Guardsman, girl had sex

Sheriff releases details in scandal

January 26, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — A National Guardsman has admitted being introduced to a Ware Shoals High School cheerleader by her coach and a fellow National Guardsman and then initiating a sexual relationship with the girl, The Index-Journal has learned.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office issued a supplemental report late Thursday night saying Guardsman Jeremy Pileggi, 21, has admitted to meeting a Hornets cheerleader through former cheer coach Jill Moore, 28, and a fellow soldier Thomas Fletcher, 29, who investigators say was having an extramarital affair with Moore.
“We’ve worked without a break on this case for nine straight days,” Greenwood County Sheriff Dan Wideman said, “because we know the impact it’s having on the community and school. I hope that by completing this initial phase of our investigation and releasing the reports we can help Ware Shoals High School put this incident behind them.”
Wideman said he would not be releasing the names of the cheerleaders involved in the scandal.
“What many folks in the national media don’t seem to understand is that these girls are the victims in this case,” he said. “Moore and (principal Jane) Blackwell should be the focus here, not the students.”
No charges for Guardsmen
The report says Pileggi “initially denied any involvement” with the cheerleader, but then “eventually admitted” having a sexual relationship with the girl, 16.
Both Fletcher and Pileggi have been placed on administrative leave by the Army National Guard. No charges have been filed by local or military authorities against the men.
“The issue of possible criminal charges against Fletcher and Peliggi were explored,” said an incident report also released late Thursday. “There is no contribution in this case on their behalf that violated laws.”
The cheerleader, as well as Pileggi, were old enough to agree to consentual sex, according to state law.
The incident report, however, says the investigation is continuing and Wideman said the National Guard could have its own inquiry.
“My understanding is that they intend to initiate proceedings of their own,” Wideman said, and referred further inquiries regarding Pileggi and Fletcher to the S.C. National Guard Headquarters in Columbia.

Motel rendezvous
Investigators interviewed the two primary victims from the cheerleading squad during several days this week.
“Both acknowledged Moore was not only conducting an extramarital affair with a National Guard member, but had directly involved both victims by allowing them to accompany her to off-campus locations during the school day to meet him,” Chief Deputy Mike Frederick said.
According to the incident report, one of the cheerleaders said that on one occasion, instead of going to Newberry College for a recruiting visit, Moore took the girls to a motel. At the motel, Moore met Fletcher in one room while giving the cheerleaders an opportunity to “hook up” with Pileggi in another room.
“There was alcohol in the form of vodka involved in this trip,” the incident report says.
When questioned by investigators, one of the cheerleaders and Pileggi admitted a sexual relationship that began last year, Frederick said.
One of the cheerleaders told deputies that Moore also purchased cigarettes for squad members “countless times.” On at least two occasions, the girl said Moore purchased Arbor Mist wine for the two cheerleaders after Hornets’ away games.
One of the cheerleaders also admitted watching Moore having a sexual encounter with Fletcher, the incident report said.

Another affair
Also in the supplemental report, authorities say a high school male has admitted to having a sexual relationship with Moore, who is married and has two children.
“GCSO is still investigating this aspect of the case in regard to potential criminal charges,” the report said.
A Ware Shoals cheerleader and her mother, both of whom have requested anonymity, say the high school male is a member of the school’s football team, adding that is “common knowledge” in the small town of 2,300.

Other cheerleaders interviewed
Seventeen Ware Shoals varsity cheerleaders have been interviewed by the Sheriff’s Office. Nine of the girls said principal Jane Blackwell admonished them “don’t discuss” the situation with anyone during a special closed-door meeting she conducted at the school. Blackwell has been arrested on an obstruction of justice charge following allegations that she tried to cover up the scandal and lied to investigators. The report also says eight of the cheerleaders said they felt intimidated by Blackwell during that meeting and feared retaliation if they discussed the case. Two of them admitted knowledge that Blackwell had locked down bathrooms during class transition time to keep students from sending text messages about the ordeal. Seven of the cheerleaders said they had direct knowledge of Moore’s inappropriate activities, the report said. Four girls said they had direct knowledge of Moore’s involvement with Fletcher. At least one cheerleader departed school that day because of emotional distress (an absence that Blackwell advised her would be recorded as “excused”). Investigators videotaped interviews and obtained written statements from the 17 cheerleaders (one member was yet to be interviewed at report time).
The cheerleader interviews began Jan. 20.

