Shock victim treated

Greenwood man sent to Augusta Burn Center after accident

December 23, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood resident Jason Burden is being treated at the Augusta (Ga.) Burn Center a day after receiving severe electrical shock while doing yardwork.
Burden, 31, was attempting to knock pecans off a tree in his yard on Cassell Circle Thursday when the metal pipe he was using to swat the pecans contacted a nearby power line. Burden, who was standing on a metal ladder at the time, remained stuck to the ladder by the current.
Burden’s brother-in-law, Josh McGuire, helped knock Burden loose by ramming a push mower into the ladder, sending Burden plummeting nearly 20 feet to the ground.
“They are checking him for internal injuries (Friday),” said India Reeder, who is a close friend of Burden’s wife, Dana. “He will be having a CAT scan today. They also want to do an echocardiogram, to make sure there is nothing wrong with his heart.”
Reeder said Burden has sustained third- and fourth-degree burns on his hands and legs. She said he is getting special treatment on the hand that was gripping the metal pipe when it touched the wire.
Paramedics arrived on the scene of the electrical shock minutes after McGuire’s son called 911. It was originally intended that Burden would be airlifted to Augusta immediately, but overcast skies prevented that possibility.
After being taken to Self Regional Healthcare by ambulance, Burden later was transported to Augusta.
Reeder confirmed it has been a tough time for the Burden family. Jason and Dana Burden have three children.
“I have told Dana that the kids are welcome to stay with me on Christmas Eve and Christmas,” Reeder said.
Burden owns his own landscaping business. Reeder said she hopes a fund will be set up for him.
“I sincerely hope there can be a fund set up for Jason,” Reeder said. “I know it’s being looked into. You can always use the help in a situation like this.”

A basketful of holiday joy

Needy, elderly will eat well thanks to VFW

December 23, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

As Christmas draws near, one Greenwood organization is making sure needy families and the elderly in the community won’t go hungry during the holidays.
The Greenwood Veterans of Foreign Wars, Chapter 8694, capped off its seventh annual holiday food dive Friday. The group delivered 45 baskets containing a wide array of canned goods, vegetables and other foods to mostly elderly and shut-in individuals throughout the Lakelands.
“This was our seventh year doing this,” said VFW 8694 quartermaster Willie Wideman. “We started out seven years ago handing out 10 baskets. The next year it was 20, then 25 and 30. We got up to 45 baskets this year.”
Several members of the VFW 8694 worked throughout the afternoon to put the baskets together. The men flew around the main hall of American Legion Post 221, forming an assembly line to make sure all the food that had been collected got into its proper box.
Just before the men got set to leave and begin delivering the gifts, state House of Representatives member Anne Parks arrived to hand-deliver a basket to Blanche Chappell.
“This is what Christmas is all about to me,” Parks said. “This is a time of year we can share with those in need. I’m very happy to have come here today.”
Parks said she has been on hand a number of previous years for the 8694 event.
Chappell, who is 83 years old, made clear her feelings about the donations.
“I’m just blessed,” Chappell said. “I’m really glad they thought of me. James Blair is a member of my church, and the VFW. He was the one who thought of me.”
Besides helping assemble the baskets and sponsoring recipients, Blair did have another role in VFW 8694’s event in previous years: He grew the donated collard greens at his farm. However, after his crop was destroyed by weather this year, the group purchased its greens from a private farm.
“I think we’ll use them again in the future,” Wideman said.
The combined value of all the goods delivered totaled nearly $2,000. VFW 8694 accepted donations for the baskets throughout the year, but members also contributed their own money.
“Each member was responsible for 35 canned goods,” Wideman said, “plus money from our pockets.”
Wideman said it is worth it to see the joy on people’s faces when they receive their holiday basket. He said the expressions could hardly be described by words.
“We hope this will continue to grow each year,” Wideman said. “This is no sham. This is the real thing.”
Anyone wishing to make a donation to VFW 8694’s Christmas food drive, at any time of year, can contact Willie Wideman at 554-1621.

