Local residents speak highly of John Paul II

April 3, 2005

By TASHA STEIMER
Index-Journal staff writer

Black drapes were hung with the papal colors of yellow and white Saturday over the main entrance into the sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church following the death of Pope John Paul II.
Nearly 300 people gathered Saturday at the church to celebrate evening Mass and mourn the death of the religious leader.
Father Richard Harris, of Our Lady of Lourdes, said members of the church were saddened at the loss of the man who firmly believed, lived and taught the values of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
“For years to come, the world will continue to discover, debate and even question his accomplishments,” he said. “But in the final analysis, we should all be thankful that we have had a tireless model of Christian faithfulness to call us to live what we profess as followers of Jesus Christ.” Church member Nicole Pierce, of Greenwood, said the pope was “a wonderful human being and he will be missed.”
Marianne Giaritelli, of Greenwood, said his compassion followed him through his life.
“He was a wonderful human being, and I’m happy he was able to die the way he wanted to – not in a hospital but at St. Peter’s.”
Judy Ankuta, of Greenwood, said Pope John Paul II was a beloved leader and stood for freedom while maintaining tradition in the church.
The pope’s death begins nine days of mourning with no morning Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes on the day of the funeral. Special services will be offered that day, beginning with a morning prayer at 9 a.m. and ending with a memorial Mass for the pope at 7 p.m.
Father Allam Marreddy, who works with Catholic churches in Abbeville and McCormick counties, said the pope made many contributions to the world.
“We are losing a great man of the church and of the world itself,” he said. “He had concern for people and belief in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that I feel he made a point to strive for in his own life.”
Roman Catholic Heidi Rodillo, of Abbeville, said she was saddened — but also relieved — that his suffering had ended.
“In the years that he’s been pope, he has made a great impact,” she said.
“He stood against the violation of human rights all over the world. His shoes will be hard to fill. The next person has a big job to do.”
Carmen Rubio, a Catholic in Greenwood, said she and her husband were living in Chile when the pope visited in 1987.
“He made a great impression. He was very charismatic,” she said. “There was something celestial about him — he didn’t seem human but like an angel. He tried to communicate with all religions and he was able to reach young people, especially in South America.”
Bishop Robert J. Baker, of the Catholic Diocese of Charleston, said in a statement, “The example of his holy life spoke even louder than the powerful messages delivered throughout his papacy to people inside and outside the Catholic household. His legacy will remain for centuries.”

Patriot Club playing host to Big South golf tourneys

April 3, 2005

By JIM JOYCE
Special projects editor

NINETY SIX — The Big South Conference is moving its golf tournaments from the Greenwood Country Club to The Patriot Club at Grand Harbor, with the women’s division next week and the men’s division playing the following week.
“It was a short turnaround,” said Gary Moore, head pro at The Patriot Club. “They called us Thursday afternoon, and we finalized that we would have the tournament about 6 p.m. Friday.
“It’s a short notice, but I was involved with the LSU Invitational at the Country Club at Louisiana and I’ve had experience doing college tournaments. We’re extremely excited about it.
It’s great for the community and it’s great for the golf course.”
Moore said the women’s practice rounds are April 10, with the tournament set for April 11-13. Tee times will be 8 a.m. April 11 and 8:30 on April 12-13.
The men will have practice rounds April 17, with the tournament April 18-20. All tee times are 8:30 a.m.
“Luckily, we didn’t have anything major scheduled, except for Davis Love’s appearance here on the 11th,” Moore said. Love will tour the course and accept the award for The Patriot Club being recently named the No. 1 new course in South Carolina.
“We believe the course will be in great shape,” Moore said. “We hope to have the greens between 10 and 11 on the stint meter, which means they will be pretty fast.”
The tournaments were moved from the Greenwood Country Club because of some early problems.
“There has been problems with chemical burns on the greens and they weren’t up to the high standards we want,” GCC pro Tommy Pendley said.
“They came and looked at the course and weren’t happy with the greens and fairways. They called us Thursday and dropped a bombshell on us. They said they didn’t feel we would have it ready and up to their standards.”
GCC played host to the tournament five years ago, and this would have been the fourth time in eight years to be played there.
“We are disappointed because we worked very hard on that event last year and we were looking forward to it again,” Pendley said. “This was the end of their contract, so I don’t foresee it returning here for some time.”
At the same time, however, Pendley said Lander University will be starting its golf program in the fall and GCC will be the home course of the Bearcats.
“I believe Lander will bring in some good schools, and it should be a pretty big event,” Pendley added.
At The Patriot Club, the women will play a layout measuring 5,808 yards and the men will play 7,045 yards.
“They (Big South Conference) will come in and mark the course under their standards,” Moore said. “We invite people to come out and watch, but they will have to walk. There will be no carts available.”