Blackwell’s office searched
Executing a search warrant, deputies searched Blackwell’s office and vehicle. They found and seized the following items:
* Three notebooks.
* Two calendars.
* A notebook computer.
* Letters addressed to Ware Shoals District 51 superintendent Fay Sprouse, who is also Blackwell’s first cousin.
* A desktop computer.
* Assorted folders, files and digital media.
Authorities said they found a journal indicating Blackwell has been investigating Moore’s departure from campus with a cheerleader as well as reports that the aforementioned male student accompanied Moore to the Clemson game. The notes are dated Dec. 1-6.
On Jan. 19, investigators met with Blackwell, who said she had no knowledge of Moore’s inappropriate activities prior to her notification from Sprouse following Ware Shoals Police Chief Mickey Boland’s initial inquiry.
“Investigators and Boland continued to work leads by interviewing confidential sources, eventually identifying at least one staff member who had reportedly approached Blackwell in regard to the Moore situation in the past,” the supplemental report said. “Investigators approached the staff member, who admitted that he had discussed Moore’s inappropriate activities (providing alcohol and tobacco to students) with Blackwell but expressed reluctance to cooperate by providing a statement for fear of retaliation from Blackwell.”
The staff member eventually agreed to provide a statement, Frederick said.
In that statement, “the staff member said Blackwell had called him into her office to discuss rumors surrounding Moore’s alleged trip to a Clemson University athletic event with a male student, during which she had been seen intoxicated,” the supplemental report said.
According to the staff member, Blackwell demanded to “know what you know.” The report says the staff member relayed to Blackwell that “it was common knowledge throughout the school that Moore provided alcohol and tobacco to certain members of her cheerleading squad and was inappropriately fraternizing with the male student.”
According to the report, “Blackwell also mentioned that she had knowledge of ‘the National Guard guy,’ but wanted to know ‘the rest’ of the information.”
Moore met the National Guardsman (Fletcher) through the school, the staff member said.
“Blackwell allegedly closed the meeting by ordering that it be held in ‘strict confidence,’ and that the staff member should report any additional Moore information directly to Blackwell,” the report said.
The staff member also told investigators another staff member called him to ask what had happened between he and Moore. The second employee told the original staff member that Moore had said Blackwell had warned her that he was “trying to get her fired,” the report said.
Investigators have interviewed the the second staff member (who agreed to cooperate) and obtained a written statement confirming his conversations with Moore and Blackwell.

Board resignation
In related action Thursday, it was announced that Moore’s father, Marcus Bishop, a pastor and District 51 board member, has resigned his position as a school trustee.
“Marcus tendered his resignation early in the week,” said Moore’s lawyer, Townes Jones. “He wanted to be clear that there was no impropriety on his part.”

