Calhoun Plant closure’s toll: 300 jobs

March 14, 2006

By VIC MacDONALD
Index-Journal regional editor

CALHOUN FALLS — The closing in May of the Calhoun Plant by WestPoint Home means 300 local residents will lose their jobs. Town manager Scott Harris said the community is “saying goodbye to a family member.”
The West Point, Ga.-based company announced the closing Monday, saying, in a statement, the move continues consolidation of its domestic bed products manufacturing. “As in past closings and reductions in workforce, the company will apply for assistance for laid-off associates from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Act of 1974,” WestPoint Home said in a press release.
Harris and Steve Bowles, Abbeville County’s industry recruiter, said the move was expected. “It’s a sad day,” Harris said. “WestPoint has been good to the town, good to the community.”
The Clemson Plant is a large user of town utility services, and Harris conceded the closing will hurt the town financially. “Not just the town. The local economy, the county unemployment rate, the attraction to the county of future business,” he said. “The town will weather this storm. The mayor and council’s main concern right now are those families.”
Abbeville County’s unemployment rate was 7.2 percent for January, ranking 27th among the state’s 46 counties.
“The threat of a closing has been hanging over us for eight years,” Bowles said.
“With the closing of the Oconee plant, there was a lot of inter-related work between the two. The loss of employment is tough. It’s the second largest employer in the Calhoun Falls area,” Bowles said.
In February, the company announced the April closing of the Clemson Greige, Finishing, Fabrication and Distribution operations. Some company functions will continue at the Clemson Centre.
Before the announcement, economic news in Calhoun Falls had been on the upswing.
Charlotte-based U.S. Land has begun construction on an upscale housing and commercial development on Lake Russell, and the town is using that development as leverage to apply for federal and state funds for airport improvements and other infrastructure projects.
“Unfortunately, we can’t take those 300 people and put hammers in their hands and build house.
They’re not transferable skills,” Bowles said. “We will try to absorb the job losses with new industry.”

Teen injured in four-wheeler wreck
returns home to many well wishes

March 14, 2006

By JACKIE R. BROACH
Index-Journal staff writer

It seemed like just about everybody wanted to see to Amber Allen Monday night to see for themselves she was really all right.
It was Amber’s first night back home after more than a week in a Greenville hospital, recovering from severe injuries sustained in a four-wheeler wreck March 4, and cars were lined up on the street in front of her home as friend after friend came to wish her well.
It was only nine days ago, after all, that the 14-year-old Greenwood Christian School student was in very bad shape.
After a four-wheeler rolled over on her, ripping open her leg below the knee, Amber had to be transported by helicopter to Greenville. It was thought that she might lose her leg and doctors estimated she might be hospitalized for two months.
Thankfully, Amber said, that wasn’t the case. Amber underwent surgery on her wounded leg last week and was given clearance to head home Monday afternoon.
She felt 10 times better just being in her own house, she said, and is trying to get back into her normal routine, though she’ll have to be home-schooled for a while and will be watching her soccer team from the sidelines for the rest of the season.
“I’m just glad to be back home and have all my friends around,” Amber said Monday, sitting in a recliner in her living room with her leg wrapped up in white all the way up past the knee. Grinning brightly and surrounded by friends and stuffed animals, she certainly looked happy to be back.
“The first thing she did when she got home was call her friends,” Allen’s mother, Toula said.
The family intended to have a welcome home party for Amber this weekend, but Amber was eager to see everyone immediately, so a drop-in was arranged for Monday night. Within the first hour, about 60 people had stopped in, Toula said. Among the attendees was Amber’s best friend, Rebecca Wilson.
In the time Amber was hospitalized, Wilson traveled to Greenville seven of nine days to be with her friend. It was the day of Wilson’s 15th birthday when Amber was injured in the accident and, as soon as she found out, she abandoned her plans to rush to her friend’s side, opting to have her birthday dinner at the hospital.
Wilson’s arrival was the only thing in Amber’s ordeal that brought tears to the injured teen’s eyes, Toula said. The two have been friends since birth, they said, and Wilson was the first person Amber asked for at the hospital.
“I couldn’t ask for a better friend,” Amber said of Wilson. “She’s been perfect.”
As for Wilson, she said she’s probably one those happiest about Amber’s return to Greenwood and her remarkable condition. “I don’t know what I’d ever do without her,” Wilson said.
Now that Amber is home, she said she’s enjoying little things, such as putting on her own makeup and fixing her hair. She took great joy in those acts upon arriving Monday afternoon she said. Her next goal is a hot shower, without any assistance.

