Helping our senior citizens

Greenwood residents attend forum that tackles issues affecting elderly

March 4, 2005

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood-area residents and professionals had the opportunity Thursday to voice their opinions on the current issues affecting senior citizens at the 2005 Upper Savannah White House Conference on Aging.
More than 40 people, ranging from senior citizens to individuals who work with the elderly, attended the three-hour community forum at West Side Baptist Church. Upper Savannah Council of Governments’ Workforce Development Director Sandra Johnson said the event, organized by the Upper Savannah Area Agency on Aging, is designed to help find creative solutions to the issues and barriers faced by senior citizens.
“There are still many issues that have not been addressed (by government programs), especially as the baby-boomers come of age, and as older Americans want and need more services,” she said. “We also want to make sure we are prepared for dealing with the older workforce.”
After an introduction, attendees formed smaller groups to focus on areas of health care, long-term care, migration, the current workforce, housing, planning for the future and the development of senior-friendly communities.
Johnson said the recommendations produced from Thursday’s community forum will be included in the South Carolina State White House Conference on Aging in April.
Suggestions from the state conference will be sent to Washington for the national conference in October, where they will be combined with ideas from other conferences to help produce policy recommendations that will guide national aging policy for the next decade.
“Congress, on a national level, looks very closely at these issues, and they are trying hard to develop programs that will address the issues,” Johnson said, adding that programs such as meal delivery services have been developed from earlier forums. “Input at the local level can have a great effect on the services available for the frail and elderly. We want to make sure that the Upper Savannah region is represented, and that our voices are heard.”
Leisa Myers, a nursing instructor at Lander University, said she and Lander assistant nursing professor Robbie South came to the forum to not only share their input with the community, but to also hear ideas from others to take back to their students.
“Our society is growing older, and we need to be prepared,” Myers said. “This is something that really impacts our entire society on every level. Seniors need to realize that they have a lot of power – that they have a large voice.”

Area students put their art on display at The Museum

March 4, 2005

By TASHA STEIMER
Index-Journal staff writer

Students rushed to find their artwork Thursday during the opening reception of the In The Spotlight 2005 Visual Arts Exhibit.
More than 200 students from Greenwood County were selected to have their work displayed in the James West Durst Gallery at The Museum for the annual event presented by the Education Enrichment Foundation.
Leigh Krajci, a fourth-grader at Mathews Elementary School, said this was the first time she had a piece of her work in a public exhibit.
“My class was drawing pictures and the art teacher picked mine. I was excited,” she said.
Leigh’s grandmother said the girl has always loved to paint and the exhibit was a good way for students to get exposure of their work.
Vanessa Taylor, art teacher at Ninety Six Primary and Elementary schools, said 20 of her students were participating in the exhibit and excited about having the community see their talents.
“I think it’s important that students be aware that art is important,” she said. “An exhibit like this shows them that the community feels art is important and encourages them to work at it. It also nice to have a public place where it can be displayed.”
This is the fourth time seventh-grader Kasey Holley has had art in the annual exhibit. This year, a piece titled “As the moon settles” was chosen.
Holley, a student at Brewer Middle School, said the art show is also a good opportunity to see what other students are doing.
“I like to see other people’s artwork,” she said.
Kasey’s mother, Ann Holley, said the event allows children to gain exposure to art.
“I enjoy seeing the talent we have here in this area,” she said. “I think it motivates students too to have their artwork displayed. I’m very proud of (Kasey).”
Angela Mosley said her son, Mathews Elementary fourth-grader Shanon Abrams, has a painting on display for the first time in the exhibit.
“He’s always drawing at home. It’s just something he loves to do,” she said.
The exhibit, sponsored by Countybank, Actaris, Capsugel and The Museum, will be on display for the public at The Museum through April 29. Lander University and Arts Council of Greenwood County provided additional support.