Cheerleader, mom speak out

January 26, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — After a hectic week of reports, rumors and innuendo, one Ware Shoals High School cheerleader and her mother are speaking out.
Following the arrests of WSHS cheerleading coach Jill Moore over alleged inappropriate conduct with cheerleaders and Principal Jane Blackwell on obstruction of justice charges during the Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office investigation of Moore, rumors flew around the small town of 2,300 about how many cheerleaders were involved — as well as the level of their involvement — in the scandal.
The Sheriff’s Office has narrowed that number down to two.
The varsity cheerleader and her mother, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said it has been a turbulent week. “It’s all my daughter can think about,” said the mother, whose daughter is not one of the two cheerleaders directly involved. “It’s been on the news and they just say ‘cheerleaders,’ and it raises questions.
“Then the other night they put (the cheer squad’s) picture on TV, and played up the Girls Gone Wild thing and it’s just ridiculous.”
The cheerleader said it has been a surreal week at WSHS.
“It’s all you hear in the halls,” she said. “People ask questions and you hear all the rumors.”
One thing Blackwell is accused of is calling a closed-door meeting with the entire cheerleading squad Jan. 19 and instructing the girls not to say anything to anyone about Moore’s case. Both the cheerleader and her mother corroborated that report.
“(Blackwell) told us it would make it worse if we talked to anyone about it,” the cheerleader said. “She told us not to talk to anybody about it. She said if we wanted to talk to anyone about it, we could talk to her.”
The girl’s mother said she knew something was wrong when her daughter came home from the meeting.
“She just busted out crying when she got home,” the mother said. “I knew something was bad wrong at that point.”
The mother said all the cheerleaders’ parents met with Ware Shoals Police and sheriff’s deputies shortly after that. At that meeting, she said another cheerleader’s mother spoke up and said her daughter had told her Blackwell told the team that anyone who talked about the Moore case would be suspended.
While Moore is accused of putting two cheerleaders in “incredibly inappropriate situations” in connection with a sexual relationship she was having with a National Guardsman, a separate affair Moore was allegedly having with a WSHS football player is “common knowledge” at the school and around the town, the cheerleader said.
Moore, 28, is married with two children.
“Yeah, I heard so much about that this school year that it’s not even a big deal anymore,” the cheerleader said. “It was just common knowledge. At first I thought it was a big deal, but then I just accepted that that’s the way things were. The whole school knew about it.”
The girl’s mother said she has been subjected to conversations about Moore and the football player, too.
“I’ve been hearing that, going back to football season,” the mother said. “I just thought it was a rumor. But then you hear more and more. Someone even said they went to a Clemson game together ... you’d just hear stuff like that all the time.”
Moore is being represented by Greenwood attorney Townes Jones. When asked whether Moore maintains her innocence in the case, Jones was non-committal.
“Jill is under significant emotional strain,” Jones said. “Because of that, I haven’t been able to fully discuss everything with her. We’ll know more once we see everything we need to from the Sheriff’s Office.”
The cheerleader said Moore’s alleged inappropriate fraternizing with the two cheerleaders central to the investigation also was well known around the high school.
“It wasn’t a big deal to hear about it,” she said. “(Moore and the two cheerleaders) were best friends. They were always together. She would get them out of school, but everybody knew it, so I just thought that was what it was.”
The mother said she would often see the two cheerleaders riding around town during school hours, sometimes even riding in the direction of Moore’s home. The mother said she asked her daughter what they were doing, and that the cheerleader told her that Moore signed them out of school all the time.
The cheerleader also said she was aware of Moore’s affair with a local National Guard recruiter and had heard about Moore providing alcohol for the two cheerleaders involved. She did say she had no knowledge of a reported sexual relationship between another Guardsman and one of the two cheerleaders.
The mother said she is not surprised the floodgates have come open in the scandal.
“There’s been a lot of mad people up here,” she said. “I think it has been boiling for a long time in Ware Shoals. Now you see people speaking up, because they think they can. I’m glad they caught the ones that were doing wrong, but I’ll be glad when this is all over.”

Bonds sold for Dist. 50

Lower interest rate expected to save money

January 26, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood School District 50 has sold the newest series of bonds for its school construction plan.
Bond attorney Bill Hirata told board members of Greenwood Fifty School Facilities Inc. Thursday afternoon at a special-called board meeting at District 50’s administration offices that the new installment purchase refunding bonds were sold earlier in the day.
Members of the Greenwood Fifty School Facilities Inc., the nonprofit corporation helping the school district execute its bond plan, met to sign documents relating to the issuance and sale of those bonds to pay for installment revenue bonds, series 2006.
President Larry Jackson, secretary/treasurer Robert Saul and Raymond Perkins attended the meeting.
The district is leveraging $150 million to help build three elementary schools, along with modifications and renovations to District 50’s other schools. The taxable bonds are being refinanced to become tax-free bonds, which should be closed by the beginning of February, Hirata said.
He expects the $257 million needed to be paid back by the district and taxpayers for the bonds will be lower after closing.
“It wouldn’t be higher,” Hirata said.
He previously thought the payback amount could change.
The interest rate on the bonds was 4.73 percent in all-in true interest costs, with the former taxable bonds’ interest rate being 5.25 percent.
“All in all, I think it’s a pretty good result,” Hirata said.
Gary Johnson, assistant superintendent for business for District 50, said the district would save $10 million from the lower interest rate.
Saul asked Hirata if Dexia, the bank that bought the taxable bonds from the nonprofit corporation in December, was going to be paid more than its $150,000 fee for the refinancing. Hirata said Dexia’s fee also covered the refinancing. “No one is going to be paid more money, in short,” he said.
Saul also wanted to know if he was going to get a copy of the transcript book that details the non-profit corporation’s transactions for the bond sales.
Hirata said books for both the December bond sale and the January one weren’t ready yet, but would be made available soon.

Light up ... pay more?