Chris Trainor covers Greenwood County news for The Index-Journal. He can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

Eagles win title

GHS boys defeat rival Emerald

December 23, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The last time the Greenwood and Emerald boys basketball teams met at Finis Horne Arena, it ended in an overtime thriller for the Vikings.
Although the game didn’t end in extra time this time around, the outcome was not certain until a final surge gave the Eagles a 78-69 victory in the Bearcat Christmas Classic Friday night at Lander.
“I told the guys before the game that this was going to be a tough game tonight,” Eagles coach Hob Chandler said. “We were fortunate to come away with the win, and down the stretch we were able to make some plays. We’re real happy to get a win tonight.”
Demarcus Harrison and D.J. Swearinger scored 16 points each for the Eagles in the win.
Kadarron Anderson led the Vikings with 17 points.
The Vikings led 4-0 early in the opening quarter, but the Eagles responded with an 8-0 run. It was one of many runs in the game.
A 3-pointer by Landerius Fuller gave the Eagles a 15-10 lead with less than 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Eagles extended their lead to 26-16 in the second, thanks to a 10-4 run highlighted by two straight drives by Andre Day, who finished with 12 points.
The Vikings battled back, cutting the lead to 26-21 following a three-point play by Dee Parks midway through the second.
The Eagles were unshaken, going on a 10-2 run to extend their lead to double digits (36-23). The run was capped by back-to-back acrobatic lay-ups by the Harrison and Swearinger, prompting a timeout by Scott.
The Vikings were able to get the lead back down to single digits, 38-29, at halftime and continued that trend in the opening minutes of the second half, closing to within two points with 4:40 left in the third.
Woolridge tied the game at 47 with a strong move inside, capping off an 18-9 run by the Vikings.
Emerald then took a 49-47 lead on a post move by Jeremy Eidson, eventually stretching the advantage to 55-51 lead with one quarter to play.
The Eagles opened up the fourth quarter on a 13-2 run to take a seven-point lead with 4:31 remaining in regulation.
A 3-pointer by Day gave the Eagles a five-point lead late in the quarter, but Anderson would answer at the other end with a 3 of his own, making it 71-69 with 2:21 remaining in the game. But the Vikings would go scoreless from there and the Eagles held on for the victory.
“We just couldn’t get a basket. We played hard the whole way,” Scott said. “The first thing we did when we were up by four was turn the ball over and that’s been our Achilles heel all year and that’s something we’re going to have to get worked out before we go into region.”

Lady Eagles cruise to win in title game

December 23, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Greenwood Lady Eagles faced the Emerald Lady Vikings for the third time in eight days, and all three games ended with the same result.
Although Lady Vikings coach Anarie Duckett said that it’s hard to beat a team three straight times following an opening-round win, coach Susan Thompson and the Lady Eagles proved that theory false with a 62-37 win Friday night to win the the Bearcat Christmas Classic.
“It was an overall team effort and everyone did a great job,” Thompson said. “It’s always hard to beat a team three times, but the girls realized that when we came out, and they did what they needed to do.”
The Lady Eagles took advantage of numerous misses at the free-throw line by the Lady Vikings. Syteria Robinson led Greenwood with 19 points in the victory.
Teammate Vijya Corbett also scored in double figures, finishing with 10 points.
Brittany Connor led the Lady Vikings with 12 points.
The Lady Eagles led 10-4 with less than 5 minutes remaining in the opening quarter and extended that lead to 16-8 by the end of the period, thanks in part to a frenetic pace at both ends of the floor.
The lead continued to grow following a lay-up by Corbett, which gave them a 23-9 advantage early in the second.
The Lady Vikings trailed 26-15 with less than 5 minutes remaining in the first half but missed a chance to cut the lead to single digits following three consecutive misses at the free-throw line.
The Lady Vikings were 6-for-18 from the free-throw line in the first half.
The Lady Eagles made 9-of-12 from the charity stripe. Thompson’s squad took advantage of this, building a 33-15 lead with under 2 minutes remaining in the half.
Corbett sank two free throws to give the Lady Eagles a 21-point lead (39-18) at the half.
The Lady Vikings’ free-throw woes continued in the second half, and that proved to be an Achilles’ heel as the Lady Eagles cruised to victory.
“Free throws killed us. Greenwood is a really good team,” Duckett said. “They’re quicker than we are and they’re probably a little bit better than we are, and they proved it three times. We’ll start our region play when we come back from Christmas break, and we’re looking forward to that, and I think we’ll be OK in that area.”

