairs at every long table in the room, kids of varying ages and sizes were busy tearing up pieces of colored construction paper, and with a little glue and a lot of imagination, turning their piles of modern-day papyrus into fuzzy felines.
At the front of the room, Sam Miller, a high school teacher from Augusta, Ga., kept an eye on the entire class, as the instructor, acclaimed artist Jeffery Callaham, went from table to table for one-on-one assistance.
“We’re having the kids make what we call a stat cat, which basically consists of tearing up and gluing construction paper to make a cat,” Miller said. “The kids are really enjoying themselves and having a lot of fun with it.”
The weeklong art program was put together by the Promised Land Enrichment and Development Center, and was preceded by a field trip to get the kids thinking about color, texture, patterns and design.
“On Monday we took 44 kids to Columbia to the Adventure Museum,” said Linda Cason, PLEAD director. “That was a wonderful trip because it’s the South’s largest children’s museum.”
The art class is just one branch of PLEAD’s summer enrichment program, where children ages 3 to 16 receive lessons in academic enhancement, personal growth and character education.
“With Mr.. Callaham coming this week, it’s just been a tremendous help as far as the children being able to reach inside themselves and bring their creativity out,” Cason said. “It’s just a wonderful thing to have him come here to this rural area and work with these children. Knowing that they are working with a professional artist makes them just glow.”
A secondary benefit of the program, Cason said, is the wholesome and safe haven the children have during the summer to bridge the gap between the time they get out of school and their return to class.
The trip to the museum and Callaham’s teaching services were made possible through a matching $1,900 grant from Greenwood County Arts Council.
In addition to the time spent in the classroom, Cason said Callaham prepared an extensive and comprehensive lesson plan, as well as demonstration art pieces.
“This morning, when Jeffery came in, I went to see what his plans were for today, and he showed me the art he created up until 1 a.m. to use in his class today,” Cason said. “When he showed me the cat he created to demonstrate what could be done with torn construction paper, I thought it was amazing. He creates his art from the heart.”
Mount Zion Pastor James Edward Speed Sr. said Callaham’s students unleash the creativity that, in many of the program’s participants, had been dormant.
“This program is wonderful, because it exposes our children to something that they normally wouldn’t be exposed to,” Speed said. “It gives them the opportunity to be able to exercise the creative side of their brain. It helps make each of them a whole person.”
About the only person who wasn’t stunned at the children’s enthusiasm was Callaham.
“I wasn’t surprised at all by how creative they are, and how much they’re enjoying this,” Callaham said. “I’ve never met a kid, who, when introduced to it from their perspective, doesn’t love art. Watching the kids create from each child’s individual perspective is amazing. Even though they are all creating cats, each piece of art is different.”
Jasmine Norman, 11, one of the students who was busy sticking eyes on her cat, couldn’t agree with Callaham more.
“I really like this program,” Norman said with a broad smile. “I love making art because art is pretty, it gives me something to do and I love being creative.”

Obituaries

Wendy Major Buchanan

SUMMERVILLE — Wendy Lee Major Buchanan, 36, resident of 1505 Martins Creek Boulevard, formerly of Greenwood, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at her residence.
Born in Greenwood July 12, 1970, a daughter of Robert Eugene and Roberta Gail Kuykendall Major, Mrs. Buchanan was a graduate of Piedmont Technical College where she obtained her Associate’s Degree in early childhood education and was working toward her Associate’s Degree in early childhood development. She had been the Associate Director for The Sunshine House in Ninety Six, where she worked for eight years and was currently the Director of The Sunshine House in North Charleston. She was a member of Siloam Baptist Church.
Surviving in addition to her husband of 18 years and parents of McCormick are a daughter, Britney Buchanan and son, Michael Tyler Buchanan, both of the home; stepdaughter, Michaela Vargo of San Antonio, TX; two sisters, Katherine Elizabeth Perry of Cross Hill and Kelly Ann Major of Ninety Six.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 5 p.m. from the chapel of Blyth Funeral Home, with Reverend Lee Going officiating. Interment will follow in McCormick City Cemetery in McCormick.
The family is at the home of her parents, 301 Deason Street, McCormick and will receive friends Thursday from 7-9 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those desiring may make memorials to the South Carolina Children’s Library Fund, c/o The Sunshine House, 1801 Bypass 72 Northeast, Greenwood, SC 29649, Attention: Mickie Jennings in memory of Mrs. Buchanan.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Buchanan family.