Lawmakers offer views on proposal to raise cigarette tax

January 25, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

It’s a battle that’s sure to fire up again.
Gov. Mark Sanford has proposed a substantial lift — 37 cents a pack — for the nation’s lowest state tax on cigarettes. South Carolina’s present tax is 7 cents per pack. The national average is about a dollar.
According to statistics at www.tobaccofreekids.com, the city of Chicago alone has a higher tax on cigarettes than does South Carolina — and by a wide margin — as do Anchorage, Alaska and New York City.
Missouri ranks just ahead of South Carolina, but even its state tax per pack is 10 cents higher at 17 cents.
During his recent State of the State address, Sanford said a tax hike on cigarettes would help South Carolinians.
“We believe part of our state’s ability to compete lies in our competitiveness in different tax categories,” Sanford said. “We believe ... trading off an increase in cigarette tax for a decrease in income taxes would be incredibly timely.”
There are two primary reasons most offered for South Carolina moving on the cigarette tax issue sooner, rather than later: increased smuggling and soaring healthcare costs.
Having the lowest cigarette tax in the nation makes the Palmetto State a prime candidate for those individuals who profit from the smuggling of cigarettes.
A smuggler purchasing cigarettes in South Carolina can turn a healthy profit most anywhere else in the country. Then there are the innate “taxes” that the act of smoking itself has imposed on the state’s overall health in the form of smoking-related deaths and rising healthcare costs.
But simply raising the tax on cigarettes is not what troubles the majority of Lakelands lawmakers.
Many — both Republican and Democrat alike — agree the time has indeed come to move on this issue.
It’s what is to be done with the money drawn in by a cigarette tax increase that has legislators bracing for a fight. Sanford’s plan calls for the new funds to be used to cut income taxes for South Carolinians.
“We believe in making South Carolina as competitive as possible,” said Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer. “The cigarette tax we have is the lowest in the nation. We think it makes sense that if you believe in overall tax neutrality ... to trade off that increase with a decrease.
“Many people feel as the governor does, that South Carolinians already have a large enough tax burden as it is. We look at (the proposal) as a bridge between those that would like to see a higher cigarette tax and those that would like to see overall tax relief.
“Of course, we would always prefer a straight tax cut, but with this (plan) we are looking to build a bridge between those people that want to see the cigarette tax raised as well as those that want to see tax relief.”
What did local senators and representatives have to say? Following are comments from local lawmakers:
- Rep. Paul Agnew (D) — “Last year, and this year, I introduced bills to increase the tax to 39 cents, which is approximately the Southeast average. I feel strongly on this issue, and feel that we should use the money to fund additional healthcare programs. The bill I have proposed, H 3152, would use the Medicaid draw down (matching federal funds) to fund additional healthcare for children.
“It also has a component that would assist small businesses in providing better coverage for their employees. The national average for cigarettes is over a dollar now. I think it’s long overdue that we raise the cigarette tax. We need to decide as a state whether or not we want quality healthcare for our citizens or cheap cigarettes.
“Hopefully, an increase will also discourage people — and particularly our youth — from picking up this habit. I’ve also read where South Carolina is becoming a haven for (cigarette) smugglers. A tax increase would help to address those serious concerns as well. There are all kinds of compelling reasons to (raise the cigarette tax).
“The governor has proposed (with his cigarette tax plan) that we include an offsetting income tax reduction. I believe that plan is flawed. First, you’re putting more on the backs of poorer individuals and giving the wealthiest citizens a tax break at their expense. I think South Carolinians have a greater desire to provide healthcare for our citizens.
“Smoking causes health problems, not income problems. I applaud the governor for wanting to increase the tax, but I disagree that the funds should be used in an income tax reduction. Seventy-one percent of South Carolinians would support an increase of even a dollar — if the money is used for healthcare.”
- Rep. Michael W. “Mike” Gambrell (R) — “I’m not opposed to raising the cigarette tax and bringing it more in line with where it should be. The thing I like is that it would affect our young people with the pure economics of it, and keep young people from even picking up the habit. I would like to see (revenue increases) used to help fund child care and Medicaid expenses, or some kind of healthcare initiative.
“In my district ... I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone complaining about their high, high state income taxes. Property taxes maybe, but not income taxes.”
- Sen. John W. Drummond (D) — “I would support (a higher tax on cigarettes). As you know, we have the lowest cigarette tax in the nation. I would vote for it, but only as long as it’s used for education or healthcare. That’s the only way that I’ll vote for it.”
- Lewis E. “Gene” Pinson (R) — “A small increase around 37 cents or 40 cents would probably be appropriate. Really, I don’t have any trouble with a cigarette tax as being balanced with a reduction in other areas. The governor wants to decrease personal income taxes, but I just don’t think that gives us the best bang for the buck.
“If we put (the increased revenue) into Medicaid, those funds are matched by the (federal government) three-to-one. If we present a dollar, we get three back. We’re going to have to look at a lot of factors. The data out there supports that smoking is a killer, but my personal preference is to tie it into healthcare.”
- J. Anne Parks (D) — “I would support a (higher) cigarette tax, but for me to support a cigarette tax I would like to see the benefits go to healthcare or Medicaid as cigarettes are one of the leading problems as far as from the health problems that it contributes to. And if it goes to Medicaid then we would get the three-to-one federal match.”
- Sen. Tommy Moore (D) — “I have been and will continue to be supportive of an increase in the state’s cigarette tax.
South Carolina’s is the absolute lowest in the nation. There have been a lot of articles written about bootlegging problems and that’s certainly one major factor. The other is that everyone — even the most ardent opponent — must recognize the toll that smoking takes on the public health and the fact that the Medicaid budget has increased considerably.
“We have to look at the national and state averages and certainly there is room for discussion there. The governor’s proposal of tying in a cigarette tax to income tax relief serves as basically a net decrease in revenue and does not do anything to address the massive healthcare needs in South Carolina.
“They should be separate issues. I just don’t see where they are linked. It’s ludicrous that we don’t capitalize on (matching federal funds for Medicaid) and utilize that. It’s a disservice to South Carolinians that we don’t take advantage of that.”
Sen. William H. O’Dell (R), Rep. Marion B. Frye (R) and Rep. Michael A. Pitts (R) could not be reached for comment on this story.

