Sirens blared, but Lakelands stayed safe

March 3, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

A storm that set off a tornado siren in Greenwood County Thursday night left some people without power, but left the county alone for the most part.
The storm, which was at its greatest intensity for 10 minutes Thursday, did very little damage to homes, said Bryan McAvoy, meteorologist for the National Weather Service office at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport.
A tornado warning went into effect at 10:16 p.m. Thursday for southeastern Abbeville County and northern Greenwood County, with the storm being strongest two miles south of Abbeville.
Tornado warnings indicate when a tornado is occurring, about to happen or is highly likely to occur, according to the NWS Web site. NWS radar showed a tornado, but one never touched the ground, McAvoy said.
“Sometimes what we see on Doppler (radar) doesn’t translate to the ground,” he said.
Civilian spotters are needed for just that purpose: to spot tornadoes radar can’t detect.
Pat Patterson, emergency manager for the Greenwood County Emergency management office, said he’d heard of more than 150 people being without power off S.C. 121 near Reynolds Street.
Mary-Kathryn Green, spokeswoman for Duke Energy, said those people lost power early Friday morning, but most people in northern Greenwood County had their electricity back by the afternoon.
She said storms such as Thursday’s can cause tree limbs to fall and telephone poles to be knocked down. Duke Energy’s Web site features a map of power outages that shows how many people are without electricity in an area.
Steve Reeves, general manager for the Commissioners of Public Works office in Greenwood, said no power went out in Greenwood, except for where a tree limb knocked out electricity to one house.
Patterson said Greenwood didn’t have any major damage, other than some flooding south of S.C. 25 because of blocked drains. He said the tornado siren went off in town once the tornado warning was issued.
“But other than that, we got away clean,” Patterson said.
High water did force the closure of U.S. 25 at the S.C. 34 off-ramp, authorities reported Thursday night.

Obituaries

A’Zendae Marquise Clark

ABBEVILLE — Master A’Zendae Marquise Clark, 10 months old, son of Rashunda Moss and Lander Clark, died Feb. 27, 2007 at Abbeville Area Medical Center. He was born in Abbeville on April 3, 2006.
Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his maternal grandparents Annie Moss and Bobby Smith of the home; his paternal grandparents Priscilla Crawford of Mt. Carmel, SC, and Carl Clark of Elberton, GA.
Service will be Monday, March 5, 2007 at 3 p.m. at the chapel of Brown and Walker Funeral Home. Burial will be in Harbison Cemetery.
The family is at the home, 506 Branch St., Apt. 630. Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Betty Ann Ellenberg

McCORMICK — Mrs. Betty Ann Wideman Ellenberg, wife of the late Thomas A. Ellenberg, Sr., died Friday, March 2 at her son’s residence.
Graveside services will be held Sunday, March 4 at 3 p.m. at the Troy Cemetery, Troy, S.C., with Revs. Charles Hopkins and Ryan Ecklund officiating.
Mrs. Ellenberg, a lifelong resident of McCormick County, was the daughter of the late Bennie C. and Reba Ellen Bosdell Wideman. She was a member of Buffalo Baptist Church and retired from Regal Mills.
She is survived by her son, Thomas A. Ellenberg, Jr., McCormick, SC.
Memorials may be made to McCormick Senior Center or American Cancer Society.
Friends may call at the residence of Thomas Austin Ellenberg, Jr., 902 Garrison St., McCormick or from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Saturday at Beggs Funeral Home, 200 May Ave., Lincolnton, GA 30817 (706) 359-4117.
Sign the guestbook at www.beggsfuneralhome.net.

Thomas H. Harvin Sr.

Thomas H. Harvin, Sr., 83, of 605 North Street, loving husband for 62 years of Mary “Polly” Holmes Harvin, died Friday, March 2, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Summerton, SC, he was a son of the late Percy B. Harvin and Susan Jones Harvin. He was a WWII US Army Veteran, surviving a Tour of Duty with the 35th Infantry Division in the European Theater. Mr. Harvin was a retired salesman with T.E. Jones and Sons, Inc. and a member of First Baptist Church, where he was in the Carpenter Sunday School Class and the NGO class. He was also an avid fisherman, outdoorsman, loving father and grandfather.
He was predeceased by two brothers, Percy B. Harvin, Jr. and Robert Jones Harvin; and a sister, Mary Harvin Casteen.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home is a daughter, Cathy Harvin Girvin and her son, Eli; and a son Thomas “Bubba” and wife, Menke Reynolds Harvin, Jr. and their daughter, Sophie; a brother, Benjamin Skinner Harvin of Greenwood; a sister, Emily Hite Grier of Due West; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church, with the Dr. Tony Hopkins and the Rev. David Evans officiating. Burial will be private.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Wingard, Pat Webb, Roger Dent, Marty Knight, Hilton Dodgen, Johnathan Gregory, Bryan Sherard, David True, Ken “Skin” Timmerman and Dr. Julius Leary.
Honorary escort will be the Carpenter Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church and Dianne Leary.
The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall at the church.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 722 Grace Street, Greenwood, SC 29649.
The family is at the home.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Estelle Cantlow Lee

