Ware Shoals man drowns while saving his children

May 27, 2005

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

WARE SHOALS – A minister enjoying a sun-soaked day beside the Saluda River drowned after rescuing two of his children, who were screaming for help in the water.
Tim Bailey, 34, dashed into the water, had the children in his arms and was making his way back to shore, shouting for help, when two carnival workers went into the water to assist him.
They took the children, Ware Shoals Police Chief Mickey Boland said, and then looked back for Bailey. He had gone under the water.
“If it hadn’t been for those two carnival workers, we might have had three bodies,” Boland said.
The workers were taking a break at a picturesque riverfront spot at Pitts Park. They were working on preparations for a carnival that will be part of this weekend’s Catfish Feastival.
By the time Bailey went under the water, more people were calling for help, and their cries were heard at nearby town hall. People there called for Boland, and he and others jumped in to try to save Bailey. The body was found about 15-20 minutes later.
Even though Bailey was unresponsive, Boland said the water temperature and the fact that Bailey had not been in the water for a long time gave hope that, perhaps, he could be resuscitated.
“The paramedics and EMS came and they took him in the ambulance,” Boland said. “I was told later he had died.”
Bailey was Boland’s minister.
The chief said he didn’t know whom he and the others were trying to save until he saw the shaken children standing beside the river.
“It’s been a tough day,” Boland said.
Bailey had come to Calvery Baptist Church, on S.C. 252 in Abbeville County, about six months ago, Boland said. The church is just outside the limits of the town, which straddles the Saluda River and three counties – Greenwood, Laurens and Abbeville. Pitts Park is in the Laurens County portion of Ware Shoals.
“He was a fella who came here and won the people’s hearts,” Boland said. “People took to him.”
In memory of Bailey, a moment of silence was observed at Thursday night’s Ware Shoals High School graduation.
Boland said Bailey originally was from the Ninety Six/Greenwood area and had been the youth minister at First Baptist Church in Ware Shoals.
“We have lost a great, up-and-coming leader in our community,” Boland said. “He had talked to me about keeping our youth out of trouble. He had talked to the mayor, too. He was starting to lay the groundwork for future work.”
After Boland and others retrieved Bailey from the water, Boland called his own wife to come get the Bailey children.
In addition to the two children who were rescued, two other Bailey children were at the park.
All of the children were taken to the parsonage to await Bailey’s wife, and church members already had gathered to provide support.
“There were already three other pastors there,” Boland said. “There has been an outpouring of support from the community.”
Boland said the area where Bailey drowned can be treacherous, especially to people new to the area.
“It’s a beautiful spot out there,” he said, “but people see the outer beauty, not the danger underneath. I grew up in this town. I’ve fished that river from one end to the other. The currents can change when there’s a big rain.”
Also, Boland confirmed there are holes in the riverbed near the area where Bailey went under.
Boland said that in addition to the two carnival workers and others in the park, he, police Lt. Eric Webster, Toby McAllister, head of the wastewater treatment department, and Rodney Free, with the Ware Shoals Fire Department, went into the water during the rescue attempt. He said that in death, Bailey acted heroically.
“He went in after them (his children),” the chief said, “and, ultimately, gave his life.”