Feeling drafty

Adams, Dean set to jump to NFL

January 26, 2007

By RENALDO STOVER
Index-Journal sports writer

With their college careers over, a couple of Greenwood natives are looking to make the jump to the next level.
Clemson University seniors Gaines Adams and Jad Dean are preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft with their sights set on being on a team roster when the 2007-08 season begins.
Adams is considered a can’t-miss, first-round pick, with some draft pundits saying he could go in the top five on the first day of the NFL Draft, April 28-29.
The former Cambridge Academy standout earned the attention after a successful senior season, where he was named the ACC’s defensive player of the year. Adams also became only the second Clemson player to earn unanimous first-team All-America status. He leaves Clemson with 28 career sacks, tied with Michael Dean Perry for first place on the Tigers’ all-time list.
Adams is working out at the Fischer Sports Physical Therapy and Condition center in Phoenix.
He’s preparing for Clemson’s upcoming Pro Day and the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, where he’ll be picked and prodded by NFL coaches and scouts.
“It’s going well. Just working out and running,” Adams said. “I’m still trying to stay focused and know what’s at stake and just trying to work at it so I can get there.”
Adams said he’s not really focused on improving on a specific set of skills prior to the draft. Instead, he’s working on his overall game.
“I just need to work on my overall game so I can get better as a player,” Adams said. “I’m never satisfied with my game. I’m always trying to improve my game.”
There’s no doubt Adams will wear an NFL uniform sometime this year, but Dean’s path to the pros might not be so clear.
Coming off a stellar junior year in which he was a finalist for the Lou Groza Award, which goes to the nation’s top college football place-kicker, the Greenwood product was on track for another great season until things seemingly fell apart in his last two collegiate games.
Beginning with his last-second miss against the Gamecocks, Dean then missed two field goals and an extra point in the Tigers’ loss to Kentucky in the Music City Bowl.
Although it wasn’t the way Dean envisioned his final games as a Tiger. The Greenwood High School standout said those moments won’t define his time at Clemson.
“Playing at Clemson was a dream of mine since I was a little kid,” Dean said. “Obviously, it didn’t end the way I wanted it to. I’m not going to let a few games change that.”
Dean said he’s 20 hours short of earning his degree and plans to finish up at some point, but currently his focus is to work on his kicking with the hopes of earning a spot on an NFL roster.
“I’m taking this semester off,” Dean said. “Right now, I’m working with my kicking coach (Kevin Williams) in Lebanon, Ohio, getting up every morning and we’ll run or work out. In the afternoon, we’ll go lift or we’ll go kick. We do all kinds of crazy stuff like pushing cars, running up hills. It’s just getting me ready for the NFL workouts and stuff like that.”
Dean said the NFL hasn’t sent out kicker invites for the annual combine yet. If he doesn’t receive an invitation, there still will be an opportunity for him to impress scouts.
“They send out about 250 invites, but that doesn’t include kickers. Usually they only take about maybe at the most five kickers a year,” Dean said. “Clemson has a Pro Day in March. A bunch of scouts, head coaches and anybody associated with an NFL team can come watch the draft-eligible players work out. Hopefully, I’ll kick well there and turn some heads.”