Wilson attacks course with 1-armed swing

March 14, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

Golf, as legions of weekend duffers will tell you, is a tough game. For some, getting that little white ball in that little round hole can be a maddening experience.
Now imagine doing it while swinging a club with one arm. It is a challenge faced by Greenwood Christian senior Patrick Wilson.
Wilson has been one of the top golfers for the Hawks the past two seasons, routinely turning in scores at or near par. Things seemed set for Wilson to have a stellar senior campaign. However, any ideas Wilson had about a fast start to his senior season hit a snag Feb. 10.
This year’s GCS senior trip was an excursion to the Scaly Mountain Ski and Snow Tubing Area, just north of Franklin, N.C.
As Wilson was enjoying sliding down the mountain on one of the inflated tubes, a classmate ahead of him crashed. Wilson’s left thumb got lodged under his classmate’s boot, snapping at the joint where the thumb meets the hand.
“My first thought was that I had ruined the golf season,” Wilson said. “It was pretty nasty. My thumb was laying across the back of my hand.”
A paramedic at Scaly Mountain thought the thumb was merely dislocated, and snapped it back in place. Wilson went on enjoying his weekend.
It was when he returned home the following week that Wilson learned he had broken the thumb and would need surgery.
After surgery, in which three pins were inserted in the thumb, Wilson was fitted with a cast on his left arm, one which covered his hand and goes to the elbow.
The cast would seem to be a hindrance to a golfer’s game, but Wilson has made it work.
“After I got the cast on, I was fooling around in the back yard, hitting balls,” Wilson said.
“That’s when I realized, ‘Maybe I can play with one hand.’”
Wilson decided to go play nine holes with some teammates, just to see how he would do swinging with one arm. He said there were mixed results.
“I was chunking it a lot at first,” Wilson said. “I had to learn how to swing it with one hand and keep the club out in front of me.”
Wilson has honed the one-handed technique over the last month, culminating in a pair of solid showings in matches last week.
First, in GCS’ three-way match with St. Joseph’s and Laurens Academy last Tuesday, Wilson shot a 52, the second best score for the Hawks that day. Then, last Thursday, in the Hawks’ win over Wardlaw, Wilson tied for low-score among GCS golfers, firing a 47.
Wilson said he drew some odd looks from opponents when he approached his first shot with only one arm.
“When they saw me on the driving range before the match, I think they thought I wasn’t going to play,” the golfer said. “I think some of them may have been a little upset when I beat them.”
With the cast set to come off March 21, Wilson said he has some concern that his new swing mechanics might affect the rhythm of his normal, two-handed approach. However, he said he has been working diligently to insure his interim swing closely appropriates his normal one.
And Wilson is more than ready to get his game back to normal.
“It gets tiring playing with one arm,” Wilson said. “After nine holes, my right arm feels like Jell-O.”

Opinion

United Way leader leaves community on a high note

March 14, 2006

Some people move into a community and are never noticed. Others, though, make an immediate impact. For them, it’s almost always positive. Tim Ervolina is one of the latter.
Ervolina has done an outstanding job running the United Way of Greenwood-Abbeville in the relatively short time he’s been here. He has brought a high degree of professionalism and organization to the post. His good work was bound to be noticed by others, especially those who are in need of someone with Ervolina’s ability and insight.
Sure enough, it didn’t take long. Ervolina was recently offered and accepted the job of president and chief executive officer of the South Carolina United Way Association in Columbia. He leaves the local organization on a high note. Fortunately, in his new job he’ll still be able to offer us good advice.
In times when many people are in need of the help United Way agencies provide, thanks to the contributions of all people, it’s no surprise that Ervolina’s expertise and drive are needed by others all over our state. His knowledge and assistance will be as valuable to them as they have been to this community.
As they say, our loss is their gain. Ervolina deserves our thanks for a job well done.

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

Obituaries

Chandler Abbott

GREENWOOD — Chandler Drake Abbott, 3 month old infant son of Brandon Isaiah Abbott and Miranda Nicole Bice, of 1303 Ninety Six Highway, died Sunday, March 12, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Surviving are his parents of the home; grandparents, Pamela Fletcher, James Timms, Kenneth & Sherry Bice and Ronald Steve Abbott, all of Greenwood and Rhonda Smith Abbott and Anthony Ray Bowie of Abbeville; great grandparents, James Fletcher, Sr., Bobbie & Bill Bice and Nellie Ware, all of Greenwood and the Rev. Calvin & Jean Smith of Anderson; a sister, Kathy Brown of the home; a brother, Mathew Isaiah Abbott of the home; aunts, Candice Bice, Stephanie Bice, Taylor Bice, Jessica Bice, all of Greenwood and Crystal Abbott of Pickens and uncles, Todd Hughes of Greenwood and great uncle, James Fletcher, Jr. of Greenwood.
Services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Calvin Smith and the Rev. Curt Eidson officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers are Todd Hughes, Ricky Abbott and J.R. Weathers.
The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.
The family is at the home of his great grandparents, Bill & Bobbie Bice, 1014 Phoenix Street.
Memorials may be made to the account of Chandler Abbott, c/o Harley Funeral Home, PO Box 777, Greenwood, SC 29648.
Harley Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Thomas Beckett