JAMAICA, N.Y. — Estelle Cantlow Lee, 101, of Jamaica, New York, widow of Augustus Lee, died Feb. 26, 2007, at the home of her daughter. Services were held on March 1, 2007. Crowe’s Funeral was in charge of arrangements. Announcement courtesy of Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.

Bernard McDowell

Marshall Bernard McDowell, 80, of 122 Sherard Ave., husband of Sophie Cockrell McDowell, died Friday, March 2, 2007 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Walter Issac and Redonna Mae Parkman McDowell. He was retired from the Sloan Plant of Greenwood Mills, where he was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of W.W. II and a member of Faith Temple Pentecostal Holiness Church, where he was a member of the Adult Sunday School Class.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are three sons and daughters-in-law, Joel and Sheri McDowell and Brooks and Margaret McDowell, all of Ninety Six, and Sammy and Vickie McDowell of Greenwood; one brother, Royce McDowell of Ninety Six; ten grandchildren; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
Service will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Bobby Davis and Rev. John Turner officiating. Burial will follow in Friendship Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be David Starnes, Clyde Adams, Joe Ed Smith, Joey Miller, Mike Isbell, Johnny Cockrell, and Donnie McDowell.
Honorary escorts will be Don Lomax, Dick Harter, John Ward, Carol McCarty, Larry Reese, and Bill Coates.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends Saturday night from 6 until 8 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC, 29646.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Gennie Mae McKinney

SALUDA — Gennie Mae Farrow McKinney, 68, died on Feb. 28, 2007 in the Lexington Medical Center.
She was born in Saluda County, SC, daughter of the late Mary Mae Farrow Wells and the late James Marshall.
She was a member of the Mine Creek Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Senior Choir, Burial Aide Society and the Women’s Home Aide Society. No. 20.
She is survived by her husband, Walter McKinney of the home; four daughters, Waldene Marshall, Greenwood, SC, Regina Coleman, Peggy Brunson and Carol Brunson, all of Saluda, SC; four sons, Johnny W. Brunson and Billy Joe Brunson, both of Saluda, SC, Carson Brunson and Bobby Marshall, both of Washington, DC; two sisters, Gracie Bell Henley, Greenwood, SC, and Janie Bell Wells, Aiken, SC; three brothers, Cleveland Wells, Saluda, SC, George H. Wells, Camden, SC, and Johnny Miles, Ninety Six, SC; nineteen grandchildren; four great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mine Creek Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. George Key. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is at the home. Butler & Sons Funeral Home is in charge.

John Butler Milling Sr.

COLUMBIA — A memorial service for John Butler Milling, Sr., 89, will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Forest Lake Presbyterian Church, 6500 North Trenholm Road, Columbia, S.C. 29206. The family will receive friends in the church parlor following the service. A graveside service will be held Saturday, March 10, at 2 p.m. in Old Greenwood Cemetery, East Cambridge Street, Greenwood. The Rev. Eric Skidmore will officiate at both services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The Oliver Gospel Mission or Forest Lake Presbyterian Church. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family locally and Blyth Funeral Home in Greenwood.
Col. John Butler Milling, USAF (Ret.), died Thursday, March 1, 2007, at home. Born on Feb. 27, 1918, in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Butler Brooks Milling and Janie McKellar Milling. He attended Greenwood High School and graduated from The Citadel Military College in 1939 with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering. He served thirty years active duty in the USAF. He was a pilot in the 100th Bomb Wing during WW II in Europe and afterwards served in many capacities around the world. He served the City of Columbia as a civil engineer for four years before becoming the director of the physical plant at Crafts Farrow State Department of Mental Health until he retired in 1983. He enjoyed flying, air streaming, fishing and playing golf. When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, he replied “I want to be remembered for my great love for my family and that I was married for 65 years to Nanette.”
Surviving are sons, John B. Milling of Wedgefield and Brooks C. Milling of Plum Branch; daughters, Gail M. Gore of McCormick and Cynthia M. Jackson of Newberry; six grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and sister, Neely M. Todd of Rock Hill.
Mr. Milling was predeceased by his wife, Nanette C. Milling; sisters, Anne M. Anderson and Elizabeth M. Ulmer; brother, Charles; and grandson, Michael J. Milling.
www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Nina Traynham

