Election too close to call

Boyter holding 5-vote lead over Farr; Lowe wins seat vacated by Bishop

May 9, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — If anyone ever doubted the assertion that every vote counts, just take a look at Tuesday’s Ware Shoals School District 51 board of trustees election.
Two seats were up for election— one three-year seat and one unexpired one-year term.
Following Tuesday night’s unofficial results, the race for the three-year seat— between incumbent Ed Farr and challengers Rodney Boyter and Mike Mattison — has been deemed by Greenwood County elections director Connie Moody as “too close to call.”
“Yes, that race is simply too close to call at this point,” Moody said.
Unofficial results show Boyter holding a slim lead. Boyter unofficially had 346 votes, Farr 341 and Mattison 198.
Meanwhile, in the race for the one-year seat — a post vacated in January by Marcus Bishop — Mark Lowe came away with a decisive unofficial victory. Lowe tallied 443 votes, George Leagans 269 and Joey Ward 172.
“It’s very humbling,” Lowe said. “I am surprised I got that type of support in the community, because the guys I was running against, they are good people. I’m looking forward to working with the other board members and helping the great teachers and students of our school district.”
With the race between Boyter and Farr being so close, Moody said the elections office will go through all the election materials today, including paper ballots. She said officials will then determine which of the paper ballots are valid and prepare a recommendation for the elections commission.
“The elections commission will then meet at 10 a.m. Thursday in room 104 at Park Plaza,” Moody said. “They will canvas the votes and review the ballots.”
Moody said that once the votes are verified, if the margin between Farr and Boyter is within 1 percent of the total votes cast in the race, state law mandates there will be a re-count.
Moody added that if there is a tie in the race, there will be a run-off election between Boyter and Farr. Boyter described what was going through his mind late Tuesday as he clung to the slim lead.
“I’m anxious, nervous and excited all at once,” Boyter said. “Mostly excited and ready to get to work. But I’m not putting the cart before the horse. Nothing is official yet, by a long shot.”
Boyter said he is not surprised the race is so close.
“That’s what happens when you are running against such good candidates,” Boyter said. “Mr. Farr has been established for a long time, and Mr. Mattison is very well known in Ware Shoals. I definitely thought it would be close.”
Moody said voter turnout was roughly 20 percent. She said that represented a slightly larger turnout than in most May board elections in Ware Shoals.
“Voter turnout was good,” Moody said. “Everything went exceptionally smooth.”

Corley, Pruitt likely winners

Cobb, Jackson run close race
for third seat

May 9, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

NINETY SIX — Two seats up for grabs on the Ninety Six School Board appeared to be filled Tuesday evening, while one was too close to call.
Incumbent board member Sam Corley — with 270 votes — and former board member Dayne Pruitt — with 278 votes — received the majority of votes to fill the two open school board seats.
Meanwhile, the unexpired seat left vacant when Rodney Smith resigned to take over as district finance director remained too close to call.
In that election, unofficial results place Ray A. Jackson ahead of Butch Cobb by a 373-339 margin pending paper ballots.
Election officials will not certify either of the elections until Thursday morning. If results are within 1 percent of the total of votes cast, state law mandates a recount. If the unofficial results hold true, Corley and Pruitt are each pleased that they have been selected by Ninety Six voters.
“We’ve kind of worked hard on this, so it feels wonderful,” Corley said. “If that holds up I’m just elated. We’ll just continue to do what we’re doing, which is to try to do some good work for the students and staff in the school district.
“I’ve always tried my best to do what’s in my heart for the school district. I try to be trustworthy and try to do my best, and I hope that people see that. Being a retired person people can always get (in touch with) me. I don’t mind to talking with anyone. That’s what I’m here for.”
“I feel good about it,” Pruitt said. “I’m pleased that we had good turnout, and I appreciate the trust the voters are placing in me. I hope that I can live up to their expectations. I did feel good about it, but in an election you never know how things are going to play out. You just hope that people believe in what you have to say and you hope they’ll give you a shot.”
In a voter turnout that fell short of a recent response shattering the school board’s referendum on the construction of a new high school — an unofficial total of 1,409 votes were cast Tuesday — elections officials say the voting (which hovered around 20 percent) went well.
“The voter turnout was a little over 20 percent, which is a very good turnout,” said Connie Moody, Greenwood County director of voter registration and elections. “The referendum vote was a little higher, but it was still a very good turnout. It was a very smooth election overall.”