Opinion

Fewer school districts? Let voters decide issue

January 26, 2007

Right or wrong, trying to change the familiar raises doubts and stirs emotions. It’s not easy. Still, Gov. Mark Sanford has demonstrated the courage to challenge the status quo in many areas of government. That’s good.
One of the proposals Gov. Sanford has high on his list of things to do is rearrange and reduce the number of school districts in South Carolina. He believes one district in each county would be better for everything from efficiency to saving money.
There have been suggestions before that some school districts should be merged. Those suggestions have never gone over too well with the people in those districts involved.

THAT’S A FACT. AND, REGARDLESS of motivation, this time it’s very likely the reaction will be the same.
There are those who say let well enough alone, and that includes people in Districts 51 and 52 in Ware Shoals and Ninety Six. They believe their schools are better and are free from some of the problems that some other districts have. They also see their school districts as identity factors for their communities, a unifying force and a source of pride, among other things.
Nevertheless, there are a lot of South Carolinians who see nothing but benefits from merging and reducing the number of districts. They see an opportunity for saving money and making better use of the funds available for public education.
In addition, they argue that fewer districts would create more equality, in funding and educational opportunities, and would enhance the focus on education itself, as well as some other considerations.

CONTRARY TO WHAT SOME on both sides of the matter might say, it’s an emotional issue and the differences of opinion are obvious.
That widespread disagreement on whether to reduce the number of districts makes one thing certain. Letting voters decide is the only way to be fair to the majority.The schools belong to them, and they should decide whether changes would be positive or negative.
It’s human nature that any perception that one side would win in a vote creates opposition to such a vote. Still, if voters decide - whatever they decide - it is the fairest approach to take.

Obituaries

Suzanne Bolt

Suzanne Allen Bolt, 21, of 225 Merriman Avenue, wife of Daniel Bolt, died Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007, at her home.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of Ronnie E. and Donna Vanderford Allen. She was of the Church of God faith.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, O.K. Allen of Ware Shoals.
Surviving is her husband of the home; her parents of Hodges; a son, Levi Jordan Bolt of Hodges; grandparents, Alma Gillion and Donald and Juanita Vanderford, all of Greenwood; a sister, Christy Kellett; brothers, Shane Allen, Joey “Baybay” Allen and Austin Garren, all of Greenwood and Dean Kellett of Ware Shoals.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. J. B. Vanderford officiating. Burial will be in Bethlehem Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Dale Owens, Jr., James “Bubba” Calkins, Roger Owens, Sr., Stephen R. Lawson, Jason L. Lawson and Darrell E. Lawson.
The family is at the home of her grandparents, Donald and Juanita Vanderford, 106 Buggy Court, where the body will be taken on Saturday and the family will receive friends.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Elizabeth Boyd

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Elizabeth “Sister” Boyd, 73, of 792 Columbus Ave., passed away Sunday, Jan. 21, 2007 at St. Lukes-Roosevelt Hospital in New York. Born in Abbeville, she was a daughter of the late Marshall Boyd and Orlean Plummer Dillard. She earned a BA degree from Talladega College and a master’s degree from New York University and retired from the YWCA of the USA. She was a member of Abyssinian Baptist Church in Manhattan, NY, and Macedonia Baptist Church in Greenwood, a life member of the NAACP and the National Council of Negro Women.
She is survived by a brother, William Henry Boyd of Laurens, a sister, Ruth Ellen Marine of Greenwood and a nephew reared in the home, Ricky Eric Boyd of Saluda.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Saturday at Macedonia Baptist Church, with Rev. Dr. Willie S. Harrison officiating. Burial will be in Evening Star. Flower bearers and pallbearers will be friends of the family. The body will be placed in the church at 10 a.m.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home chapel from 6-7 p.m. on Friday evening.
The family is at the home of her sister, Ruth Ellen Marine, 1522 Parkway Court, Hillcrest Apt. D-8, Greenwood. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Dana Burdette

