Vehicle hits girl on S.C. 72

Abbeville man charged with felony DUI

March 17, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

ABBEVILLE — Stephanie Ware couldn’t believe her eyes.
Lying there in the middle of a four-lane highway was the broken and bleeding body of a 12-year-old girl.
Just seconds before Ware’s arrival, the child had been trying to cross the four-lane highway — Greenwood Highway or S.C. 72, a roadway she had likely crossed hundreds of times while living on nearby Morse Avenue — with some family members, when a vehicle slammed into her.
There were several cloudy moments, mostly dominated by the shock, preceding the arrival of emergency personnel to such a chaotic scene.
Reality jarred Ware back to the present — GO! HELP!
So she and a friend did just that, joining other passersby — the incident happened between O’Reilly’s Auto Parts and the Cherokee Trail Service station — in a race to see who could dial 911 the quickest.
“We saw a lot of people swarming to the middle of the road,” Ware said. “My friend ran out into the middle of the road and I immediately called 911. The little girl was conscious. People around her were talking to her.”
Law enforcement and emergency personnel arrived minutes later.
“It was pretty shocking to see a child lying there in the middle of the road,” Ware added. “Her shoes were there, but they were probably 20 to 30 feet away from her body.
“She was bleeding and it was running out onto the road. I’m a teacher. ... When you see something happen to a child, you want to do whatever you can.
“Your first reaction is just to go and do what you can.”
The victim was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Greenville, where the last report on her condition placed the young girl in intensive care.
The incident occurred around 8:12 p.m. Thursday on S.C. 72, in a turning lane directly in front of the Cherokee Trail station.
City of Abbeville police officers have arrested Ronald Wharton, 42, of 124 Sherard Circle in Abbeville. After determining Wharton allegedly was intoxicated at the time of the incident, he was charged with felony DUI.
“The young girl tried to cross the road with family members and a vehicle struck the female in the roadway and injured her at that time,” Abbeville City Detective Curtis Killian said Friday. “A person passing by saw the incident and assisted by calling 911. She was taken by helicopter to a hospital in Greenville.”
Killian said Wharton told police he had consumed alcohol.
“(Wharton) admitted to officers that he had been drinking that day and the night before,” Killian added. “Blood and urine samples were taken from him and he was charged at that time.”
Wharton, appearing in a dazed and weakened state, was arraigned Friday afternoon around 5:30 p.m. at the City of Abbeville Police Department before Judge Albert Sparrow.
Sparrow explained the charges and possible penalties — a fine of between $5,000 and $10,000 and from 30 days to 15 years in prison.
Wharton stated that “I wasn’t drunk.”
Sparrow placed Wharton — who utilized his right to a preliminary hearing — under a surety bond of $225,000 before informing the court that the child was still in intensive care in Greenville, and that the charges against Wharton could change should her condition deteriorate.
A court date was set for April 23.
The Index-Journal was unable to contact members of the immediate family Friday. Some members of the young girl’s extended family did report her prognosis for recovery was encouraging late Friday.
Stephanie Ware did her best just to get some sleep Thursday.
She and her friend had planned to paint when they returned to her home Thursday night, but that never happened.
Neither woman could keep a paint brush steady enough.
“When we got back and grabbed the paint brushes we knew there weren’t going to be any straight lines for us so we called it quits,” she said. “It’s just something you’re not used to seeing — the body of a little girl laying there like that. Needless to say I didn’t sleep too well (Thursday) night.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. I know they’re having a rough time.”

Obituaries

Martin H. Childs

WATERLOO — Martin H. Childs, 70, husband of Bertha Davis Childs, of 2771 Riverfork Road, died Friday, March 16, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. He was born in Anderson County, a son of the late Howard R. Childs and the late Sally Woods Childs Young.
He was self-employed and of the Baptist Faith.
Surviving are his wife of fifty-two years of the home; one son, Randy Childs and wife, Gail, Waterloo; one daughter, Wanda C. Cooper, Spartanburg; one sister, Lucy Evans, Winston Salem, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by two sons, Jeff Childs, and Tim Childs.
Graveside services will be conducted Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, conducted by Sammy Lyda and Mitchell Harvey.
Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers.
The family is at the home and will receive friends Saturday 2-3 p.m. at Parker-White Funeral Home.

Shirley Cleary

Shirley Ann Howey Cleary, of 124 Kings Grant Lane, wife of Edward Francis Cleary, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2007 at her home in Greenwood.
Born in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late Milton and Leona Mosier Howey and was of the Catholic faith.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Sean Matthews.
Surviving is her husband of the home; six children, Timothy Cleary (Trish) of Marietta, GA, Sue Matthews (David) of Greenwood, SC, Robert Cleary (Charlotte) of Columbia, SC, Sharon Griffin of Greenwood, SC, Gail Richards (Jonathan) of Salt Lake City, UT, and Nancy Kosick (Byron) of Sandy, UT; eleven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Shirley had a very fulfilling life. She was raised in Detroit, MI, where she worked for Parke-Davis and met her husband of 55 years. She loved her time spent with the USO during World War II, caring for the babies at Eastside General and volunteering at Self Memorial Hospital. Shirley and Ed spent several years in Salt Lake City, UT, where she was an active member of the Newcomers Club and again a hospital volunteer. They enjoyed extensive travel and saw much of the world together. Her greatest joys were raising her six children and her roles as grandmother and great-grandmother. She was one of a kind in so many ways and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Saturday, March 17, from 4 to 6 p.m. Entombment will be at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum, with Father Timothy Tebalt officiating.
The family respectfully request that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Compassionate Friends, Lakelands Chapter or to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, both of which receive their mail at 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.