Panthers edge past Chiefs for third

December 23, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Abbeville Panthers and McCormick Chiefs faced the possibility of a two-game losing streak Friday at the Bearcat Christmas Classic.
That possibility became a reality for McCormick coach Elmer Williams as his squad fell to the Panthers, 45-44, in a close consolation game at Finis Horne Arena.
“We’re still trying to find ourselves. Tonight, the guys had a lot of fun and played together much better,” Panthers coach James Herman said. “McCormick is a playoff-caliber team, and we found a way to win at the end. That’s important at this time of the season.”
Ty Suit led the Panthers with 10 points in the win, while William Peterson finished with 16 points for the Chiefs.
Peterson hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key to give the Chiefs a 12-10 the lead with under 2 minutes remaining in the first quarter, but Abbeville’s Jamal Mattison followed with a three-point play giving the Panthers a one-point advantage.
With 4:37 remaining in the first half, the Panthers’ lead was up to seven, when Peterson hit his second 3-pointer to cut the Abbeville lead to 21-17.
The Panthers led 28-22 at the end of the first half and opened the third quarter with a 7-3 run, extending their lead to double digits, at 35-25, prompting a Chiefs timeout at the 4:48 mark.
Following the timeout, the Chiefs went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to a field goal late in the third quarter.
The Chiefs finally reclaimed the lead on a short jumper by Raynard Jackson with 4:42 remaining. But the Panthers scored four straight points to get the lead back, at 43-40 lead.
Peterson also showed his prowess on defense late in the game when he stole an in-bounds pass and converted on a lay-up following a Panthers timeout giving the Chiefs a one-point lead, 44-43 with less than a minute remaining in regulation.
But Abbeville took the lead for good on a pair of free throws: one from Suit and the other from Mattison with 5.3 seconds remaining.
The Chiefs had one final chance but Peterson missed a last-second three-pointer at the buzzer.
“Turnovers still hurt us. It wasn’t the pressure, we just didn’t handle the ball well,” Williams said. “The latter part of the game we were able to cut down on those and we got back in it. We had a chance at the end and the person who I wanted to take the shot took it.”

Moore, Bailey guide AHS girls

December 23, 2006

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

The Abbeville Lady Panthers rebounded from their loss in the opening round by beating McCormick, 58-47, Friday for third place in the Bearcat Christmas Classic at Finis Horne Arena.
“We went back at halftime and we talked about playing team ball,” Abbbeville coach Brenda Jackson said. “We were not playing like we should have been on defense, and I told them on our press you’ve got to get over and trap.”
Adrienne Moore led the Lady Panthers with 26 points in the win. Lakia Bailey chipped in with a strong 17 points and 16 rebounds.
“This is Adrienne’s senior year and she really played great tonight,” Jackson said.
“She’s actually playing better this year than she did last year and I’m really expecting a lot from her.”
The Lady Chiefs got a better showing Friday than their 32-point loss to Emerald in the first round. Lateidra Mims led the Lady Chiefs with 17 points, while teammate Brittany Broadwater scored eight points and pulled down nine rebounds.
Mims, the Chiefs top offensive threat, went down with an apparent knee injury with under two minutes left in the first quarter but the team kept the score close and trailed by five going into the second quarter.
Mims came back to hit her first shot of second quarter, showing no signs of pain.
With 4:18 remaining in the first half, the Lady Chiefs trailed 23-20. Two free throws by Broadwater cut the lead to one. She gave the Lady Chiefs the lead on the next possession with a strong lay-up to make it 24-23.
The Lady Chiefs led at halftime 28-27.
The Lady Panthers opened the second half with a 9-2 run, reclaiming the lead, at 36-30, with 4:25 remaining, prompting a timeout by the Lady Chiefs.
Mims ended the run, but the Lady Panthers still controlled the game, as they held on to a 44-37 lead with 1:31 remaining in the third.
The Lady Chiefs trailed by 48-43 with less than 6 minutes remaining, but the Lady Panthers went on an 8-0 run, taking a double digit lead (56-43) and ending the Lady Chiefs hopes of picking up the victory.
“We got tired at the end and I had one girl who didn’t come tonight,” Edwards said. “I was pleased with the effort though.”

