Local family: ‘We are devastated’

Wreck leaves husband dead, wife critical;
teen also loses life

August 3, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Senior staff writer

A Greenwood man has been charged with three counts of felony DUI in connection with a wreck Tuesday night that killed two people and injured another.
The wreck occurred just after 9 p.m. when a stolen car collided with a sport utility vehicle at the intersection of S.C. Bypass 225 and Florida Avenue, about a half-mile west of Greenwood.
Tanner Chaise Cason, 23, of 204 Merriman Ave., Greenwood, was driving east on Bypass 225 when a reported stolen vehicle, driven by 26-year-old Antwon Lanier, disregarded the stop sign on Florida Avenue and collided with the driver’s side of Cason’s SUV, said Lance Cpl. Scot Edgeworth, with the S.C. Highway Patrol.
Cason died at the scene, Greenwood County Coroner Jim Coursey said. Cason would have celebrated his 24th birthday Wednesday.
“Tanner was incredibly talented and musically gifted,” said Cason’s mother, Tiara Cason. “This has been very difficult for all of us (in the family). It was something so unexpected. We are devastated.”
Tanner’s wife, Racquel Michelle Cason, 24, was a passenger in the SUV. She was injured and taken to Self Regional Medical Center before being transferred to a hospital in Columbia, where she is in critical condition, Tiara said.
“He was very much in love with his wife,” Tiara said, adding that the two had been married just more than a year.
Lanier’s passenger, Amber Nicole Hamilton, 16, of 112 Jefferson St., Greenwood, was not wearing a seat belt and was ejected from the vehicle during the wreck. She was flown to Greenville Memorial Hospital, where she was placed on life support. Greenwood County Chief Deputy Coroner Marcia Kelley said Hamilton died Wednesday.
Hamilton’s 17th birthday would have been Monday.
Lanier, a Greenwood resident, was not wearing a seat belt and was taken to Self Regional.
Tiara said the Cason family spent time together in the hours before the wreck, making plans for Tanner’s birthday and sharing excitement about a job interview Tanner had planned for the next day.
“I asked him what kind of cake he wanted,” Tiara said. “We had made plans to have cake and ice cream today (Wednesday). ... We had a good visit, standing outside and talking. I stood watching him play with (his nephew) and it was really sweet. I’m glad I had that time with him.
“I wished I had held on and not let him go,” she added. “When he left there, I hugged him and told him I loved him. I didn’t know it would be the last time.”
According to reports from the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office, the vehicle Lanier was driving had been reported stolen just after midnight Tuesday, when the vehicle’s owner noticed his green Ford Escort was missing from the parking lot of the Li’l Cricket on N. Emerald Road.
A report from the Greenwood Police Department said officers spotted the vehicle about 9 p.m.
Tuesday traveling south on Edgefield Street at a “high rate of speed.” According to the report: Officers positioned themselves behind the vehicle, and, at a stop light, radioed the car’s tag to dispatchers but did not turn on the blue lights. When the officers in the car saw another police unit arriving, they activated the blue lights on Florida Avenue near Springfield Elementary School.
The vehicle appeared to slow but continued to travel in a westbound direction, and police then turned on their sirens for about three seconds. The vehicle slowed and began to move to the right side of the roadway, where it came to a stop. The officers exited their patrol car and advised the driver to turn off the vehicle’s engine. The driver then made a U-turn and began traveling east on Florida Avenue.
Greenwood Police Chief Gerald Brooks said the officers got back into their patrol car but did not have sight of Lanier’s vehicle. When the officers arrived at the intersection of Florida Avenue and S.C. 225, they observed the Ford Escort stopped on the shoulder of the road and a Jeep Grand Cherokee overturned on its right side, about 25 yards from the roadway. The police report said officers were told the Ford Escort’s speedometer was locked at 82 mph.
Edgeworth said the intersection was blocked from traffic for about four hours following the wreck, and the S.C. Highway Patrol’s Multi-disciplinary Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) arrived to help investigate.
The highway patrol charged Lanier with three counts of felony DUI, Edgeworth said. The Greenwood Police Department and Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office had not filed charges Wednesday against Lanier, officials said.
As her family struggles to deal with their loss, Tiara said she hopes no one else has to experience the pain of losing a loved one in a DUI-related wreck.
“I want to make sure another family doesn’t have to suffer like this,” she said. “It didn’t just change one life. It changed several.”