More food poisoning cases reported

DHEC expects results of investigation today

May 27, 2005

By WALLACE McBRIDE
Index-Journal senior staff writer

The cause of an outbreak of food poisoning at a local fundraising event is expected to be identified today.
The S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control is investigating the cause of dozens of illnesses reported following last weekend’s Faith Home barbecue fundraiser.
DHEC’s Greenwood County Public Health Department initially identified more than 40 people who became ill after eating food purchased at a Faith Home fundraiser. Since Thursday, another dozen cases have been reported, said Bob Bailey, public information coordinator for the Upper Savannah Public Health District.
The most recent cases involve the same symptoms: vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Faith Home sold food to about 1,400 people from throughout the state, many of whom bought in bulk for freezing and later consumption.
Georgia residents reportedly purchased some of the food as well. DHEC is urging people to throw away all food purchased at the event.
“We’ve never had this happen, so this is all brand new,” said Faith Home Assistant Director Buddy Kenney. “Thirty-eight years of success and a bomb’s fallen on us.”
Bailey said the meals were prepared on-site.
While the specific cause was not known, he said the problem is believed have been caused during the food’s preparation.
“There’s nothing that tells us it’s a supplier problem,” he said.
The tainted food forced several people to visit doctors, he said, though none of the cases required hospitalization.
“Greenwood has been enormously supportive,” Kenney said. “Those who were sick have not complained to us. They were very supportive and didn’t want us to stop the barbecue and wanted us to have it next year.”
Refunds would be available to those who ask, he said.
Faith Home might have to find another avenue for raising money, Kenney said.
“We’re asking for help at this point to find out what happened,” he said. “We want to focus on this and the people who were injured and see how things materialize. We may have to move to another fundraiser.”
Fatalities are rarely involved in food poisoning incidents in South Carolina, according to DHEC.
The largest food-borne illness outbreak in recent years in South Carolina occurred in 1996 in Greenville County, leaving 244 people ill. No deaths were reported.
There have been two salmonella-related deaths in South Carolina since 1998, one in 2001 in Chesterfield County and one in Georgetown County in 2003.
Salmonella is responsible for a death in Kershaw County this week. A food poisoning outbreak left 175 people ill, many of whom required hospitalization.

Wallace McBride covers Greenwood and general assignments in the Lakelands. He can be reached at 223-1812, or: wmcbride@indexjournal.com

Pederson ready to start with Lady Bearcats

May 27, 2005

By MICHAEL STONE
Index-Journal sports editor

Kevin Pederson said all the right things when he was formally introduced Thursday as the new women’s basketball coach at Lander University.
Pederson complimented the school’s athletic department and facilities, and told the audience at the press conference that his goal was to compete for a Peach Belt conference title every year.
Now all the 29-year-old coach has to do is find some players.
The Lady Bearcats return nine players from a team that finished 14-15 for coach Jonathan Norton in the 2004-05 season.
But those nine returners combined to start just 33 games last year and average just more than 21 points per contest.
“We’ve got a lot of rebuilding to do,” Pederson acknowledged. “But it’s a chance to build this program into something great.
“We’re going to start recruiting right away, but I’m going to recruit the right players and look long term, not just bring in someone because we have to have players.”
Pederson had success as a recruiter at Anderson College.
After taking over the program a few games into the 2001-02 season, the Lady Trojans went 88-31 under Pederson.
During that time, the team won two Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference titles and made two appearances in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Pederson did it with a roster chalked full of South Carolina underclassmen. The Lady Trojans’ top three players last season – Greenwood High School graduate LaShonda Chiles, Stephanie Ponds and Deidre Langston – are all sophomores.
Pederson’s ability to attract local talent is one of the main reasons he was offered the job, Lander Athletic Director Jeff May.
May said he knew he wanted Pederson to coach the Lady Bearcats “15-to-20 minutes” into their first interview.
“His record over the past three years at Anderson College has been outstanding,” May said.
Duplicating that at Lander, at least in his first season, might not be so easy.
Four of the five LU starters, and one of the top reserves, from last season are gone.
Of the returning nine, only Lashaundra Dubose and Kuenna Thomas averaged more than 10 minutes a game last season.
Dubose, who started 19 games at guard, averaged 6.1 points and had 98 rebounds and 50 assists as a sophomore. Thomas, who started 13 games, averaged 5.4 points and had 68 assists and 63 rebounds as a freshman.
Pederson said he plans to meet with the returning players within the next two weeks to see what he has to work with.
He also wants to find out who plans on staying in the program.
“We want people who want to be here at Lander and work hard,” Pederson said. “We want to make this the place to be. We want (high school) players around here saying, ‘I want to be a Bearcat.’”
Pederson and his wife, Adair, have two children – Conner, 3, and Clary, 1 ½.
Adair was a teacher at T.L. Hanna High School, and is looking for a teaching position in the area, Pederson said.
The hiring of Pederson fills the second of three coaching vacancies on the Lander staff.
Earlier this month, Brett Simpson replaced Joe Cabri as men’s tennis coach. Simpson will also coach the women’s team when it begins play in the 2006-07 season.
The last of three finalists for the softball coaching position was schedule to tour the campus Friday, May said. The coach will replace Doug Spears, who is retiring.