Nina South Traynham, 80, resident of Wesley Commons, widow of C. Arden Traynham, died March 1, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Honea Path, June 10, 1926, she was a daughter of the late William and Nellie Inez Pace South. She was a graduate of Honea Path High School and was the owner and operator of Nina Traynham Interiors. Mrs. Traynham was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Kathy T. Sanders of Lynchburg, VA; a son, Buddy Traynham of Ware Shoals; a granddaughter, Gin Calhoun Stephens of Augusta, GA; two great-grandsons, Cal and Will Stephens; two sisters, Nancy South of Anderson and Barbara Paderick of Kinston, NC.
Graveside services will be conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday in Eastview Cemetery I Honea Path, with Rev. Carol Peppers-Wray officiating.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends from 2-3 Sunday afternoon.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Traynham family.

James Edward Waldroup

James Edward Waldroup, 80, of 116 Enterprise Ct., No. 108, former resident of Deerfield Apts., died Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Hospice House.
Born in Athens, GA, he was the son of the late James Edward and Minnie Waldroup. He was a US Navy veteran of the Korean War and a Mason. Mr. Waldroup was a former employee of Greenwood Mills and was of the Methodist faith.
Surviving is a son, Roger Waldrop of Greenwood; three daughters, Debra Waldrop of Conway, Brenda Briggs of Greenwood and Linda Fogarty of Auburndale, FL; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Graveside services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens, with the Reverend Frank Thomas officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Albert Edgar Williams

THOMASVILLE, N.C. — Mr. Albert Edgar Williams, 96, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2007 at Piedmont Crossing Retirement Center. Albert was born on Nov. 11, 1910 in Randolph Co., one of 19 children born to Albert C. Williams, Mattie Elizabeth Kinley Williams, and stepmother, Mabel Williams. Albert lived with his grandmother in his early years, later returning home to help his father farm. He retired from Thomasville Furniture, Ind., after 40 years of service in the maintenance department. After retirement, he enjoyed his vegetable and flower gardens. Albert’s joy was his family and grandchildren, sharing stories, and time with him will be memories never forgotten, especially the love, care and time he spent with his beloved grandmother. He was a member of Hillside Park Baptist Church. In addition to his parents and stepmother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Kathleen Eddinger Williams in 1993.
He is lovingly remembered by his children, daughters, Jean W. Lax and her husband, Robert of Ninety Six, SC, and Betty W. Darden and her husband, Perry of Raleigh; son, Jerry Wayne Williams and his wife, Ferria of Thomasville; 10 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; brother, Leroy Williams and his wife, Mary of Houston, TX; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Monday, March 5, 2007 at 2 p.m. at the J.C. Green & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Thomasville, with Rev. Dr. Steve Chipps and Rev. Terry Boles officiating. Interment will follow in Holly Hill Memorial Park cemetery, with his grandsons serving as pallbearers. The family will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 6-8 p.m. and at other times at the home of his son, Jerry, 206 Harmon Dr. Memorials may be directed to Hillside Park Baptist Church, PO Box 441, Thomasville, NC 27361 or to Hospice of Davidson Co., 524 S. State St. Lexington, NC 27292.
The family of Albert Williams would like to thank Dr. William Sullivan and the nursing staff at Thomasville Medical Center and Dr. Daniel Andrews and the nursing staff at Piedmont Crossing Retirement Center for the constant care and treatment they provided for our Daddy. Their patience, sunny faces, kindness, love and concern has overwhelmed the family. We feel so blessed to have known such wonderful and giving staff. We were so touched by their kindness and generosity. They were strangers when we met, but they took the time to know Daddy and us. We were like a family when we left. God Bless You. The Williams Family. Online condolences may be sent to www.jcgreenandsons.com.

Alonzo ‘Pete’ Wilson

Alonzo “Pete” Wilson, 58, husband of Shirley Watson Wilson, of 323 Gray Street, died Thursday, March 1, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in Ninety Six, he was the son of the late Hollie Lee Oliver and the late Rose Lee Wilson Dale. He attended Pine Grove A.M.E. Church.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Alonzo Wilson Smith of Greenwood, Paraquarius M. Butler and Orlando T. Wilson, both of Greenville; four daughters, Angela E. Wilson Smith and Natasha D. Wilson, both of Greenwood, Yolanda D. Wilson of the home and Demetric Lindsay of Cross Hill; five sisters, Rosamary (Rufus) Fuller and Suzette Dale, both of Greenwood, Connie Pearl Oliver of Ninety Six, Bessie Lee Walker and Lou Helen Boyd, both of Greenwood; and six grandchildren, one of whom was reared in the home, Carltarious Lyles.
The family is at the home. Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc.