Dana Foster Tucker Burdette, 57, loving mother, of 307 Pinehurst Drive, wife of Donald “Don” Richard Tucker, Sr., entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2007.
Born in Mobile, AL, she was the daughter of Florence Fountain of Greenwood. Mrs. Burdette was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving in addition to her husband and mother, are a son, Christian “Teon” Tucker and father-in-law, Lewis “Red” O’Dell of the home; daughters, Catherine Tucker Filey (Lyle) of Greenwood, Carol Blackwell (Russell) of Clinton, Cindy Tucker (Mark) of Bradley and Connie Blackwell of Simpsonville; sons, Donald “DC” Tucker of Greenwood, Christopher Tucker of Charleston and Donald Richard Tucker, Jr. (Gemma) of Sumter.
Also surviving are grandchildren, Cassidy Tucker and Jordan Wiley of Greenwood, Nicholas Blackwell, Jenna Blackwell and Brianna Campbell of Clinton, Jonathan Titus and Brooke Titus of Bradley, Anna and Patricia Tucker of Sumter; sisters, Jackie Waldron (Dwain) of Greenwood and Audrey Dorn of Ninety Six; brothers, Ben Foster (Atea) of Asheville, NC, and Rudolph Foster (Barbara) of Ware Shoals; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a daughter, Carmen Tucker; a grandson, R.J. Edmonds; and her mother-in-law, Azalee O’Dell. Services will be at noon Saturday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Chris Stansell and the Rev. Terry Carpenter officiating.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Saturday from 11 a.m. to noon.
The family is at the home.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local cancer fund or to Hospice House, HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Roosevelt Durant Sr.

McCORMICK — Mr. Roosevelt Durant, Sr., husband of Ella Mae Curry Durant, died at HospiceCare of the Piedmont Jan. 22, 2007. He was born in McCormick County, Sept. 30, 1943, a son of the late Raymond and Beatrice Patterson Durant. He was a former member of Tranquil AME Church and later joined Straight Gate Holiness Church. He was employed at Georgia Pacific Lumber Company in McCormick and attended Mims High School.
Survivors are his wife of the home; two daughters, Evonne D. (Donald) Butler of Augusta, GA, and Tawanda (Bradley) Jones of McCormick; a goddaughter, Ebony Patterson Jones of Augusta; two sons, Roosevelt (Sadie) Durant, Jr. of McCormick and Gary Lee Durant of Greenwood, SC; three brothers, Raymond (Rosa Lee) Durant, Jr. and Willie Lee (Mary Ellen) Durant of McCormick and Larry Durant of Greenwood; two sisters, Verdell (Henry) Jennings of Plum Branch, SC, and Bernice Lewis of Greenwood; and 15 grandchildren.
Funeral services are Saturday at 2 p.m. at Tranquil AME Church, where Rev. John Wesley Paul is the pastor, with Elder Andrew Thomas, Bishop Emmanuel Spearman, Rev. Joe Caldwell, Bishop Charles Herrington and Elder Melvin Searles assisting. The body will be placed in Tranquil AME Church at 1 p.m. Saturday. Burial will be at Straight Gate Holiness Church Cemetery. The family is at the home, 185 Fendley Road in McCormick.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Frank Gabriel

Willie Frank Gabriel, 81, resident of 161 W.E. Smith Road, husband of Frances Elizabeth Smith Gabriel, died Jan. 24, 2007 at Hospice House of Greenwood.
Born Jan. 26, 1926 in Barto, Florida, he was a son of the late Willie Howard and Laura Nelly Mays Gabriel. He was a US Army Veteran of World War II and was the retired owner of Gabriel Wrecker Service and formerly owned Gabriel Motors.
He will be remembered as Husband, Father, Gran-Daddy and Uncle.
Surviving in addition to his wife of the home are a daughter, Sylvia G. Pendergraft, with whom he made his home; two sisters, Floy Pullnot and Joyce Gabriel, both of Georgia; two grandchildren, Kemberly M. Hurst of Stockbridge, Georgia and Marc Mathews of Fayetteville, Georgia; and three great-grandchildren, Jay Lee Mathews, Jessie Raye Mathews and Hunter Mathews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Curt Hanna officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Honorary escort will be nieces and nephews, Ernestine Simmons, Helen Lewis, Jimmy Hazle, Deborah S. Cameron, Donna S. Boland, Gina Stringer, Alan Pendergraft, along with his devoted caretaker, Clara Thomas.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at Blyth Funeral Home from 1 to 2 Saturday afternoon.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice House of Greenwood, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. To make online condolences, please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com. Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Gabriel family.

