End of an era for McCormick County Council

Alonzo Harrison honored after 16 years of service as councilman

December 21, 2006

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

McCORMICK — Alonzo Harrison is the only county council chairman McCormick County has ever known.
Which means the governmental body will enter uncharted waters in January when Earl Coleman takes over Harrison’s District Five seat, one Harrison — who chose not to seek re-election — has had for the last 16 years.
On Tuesday, during Harrison’s final meeting as a council member, his fellow McCormick County Council members expressed their gratitude for both his unwavering loyalty to McCormick County and its residents and his steady hand in guiding the council for 14 years as council chairman.
One by one — following county business, of course — council members acknowledged their friend, council leader and longtime colleague.
“You didn’t mind yanking someone’s coat when they were up too long, and we can all appreciate that,” councilman Henry Banks said.
“We appreciate what you’ve done for this council. Hopefully this council can continue to operate in the same way as we have in the past by working together,” Banks added.
Councilman Bernard L. Hamby recalled a heated issue in the county’s past during which Harrison maintained his calm demeanor.
“I remember about nine years ago watching you in a courthouse slap-full of people challenging you all on the new zoning work,” Hamby told Harrison. “Everybody got so beat up. I still remember your attitude and how calm you were during that. I still remember your look and how you handled that rough crowd.
“I’m so very proud to have served the citizens of this county with you. We’ve been so blessed to have been able to work through some tough issues together.”
Councilman Charles T. Jennings says he will not look forward to January’s meeting, his first-ever such gathering without Harrison being present.
“Down through the years it has been great working with you,” Jennings said. “We’ve seen many things take place here. I’m not looking forward to the January meeting because you have either been sitting to my left or my right for the last 16 years.
“You have taught all of us how to be cool because (I) am not cool (sometimes). We have disagreed, but we have never become disagreeable.”
Harrison was one of the first people to welcome councilman-elect Earl Coleman to the community nine years ago.
“When I first moved here you were one of the first people to come to my house with a bushel full of vegetables to welcome me to the community,” Coleman said. “(Harrison) does run a tight ship, but I commend you for your professionalism. I’ve seen you under fire and you are cool under fire. You’ve stood your ground.”
“Thanks so much for all the kind words,” Harrison said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the citizens of this great county with you.”
Clerk to Court Sheree Bowick then presented Harrison with the gavel he’d used to both call to order and adjourn meetings the past 14 years as chairman.
Following business, and though his duties were done, council members were still reluctant to allow Harrison to walk away free of obligation come the new year.
“We have a lot of stuff that you can do after hours,” Hamby added. “Mr. Philcox, don’t we have a space available on the Planning Commission Zoning Committee? Let’s remember his name next month.”
“You have too much to offer this county to run off and hide,” Jennings joked.
“I agree (with the rest of the council) that you live too close to me for you to run off and hide,” Coleman said. laughing. “You may run fast, but you can’t hide.”
During Tuesday’s meeting, council appointed former council member Cherry Houston Brown to a term on the Piedmont Tech Area Commission Board, appointed Sue Norton to the Library Board and awarded a contract to Satterfield Construction for the grading and paving of the county’s new recycling center.

’Twas the last day of classes, no movies to see ...

... but books kept these students in good company

December 21, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Annastesia Williams, a seventh-grader at Brewer Middle School, isn’t watching a movie on the last day of school before winter break; nor is she having a holiday party or just watching the clock, waiting for the bell to ring.
Instead, she’s reading “Crystal,” a novel about a girl whose modeling career gets in the way of her personal beliefs.
Annastesia was reading as part of the “Let Us Read! Let Us Read! Let Us Read! Read-a-thon” at Brewer and Westview middle schools, said Pam Fagan, literacy coach for Brewer Middle.
The read-a-thon helps students get instruction during the last day of school for Greenwood School District 50 before winter break, a day normally considered to be a waste of instruction. Some school districts have parties on the last day, but not a lot of instruction, Fagan said.
She was proud to have almost 2,000 students at Brewer and Westview middle schools engage in serious instruction Wednesday.
“My students can watch movies at home,” she said. “I want my children to be taught.”
Annastesia said she wasn’t expecting to read on the last day, but she’s learning to deal with it.
“Reading is not as bad as learning,” she said.
Reading is made fun for students in a way that they don’t even realize they’re learning, Fagan said.
She’s been involved with the read-a-thon for three years now and says schools have no discipline problems during the day. The read-a-thon also helps the schools meet the district’s “balanced literary” goals, Fagan said.
Teachers in both schools had their students read, write and respond to what they’re reading for two hours Wednesday.
For example, a teacher read out loud to students, who in turn wrote in their journals about what the book meant to them.
Fagan said students also did some self-selected reading, where they pick any book to read and passed letters to other students about the book they’ve been reading in a “written conversation.”
Brewer principal Anthony Holland and chorus teacher Janice DeVore at Westview read to students over the schools’ television announcement system Wednesday. Students followed along with the televised storytelling with a PowerPoint computer slideshow presentation in their classrooms, Fagan said.
The read-a-thon also reaches out to every students’ particular learning style, from visual to written learners, Fagan said.
Shanece Walker, an eighth-grader in Mae Timmerman’s class at Brewer, said she picked “Number the Stars,” a book about a Denmark girl attempting to save her Jewish friend from the Nazis during World War II, because she likes stars.
She thinks reading and writing all day is OK.
Taylor Madden, also in Timmerman’s class, said she likes reading books about the past because she likes learning about different eras.
“I think people should read a lot because it’s good to read,” she said.

Patricia Ann Harrison

Patricia Ann Harrison, 63, of 113 S. Hospital St., wife of Leon Harrison, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at her home.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.

Levi Allen Hurt

ABBEVILLE — Infant Levi Allen Hurt died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006 at Abbeville Area Medical Center. He was the son of Daniel Mason Hurt and Tracy Dawn Turnage. Surviving Levi are his parents; maternal grandparents, Marlene Mobley and Henry Allen Turnage of Abbeville; and paternal grandparents, B.J. Ferry of Greenwood and Allen Timms of Calhoun Falls. Graveside services will be held Friday, Dec. 22, 2006 at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the Hurt family.

Rufus Hutchinson

ABBEVILLE — Rufus Wood Hutchinson, 89, of 509 N. Main St., husband of May Baskin Hutchinson, died Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2006, at Abbeville Area Medical Center.
Services will be announced by The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.

George Jordan Jr.

CALLISON — George Calhoun Jordan, Jr., 100, resident of 2310 Callison Road, widower of Aurelia Flynn Jordan, died Dec. 19, 2006 at his home.
Born in McCormick County, Jan. 21, 1906, he was a son of the late George Calhoun Jordan, Sr. and Margaret Dorn Jordan. Mr. Jordan was an active cattle and timber farmer for most of his adult life.
Mr. Jordan was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church and served as financial chairman along with other positions within the church. He was also a member of the Woodlawn Grange, Beef Producers Association, Caldwell Masonic Lodge No. 82 for over 70 years and a Shriner.
Survivors include two daughters, Margaret Ann Cunningham of Spartanburg and June Purkerson of Lake Lure, NC; son, George Calhoun Jordan, III of Rapid City, SD; sister, Jewell Cassady of Callison; eight grandchildren, Mac Cunningham, Debra Quick, Meg Watson, Natalie Farrell, George Calhoun Jordan, IV, B.J. Jordan, Margie Jordan and Joe Jordan; eleven great-grandchildren. Mr. Jordan was predeceased by a brother, Rev. Howard Jordan, sister, Myrtis Counts and a granddaughter, Kimberly Long-White.
Graveside services with Masonic Rites will be conducted 2 p.m. Friday at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery, with Mr. Joe Hill and Rev. Jeff Genson officiating.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 Thursday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646 or to the charity of one’s choice.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Jordan family.

Charles W. McIlwain Sr.

ABBEVILLE — Charles W. McIlwain, Sr., 84, husband of Lorine Smith McIlwain, died Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2006 at Wesley Commons Healthcare Center. Mr. McIlwain was born in Abbeville County to the late William L. and Sara B. McCord McIlwain. He served in the United States Navy. Mr. McIlwain loved farming as well as the outdoors. He was a former board member of the Little River Electric Co-op, the Farm Bureau, and a former member of the Aquaculture Committee. Mr. McIlwain was a member of the American Legion and Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Lois DeLoach and Toncie Robinson.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years of the home, a son, Charles McIlwain, Jr. and his wife, Darlene, of Anderson, two daughters, Charlene Haynes and her husband, Calvin, of Abbeville, and Vickie Lynn McClain and her husband, Johnny, of Abbeville, four grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006 at Harris Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2006 at the Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church. Burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent in memory of Mr. McIlwain to the Upper Long Cane Presbyterian Church, 194 Hwy. 20, Abbeville, SC 29620.
The family is at 421 Central Shiloh Road, Abbeville.
Online condolences may be sent to the McIlwain family by visiting www.harrisfuneral.com.
Harris Funeral Home of Abbeville is assisting the McIlwain family.

Janie E. Mars Morgan

McCORMICK — Ms. Janie E. Mars Morgan, 53, of McCormick, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center. She was a daughter of Willie and Rosie L. Chamberlain Mars of Plum Branch, SC. Survivors are a son, Willie P. Morgan of Greenwood, SC; a special friend, Milton Parham of Augusta, GA; eleven siblings, Carrie Martin, Marilyn Thomas and Susan Norman of Plum Branch, SC, Alice Hicks, Calvin Mars and Carolyn Sibert of Greenwood, SC, Rufus Mars, Rose Williams and Sharon Rogers of Charlotte, NC, Ruth Drummings of Trenton, SC, and Dollie Mars of Stone Mountain, GA; and two grandchildren. Funeral services will be Saturday, Dec. 30, at noon at Cedar Springs Baptist Church, Plum Branch, SC, with the pastor, Rev. Chuck Smallwood, officiating, and Rev. Jasper Chamberlain assisting. The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Nieces will be floral bearers and nephews will be pallbearers. The family is at the home of her mother, Ms. Rosie Lee Mars, 690 Old Augusta Road, Plum Branch, SC. Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Lee Roberts, Col. USAF (Ret.)

Lee Forrest Roberts, Col. USAF (Ret.), 84, resident of 128 Kings Grant Lane, husband of Lydia Estelle Fillingim, died Dec. 17, 2006 at his home.
Born in Fort Collins, CO, Feb. 11, 1942, he was a son of the late Herbert Smith and Mae Melissa Marshall Roberts. Col. Roberts served eleven years active duty with the US Air Force and twenty-nine years Air Force Reserve service. He participated in fifty combat missions in the European Theatre during WW II, he completed pilot training in 1950 and flew troop carrier aircraft in the Korean War Theatre. Col. Roberts commanded an Air force Reserve unit in Pensacola, FL. He was employed as an industrial engineer with Monsanto Company in Pensacola, FL, and Greenwood for 28 years and was a former instructor with Piedmont Technical College.
A member of St. Mark United Methodist Church, he was also a member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers and the Hunters Creek Golf and Country Club. He was formerly associated with the Boy Scouts in Pickens and Greenwood.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a son, William R. Roberts of Smyrna, GA, and a daughter, Amy R. Botts of Greenwood; two granddaughters, Erin and Taylor Botts, both of Greenwood; a sister, Ellen Ahearn of Pensacola, FL.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jason Wilson officiating.
Burial will be in Bayview Cemetery in Pensacola, FL.
The family is at the home in Hunters Creek.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Roberts family.

Lornell Saxon

Lornell Saxon, 71, of 301 Milwee Avenue, died Dec. 16 at Self Regional Medical Center. Born in McCormick County, he was a son of the late Alexander Saxon and Cornelia Tolbert Saxon.
Surviving are five sons, Ricky Saxon, Derrick Saxon, Lonnie Saxon, Robert Saxon and Stewart Saxon of Greenwood; four daughters, Cheryl Goode, Janice Hall, Barbara Saxon of Greenwood, Deborah Saxon of Brooklyn, NY; one brother, Alexander Saxon of Washington, DC; six sisters, Carrie Newsom of Gilmer, TX, Annie McCray of Dawson, GA, Mary Saxon, Martha Saxon, Dorothy Saxon and Cora Saxon of Brooklyn, NY; 25 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held Friday at 1 at Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, with Rev. Eddie McCray officiating, Rev. Ulysses Parks presiding, and Rev. Annette Edwards assisting. Burial will be in Ninety Six Community Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Pallbearers and flower bearers will be friends of the family.
The family is at the home of a son Ricky Saxon, 112 Lawton St. and a daughter Cheryl Saxon, 103 Thornhill Court, Brentwood Hills.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Saxon family.
pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