Opinion

Look at terrorists, U.S.; which kills the innocent?

May 27, 2005

Every time you pick up a newspaper or turn on television news programs, it’s a foregone conclusion, it seems, that somewhere in the reports will be anti-America diatribes from someone ….. every day.
You might think it would come from America-haters from some other nation, and often it is. Too often, though, there are Americans, including some South Carolinians, who gleefully disparage anything we do, whether it’s in Iraq or any other place.
Take what’s going on in Iraq, for example. Every day there’s a roadside bombing or some other form of violence against American troops and anyone who associates with them in any capacity.

TO BE HONEST, SOME OF the criticism we bring upon ourselves. More often than not, though, the murder and mayhem is planned and carried out by terrorists. They hate America, there can be no doubting that. They also are afraid that if we and the recently formed Iraqi government succeed they will lose power and not be able to spread their death and destruction and keep Iraqis who try to build a better life cowering in fear.
In short, they want the same kind of power that Saddam Hussein had over the people of Iraq. They want to be able to use the same kind of torture and oppression that Saddam was known for.
Doubting Thomases may argue that such an assessment is absurd and stretching the truth. Doubt or not, though, reality argues otherwise. And that reality is full of inconsiderate and indiscriminate violence.

NO ONE CAN DENY THAT terrorists active in Iraq, Afghanistan or anywhere else have no qualms about killing innocent people ….. even their own. They apparently target women, children and holy people routinely. Their lives mean nothing to terrorists, and they demonstrate that more every day.
So, all those blame-America –first people, which includes some Americans who hate this country and, by extension, freedom of the individual, appear to disregard terrorists’ brutality and total disregard for the safety of children and who use murder as a means to an end.
There’s a big difference in what the U. S. and terrorists are doing. There have been times when U. S. forces killed some civilians, including women and children. It has always been accidental, however. Terrorists do it on purpose. We are scorned by others. Why aren’t terrorists?

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

Obituaries

George Dennis Boyd

McCORMICK — George Dennis Boyd, 70, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005, at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood after a sudden illness.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of the late Dennis and Georgia Brown Boyd. He was a member of Little Mill Baptist Church, where he served on the Deacon Board. He attended McCormick County public schools and owned a pulpwood and logging business.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Norman Boyd of Ridge Spring; two daughters, Betty Jo Boyd Cunningham of Aiken and Alfredia Boyd of Columbia; two sons, George D. Boyd Jr. of Watkinsville, Ga., and Donald Boyd of Abbeville; five sisters, Katie Epps of Greenville, Laura Mae Barnes of Queens, N.Y., Johnnie Mae DeVeaux of Bridgeport, Conn., Bernice Boyd of McCormick and Beatrice Dennis of Atlanta; a brother, Guilford Boyd of Bridgeport; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Sunday at Little Mill Baptist Church, Willington, conducted by the Rev. Paul Saunders, pastor. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are Keldrick Cunningham, Dr. Michael Ashmore, Chuck Cunningham, Jacob Boyd, Kenneth Brown and Henry Brown.
Flower bearers are granddaughters.
Visitation is 6-7 p.m. Saturday at Walker Funeral Home.
The family is at the home of Mary Boyd, 3585 Columbia Highway, Ridge Spring.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Kathy Elaine Brooks

Services for Kathy Elaine Brooks are 1 p.m. Saturday at Second Damascus Baptist Church, with the Rev. Leroy Robertson officiating and the Rev. Harry Mansell presiding. The body will be placed in the church at 12. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers are family.
Flower bearers are family and friends.
Honorary escorts are Radiology Department staff of Self Regional Healthcare.
Viewing is 1-8:30 p.m. today at Parks Funeral Home.
The family is at the home, 419 Plowden Ave., and at her mother’s home, 615 Taggart Ave.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge.