Donald Toneto McGrier

Services for Donald Toneto McGrier, of 123-B Willowdale Court, are 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 at Restoration Worship Center in Greenwood, conducted by Pastors Tony and Joanie Foster. The body will be placed in the church at noon. Burial will be in the Evening Star Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 this evening at the home of his parents at 912 Spring Street. Online condolences may be sent to robson@nctv.com. Robinson & Son Mortuary, Inc. is assisting the McGrier family.

Albert A. O’Kelley Jr.

ABBEVILLE — Albert A. O’Kelley, Jr., 80, of Abbeville, SC, died Monday, Jan. 22, 2007.
Born in Greenville, SC, he was the son of the late Albert and Myrtle Duval O’Kelley and served in the US Coast Guard.
He worked in construction and was a member of Abiding Savior Lutheran Church.
He is survived by one sister, Verlene O. Scott and her husband, Leland S. of Abbeville, SC; one brother, James Patrick O’Kelley and his wife, Nancy of Los Angeles, CA.
He was predeceased by his wife, Wilma Tye O’Kelley and a sister, Grace O. Satchell.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 27, 2007 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Woodlawn Funeral Home, with entombment to follow in Woodlawn Memorial Park.
Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 2 to 3 p.m. in the funeral home.
Woodlawn Funeral Home, Greenville, SC.

Florence Thackston

PORT ROYAL — Mrs. Florence Sayles Thackston, 93, died Jan. 23, 2007 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Port Royal, SC.
Born in Greenwood Co., SC, she was the daughter of the late Cain and Rebecca Ross Sayles. She received her early education from the public schools in Greenwood. She was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she served on many boards, and was faithful and dedicated until her health failed.
She was a retiree of NHC Healthcare as a supervisor. She was a loving mother and leaves to cherish her memory a daughter, Winifred T. Murray, son-in-law, Samuel E. Murray of Port Royal; a very special niece raised in the home, Vera (Edward) Tyler; a daughter-in-law, Willie R. Thackston of Greenwood; a granddaughter, Pandora Walker of East Point, GA; two special friends and neighbors, Willie F. Dorsey and Douglas Lindsey.
Services will be Saturday at noon at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Officiating minister is Rev. Marvin Hughes. Assisting are Revs. Thessa Smith and Ulysses Parks. Burial will follow in Evening Star Cemetery. Body will be in the church 11 a.m. The family will receive friends at 206 N. Bethune St., Greenwood. Viewing will be at Parks Funeral Home from 1 to 8 p.m. Friday.
Parks Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and service.

Louise B. Wrenn

Louise Burnett “Mama Wrenn” Wrenn, 98, formerly of 1226 West Alexander Avenue, widow of Reuben H. Wrenn, died Thursday, Jan. 25, 2007 at NHC Health Care Center.
Born in Greenwood County, she was a daughter of the late Luther Broadus and Hattie Harrelson Burnett. She was a member of Real Life Ministries, as well as South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church.
She was preceded in death by her husband and three sons, Ray Wrenn, Luther Wren and Phillip Wrenn.
Surviving is a son, Earl Wrenn of Greenwood; daughters-in-law, Louise Wrenn, Laura Ann Wren and Dorothy Wrenn; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at South Greenwood Pentecostal Holiness Church, with the Rev. Sherrill Green, the Rev. Ray Massey and the Rev. Jason McCary officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Greg Wrenn, Eddie Eldridge, Kenneth Wrenn, Neil Wrenn, Barry Brown, Jimmy Jay, Derek Jones and Ray Farmer.
Honorary escort will be Paul and Clara Ann Ballard, Doug and Margaret Shannon, Jerry and Dana Catoe, Dr. David Sealy, Cecil West, Frances Lavender and Lavonia McGill.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m. on Saturday.
The family is at the home of her daughter-in-law Laura Ann Wren, 719 Chinquapin Road.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.