Opinion

State spending shouldn’t remain mystery very long

December 23, 2006

It shouldn’t take very long after the State Legislature gets back to Columbia next month to find out if the reelection of Governor Mark Sanford will make much of an impression on lawmakers. It should, but will it, and the situation should be closely watched by voters/taxpayers.
Sanford, as always, wants to control spending, something, no doubt, that got him a lot of votes. Specifically, he wants the General Assembly to limit growth in state spending to the rate of inflation plus population growth.
It’s a good plan. It would force the state to live within its means, something that all South Carolinians have to do all the time. If they don’t, they quickly find themselves in a financial bind. The state has done that too often as taxpayers have found out.
Pay attention to lawmakers’ response to the governor’s proposal. That ought to tell the public everything it needs to know about how things will go in the Legislature’s new year ..... and how it will affect all of South Carolina. It certainly should tell us where good stewardship lives ..... if there is any doubt.

Obituaries

Louise Rollins Adams

NORTH AUGUSTA — Louise Rollins Adams, 94, resident of 1012 Stanton Drive, widow of Fred Burnett Adams, died Dec. 22, 2006 at the University Hospital in Augusta, Georgia.
Born Dec. 13, 1912 in Jefferson County, GA, a daughter of the late William Joseph and Alice Faglier Rollins, she was a member of Lakeside Baptist Church in Clearwater, SC.
Survivors include her daughter, Betty Adams Younts of North Augusta; grandchildren, Kemberly Younts of Martinez, GA, Brandon Younts of Macon, GA, and Lindsy Younts of Aiken; seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted in Clearwater at Lakeside Baptist Church Sunday at 12:30 p.m., with Reverend Bill Reece officiating. Funeral services in Greenwood will be conducted at 3:30 p.m. Sunday from the Chapel of Blyth Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family is at their respective homes and will receive friends in Clearwater at the Lakeside Baptist Church from noon Sunday until the service hour and following the service at the graveside.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Adams family.

Rondy Shirley

DONALDS — Thomas Earl “Rondy” Shirley, 61, resident of 280 Drake Road, husband of Susan Drake Shirley, died Dec. 22, 2006 at his residence.
Born in Hodges, Sept. 14, 1945, he was a son of the late Earl Tex and Dorothy Godfrey Shirley. Mr. Shirley was formerly employed with Robert’s Body Shop and later worked for A & S Body Shop in Shoals Junction. He was an honorary member of Hardwood Cruisers Motorcycle Club of Donalds.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home is a son, Thomas Earl “Tommy” Shirley, Jr. and Sherry Clark of Hodges; daughters, Lisa Shirley Reece and fiancee, Van Weeks, of Hodges and P.J. Shirley Hagan and husband, Mark, of Donalds; three grandchildren, R.J. Reece of Hodges, Heather Shirley and Dillon Shirley, both of Ninety Six; sister, Jeannie Shirley Crouch and husband, Sam, of Edgefield; brothers, Dorton Eugene Shirley and Angela Winchester of Hodges, Jerry “Rip” Shirley and wife, Claire, and Terry “Bird” Shirley and wife, Jackie, all of Greenwood; several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by a sister, Elaine Shirley Hudson.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday at 1 p.m. from the Chapel of Blyth Funeral Home, with Reverend Tim Ellenburg, Reverend Phillip Morris and Reverend Jonathan Bowling officiating. Interment will follow in Greenville Presbyterian Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Glenn “Jose” McDonald, William Alverson, Mule Prince, Mauldin Boswell, Big John Richey, Jeff Smallwood, Raymond Shirley, Mike Shirley, Bobbie Banes and Ray Shirley.
Honorary escort will be the Hardwood Cruisers of Donalds, Band of Brothers and Sons of the South.
The family is at the home and will receive friends Saturday from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Those desiring may make memorials to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 103 West Pickens Street, Abbeville, SC 29620 in memory of Mr. Shirley.
The family would like to especially thank Linda Shirley and Dr. Heidi Rodillo for much love and compassion for their family.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Shirley family.