GREENWOOD — Thomas Beckett, 81, of 132 Limerick Road, loving husband of the late Bertha Emma Stevenson Beckett, died March 9, 2006 at the Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Newark, NJ, May 3, 1924, he was the elder son of the late Martin and Mary Mather Lindsay Beckett. Educated in Scotland, he was a graduate of Greenock High School and the James Watt Memorial College. While in college he served his apprenticeship as a Marine engineer. A Veteran, he served with the US Army in Europe from 1945-1947 under General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mr. Beckett was a tool designer for Henry Disston Saw Company. In 1953 he joined the Universal Dental Company, later acquired by Warner Lambert where he continued to serve in various engineering and machine design capacities. In 1980 he was transferred to the Greenwood Parke Davis Plant as Manager of Engineering. In 1989 he retired from that position with the former P.M.P. Company, after 35 years of continuous service. After retirement he was appointed a Board Member of the Greenwood Clean & Beautiful Committee until it disbanded and volunteered 4 years with Meals on Wheels. He was a Mason and Past High Priest of the Melita Chapter, R.A. Masons and was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include his devoted brother Francis Lindsay Beckett and his wife Carol of Southampton, PA; nieces, Pamela Reid of Glascow, Scotland, Linda Lanzetta of Greenwood, Terry Nagel of Southampton, PA and Karen Kornock of Warrington, PA; 6 great-nieces and nephews; and 2 great-great-nieces.
Memorial services with Masonic Rites and Military Honors will be conducted Saturday, March 18, 2006 at 10:00 AM from the Chapel of Blyth Funeral Home. Mr. Beckett’s ashes will be taken back to Scotland where he will join his beloved.
Those desiring may make memorials to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648, the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060, or the charity of your choice, in memory of Mr. Beckett.
For additional information and online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is serving the Beckett family.
PAID OBITUARY

Katie Connelly

Batesburg, SC — Katie Harris Connelly, 46, of 131 Connelly Rd., died Sunday, March 12, 2006 in Lexington Medical Center.
Born in Richland County and a daughter of Richard Merrell and Virginia McCullough Harris, she was the wife of Sammy Shealy Connelly. Mrs. Connelly was a graduate of Lander University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. She was employed by Mid Carolina Electric Cooperative and was a member of Nazareth United Methodist Church.
Surviving are her husband, Sammy Shealy Connelly of the home, a daughter, Anna Connelly and a son, Joshua Connelly both of the home, her parents, Richard Merrell and Virginia McCullough Harris of Ninety Six and a brother, Steven B. Harris of Poquoson,VA.
Graveside services will be 2PM, Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at Nazareth United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Joyce Murphy officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 Tuesday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Midland Volunteer Fire Department, 733 Mt. Willing Rd.. Saluda. SC 29138.
PAID OBITUARY

Willie Lee Farmer

Willie Lee Farmer, 49, of 204 Lee Ave., died Sunday, March 12, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Laurens County, he was a son of Minnie Simpson Farmer and the late Mack Farmer. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his mother and a brother, Lee Farmer, both of the home; three sisters, Edith Rankin, Anna Rankin and Tecora Farmer, all of Greenwood.
The family is at the home.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is in charge.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Everett McCurry

ABBEVILLE, SC — Everett Hundley McCurry, 93, resident of Abbeville Nursing Home, widower of Lavonia Dill McCurry, died March 9, 2006 at the nursing home.
Born in Abbeville Co., SC he was a son of the late Paul Edward and Rosa Ariebelle Bowick McCurry. He was twice married, first to the late Venice Lydia Collins McCurry.
Mr. McCurry was a charter member of the Wade Hampton Baptist in Greenville, SC before returning to Abbeville many years ago. He spent his adult working life in the textile business as owner of the Loom Service Company. He was also a member of the Abbeville First Baptist Church and was a member of the Baracus Sunday School Class. Mr. McCurry also enjoyed raising bees as a hobby in his spare time. He was a loving father, brother and grandfather and will be sorely missed by all.
Survivors are: 1 son Joel E. McCurry and his wife Caroline, grandson John E. McCurry and his wife Mary, granddaughter Susan E. Wilkinson and her husband Robert, and great-grandchildren Jessica and Ian McCurry and Delaney and Bailey Wilkerson all of Massachusetts. 2 brothers Julius L. McCurry of Abbeville, SC, and William A. McCurry of Greenville, SC, and a sister Ella Perry of Abbeville, SC. He was preceded in death by a brother Albert McCurry and a half brother Marshall McCurry, sisters Grace and Vera and half sister Alice Faye McCurry.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday March 15, 2006 at 11:00 AM from the Abbeville First Baptist Church with the Rev. Reiny Koschel officiating. The burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens, Abbeville, SC.
The body is at The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 PM Tuesday evening.
In lieu of flowers the family request that memorials be made to the Abbeville First Baptist Church, 111 Ellis Ave. Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the McCurry family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com
THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SC IS IN CHARGE OF ARRANGEMENTS.
PAID OBITUARY

Inez McDuffie Middleton

SALISBURY, N.C. — Inez McDuffie Middleton, 84, of 625 W. Kerr St., Salisbury, NC, died Saturday, March 11, 2006 at the Laurels Nursing Home, Salisbury, NC.
Born in McCormick County to the parentage of the late Henry and Lular Lomax McDuffie, she was a member of the Spring Grove Baptist Church in Mt. Carmel in McCormick County and the First Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Salisbury, NC.
Survivors include one daughter, Leeonia Corry of Salisbury, NC, one granddaughter, Audrey (Ted) Stewart of College Park, Georgia and one special cousin, Rosa Lee Johnson of Philadelphia, PA.
The body will be placed in Spring Grove Baptist Church, Mt. Carmel, at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 16. Graveside services will follow at 1:45 p.m. in the church cemetery, with the Rev. Roy Andrews officiating.
Abbeville & White Mortuary, Inc. is in charge.
PAID OBITUARY

Gwyen Rodgers

EDGEFIELD, SC — Gwyen Rodgers, 88, of 145 Crescent Rd., died Saturday, March 11, 2006, at his residence.
Born in Saluda County and a son of the late Tillman E. and Emma Daisy Walton Rodgers, he was the husband of Thelma Powell Rodgers. Mr. Rodgers was a US Army veteran of World War II. He was a retired foreman of 40 years with the South Carolina Department of Transportation and he was a member of St. William’s Catholic Church.
Surviving is his loving wife of sixty years, Thelma Powell Rodgers of the home, a son-in-law, Gerald Glanton of Edgefield, a brother, Tillman “Red” Rodgers of Saluda, a sister, Annie Powell of Ward, four grandsons, George Glanton, Jr. of Averill Park, NY, Bill Glanton and Daniel Glanton both of Edgefield and Michael Glanton of Modoc, three granddaughters, Melissa Holmes of Ninety Six, Angela Wise of Johnston and Cynthia Glanton of Greenwood and fifteen great grandchildren.
A daughter, Shirley Ann Glanton and a brother, Tony Gwyen Rodgers, preceded Mr. Rodgers in death.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be 11AM, Wednesday, March 15, 2006 at St. William’s Catholic Church with Father Robert Ninedorf and Rev. Mr. John Klein officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The Rosary will be 7PM, Tuesday evening at the home of Mr. Rodgers.
The body will be at the residence, 145 Crescent Rd., where the family will receive friends.
PAID OBITUARY

Gail Lee Stewart

Gail Lee Stewart, 57, of 72 Third St., died Monday, March 13, 2006 at her home.
Born in Falls Church, Va., she was a daughter of the late Joe Connelleny and Hazel Reid. She was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church and a former employee with The Fairfield Inn.
Survivors include a son, Roderick Stewart of Greenwood; a daughter, Althea Williams of Greenwood; eight grandchildren, one reared in the home, Antnio Covington.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net

Vera Ann Simpkins Wilson

Vera Ann Simpkins Wilson, 59, of 127 Wheatfield Drive, widow of Douglas Eugene Wilson, died Sunday, March 12, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of Beatrice Williams Irvin and the late Johnny Simpkins. She was reared in the home of grandparents, the late Bud and Annie Steven Simpkins. She worked as a spinner with Mathew Mills and was a former member of Mars Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; a son, Evan E. Wilson and a daughter, Annette J. Gantt, both of the home; a daughter-in-law of the home, Shannon Witt Wilson; a brother, Villiar Williams of Greenwood; four sisters, Mamie Cullen, Mary Mobley, Ilzoia English and Miriam Brown, all of Greenwood; five grandchildren reared in the home, Latavious Goode, Kara Wilson, Cameron Wilson, Demetri Jackson and Myron Jackson; two great-grandchildren.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com