Lander moves on

Late-game drama gives Bearcats advantage

March 3, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Although the first 39 minutes went by without a glitch, it took a wild finish for the Bearcats to wrap up an 83-81 victory against Columbus State and move on to the semifinals of the Peach Belt Tournament where they’ll face Armstrong Atlantic at 8 p.m. today.
“I thought that both teams left everything they had out on the floor,” Bearcats coach Bruce Evans said. “I though Columbus State did an excellent job of making adjustments. It was almost like a heavyweight fight. It was back and forth down the stretch.”
Following a hook shot off a Zach Evans assist by Emanuel Hodrea, who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds, the Bearcats trailed, 76-77, with 1:31 remaining in regulation.
“In the second half, just cutting through to the lane and the guards with their vision,” Hodrea said. “You can’t ask much more of the guards.”
That’s when things got interesting following a 3-pointer by the Cougars’ Justin Wilson (80-76) with less than one minute remaining.
Michael Griffin, who led the Bearcats with 22 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals, hit two free-throws to tie the game at 80-80 following an intentional foul called against Columbus State’s Justin Wilson.
“I thought Mike did a great job of shot faking,” Evans said. “When Mike went up, I though he (Wilson) went down with both hands. I did think he came down intentionally, trying not to let Mike get it up.”
The Bearcats retained possession after the free-throws and Griffin was fouled again as he drove to the basket.
He hit 1-of-2, giving the Bearcats an 81-80 lead with 0:21 remaining.
“Basically, this is my last year, and I didn’t want tonight to be my last game,” Griffin said. “I just thought it was my job to step up and lead the team.”
Ron Robinson was a major force for the Cougars the entire night as well.
The senior guard finished with 33 points and eight assists, but with 0:06 remaining in the game and Jason Davis applying pressure to Robinson at the top of the key, Griffin came up with a huge steal and score to give the Bearcats an 83-80 lead.
Robinson got the game started when he hit 3-pointer to give the Cougar’s a 3-0 lead in the first half.
He hit four shots from long range in the first half, but only one in the second half.
Griffin answered with a 3-pointer to tie the game followed by a steal and a lay-up giving the Bearcats a 5-3 lead.
Griffin continued to attack on the offensive end, giving the Bearcats an 18-15 lead with 11:57 remaining in the first half.
Leading 24-18, the Bearcats went cold as the Cougars went on a 13-4 run over the next 6:09 to take a 31-28 lead.
The Cougars led 34-32 at the half after D.J. Chandler hit 1-of-2 free throws with less than one second remaining on the clock.
After the break, Robinson scored six straight points, following a Dane Sparrow 3-pointer, to give the Cougars a 40-35 lead with 18:04 remaining.
Hodrea cut the lead to four points following two free-throws (45-41).
The Bearcats regained the lead (51-50) when Griffin found Jarred Jackson for a 3-pointer.

Opinion

Lawmakers should resist new national ‘ID’ card

March 3, 2007

South Carolina may be joining other states that are opposed to new federal rules that would turn a driver’s license into a national identity card.
Called the Real ID, it would force every state driver to get a new driver’s license and it would have to be renewed every five years. It would require a birth certificate, Social Security card or other original documents every time the license is issued. The license would be necessary to travel, open bank accounts or use government services.
The new license would include full legal name, date of birth, gender, driver’s license or identification number, address, signature, digital photograph, security features and the ability for data to be scanned by a machine.

THE RULES REPRESENTED by the new license were proposed as a way to prevent terrorists and other criminals from obtaining fake ID cards. Congress approved the new law and the president signed it in 2005. However, states must implement the changes by May of next year.
There are other factors, but cost is one of the main reasons states are resisting. It’s estimated that the overall national cost would be $11 billion. For South Carolina it’s expected to be $25 million to $28 million in the beginning and annual costs of about $10 million.
There’s more, though. There are concerns that terrorists and/or identity thieves could hack into the state’s data base and steal information they could use to cause all kinds of problems.

WILL THIS STATE JOIN IN a lawsuit against the Real ID Act? It’s possible. If there’s no other way, a lawsuit would be a wise move. There’s a very good reason to take that road, too. The requirements of Real ID, although meant to fight terrorists, lend credence to arguments that some anti-terrorist federal measures, despite good intentions, in effect mitigate constitutional freedoms we all enjoy.
Momentum is building around the country as more states join the growing opposition to Real ID (about two dozen). In addition, the National Governors Association has reservations as well.
If that many people are concerned it’s something that should get another look by Congress. It’s hard to ignore what obviously are mounting misgivings.