Floyd Haynie

GREENWOOD – Floyd Tillman “Tippy” Haynie, 58, resident of 1513 Woodlawn Road, husband of Patricia Judy Butler Haynie, died May 26, 2005 at his home.
Born in Greenwood County December 14, 1946, he was a son of the late John Waymond and Ruby Alexander Haynie. He was a US Navy Veteran serving during the Vietnam War. Mr. Haynie retired as general manager of N.W. White Trucking Company in Greenwood. He was of the Presbyterian faith.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are three daughters, Susie Marie Tsantakis of Greenwood, Susan Annette and husband Scott A. Nickles of Abbeville, and Katherine Dawn and husband Charlie Amerson of Ware Shoals; a sister, Patricia and husband Gary Skidmore of Greenwood; and a brother Gary Thomas and wife Shirley Haynie of Greenwood; eight grandchildren, George Tsantakis, Alex Tsantakis, Savannah Nickles, Harley Nickles, Daniel Amerson, Alexis Amerson, Kameron Amerson, and Madison Amerson.
Mr. Haynie was predeceased by a daughter Karen Joy Haynie and a brother Charles Waymond Haynie.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, May 28, 2005, at 3:30 PM from the Chapel of Blyth Funeral Home with Reverend Tommy Cartledge and Representative Gene Pinson officiating. Entombment with military honors will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be Gary Skidmore, Scotty Skidmore, Skip Haynie, Rusty Haynie, Kevin Haynie and Michael Haynie.
Honorary escort will be Sam Riley, Ervin Hendrix, Bobby Knight, Hubert Chandler, Joe Chandler, Elbert Bowers, Jerome Jones and Gene Sartin.
The family is at the home on Woodlawn Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7:00 until 9:00 Friday evening.
For additional information please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
BLYTH FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE HAYNIE FAMILY.
PAID OBITUARY

Lue Gene Laster

ABBEVILLE — Lue Gene Laster, 76, of 380 Old Hodges Road, widow of John Laster Sr., died Thursday, May 26, 2005 at her home.
Born in Abbeville County, she was a daughter of the late Suzanne Bookman Quarles and Wright Austin. She was a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church and the church choir and Missionary Society. A retired employee of Abbeville Manufacturing, she was also a homemaker.
Survivors include a daughter, Elizabeth Williams of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two sons, John Laster Jr. of Abbeville and Robert Laster of Burlington, N.J.; a stepdaughter, Ruby Power of Abbeville; a sister, Daisy Kilgo of Monroe, N.C.; two brothers, Alexander Austin of Philadelphia and L.T. Austin of Greenwood; a half brother, Willie Jackson of Greenwood; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Brown and Walker Funeral Home.

Katie Powell

NINETY SIX – Katie M. Williams Powell, 89, widow of Willie W. Powell, formerly of 94 Cothran Street, Ninety Six, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at Hillcrest Hospital in Simpson-ville.
Born in Alabama, she was a daughter of the late George and Mamie Richards Williams. She was retired from the Ninety Six Plant of Greenwood Mills and was a member of Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church, where she was a teacher in the Children’s Sunday School classes.
Surviving is a son, Billy Powell and his wife, Velma, of Mauldin; two grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Chris Stansell officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Terry Carpenter, Richard Jay, Dale Jones, Leon Jay, Dennis Kelly and Devant Kelly.
Honorary escort will be the members of the Sanctuary Class of Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.
The family is at the home of her son, Billy Powell, 102 Kingsley Drive, Mauldin.
It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church, 206 State Street, Ninety Six, SC 29666.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com PAID OBITUARY

Lawrence Williams

McCORMICK — Lawrence Williams, 66, husband of Elizabeth Coombs Williams, died Wednesday, May 25, 2005 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood after a long illness.
Born in McCormick, he was a son of Josie Hill Williams and the late Clyde Williams. He was a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Plum Branch. He formerly lived in New York and was a retired self-employed general contractor.
Survivors include his wife of the home; his mother of McCormick; a daughter, Stephanie Coombs and a son, Ronald Coombs, both of New York City; a sister, Jessie Mae Harrison of McCormick; eight brothers, Willie Williams, Henry Williams, Marvin Williams, Joe C. Williams, Arthur Williams and Thomas Williams, all of McCormick, Marion Williams and Eugene Williams, both of Edgefield; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services are at noon Saturday at Walker Funeral Home, conducted by the Rev. Chuck Smallwood. Burial is in Cedar Spring Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers are friends of the family.
The family is at the home, Highway 378 East.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.