Opinion

High school sports help more than it may seem

April 3, 2005

Given the opportunity to participate in high school sports, many youngsters find the path to unexpected riches and a future secure from the hardships that might otherwise become their lots in life.
Many others, and these are in the majority, will never develop the ability to pursue a career in professional athletics or the inclination to become coaches. Having gotten a taste of the fun and the competitive flavor of football, basketball, baseball, tennis or another sport, however, they go on developing in other ways.
There are the obvious benefits of physical development, given a boost by the calisthenic regimentation. There is more, though, much more.

FOR SOME, BEING A PART of a team teaches the value of pulling together to reach a common goal. Simultaneously, they develop self confidence, self discipline and sportsmanship. The experience of achieving the intended through hard work and organization is a lesson invaluable to their future growth, as are all lessons.
The thrill of being in the spotlight is for some one of the precious few moments in their lives when they will enjoy the peer recognition that encourages them. It may be the only time they will feel the satisfaction of creating their own identity.
In addition to other lessons inherent in sports participation, being a member of a team, enjoying the friendship and warmth peculiar to those who share experiences under extraordinary circumstances generates a sense of belonging, of being an integral part of something special.

SOME SCHOOL OFFICIALS IN South Carolina have faced financial worries at times, as have officials all over the country. To their credit, though, most of them have not only continued sports programs but have improved them in many cases. Some sports have been dropped on occasion, but not often.
Most schools in Greenwood and the Lakelands have managed to keep healthy athletic programs, and that’s good. They should be thanked for their efforts, too. Without high school sports, many who participate might not have anything to keep them out of trouble.
High school sports are special to us all, but for many, they make the difference between failure and success. They’re worth keeping, even if they sometimes cost a little extra.

Editorial expression in this feature represents our own views.
Opinions are limited to this page.

Obituaries

Eleen T. Fulmer

HODGES — Eleen Percy Turner Fulmer, 76, of 2823 Highway 25 N., widow of Wallace Fulmer, died Friday, April 1, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Newberry County, she was a daughter of the late Gaither C. and Emma Lee Summers Turner. She retired from Greenwood Mills Durst Plant and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Marcia McCarty of Donalds and Rhonda Fulmer of Greenwood; a granddaughter of the home, Regina Boyd; two sisters, Eula Mae Waites of Hodges and Thelma Devore of Chappells; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services are 11 a.m. Monday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Lamar Babb and Randy Brookshire. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Ricky Turner, Tolbert McCarty Jr., Millard Baker, Mike Fulmer, Terry Devore and Gregg Boyd.
Honorary escorts are Larry, Gary and Tony Turner, Stacy Chrisley, Keith Fulmer and Venoy, Carolee and Darrell Chrisley.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Providence Baptist Church, P.O. Box 6, Hodges, SC 29653.
Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood, is in charge.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

J.W. Lake

HODGES — James Willard Lake, 78, resident of 2406 Dixie Drive, husband of Annie Lee Dalton Lake, died April 2, 2005 at his home.
Born in Shamrock, Florida, he was a son of the late Alston F. and Gertrude Ford Lake. He was a US Navy Veteran of World War II and was a retired conductor from CSX Railroad after 35 years service.
Mr. Lake was a member of Providence Pentecostal Holiness Church.
He was twice married, first to the late Sarah Ellen Weeks Lake.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are two sons, James W. Lake, Jr. of Greenwood and Gary Paul Lake, Sr. of Ware Shoals; one daughter, Vickie Lake Byrd of Greenwood; one step-son, William Earl Smith of Ninety Six; four step-daughters, Joanne Scott of Greenwood, Dianne Parris of Greenwood, D’Onne Lake of Hodges and Patricia Cannon of Greenville; four grandchildren including Tonya Lake Coleman and Gary Paul Lake, Jr., both of whom were reared in the home and Tammy Byrd and James Lake; 5 great grandchildren, 22 step grandchildren and 15 step great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. John Abrams officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens with Military Honors.
Pallbearers will be James Lake, Glen Jones, Danny Smith, John Wayne Price, Sr., Gary Paul Lake, Jr. and John Wayne Price, Jr.
Honorary escort will be Men of Providence Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The family is at the home on Dixie Drive and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 7 to 9 Sunday evening.
Memorials may be made to Providence Pentecostal Holiness Church, 716 Old Abbeville Hwy., Greenwood, SC 29649.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE LAKE FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Sammie Reynolds

Deacon Sammie Reynolds, 72, of 316 Possum Hollow Road, husband of Naomi Goode Reynolds, died Friday, April 1, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in California, he was a son of the late Sammie and Kathleen Wheatfield Nash. He was a member of Morris Chapel Baptist Church, where he was a deacon. He was also a member of Sons of Aide No. 55.
Survivors include his wife of the home; three sons, Charles E. “Reno” Reynolds of Greenwood, James W. Reynolds of Ninety Six and Kenneth A. Reynolds of Virginia Beach, Va.; two daughters, Mrs. Scott (Sandra V.) Reynolds-Greenman of Charleston and Mrs. Darren (Felisha Y.) Reynolds-Alexander of the home; an adopted daughter, Shelia Middleton of Greenwood; two brothers, Henry Gaskin and Robert Gaskin, both of Greenwood; four sisters, Bennie Longshore of Chappells, Mrs. Rally (Shirlene) Tolbert, Minnie Posley and Emma Gaskin, all of Greenwood; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@emeraldis.com

Alvin P. Scott, Sr.

COLUMBIA — The obituary for Alvin P. Scott, Sr., who died March 21, 2005, was published March 27, 2005. The content of the obituary was submitted without the consent of Mr. Scott’s wife and children. The information pertaining to Mr. Scott’s survivors was inappropriately submitted.
Blyth Funeral Home regrets any concerns this may have caused to Mr. Scott’s wife and children.
PAID OBITUARY

Jeff Simpson

IVA — Jeffrey Marshall Simpson, 27, of 9610 Highway 81 S., died Thursday, March 31, 2005.
Born in Anderson, he was a son of Cynthia Cann Campbell and Korrell Simpson. He worked in construction.
Survivors include his mother of the home; his father and stepmother, Diane Simpson, of Abbeville; a daughter, Brianna of LaSalle, Ill.; a brother, Kevin Simpson of Iva; two sisters, Rhonda Simpson and Martie Strickland of Anderson; three stepbrothers, Randy Bratcher and Brian Bratcher of Abbeville and Scott Campbell of Iva; and a stepsister, Cindy Loner of Iva. His stepfather was the late Aaron Campbell.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Monday at Iva City Cemetery, conducted by the Revs. Billy Pinson and Bobby Cutter.
Visitation is at the cemetery after the services.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Jeff Simpson Funeral Fund, c/o The McDougald Funeral Home, P.O. Box 499, Anderson, SC 29622; Iva Pentecostal Holiness Church, 201 Antreville Highway, Iva, SC 29655; or New Life Worship Center, Chestnut Street, Abbeville, SC 29620.
The McDougald Funeral Home, Anderson, is in charge.