Dist. 50 teachers welcomed to the job

August 3, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Lauren Thomason has spent the past few days decorating her room with frogs at Merrywood Elementary School.
That’s right, frogs. Thomason, a new third-grade teacher who was an intern at Merrywood, said she chose a frog theme for her room because it is cute.
She is hoping her students will feel the same way.
Thomason said she is feeling nervous and excited about the first day of school, which is Aug. 9.
She is not the only new teacher who feels that way.
Many teachers attending Wednesday’s Greenwood School District 50 New Teacher Welcome at Springfield Elementary were anxious about being in front of a classroom for the first time as teachers.
Elizabeth Mullikin said she always is nervous on the first day of school. She said she taught special education math at a high school in Raeford, N.C., before coming to District 50.
Mullikin will teach sixth-grade math at Northside Middle School.
She said having a new classroom of students will be fun.
She isn’t the only person feeling good about the first day of school.
Dru James, chairwoman of District 50’s board of trustees, told the new teachers at the event that they were joining a group of talented educators who are enthusiastic about education.
The new teachers will be working with someone who is almost as new to the district as they are: new Superintendent Darrell Johnson.
“He has hit the ground running, and we want to keep up with him,” James said.
Johnson said the district is running smoothly because of the teachers and staff he works with. “I like my team. I like my teammates,” he said.
Johnson said he thinks educators need to act as teammates with fellow teachers and the administration.
They also need to put themselves in someone else’s shoes if they want to be great teachers, he said.
“The best teacher is always the one who remembers what it was like to be a student,” he said. Kay Beggs, District 50’s Teacher of the Year for 2006-07, spoke to the group.
She urged teachers to consider that students have several different types of intelligence and that they might make poor grades in one area but excel in others.
Johnson left the teachers with a message for the school year.
“Our challenge is simple: We need to focus on teaching and learning,” he said.

Opinion

Opinion, true or false, exploited by computers

August 3, 2006

It may look at times that ethics in journalism is nonexistent or, at the least, a hit and miss proposition. Indeed there are times when some journalists practice their craft on the edge.
Some, experience shows, cross the line and principle is nowhere to be found. Overall, though, journalists continuously have integrity drilled into their psyches.
There are exceptions, to be sure, in South Carolina and other states. In fact, there have been a number of scandals in recent times, usually in the major media, whether it be print or electronic. Those few “bad apples” haven’t spoiled the whole journalistic barrel, of course, but they still have had a negative impact on the profession as a whole.

THERE IS ANOTHER FACTOR in “journalism” these days - the computer age - that can, and indeed sometimes does, create some ethics questions. Computers have provided anyone and everyone a means to practice a brand of journalism that can add to a credibility problem. Anyone can send out all kinds of opinion and “information,” some questionable or downright false, and spoil much more of the barrel than anyone might have dreamed possible.
Professional journalists are held accountable, especially by the public. If they aren’t, they should be. On the other hand, some who exploit the computer age to circulate anything they want, whether trash or not, do it with impunity. And, anything’s fair game ..... from politics to pornography.
There are more ways to run scams than just the obvious. This is one of them.

Obituaries

Alonzo Bussey

DONALDS — Alonzo Bussey, 49, of 62 Heritage Circle, died Sunday, July 30, 2006.
Born in Abbeville County, he was a son of the late Willie and Catherine Stewart Bussey. He was a member of Dunn Creek Baptist Church and employed by CC Corp.
Survivors include his wife, Earlene Bussey of Cokesbury; two children, Chico Bussey and Princess Bussey, both of Homestead, Fla.; seven brothers, Leroy Bussey, John Calvin Bussey, Willie Ray Bussey and Jelves Bussey, all of Donalds, Mike Bussey, Andre Bussey and Talvin Bussey, all of Brevard, N.C.; two sisters, Genevieve Perry of the home and Janet Bussey of Brevard.
Services are 3 p.m. Friday at Dunn Creek Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. James F. Davis III, Sylvester Jackson and Delores Henderson. The body will be placed in the church at 1. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Viewing begins at noon today at Robinson-Walker Funeral Service, Ware Shoals.
The family is at the home.
Pallbearers are Chavis Anderson, Michael Anderson, Jelves Bussey, James Fuller, Karsten Rouse, Bobby Smith and John Smith.
Flower bearers are Delores Adams, Sylvia Banner, Diane Burns, Shameka Rouse, Carolyn Smith, Mary Jane Warlark and Pamela Williams.
Robinson-Walker Funeral Service is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Tanner Chaise Cason

Tanner Chaise Cason, 23, husband of Michelle Davis Cason, died Monday, Aug. 1, 2006.
The family is at the home of his parents, Terry and Tiara S. Cason, 2624 Scotts Ferry Road, Kirksey.
Services will be announced by Harley Funeral Home & Crematory.