Andrew Anderson

MOUNT CARMEL — Andrew Anderson, 86, of Savannah Heights Living Center in McCormick, SC, died Sunday, May 6, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, SC, husband of the late Leah McDuffie Anderson.
Born in McCormick County, he was the son of the late Andrew Jack Anderson and the late Kitty Dubose Anderson.
He was preceded in death by one son Wilburn Anderson.
He was a retired employee of Burlington Textiles Manufacturing Company in Calhoun Falls, SC.
Survivors include five daughters, Bonnie Germany of New York, Leola Lomax and Linda Calhoun of Mt. Carmel, SC, Luella Lewis of Calhoun Falls, SC, and Minnie Martin of Mauldin, SC; four sons, John Anderson of Mt. Carmel, SC, Cornell Anderson of Abbeville, SC, Leonard Anderson and Pat Anderson of McCormick, SC; one sister, Pinky Boyd of Buffalo, NY; 26 grandchildren; and host of great-grandchildren. He reared three grandchildren in the home, James and Reynaldo Anderson and Lisa Allen.
Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday, May 10, 2007, at the Haigler Street Church of Christ in Taylor Town, Abbeville, SC, with Bro. Raymond Pressley officiating and Elder Willie Campbell, Rev. Johnnie Waller, Brother I.V. White assisting. The body will be placed in church at 10 a.m. Interment will be in the Church of Christ Cemetery.
Public viewing will be Wednesday, May 9, 2007 at the Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. from 1 p.m.-8 p.m. Online condolences can be sent to awmort@wctel.net.
The family is at the home of a daughter, Linda Calhoun, 171 Dunlap Circle, Mt. Carmel, SC.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

Corey Wendall Carter

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Corey Wendall Carter, 25, of 800 Swadley Road, Apt. 403, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at the Johnson City Medical University Hospital. Born in Greenwood, he was the son of T.C. and Mary Carter. He was a member of Holy Redeemer Lookup & Live Ministry. Survivors include his mother and father of Greenwood; two brothers, Terance Orlando Carter of Greenwood and Derrick Lamont Carter of Greenville; one sister, Tiarra Lashay Carter of Greenwood; and a fiancée, Shelli Fields of Johnson City, TN. Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Edward ‘Man’ Dones

Services for Edward “Man” Dones, of 801 Broadway Ave., are 3 p.m. Friday, May 11, 2007, at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church (Promised Land), conducted by the Rev. James E. Speed, Sr. Presiding will be Bishop Emanuel Spearman. The body will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are cousins and friends of the family. The family will be at the home.
Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the Dones family. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com.

Glenn R. Elliott

Services for Glenn Reece Elliott will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Oakbrook Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum, with the Rev. Stanley Sprouse and the Rev. Hal Lane officiating.
The body will be placed in the chapel mausoleum at 10 a.m. Thursday, and the family will receive friends there immediately following the service.
The family is at the home, 182 Old Woodlawn Road.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorials be made to the Upper Savannah Family Caregiver Program, PO Box 1366, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Mr. Elliott, 80, of 182 Old Woodlawn Road, husband of Doris Richardson Elliott, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Moore County, NC, he was a son of the late J.W. Elliott, Sr. and Roxie Key Elliott. He was employed by Roberts Co., Grede Foundry, for 27 years and was a US Navy veteran of World War II. He was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by a son, Gerald “Jerry” Elliott.
Surviving are his wife of the home; two daughters, Connie Prince and Vanessa Wideman, both of Greenwood; two sons, William “Bill” Elliott of Hodges and Gary Elliott of Greenwood; two sisters, Mildred Spivey of Carthage, NC, and Mae Rodgers of Southern Pines, NC; a brother, J.W. Elliott of Carthage, NC; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Helen Mary McGrath Fleming