Maude C. ‘Aunt Chris’ Fleming

DUE WEST — Maude Crystalene (Aunt Chris) Fleming passed away Thursday, March 15, 2007, at the age of 84. She was born June 29, 1922 to the late Julius Glenn and Maude Davis Fleming.
For 35 years she was employed with the Anderson Auto Parts Store, formerly in Abbeville. Ms. Fleming was a member of the American Legion and VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a lifelong member of the Little Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Surviving Ms. Fleming are two nieces, Julia Ann Fleming of Birmingham, AL, and Barbara Twaddell and her husband, James of Williamsburg, VA; three nephews, Glenn Fleming and his wife, Noni of Knoxville, TN, Jack Fleming and his wife, Debbie of Due West, SC, and Robert Fleming and his wife, Joan of Due West, SC; one great-nephew, James Twaddell of Arlington, VA; four great-nieces, Charlotte and Rachael Fleming of Johnson City, TN, Natalie Fleming of Guymon, OK, and Sheila Fleming of Due West, SC.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 4 p.m. Sunday at the Little Mountain Presbyterian Church, conducted by the Rev. John Parks. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Ms. Fleming to the Little Mountain Church Building Fund, 3836 Hwy. 28 N Abbeville, SC 29620.
The family is at “Aunt Chris’” residence, 1614 Faris Road, Due West, SC.
Online condolences may be sent to the Fleming family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Fleming family.

Talmadge Hall

ABBEVILLE — Talmadge Hall, 74, resident of 103 Philips St., husband of Bobbie Jean Briggs Hall, died Friday, March 16, 2007, at Abbeville Area Medical Center.
Born in Elbert Co., GA, he was a son of the late Samuel Lee and Ruby Eliza Rousey Hall.
Talmadge was a graduate of Erskine College, having earned his BA degree. He was a retired Purchasing Agent with the City of Abbeville. He was also a volunteer to deliver Meals on Wheels for the needy. He was also a former carrier for the Greenville News for 23 years. He was also a member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church.
He was twice married, first to the late Alma Davis Hall.
Survivors are: his wife, Bobbie Jean Briggs Hall of the home; 2 sons, Darrell Hall and Greg Hall of Abbeville, SC; 1 daughter, Marlene Meadows and her husband, David of Greenwood, SC; 2 sisters, Erma Lee Steele of Lexington, SC, Bernice Carroll of Abbeville, SC; 2 brothers, Speed Hall of Ninety Six, SC, and Bailey Hall of Greenwood, SC; 12 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 3 p.m. from The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Alvin Hodges officiating. The burial will follow in Melrose Cemetery. The family is at the home 103 Philips St., Abbeville, SC.
The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hall family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

James L. ‘Jim’ Pruitt

ANDERSON — James Luther “Jim” Pruitt, 77, of 120 Abigail Lane, husband of Mildred Driver Pruitt, died Friday, March 16, 2007, at his home.
Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Robert Luther Pruitt and Argyll Traynham Pruitt and had been a Funeral Director with Pruitt Funeral Home for many years. He was a member of New Spring Community Church and was a graduate of Furman University. He was retired from the U.S. Postal Service and was a Veteran of the U.S. Army.
Surviving are his wife of the home; sons, James Luther “Luke” Pruitt Jr. and wife, Teresa of Columbia and Matthew Dennis “Matt” Pruitt of Perkins, Ga.; daughter, Karon P. Strickland and husband, Dusty of Greenwood; stepdaughter, Cathy H. Hanks and husband, Ronnie of Honea Path; grandchildren, Robby and Brandon Strickland, Jamie and Jeff Pruitt, Amy McKee and Nicolas Hanks; great-grandchildren, Collins and Dru Strickland and Belle McKee.
A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. Sunday in Pruitt Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Robert Beaver officiating.
Private committal services will follow.
The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m. Sunday at Pruitt Funeral Home. The family respectfully request that flowers be omitted and memorial made to The Ukrainian Mission Trip, c/o Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 1975 Hwy. 72 W., Greenwood, SC 29646. The family is at the homes of Ronnie and Cathy Hanks, 110 Fox Run, Honea Path and Brad and Amy McKee, 100 Harvey Dr., Honea Path.

Agnes Williams

Services for Agnes Williams, of 1304 Rockhouse Road, are 2 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2007, at Old Field Bethel A.M.E. Church, conducted by the Rev. Jackie Whitted. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. Burial is in the church cemetery. The family is at the home of a nephew James Daniel, 1303 Florida Ave. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Opinion

‘Values’ taught by coach big plus for ‘Bearcats’

March 17, 2007

The Lander University Bearcats basketball team came within a couple of baskets of winning in the first round of the South Atlantic Regionals the other day, even with a couple of starters unable to play. They lost to 16th ranked Virginia Union University in overtime, and the VUU team knew it had been in a battle.
This is a team that overcame some shooting difficulties and came from behind to almost pull out a win. In doing that, the team showed a quality that defines champions: Character, with a capital C.
That’s not unusual for a team coached by Bruce Evans, who has left his mark on Lander basketball in the short time he’s been here. He’s in only his third season.

TYPICALLY, EVANS GAVE credit to his players for their effort. “I can’t be more proud of our guys. I don’t think any other team had to do what we had to do to get here,” Evans said after the game. “They gave when they had nothing else to give.”
True. But give Evans thanks. The values he teaches outside of basketball - values of life - help build the character that rises to the top. He’s not only a good coach ..... obviously. He’s a good role model that puts the emphasis on the qualities that are the very essence of character.
It shows. Lander and Greenwood can be proud of Evans and his Bearcats. They’ve earned the accolades that are reserved for champions.