Mary Dougherty

Mary Elizabeth Adams Dougherty, 89, a former resident of Morningside Assisted Living, widow of John H. “Jack” Dougherty, died Saturday, June 23, 2007 at NHC in Greenwood.
Born in Tifton, GA, Dec. 26, 1917, a daughter of the late Patrick Polk and Lillian Trimble Adams, she was a graduate of Tifton High School. A member of Main Street United Methodist Church, she was also a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class.
Survivors include two daughters, Linda D. Burke and husband, Gene of Dayton, OH, Marli D. Thompson and husband, Marshall of Florence; son, David L. Dougherty and wife, Cynthia of Greenwood; sister, Patricia DeVane of Crystal River, FL; brother, Charles Adams and wife, Betty Lou of Statesboro, GA; seven grandchildren; and eleven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday from the chapel of Blyth Funeral Home, with Dr. Charles Adams officiating.
Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Adam Dougherty, Patrick Burke, David Miller, Tom Joiner, and Kim DeVane.
The family is at the home of her son, David Dougherty, 209 North Hill Road, and will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Those desiring may make memorials to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 in memory of Mrs. Dougherty.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Dougherty family.

Mary Helen Dunlap Norman

Mrs. Mary Helen Dunlap Norman, age 79, residing at 102 Biscayne Drive, Greenwood, SC, wife of Rev. M.B. Norman, Sr., died Saturday, June 23, 2007. She was born April 30, 1928 in Troy, SC, to the late Mr. Mack Henry and the late Mrs. Jannie Bell McDaniel Dunlap. Early in life she met Moses B. Norman and on Dec. 2, 1945 they were united in Holy Matrimony.
She was educated in the Greenwood County Public School System, receiving her High School Diploma from Brewer High School. She continued pursuing her education at Piedmont Technical College and Lander College. Later, she taught adult education classes in Greenwood, SC. She was formerly employed by the Monsanto Company of Greenwood, SC.
At an early age she joined New China Baptist Church in Troy, SC; later she moved her membership to Jacob Chapel Baptist Church of Greenwood, SC. Finally, she moved to Morris Chapel Baptist Church of Greenwood, SC, where she was a faithful member until her health declined.
She was the former First Lady of Good Hope Baptist Church in Hodges, SC, Bush River Baptist Church in Newberry, SC, and Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Edgefield, SC, where she was a devoted member and First Lady until her husband’s retirement from pastoring. She was a faithful member of the Ministers’ Wives and Widows Alliance in Greenwood, SC.
She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Moses B. Norman, Jr.; two sisters, Louise Dunlap and Mildred Dunlap; and three brothers, John Henry McDaniel, James Dunlap and Willie Dunlap.
She leaves to cherish her memory her loving siblings, Jake Dunlap of Laurens, SC, Georgia D. Atkins of Chicago, IL; one daughter, Mary Ann Norman Alexander of Stone Mountain, GA; three sons, Elder Marvin E. (Mary) Norman of Charlotte, NC, Alvin B. Norman of Colorado, Gregory A. (Cynthia) Norman of Stone Mountain, GA; one daughter-in-law, Dina Norman of Stone Mountain, GA; a devoted aunt Mrs. Alberta Middleton of Jacksonville, NC; a host of devoted and loving brothers- and sisters-in-law, Edward (Helen) Norman, Lonnie (Bernice) Norman, Joe (Dorothy) Norman, Raymond (Louvenia) Norman, Ruby Norman Evans and Beatrice (Ollie) Norman, all of Greenwood, SC; ten grandchildren, Wilts C. Alexander IV, Cassandra Norman Benton, Michelle Norman Hall, Edward B. Norman, Adrienne Alexander, Dion Alexander, Tiana Norman, Mack Norman, Seneca Norman and Maya Norman; and seven great-grandchildren, Titus Norman, Auchey’ Davis, Bakari Benton, Tristan Norman, Jalin Daniels, Genesis Hall and Charlie Norman; a devoted caregiver Mary Carter; a special cousin Jessie Hawes Jones; and a host of other relatives, friends and spiritual daughters and sons.
Services will be conducted Saturday, June 30, at 10 a.m. at Morris Chapel Baptist Church, with the Reverend Dr. Ricky V. Syndab presiding and Reverend Dr. John Berry officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 9 a.m. Burial will be in the Evening Star Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8 on Friday at the Chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. The family is at the home. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the family.