McCORMICK — Helen Mary McGrath Fleming, 94, of 214 Fifth Avenue, McCormick SC, widow of Reid L.Fleming, died Sunday, May 6, in North Charleston.
Born in McCormick, she was the last surviving daughter of the late Daniel Michael and Hettie Lois Creswell McGrath. She was a member of Good Shepherd Catholic Church and was a lifelong resident of McCormick.
She had worked at Bracknell’s Store and the McCormick Senior Center.
Surviving are ten nieces, one nephew, and families.
Services are 1 p.m on Thursday, at Good Shepherd Catholic Church, conducted by Father Richard Harris.
Visitation is from 12 to 1 at the church. Burial is in McCormick City Cemetery.
Pallbearers are Lee Wilke, James Daniels, John Ridgill, Tommy McGrath, Henry Hester, Reid Creswell, and Bert Storey.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Catholic Church. Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Bucky Frederick

Harry “Bucky” Coatsworth Frederick, 72, resident of 107 Windfield Court, husband of Sarah Beasley Frederick, died May 7, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born June 10, 1934 in Ware Shoals, he was a son of the late Eva Sue Griffith Frederick Ridge and William Clay Frederick. He attended Ware Shoals High School, was a US Navy veteran and retired from IH Services of Greenwood. Mr. Frederick was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are two daughters, Terrie Manley of Greenwood and Denise McKee of Atlanta; one sister, Harriette Fowler of Columbia; eight stepchildren; three grandchildren, Clay “CC” Manley, Katelynne Manley and Jacob McKee.
He was predeceased by a daughter Wynona Frederick and stepfather, Johnny Ridge.
A private graveside service will be conducted Wednesday at Oakbrook Memorial Park, with Rev. Robbie Burton and Rev. David Evans officiating.
The family is at the home on Windfield Court and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Frederick family.

Jim Metts

James Edward “Jim” Metts, 77, of 303 Beaverdam Creek Road, widower of Emmie Sue Wood Metts, died Tuesday, May 8, 2007, at his home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Lloyd Newman

GROVETOWN, Ga. — Mr. Lloyd O. Newman entered into rest Monday, May 7, 2007, in Westwood Nursing Home, the widower of the late Mrs. Ann Brinkley Newman. Mr. Newman was born in Brainerd, Minn., a retired millwright foreman and an Army veteran serving in the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Abilene Baptist Church, where he was a member of the James Dixon Sunday School Class.
Family members are 4 daughters, Sheila Still, Greenwood, S.C., Linda Eddleman, Anderson, S.C., Mary Ann Croome, Sandersville, Ga., Sherri Gwaltney, Evans, Ga.; 1 sister, Neoma Harris, Milford, Mich.; 9 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren. Mr. Newman was preceded in death by a son, Owen Newman.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Abilene Baptist Church, with Rev. William H. Harrell officiating. Mr. Newman will lie in state at the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery in Coronaca, S.C., at 5 p.m. Pallbearers will be grandsons and sons-in-law.
The family will receive friends this Wednesday evening 7-9 p.m. at the Thomas L. King Funeral Home, 124 Davis Road, Martinez, Ga. 706-863-6747.

Charlie Rapley

Mr. Charlie Rapley, 70, of 10 Gilliam Ct., Greenwood and widower of Patricia Williams Rapley, died May 7, 2007 at VA Medical Center in Augusta. Born in Abbeville, he was the son of the late Ulysses Rapley and Willie Lee Turner Rapley. He was a member of Salem Baptist Church, Abbeville, and a US Army veteran.
Survivors are two sons, Charlie Williams Rapley Jr. of Rock Hill, SC, and Tony Rapley of Abbeville; 4 daughters, Tina Rapley and LaTonya Rapley of Greenwood, Tammy Williams Rapley of Columbia, SC, Kimberly Anderson of Rock Hill; 3 brothers, Frank Rapley of Abbeville, Ulysses Rapley Jr. and Carland Ulysses Gamble of Jacksonville, FL; 1 sister, Mary Banks of Midway, AL; 8 grandchildren; and 3 great-grandchildren.
Memorial service will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Parks Funeral Home, Rev. Anthony Boozer officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. The family is at the home of his brother Frank Rapley, 2013 Highway 72 E., Abbeville. Parks Funeral Home is serving the family.