Murry Thompson

ABBEVILLE — William Murry Thompson, Sr., 89, resident of 33 Woodview Apts., widower of Ruby Culbreth Thompson, died Friday, Dec. 22, 2006 at Abbeville Area Medical Center.
Born in Hallsbourgh, NC, he was a son of the late Daniel Covington and Catherine Nye Thompson.
He was a World War II United States Air Force veteran. He was a retired merchant in retail sales. He was also a member of Main St. United Methodist Church, where he was a former member of the church choir and the Methodist Men of the church. He was a former member of the church Administrative council, former Sunday School Superintendent.
He was a Mason and member of Clinton Lodge No. 3 AFM. He was also a Shriner and member of the Hejaz Temple.
Survivors are: 1 daughter, Anna T. Litteral and her husband, Andy, of Richmond, VA.; 1 son,William Murry “Billy” Thompson, Jr. and his wife, Susan, of Abbeville, SC; 5 grandchildren, Daniel Litteral, Catherine Litteral, Andrew Litteral, Taylor Thompson and Jeffry Thompson; 2 great-grandchildren Grier Lawton and Brooklyn Rogers.
Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006 at 1 p.m. from Main St. United Methodist Church with the Rev. Randy Taylor officiating. The burial will follow in Spindale, NC, at Sunset Memorial Park.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Main St. United Methodist Church, PO Box 656, Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Thompson family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC, is in charge of arrangements.

Sam T. Wooten Jr.

ANDERSON — Mr. Sam Thomas Wooten, Jr., age 72, husband of Louise Brown Wooten, of 218 Hazelwood Ave., Anderson, died Thursday, Dec. 21, 2006 at the AnMed Health Medical Center in Anderson.
Born in Laurens County on Sept. 9, 1934, Mr. Wooten was a son of the late Sam T. Wooten, Sr. and Clattie Hall Wooten. He retired from the United States Army Reserves with 25 years of service and was employed with Michelin Tire, later retiring after 18 years of service. He was a member of Taylor Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church where he served as deacon and was a member of the Men’s Fellowship and the Sunday School Class No. 6. Mr. Wooten was a great family man to his wife, children, brothers and sisters.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Louise Brown Wooten of the home; sons, Tommy Wooten of Waterloo, Ronald Wooten of Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa and Perry Wooten of Anderson; brothers, Bobby Wooten, Charles Wooten, Danny Wooten, all of Anderson and William Wooten of Iva; sisters, Annie Sue Cox of Starr and Betty Jo Novak of Rehoboth Beach, Del. Six grandchildren also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Jack, Herman, F.D. and James Wooten.
The funeral service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006 at 2 p.m. at Taylor Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church officiated by the Rev. Brent Lollis, Dr. Ronald Moore and Layman Harry Osborne. Interment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Anderson.
The family will receive friends at The McDougald Funeral Home on Saturday, Dec. 23, 2006 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mr. Wooten will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The family will be at the residence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald Wooten Missionary Account, c/o Taylor Memorial Pentecostal Holiness Church, 711 Glenn St., Anderson, SC 29625.
A message of condolence may be sent to the family by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.
The McDougald Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.