Penny Pinson

Carlisle Ray “Penny” Pinson, 62, resident of 516 Puckett Ferry Road, husband of Sylvia Cogburn Pinson, died June 26, 2007 at his home.
Born in Laurens County, Dec. 18, 1944, he was a son of Earl Ray Pinson and the late Irene Wells Pinson. He was a graduate of Ninety Six High School and attended Clemson College. He served in the SC National Guard. Mr. Pinson retired in 2000 from Solutia and was owner and operator of Penny Pinson’s Heating and Cooling.
A member and former deacon of Coronaca Baptist Church, he was also a member and teacher of the Lightbearers Sunday School Class. He was president of the Old Ninety Six District Model A Club and was a member of the Western Carolina Model A Club.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home and father of Greenwood are two daughters, Carla Pinson and Susan Sellars, both of Greenwood; two brothers, James Larry Pinson of Saluda and Fred Earl Pinson of Piedmont; a sister, Cathy Mason of Mt. Airy, NC; grandchildren, Adriannah Duncan, Ashly Sellars, Karson Pinson, Kenadie Sellars and Kaitlyn Sellars.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Wade Burton and Rev. Bernard White officiating.
Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery at Coronaca.
Pallbearers will be Sam Corley, Douglas Poole, Tommy Scott, Jerry Duncan, Fred Sprouse and Ron Gurney.
Honorary escort will be members of the Old Ninety Six District and Western Carolina Model A clubs.
The family is at the home on Puckett Ferry Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 Thursday evening.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Coronaca Baptist Church, 300 Hwy. 246 North, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences and additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Pinson family.

Elizabeth Brown ‘Lib’ Talbert

McCORMICK — Elizabeth Brown “Lib” Talbert, 87, wife of John Nixon Talbert, died June 27, 2007 in Anderson.
Born in McCormick, she was a daughter of the late Edgar and Willie Mae Andrews Brown. She was a very dedicated member of McCormick First Baptist Church and a Sunday School member. A lifetime resident of McCormick, she was a high school teacher for 20 years.
Survivors include her husband; a son, Dr. Edgar Talbert of Anderson; a daughter, Elizabeth Cosimano of Ladson; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Services are 4 p.m. Friday, June 29, at McCormick First Baptist Church. Burial is in McCormick City Cemetery.
Visitation is prior to the service, 3:30 p.m. Friday at the church.
Memorials may be made to McCormick First Baptist Church.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Opinion

American Legion baseball deserves people’s support

June 28, 2007

There are all kinds of entertainment available to anyone and everyone these days. They range from spectator to participatory. None, however, is more exciting than watching young baseball players playing the game as it should be played: for fun. It’s available right now in Greenwood, too. It’s American Legion baseball.
Sports editor Scott Bryan did a good, comprehensive job of analyzing this level of the National Pastime in a recent column in The Index-Journal. He noted the glory days of Legion baseball and at the same time called needed attention to some of the influences that are having a negative impact on the game, not only in Greenwood, but all around.
There are several factors that have to be taken into consideration when discussing the pros and cons of Legion baseball, to be sure. None are compromised to the point where they cannot be changed for the better, however.

THERE’S A SIMPLE ANSWER, too, and it provides a simple solution to keeping the young “boys of summer” in the game that is part of our history, particularly in Greenwood.
Many relative newcomers to the Emerald City may not be aware of what local Legion baseball has meant hereabouts. One year, several decades ago, the Greenwood team played for the national title. Not many teams get that far and that was a significant achievement for this area. The Greenwood team has, though the years, represented us well with consistently outstanding play. A lot of people have been integral to their success, too. That includes Legionnaires, coaches and others who’ve pitched in to provide fun times for baseball lovers and others.

OVER THE YEARS LEGION ball has remained an integral part of our summertime activities. True, with so many other distractions attendance has fallen off. That can easily be fixed, though, and it should be.
Players give their all on the field and let everyone see - opponents and fans alike - that baseball is indeed alive and well in Greenwood.
We support many things in Greenwood. Why not Legion baseball? It’s more than just a game, too. It’s lessons in life, in sportsmanship, in getting to meet new friends, whether on the diamond or in the stands.
Take in a game. Chances are it will create a strong desire to see more. It’s worth it to the players, to be sure. Become a fan - an attending fan - and it delivers more than anyone might expect ..... and it will be good, clean fun. Where else, these days, can that happen?