Mary Ellen Glenn

Mary Ellen Regan Glenn, 85, of 110 Blyth Ave., widow of Jack W. Glenn, died Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Philadelphia, she was a daughter of the late Michael Francis and Helen M. Doyle Regan. She was a graduate of West Catholic Girls High School, Philadelphia, and a homemaker. She was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary Ellen “Jill” Darmer of Atlanta; seven sons, John Glenn of Columbia, Dr. Robert “Buzz” Glenn of Walterboro, Thomas Glenn and Kevin Glenn, both of Greenwood, Gerard “Gerry” Glenn of Jackson, Michael Glenn of Atlanta and Paul Glenn of Walhalla; nine grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial is 11 a.m. Friday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, conducted by Father Timothy Tebalt. Entombment is in Oakbrook Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Pallbearers are grandsons.
Visitation is 7-8 tonight at Blyth Funeral Home, with a Rosary at 6:30.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1178, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is in charge.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Amber Nicole Hamilton

Amber Nicole Hamilton, 16, of 1112 Jefferson St., died Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2006 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of Alvin D. Hamilton and Gail Denise Lockhart Lomax. She was formerly employed by Burger King. A member of Dunham Temple CME Church, she was a rising senior at Greenwood High School and a former stepper team member.
Survivors include her father of Greenwood; her mother and stepfather, Carl Lomax, of the home; a brother, Randavious “Man” Hamilton of Greenwood; three sisters, Shannon Hamilton and Monique Hamilton, both of Greenwood and Tovia Hamilton of the home; a niece of the home, Ambreia Hamilton; maternal grandparents, Elaine Stewart of Greenwood and Richard and Barbara Martin of Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Lela Mae Peterson

Services for Lela Mae “Lucy Mae” Dean Peterson, of 442 Marion Ave., are at noon Saturday at Macedonia Baptist Church, with Dr. Willie S. Harrison presiding and the Rev. James McKee officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. Burial is in The Evening Star cemetery.
Pallbearers are great-grandsons.
Flower bearers are great-granddaughters.
Visitation is 7-8 p.m. Friday at Robinson & Son Mortuary.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is in charge.
Online condolences may be made to the family at robson@nctv.com.

Wade Lewis Smith, Jr.

GREENWOOD — Memorial services for Mr. Wade Lewis Smith, Jr. will be held Saturday, August 5, 2006 at 3pm at Robinson & Son Mortuary, 534 Maxwell Ave, Greenwood, SC. Interment to follow in Evening Star Memorial Gardens, Greenwood. South Carolina Cremation & Memorial Society, Aiken is assisting the Family.
On Friday July 21st, 2006 at age 74 God called to rest our beloved husband and father. Born and raised in Ninety-Six, SC he was the son of the late Louis Smith, Jr. and Clara Lee Harts. Wade affectionately known, as Junior or Big Wade by relatives and friends was a kind, loving, devoted husband and father. He always had pleasant, helpful and comforting word to express to others. He will be sorely missed by those near and dear. Mr. Wade Smith was a member of New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Asheville, NC and Morris Chapel Baptist Church, Greenwood, SC. While a student he attended Ninety Six High School. Upon entering the U.S. Army on November 27, 1950 he trained with the 171ST Military police battalion at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. He served in Korea with the 279 Infantry Regiment 45th Division years and in Okinawa with the Ryuku Armed Service Police. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Medal with two bronze stars, Combat Infantry Badge and Good Conduct Medal. He was also a 32nd degree Prince Hall Mason, Venus Lodge #62, Consistory #253 Gizeh Temple #162, A.E.A.O.N.M.S. Mystic Shrine of North and South America. He retired from Lowe’s on December 21st, 1975 and from Flexible Technologies in Abbeville, SC in 1996.
Mr. Smith is predeceased by his brother, Odell Smith; sister, Gladys Williams, and sister in law, Gladys White. He is survived by a devoted wife of 45 years, Mrs. Sallie J. Smith, two sons Wade L. Smith III and Otis K. Smith, a daughter in law Dolores Smith, sisters Mozelle Harrison and. Desiree Collins, three grandchildren Christopher Ingram Smith, Otis K. Smith II and Wade L. Smith IV, an aunt Aggie Lee Lowden of Ninety Six, SC, brothers and sisters in law Otis and Kimiko Johnson, Spencer White, Dasha Reid and Justin Reid and Theodore Johnson as well as a host of nieces, nephews and cousins to mourn his passing.
Visit www.southcarolinacremation.com to view the obituary and sign the online condolence register.
PAID OBITUARY

Jessie Mae Terry

ABBEVILLE — Jessie Mae Strother Terry, 67, of 2240 Old Douglas Mill Road, wife of McKinley Terry, died Sunday, July 30, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood.
A daughter of the late Augustus Coleman and Hattie Mae Strother, she was a member of Flat Rock AME Church and was later affiliated with Mount Zion AME Church, Hodges.
Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Michael B. Strother of New York, Jerald Terry of Iva and Lucious Terry of Abbeville; two daughters, Toni Terry and Tanga Terry, both of Abbeville; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren.
Services are 3 p.m. Thursday at Mount Zion AME Church, conducted by the Rev. Clinton J. Hall, assisted by the Rev. Albert L. Thompson. The body will be placed in the church at 2. Burial is in the church cemetery.
Richie Funeral Home is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY