Butterfly garden fulfills woman’s last wish

September 25, 2006

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

NINETY SIX — One of Robin Strom’s last wishes was to see her idea for a butterfly garden at Ninety Six Elementary School come to life.
The elementary science teacher had talked before with principal Jane Calhoun about the garden, but had never had a chance to see her idea bloom into being.
Robin, along with husband James and their children Brittney, 15, and Bradley, 11, died in a plane crash Jan. 7, 2005 near Highway S.C. 10 in Bradley.
Robin’s friends and family gathered Sunday afternoon to help dedicate the Ninety Six Elementary School Butterfly Garden to the children of Ninety Six and to Robin, who cared deeply for the children, Calhoun said.
Loretta Bradley, Robin’s mother, said that her daughter loved Ninety Six Elementary and would have been glad to see the garden’s creation.
“If she’s able to look down, she’s smiling,” Loretta said.
As tears slid down her cheeks, Loretta said she missed her daughter every day.
Robin had told Calhoun that she wanted to create the butterfly garden to give students a chance to study the intricacies of wildlife science and provide them with a calm place to let them meditate and collect their thoughts.
The garden features a stone path leading to a ring of plants around a steel bench shaped like a butterfly.
Superintendent Dan Powell said that Robin’s death touched the lives of everyone she came into contact with.
The deaths of the Stroms also deeply affected people in the area.
A small monument to the Stroms was erected April 26, 2005 in front of Ninety Six Primary School.
A small park was also dedicated in downtown McCormick to the memory of James Strom on April 6, 2005.
James was a McCormick businessman with many ties to McCormick, The Index-Journal previously reported.
Powell said that the Stroms were a good family that enriched the lives of many in their passing.
He paraphrased Robert Lewis Stevenson by saying that a person’s life can be counted as a success if they leave the world a better place than when they entered it.
Calhoun said that many people wished Robin was still with them.
“She was so much to so many,” Calhoun said.
Butterflies are an appropriate symbol of Robin’s rebirth in another world.
They are often associated with signs from passed loved ones that they are at peace, Calhoun said.
The garden has recently been populated by butterflies and hummingbirds, she said.

Opinion

Liberal Democrat shows best face of United States

September 25, 2006

Rep. Charles Rangel, D-NY, is poles apart politically from President Bush. He has been a frequent critic of some issues supported by the Republican president. He did something the other day, though, that should tell the world something about the United States, regardless of politics.
When Venezuela’s anti-U. S. President Hugo Chavez went to a church in Harlem and disrespected President Bush, Rep. Rangel quickly and publicly made it clear that such talk was unacceptable. He also made it clear that our elected chief executive, no matter who it is, deserves respect. Maybe if more Americans made that kind of respect routine there’d be fewer problems.

NO ONE HAS TO BE A political liberal, conservative, moderate, black, white, red or yellow, or anything else to stand up for what is right and doing the right thing.
Somewhere along the bitter path of modern politicking too many of us have lost the respect where it is most important ..... in politics, sure, but also in our homes, churches, schools, athletics and business. It’s not simply a matter for Washington, the United Nations or in any international give-and-take. It’s important in Columbia, Greenwood and every other place in South Carolina.
Every candidate for every office and every voter could do all of us a favor by being a little more considerate of each other in every aspect of human relations.
One statement often used puts it in a perspective that should give every South Carolinian food for thought: We are all in this together.

WE ARE INDEED. IF WE don’t make a real and honest effort to rebuild that attitude and make it a living, everyday part of our lives, we could easily be out of this together. People like Hugo Chavez, Fidel Castro, and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad would like nothing better. A few others could be added to that, too, like a few America-haters in France, Russia, China and a few other places around the world. But, then, there are some Americans - in politics, the media and elsewhere - who take every opportunity to disparage their own nation and people. They are easy to recognize. Their tear-down America politics and public personas cannot be hidden by money, celebrity or political ambition.
Disagree with Rep. Rangel on politics, but thank him for being a true American who is representative of the loyal opposition that makes this nation great.

Obituaries

James ‘Jimmy’ Justice

ABBEVILLE — James William Justice of Abbeville, SC, died Saturday, September 23, 2006, at Abbeville Area Medical Center after a brief illness. He was 63 years old.
Jimmy was a devoted husband, father, and Papa. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carol Leath Justice of 43 years; devoted daughters and son-in-laws, Janna Davis and her husband Andy; Jennifer Smith and her husband Frank, all of Abbeville, SC; one sister Barbara Cummings and her husband Gene, of Newman, GA.; grandsons, Drew Davis, Ryan Davis and Will Smith; and a host of other family members.
Jimmy was born Feb. 17, 1943, in Newton, Mississippi, the son of the late Joe Justice and Azell Busby Justice. He graduated from Moultrie High School and attended South Georgia College.
Jimmy worked in the family business, Justice Lumber Co., for many years. He came to South Carolina in 1983 as the plant manager of Reelco, Incorporated, where he worked until his retirement in 1999.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of Abbeville, where he served as a deacon, former Brotherhood President, and former co-leader of the College and Career Sunday School Class. He led mission trips to West Virginia where a food ministry building was constructed; a trip to Indiana to put vinyl siding on a church; and several trips to the coastal area to assist the victims of Hurricane Hugo.
He was an avid NASCAR fan, and he enjoyed fishing, antiquing and auctions. His favorite pastime was spending time with his 5 year old grandson, Will.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday Sept. 25, 2006 at 11:00 AM from the First Baptist Church of Abbeville with the Rev. Reiny Koschel and Rev. Wayne Wiggins and Mr. Jim Jones officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery. The family is at the home of his daughter Mr.& Mrs. Andy Davis 403 Secession Ave. Abbeville, SC.
Active pallbearers will be Jim Jones, Jim Rauton, Charles Williams, Ron Hilley, Jim Rathbun and William (Smitty) Smith, Sr., Dean Thomas of Moultrie, GA. and James Murphy of McDonough, GA.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jimmy Davis, Fred Lewis, Dan Vandiver, Frank Crawford, Tim McCurry, Grady Burton, Bob Gary and Dennis Harrison.
Memorials may be made to Abbeville First Baptist Church, Building Fund 307 N. Main St. Abbeville, SC.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home, Abbeville, SC is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.

Marie Wells

Marie Clamp Wells, 81, resident of 310 Sample Road, wife of Douglas Ferguson, died September 23, 2006 at the Hospice House.
Born in Greenwood, May 18, 1925, she was a daughter of the late David Floyd, Sr. and Olive Vaughn Clamp. She retired from Monsanto (now Solutia) after thirty years of service, and later was employed by All My Children Day Care.
Mrs. Wells was a member of Ninety Six Presbyterian Church.
Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are four daughters, Mrs. Mario (Roberta) Sepulveda, Mrs. Virgil (Lisa) Livingston, Mrs. Tony (Lynn) Waters, all of Greenwood, and Ms. Sandy Simpson of Traveler’s Rest; two sons, Thomas and wife, Joy Wells of Greenwood and David and wife, Genia Wells of Ninety Six; a sister, Mrs. Clardy (Roxie) Godfrey of Greenwood; eleven grandchildren, Kirby Wells, Kella Such, David Wells, Mickie Hite, Shea Farmer, Ashley Williams, Chase Livingston, Jena Brooke Livingston, Sara Simpson, Abigail Hendrick, and Brandi Alexander; ten great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Wells was predeceased by a brother, Floyd Clamp and sisters, Hazel Clamp and Troxie Clamp, twin sister of Roxie Godfrey.
Funeral services will be conducted 3 PM Tuesday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Bobby Davis officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Tony Waters, Lee Alexander, Fred Harter, Bobby Lawson, Larry Lawson and Carroll Blackwell.
The family is at the home on Sample Road and will receive friends at the funeral home from 7 to 9 PM Monday evening.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.

Joe Wilson

Joe Wilson, Jr., of 1744 Main Street, husband of Lena Wilson passed Sept. 22 at his home.
Born in Troy County, a son of the late Joe and Millie Wilson. He was employed by Brewer Enterprises.
Surviving in addition to his wife, are a daughter, Geneva Scott of Baltimore Md., one son, Wayne Wilson of Baltimore, Md., three grandchildren and one great grandchild.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 am from Percival-Tompkins Chapel with Rev. Norris Turner officiating. Burial will be in Youngs Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers and Flowerbearers will be friends of the family.
Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Wilson family.