Wayne Treece

DUE WEST — Wayne L. Treece, 72, resident of 1776 Lindsey Cemetery Road, husband of Ellen McKee Treece, passed away peacefully Monday, May 7, 2007, at his home with his family and friends by his side.
Born in Knoxville, TN, he was a son of the late Lon and Lillian Mae Treece.
Mr. Treece made his career serving his country in the United States Marine Corps, retiring after 22 years of service as a Captain. Upon retirement he enjoyed his farm in Due West. He was also of the Baptist faith. Survivors are: his beloved wife, Ellen McKee Treece of the home; children, Sheree Treece Edington of Glen Allen, VA, Jay Treece of Gretna, LA, Catherine Warmack of Cove City, NC, Leslie Treece Knox of Montgomery, AL, Kim Weisenberger of Grimesland, NC, Angie Urps of Woodruff, SC, Gordon Haynie of Honea Path, SC; brother, Kaney Treece of Knoxville, TN; 11 grandchildren; and 1 great-grandson.
He was preceded in death by one of his brothers Ken Treece.
A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, May 10, 2007, at 4 p.m. in the chapel of The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, with military honors to follow.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 3:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon prior to services. The family is at the home, 1776 Lindsey Cemetery Road, in Due West, SC.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Treece to the Hospice of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander St., Greenwood, SC 29646 or to New Hope Baptist Church, 4226 Hwy. 184 West, Due West, SC 29639. Online condolences may be sent to the Treece family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

CORRECTION

For the obituary of Maudestean Smith Jackson in Tuesday’s paper, the services are 2 p.m. today. The body will be placed in the church at 1.

Neal to lead ’Cats

Coach was selected from field of more than 30 applicants

May 9, 2007

By SCOTT J. BRYAN
Index-Journal sports editor

NINETY SIX — After a 26-minute executive session, the Ninety Six Board of Trustees announced its recommendation to hire Ninety Six assistant football coach Brian Neal as the school’s new head football coach.
Neal, a 14-year-veteran of the coaching staff and a 1983 graduate of the school, said he’d accept.
There were no T-shirts at the meeting or pep rally like the one scheduled a couple weeks ago in hopes of enticing Neal to stay. There was an announcement. And then there was relief.
“It’s been a long three or four weeks,” said Neal, who did not attend the meeting. “There was a lot of decision making and a lot of changing of the minds. There were different opportunities that came up and went away. It’s just kind of a relief that the process is over.”
Neal has served on the Ninety Six coaching staff as the defensive coordinator since the late 1990s, and he’s also served as the school’s wrestling coach for 13 years.
Along with football and wrestling, Neal said he’s coached soccer and softball at the school.
Neal, a physical education teacher, is a graduate of Lander University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in physical education. Neal also recently completed a master’s degree program at the United States Sports Academy.
“We’re excited about it,” Neal said. “We’re excited about continuing the success that coach (Mike) Doolittle and his staff have had.”
Neal is the former head coach at Long Cane Academy in McCormick, where he guided the Cavaliers for four years, including a SCISA eight-man state title in 1990.
Neal, 42, is married to the former Jill Jones, of Ninety Six, and the two have three children — Tyler Neal, 17, Forrest Dove, 17, and Sheldon Dove, 13. The two oldest boys play varsity football at Ninety Six, while Neal is also a wrestler on his father’s team.
Neal said his first goal will be to meet with the staff and assemble a plan.
“Our goal is to build on what coach Doolittle and the staff has started,” said Neal, who takes over a team that posted a 5-6 mark a year ago. “We want to continue to set the same goals of winning state championships and reaching the state championship game. We’re not going to lower our goals at all. We’re going to keep building on what the coaching staff has done.
“There’s a lot of things we might change around. I really don’t know yet. A lot of things I want to do, I want to talk about with the staff first. I want to get opinions on things. Coach Doolittle ran a top-notch ship. Hopefully, we’ll continue to do that.”
Neal’s hiring concludes a tumultuous few weeks for him at the school. In April, Neal accepted a job at St. James High School, in Murrell’s Inlet, to serve as the Class AAA school’s head wrestling coach and as an assistant football coach. Within a week, however, Doolittle announced his resignation as the head football coach to pursue an opportunity at Gardner-Webb, where his son, Stan, is a quarterback.
Neal asked St. James for an extension on making his decision and when that time frame ended, he informed St. James administrators that he intended to stay at Ninety Six.
“I just decided I want to pursue this,” Neal said.
Neal was hired from a pool of more than 30 applicants. Earlier this week, a search committee — consisting of Ninety Six athletic director Chuck Burton, Greenwood County School District 52 Superintendent Dan W. Powell, board of trustees members William H. Long II, Rex Ward and Henderson Louden — followed up the first batch of interviews by selecting three finalists.
Emerald High School’s Zeke Goode was the only other finalist, other than Neal, to attend a second interview. Gaffney High School assistant coach Charles Patterson removed his name from consideration, according to Gaffney head football coach and athletic director Phil Strickland.
“It was our intent to have somebody to bring to the board for recommendation tonight,” Burton said. “After the process, we brought back in candidates and talked with them.”
Burton said “nine or 10” candidates were interviewed during the first round of interviews.
Neal received plenty of support from the community throughout the process. At one board meeting, supporters arrived donning “Brian Neal 4 Ninety Six” T-shirts. A pep rally was even scheduled at one point to convince Neal to stay, but it was canceled after Neal announced he would remain at Ninety Six whether he got the head coaching job or not.
Burton said the community support was never a factor in the hiring.
“I think the factor was always to find the most suitable coach for Ninety Six,” Burton said. “That was the intent.”
Neal said he hopes the support he received from the community won’t affect his relationships with his fellow coaches, two of which applied for the head coaching job.
“It was nice, but I didn’t want it to cause problems between myself and the other coaches,” Neal said. “I really did appreciate it, but as much as I appreciated it, I didn’t want to cause any hard feelings.”
Two football players at Ninety Six attended the meeting.
Junior Eric Abney, who plays on the defensive line and wrestles for Neal, said he was excited about the board’s decision.
“I’m really thrilled about him being the head coach,” Abney said. “He’s really a friend to us, but he’ll make you work. He’s hard working, and I think kids will work hard for him.”
Junior safety Kelcey Washington also came to the meeting to show his support. After the board announced its decision, he had only one thing on his mind.
“I’m ready for the season now,” Washington said. “I can’t wait for it to start.”

The Citadel honors Davis for a distinguished career

May 9, 2007

Many graduates of The Citadel, South Carolina’s military college in Charleston, have distinguished themselves in every field of endeavor. They have made their marks in business, politics, medicine, education, religion, the military and everything in-between ..... even journalism.
These graduates include, just to name a few, the late Jim Self of Greenwood, former U. S. Senator Ernest Hollings, the late Governor John West and many others from Greenwood and the Lakelands area, such as Tom Pope of Newberry.
Many serve in state government, including Rep. Gene Piuson, and before him, Jim Klauber. Third District Rep. Gresham Barrett also calls The Citadel his alma mater.

THE LIST IS ENDLESS, OF COURSE, but none has had a more distinguished and meritorious career than Greenwood’s Emmett I. Davis Jr. Davis is owner of Davis & Floyd, a company with headquarters in Greenwood that specializes in engineering, architecture and environmental and laboratory services. It has a worldwide reputation which reflects positively not only on Greenwood, but on all of South Carolina.
Davis was, of course, one of the people honored by The Citadel at its graduation ceremonies recently. He, along with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, legendary Summerville High School Coach John McKissick, renowned South Carolina historian Dr. Walter Edgar and Carolyn Short, the only woman in the South Carolina State Senate, were presented honorary doctorate degrees.
Davis is not one to seek the spotlight or praise. His modesty belies his ability and a driving penchant for service to others. He’s the first to credit others for his success. Others, though, know better. He’s earned everything he has ever gotten, be it a living or recognition.

COVETING RECOGNITION AND PRAISE are not part of Davis’ character. His selflessness, though, make those things unavoidable. Truth beknown, to be singled out is somewhat embarrassing to him. Nevertheless, the honor by his alma mater is long overdue. His service to the school, in more ways than one, puts him in a league that has few members.
This was the second honorary degree he has received for service. The other was from Erskine College. While the two schools honor him, his reputation, whether through his church, his profession, or personally, reflects positively on both schools. His loyalty and service to both speak for themselves.
Greenwood has, through the years, been blessed by some outstanding people. Emmett Davis is, without a doubt, one of them.