GHS boys avenge loss with big win

December 21, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

Fans of the Greenwood Eagles and Emerald Vikings boys’ basketball teams might have been disappointed Wednesday night if they were looking for a game similar to last week’s overtime thriller.
This time around, the Eagles came out intent on avenging the loss and they wasted little time in taking control as they won, 80-53, in front of a packed gym at Greenwood High School.
“We were disappointed in our loss earlier to them and we wanted to come out and get a win on our home court,” Eagles coach Hob Chandler said. “I thought overall we played well. I think our press hurt them in the first half. We got some turnovers and the intensity was there. It’s good to get a win.”
The Vikings’ only lead of the game came on a Tyler McGraw 3-pointer in the opening minutes of the first quarter and gave the Vikings a 5-2 lead.
Andre Day led the Eagles with 22 points, including eight in the first quarter as he continued to drive directly into the heart of the Vikings’ defense, keeping them off-balance.
Damarcus Harrison scored 16 points and Dexter Syrkett added 13 for the Eagles.
The Vikings were led by Kadarron Anderson, who finished with 12 points before fouling out in the third quarter.
Following McGraw’s 3-pointer, the Eagles went on a 15-2 run, highlighted by a ballet-like move by Day that split the Vikings’ defense as he made his way to the basket, before Vikings coach Robin Scott called a timeout to regroup his team with 3 minutes, 49 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Vikings trailed 18-12 following McGraw’s second 3-pointer, but the Eagles continued to attack the Vikings’ defense at the other end of the court.
The Eagles led 44-21 following a dunk by Chris Floyd that brought the crowd to their feet and the outcome was never in doubt as the Vikings were outscored 60-39 over the final three quarters.
“Home court advantage helps, and it’s something we never have when we play them,” Scott said. “We turned the ball over 13 times in the first quarter. You’re not going to beat a little league team with that many turnovers.”

GHS girls take series over crosstown rival EHS

December 21, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Emerald Lady Vikings were the victims of a very bad case of poor shooting in the opening quarter against the Greenwood Lady Eagles, and they never recovered in a 62-45 loss Wednesday night at Greenwood High School.
Jacena Thompson led the Lady Eagles with 18 points, while Vijya Corbett and Syteria Robinson chipped in with 11 points each. Trice Riley led the Lady Vikings with 13 points, while Anicia Dotson added 11.
“In the first half we played real agressive. We played up-tempo and pushed the ball,” Lady Eagles assistant coach Jimmy Towe said. “Our girls did a good job of adjusting and running the floor.”
“We played well on the board in the first half and I also think that made a big difference in the game.”
Robinson got things going for the Lady Eagles as they jumped out to a 4-0 lead.
Emerald coach Anarie Duckett didn’t like what she was seeing on the floor and called a timeout with 6 minutes, 57 seconds remaining in the opening quarter.
Corbett was a menace on defense as well and continued to put pressure on the Lady Vikings’ guards as the Lady Eagles lead grew to 13-0.
The Lady Vikings finally got on the scoreboard following a shot by Ashlyn Levins with 3:22 remaining in the period.
The Lady Eagles’ lead grew to 18-3 at the end of the first following a steal and score by Corbett.
The Lady Eagles came out firing in the second quarter with an 11-3 run to take a 29-6 lead.
The Lady Vikings were able to score in the second quarter but they still trailed by 20 points at the half and never threatened Greenwood for the remainder of the game.
“We dig too big a hole for ourselves and can’t get out of it,” Duckett said. “I just don’t think our desire level was there and that’s what I told them at halftime. We played a little better in the second half but like I said, we got in too big of a hole and couldn’t get out of it.”

It’s time to step forward with hearts, pocketbooks

December 21, 2006

Try to imagine being confined to your home without hope of seeing a friendly face or hearing an encouraging word ..... make that any word at all. Then imagine the happiness that comes with that volunteer that brings in warm meals week after week and spends a little time just visiting. It’s simple, to be sure, but its value is priceless.
Making a lot of people happy and bringing a little sustenance for the body and soul all year long is a fact. It happens day after day in the Greenwood community. When South Carolina came up with the slogan that talks about beautiful places and smiling faces, it wasn’t specifically about the Meals on Wheels program but it could have been. It fits.

VOLUNTEERS WHO SUPPORT Meals on Wheels go the extra mile for their neighbors year round. However, sometimes there’s a need for others to step up and participate in this humanitarian effort that means more than just delivering food, although that’s its purpose and it’s very important.
Still there’s more. Much more. It’s not difficult to imagine the depth of hope that such visits hold for someone who may not see another face - smiling or otherwise - all day long ..... or even all week long.
This time of year it’s particularly crucial that all of us do whatever we can to support this one-of-a-kind blessing that we are privileged to share. Give time. Give resources. Give money. But give.

NOW, IMAGINE ONE MORE thing. Imagine how devastating it must be for a shut-in to sit alone, day in, day out, and wonder if that Meals on Wheels volunteer is going to show. Hunger pangs? Yes! That’s a concern, certainly. But, food for the soul? That just might be the most important part of Meals on Wheels.
Send a check today, Help make the season bright. The address is: Meals on Wheels, P. O. Box 997, 29648.
Help make every week Christmas for a lot of good people. Don’t let hunger or loneliness touch a soul when you can make a difference.
And don’t forget all the other groups and organizations that exist to help others. Were it not for the generosity of so many American people, what a difference it would make in the lives of so many others.