LU begins road to title

March 4, 2005

By BRIAN HOWARD
Assistant sports editor

Lander University men’s basketball coach Bruce Evans didn’t expect the Bearcats to overachieve this season.
But the team excelled, finishing the regular season 17-10, finishing second in the Peach Belt Conference’s North Division, and getting a first-round bye in the PBC tournament.
Lander puts those accomplishments on the line today as the team faces Columbus State in the PBC quarterfinals at 1 p.m. at the Christenberry Fieldhouse in Augusta.
Saturday, the Bearcats earned their first opening-round bye since the tournament went to a 12-team format four years ago after beating USC Aiken, 73-69.
The victory gave LU a tie with Augusta State for the second in the North, and the Bearcats captured the bye because they had beaten the Jaguars twice during the regular season.
“We never expected to find ourselves in this position,” Evans said. “I’m proud of our team and the way they played all year long. By getting the first-round bye and being the number two seed in the tournament helped us avoid having to win four games to be the Peach Belt tournament champions.”
Before becoming champions, Lander has to get past Columbus State today and that won’t be easy. The Cougars (19-8) routed UNC Pembroke, 92-62, in the opening round of the tourney Wednesday.
Yandal Brown, who leads the PBC in scoring at 28.3 points per game, finished with 22 points in 23 minutes against UNCP. Corris Portis had 18 points off the bench and Kendrick Jones 13.
“They (Lander) have a good basketball team,” Columbus State coach Herbert Greene said. “Bruce has done a great job with them. They remind me so much of our club a few years ago, where everybody shoots the three.”
In their only matchup during the regular season, the Cougars edged the Bearcats, 75-71, Feb. 19.
Perhaps the best news in the loss to Columbus State was that the Bearcats held Brown to 19 points. However, Jones led the Cougars with 21, while Quint Coger finished with 16.
Jarred Jackson is the only Lander player to average in double figures. The sophomore is eighth in the PBC in scoring at 14.6 points per game.
Evans said he would like to see the team go far in the tournament.
“Being ranked number nine in the latest regional poll and being the number two seed in the tournament, I still believe we need to win as many games as possible to get into the regional tournament,” Evans said. “Our conference is so strong that we want to control our own fate, like we have done all year long. I would not be surprised if we go at least three, maybe four, teams into the regional tournament. If we win the tournament, we’re in the national tournament and that’s the bottom line.”
The last time Lander reached the quarterfinals was in 2001-02, and the team lost to Augusta State, 68-45. The last time the Bearcats reached the semifinals was during the 1998-99 season, and the team lost to Georgia College, 61-59.
The winner of the today’s game will meet the winner of Kennesaw State/Armstrong Atlantic State game at 6 p.m. Saturday in the semifinals.

Opinion

Do opinions or laws count on juvenile death penalty?

March 4, 2005

The U. S. Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, has outlawed the death penalty for juvenile criminals. In so doing, it means that several killers on South Carolina’s death row, who were under age 18 when they committed their crimes, would not be executed but have their sentences changed to life in prison.
In writing for the majority, Justice Anthony Kennedy said there was a “national consensus” against the death penalty for juveniles. He also said many juveniles lack the maturity and intellectual development to understand the ramifications of their actions.
That may be so, but that doesn’t mean that others are not mature or intellectually developed enough to know what they are doing. What’s wrong with deciding on a case-by-case basis? In other words, why throw out the baby with the bath water?

THERE WAS ANOTHER STATEMENT made by Justice Kennedy that is disturbing as well. He wrote that the United States has stood almost alone in the world in officially sanctioning juvenile executions, which Kennedy called a “stark reality” that can’t be ignored. He wrote that juvenile offenders have been put to death in recent years in only a few other countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Pakistan.
“It is proper that we acknowledge the overwhelming weight of international opinion against the juvenile death penalty, resting in large part on the understanding that the instability and emotional imbalance of young people may often be a factor in the crime,” Kennedy wrote.
International opinion? What has international opinion got to do with the laws of the United States?

YOU HAVE TO WONDER IF Kennedy and the four other justices that voted with him based their decisions on the laws of this country or on what some people in other countries think.
One thing you can count on, without worry of contradiction. You can bet they don’t want to listen to the opinions of the families who lost a loved one to killers who happen to be juveniles.
Somehow, it appears, their opinions don’t carry the same kind of “weight” as international opinion.
You also can understand Justice Antonin Scalia’s angry dissent when, while writing for the minority, disputed that a “national consensus” exists against the juvenile death penalty and said the majority opinion was based on the “flimsiest of grounds.”

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

Obituaries

John L. Aikens

ABBEVILLE — Services for John L. Aikens are 3 p.m. Saturday at Brown and Walker Funeral Home, conducted by the Revs. Garnet Hanley and Anthony Fields. Burial is in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The family is at the home of Carrie Aikens, 105 Academy St.
Brown and Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Linda Aull

Linda Aull, of 104 Sycamore Drive, died Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at Laurens County Hospital.
Born in Newberry, she was a daughter of Pauline Glasgow and the late Clarence Aull. She was a former member of New Enoree Baptist Church and a member of Macedonia Baptist Church. She received a nursing degree from Greenville Technical College and was a nurse at Riverside Nursing Center in Greenville.
Survivors include her mother of Newberry; a daughter, Amanda Glover of Greenwood; a son, James L. Glover of Greenville; a sister, Mrs. John P. (Daphine) Douglas of Columbia; three stepchildren, Michael Glover and Sheryl Glover, both of Batesburg-Leesville, Lenora Glover of Pomaria; and a granddaughter.
Services are 2:30 p.m. Sunday at New Enoree Baptist Church, Newberry. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is at the home of an aunt, Edith Glasgow, 1805 Vincent St., Newberry.
F.B. Pratt & Son Funeral Home Inc., Newberry, is in charge.

Sarah M. Davis

PHILADELPHIA — Sarah M. Davis, 85, of 2425 N. 33rd St., widow of Ray Davis, died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2005 at her home.
A daughter of the late Ambrose and Martha Weir, she was employed in home care aid. She was a member of Shalom Baptist Church in Philadelphia, where she was a member of the choir and Mother Board. She was also a member of Ruth Gilbert Chapter No. 17 Order of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include two brothers, James and Marshall Weir, both of Atlanta; and four sisters, Alma Marshall, Jo Jackson and Emma Harris, all of Abbeville, S.C., Sina Weir of Philadelphia.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Shady Grove A.M.E. Church, Abbeville, conducted by the Rev. Robert Johnson. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends and family.
Visitation is 10-7 today at Richie Funeral Home, Abbeville.
Richie Funeral Home is in charge.

‘Chubby’ Day

Howard “Chubby” Day, 69, of 121 Bryan Drive, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Willie Day Sr. and Grace Cheek Day. He retired from Satterfield Construction Co.
Survivors include a sister, Martha Cox of Greenwood; and three brothers, Rufus Day, Clyde Day and James “Pete” Day, all of Greenwood.
Services are at 4 Saturday at Harley Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Joseph Ouzts. Burial is in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Randy Day, Jerry Day, Mike Day, Fredrick Day, James Smith, Fred Smith and David Day.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.
The family is at the home of a sister, Martha Cox, 225 Alabama Ave.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Margaret C. Dukes

GREENWOOD – Margaret C. Dukes, 76, of 440 Burnett Road, wife of Roy P. Dukes, died Thursday, March 3, 2005 at her home.
Born in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late Jack C. Campbell, Sr. and Sybil Saxon Campbell. She was a graduate of Pelzer High School and attended Lander College. She was a retired cottage parent with Connie Maxwell Children’s Home and attended Real Life Ministries Church.
Surviving is her husband of the home; a daughter, Judy D. Hollingsworth of the home; a son, Jerry P. Dukes of Greenwood; two brothers, Jack C. Campbell, Jr. of Greenville and Jerry C. Campbell of Pelzer, six grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, Timothy Adam Hollingsworth.
Services will be at 12:00 noon on Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Jason McCary, the Rev. J. C. Sorrow and the Rev. Jerry Catoe officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Shane Dukes, Brent Hollingsworth, Brian Guzman, Eric Dukes, Jimmy Carruth and Jason Hollingsworth.
Honorary escort will be Bernice Tollison, Louise Hart, Miriam Morgan, Peggy Burroughs, Vida DeLoache, Margaret Webb, Joyce Gunnells and Dot Ashley.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Thornwell Home for Children, PO Box 560, Clinton, SC 29325 or to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

David Holder

CLINTON — David M. Holder, 25, of 1001 E. Florida St., husband of Teresa Hammond Holder, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005.
Born in Laurens, he was a son of Dennis Bloodworth and Odessa Holder Johnson. He was an employee of Carolina Dye Work, Ware Shoals and attended Greater Faith Apostolic Church.
Survivors include his wife of Ware Shoals; his father of Waterloo; his mother of the home; two sons, David T. Holder and Christopher Michael Holder, both of Ware Shoals; his stepfather, Phillip Johnson of the home; a brother, William Oneal Holder of the home; paternal grandmother, Faye Bloodworth of Waterloo; a stepsister, Tequila Johnson of Clinton; and a stepbrother, Mark Johnson of Clinton.
Graveside services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Bethlehem Union Church Cemetery, Ware Shoals, conducted by the Rev. Allan Hammond.
Honorary escorts are Bobby Gregory Jr. and Kevin Attaway.
Visitation is 7-9 Saturday at Harley Funeral Home, Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to the account of David Holder, c/o Harley Funeral Home, P.O. Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harleyfuneralhome.com

Martha Edna Mann

CALHOUN FALLS, SC – Martha Edna Mann, 97, of 1053 Nation Road in Abbeville County, died March 3, 2005 at National Healthcare in Greenwood.
Edna was born May 23, 1907, the youngest daughter of William Baskin and Ann Carwire Mann and lived her entire life in the house in which she was born. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She is survived by nephews William Broadwell of Calhoun Falls, Wayne Broadwell of Anderson and George Broadwell of Calhoun Falls; nieces Myrtle B. Bishop of Ware Shoals and Lena B. Hopkins of Rock Hill.
She was predeceased by sisters Lena M. Nance and Ethel M. Broadwell; brothers Guy Mann, Dudley Mann and George Mann and nephew Clyde H. Broadwell.
Edna attended Campbell School and graduated at Lowndesville High School in 1925. She was a lifetime member of Bells United Methodist Church.
Services will be held at 2:00PM, Sunday, March 6, 2005 with the Rev. Fred Buchanon officiating in the Chapel of Calhoun Falls Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Bells UnitedMethodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends before the service from 1:00PM-2:00PM.
Memorials may be made to: Treasurer, Bells United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 2540 Flat Rock Road, Abbeville, SC 29620.
The family may be contacted at the residence of George and Sara Broadwell, 409 Savannah Street, Calhoun Falls, SC.
Calhoun Falls Funeral Home, 526 Savannah Street, is in charge of the arrangements.
PAID OBITUARY

Maggie Mims Pasley

CLOVER — Maggie Mims Pasley, 70, of 999 Pasley Place, died Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at Piedmont Medical Center.
A native of Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Shelby and Lelia Mims. She graduated from Bell Street High School, Clinton; received a bachelor of science degree from South Carolina State College, Orangeburg, and a master’s degree in education from Winthrop College, Rock Hill. She also studied at the University of California, Los Angeles. She was a member of Green Pond United Methodist Church, where she was a lay member of the annual conference, a church schoolteacher and a past president of the United Methodist Women. She was past vice-president of Rock Hill District United Methodist Women. She was a member of the National Education Association-Retired, a charter member of the Progressive Women’s Club Inc., past president of the Western York County NAACP and fourth vice-president of the South Carolina State Conference NAACP.
Survivors include a daughter, the Rev. Cassandra Pasley Jackson of Clover; a son, George Mims Pasley of Charleston; two sisters, Janie Pinson of Greenwood and Peggy Williams of Castro Valley, Calif.; and two grandsons.
Services are 11 a.m. Saturday at Clover Middle School, 320 Clinton Ave., conducted by Dr. Marvin Caldwell. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Visitation is 6-7 today at Green Pond United Methodist Church, Highway 55 East, Clover. Viewing is 3-5 today at Generation Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Generation Funeral Home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Parks Funeral Home, Greenwood.

Anthony Robinson Jr.

Anthony “Bob” Robinson Jr., 77, of 110 S. Bethune St., died Wednesday, March 2, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of the late Anthony Robinson Sr. and Mabel Dean Robinson. He was a brick mason. A member of Mount Olive Baptist Church, he was past chairman of the Deacon Board. He was a member of Harmony Lodge No. 37, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons and Sons of Aide No. 55.
Survivors include four daughters, Gail R. Grant of Greenwood, Cassandra D. Wright of Greenville, Brenda R. Moore of Goose Creek and Mrs. Wayne (Lynn) Morton of Hodges; a son, Terrance Anthony Robinson of Ridgeville; a sister, Ruby Belcher of Newark, N.J.; eight grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Mount Olive Baptist Church, Highway 178, Saluda County, conducted by the Rev. Tommy Legons. Burial with Masonic rites is in The Evening Star cemetery, Greenwood. The body will be placed in the church at noon.
Pallbearers are members of Harmony Lodge No. 37, Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons.
Flower bearers are members of the Women’s Auxiliary of the church.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at the home. Viewing is 12-8:30 today at Parks Funeral Home.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Melvie Thomas

HODGES — Melvie Thomas, 87, of 103 Gregg Court, died Thursday, March 3, 2005 at her home.
Born in Elberton, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Trime Henry and Dossie Tolbert Calhoun and a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church.
She was the last member of her immediate family.
The family is at the home of Jessie Lee and William C. Richardson, 103 Gregg Court.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home, Greenwood.