New year, new life

First babies of 2007 greet the world

January 3, 2007

By BOBBY HARRELL
Index-Journal staff writer

Wanda King wasn’t due to give birth until the middle of January, but the mother of two got a big New Year’s Day surprise.
King’s baby, Wyatt Uriel King, was born at 7:59 a.m. Monday morning, making him the first baby born at Self Regional Medical Center for 2007, said Dan Branyon, director of public relations.
“Nice way of bringing in 2007, with a blessing,” King said about the 5-pound, 10-ounce, 18-inch-long baby.
Wyatt came as a shock for King; she was scheduled for a Cesarean section Jan. 14. But the feeling of being caught off-guard quickly changed to bliss after the baby was born healthy.
King said she selected Wyatt’s first and middle names for a purpose.
“Wyatt” means “business-minded,” while “Uriel,” an angel at the right hand of God in the Bible, means “son of God,” she said. The names serve as traits she wants her son to have as he grows into a man.
“In order to hold onto your stuff, you need to be a warrior,” King said.
Her other children, Victoria, 13, and Vincent, 10, are excited about seeing their new baby brother.
Having the baby at Self Regional brought back many memories for King. Her mother, Robbie Mae Goodwin, who retired from the hospital last March, worked on the same floor where King recovered from her delivery.
King said her mother helped make the birth better.
“She made everything a whole lot more comfortable,” she said.
Robbie Mae Goodwin said she was exhilarated at her grandchild’s birth.
“I’m just still flying high,” she said.
King’s father, John Goodwin, of Maryland, said he was glad to have evened out his grandchildren with Wyatt’s birth.
Now he has five grandsons and five granddaughters.
Self Regional gave King a gift basket filled with baby supplies for having the first child of 2007, Branyon said.
Teething rings, diapers, wipes, blankets, pajamas and other supplies were given to King.
Yolanda Watts, of Greenwood, gave birth to Kydajah Jinica Milton, the second baby born at Self Regional this year, at 12:03 a.m. Tuesday.
Watts said she felt good after giving birth to her first daughter. Her son, Kydale, 7, is looking forward to being a big brother. Kydale already wants to hold his sister.
Lucions Waller, Watts’ uncle, said they already care deeply for Kydajah.
“We feel like we want to take her home with us,” Waller said.

Virginia ‘Ginnie’ McDaniel Arnette

KINGS MOUNTAIN, N.C. — Virginia “Ginnie” McDaniel Arnette, age 89, resident of 1110 Marshall Rd, Greenwood, SC, formerly of Kings Mountain, NC, died Jan. 1, 2007 at Hospice of the Piedmont, Greenwood, SC.
She was born in Cleveland Co, NC, and was a daughter of the late Gaither Hoyle and Ada Brown McDaniel. She was wife of the late J.C. “Jack” Arnette. She was preceded in death by a son, Ranny Arnette; brothers, Atwood “Happy” McDaniel, Dean McDaniel; sisters, Alliwee Marlowe, Florine Hill, and Wilma Hope. She was a member and Elder of First Presbyterian Church, Kings Mountain, and was recipient of a Lifetime Award from the Women of the Church. She was a former member of the Kings Mountain Women’s Club, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, an avid bridge player and a master gardener and member of the Town and Country Garden Club and a golfer. She was a member of the Greenwood Women’s Club and attended Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenwood, SC. She was retired from BellSouth, Gastonia, NC.
Survivors include a daughter, Jackie Smith and husband, Bud of Greenwood, SC; a brother, Robert McDaniel of Columbia, SC
Funeral services are 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Lee Thomas officiating.
Interment is at Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain.
The family will receive friends 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the Patrick House, prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Arnette-Crawford Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1188 Kings Mountain, NC or a charity of donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.harrisfunerals.com.
Harris Funeral Home, Kings Mountain is in charge.

Nicholas G. Colantuono

UMATILLA, Fla. — Nicholas George Colantuono, was not a native Floridian but he married one, Betty Ann Skinner of Umatilla. The two would have celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary this October. Nick will always be remembered for his incredible sense of humor and his wonderful singing voice. His signature song was “My Way.”
Born in New York City on Oct. 7, 1931, Nicholas, the son of William and Rachael Colantuono, died Jan. 2, 2007, at the age of 75. He was the middle child of three.
Nick grew up in Cliffside Park, N.J., where he played football and baseball and was known as “the field mouse,” for his play on the field. He went on to play football for Stetson University in Deland, Fla. where he met his wife, Betty, and where he was voted into Stetson University’s Hall of Fame for his outstanding football accomplishments. He also played for the semi-pro team, the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds.
Nick served in the U.S. Army as 2nd Lieutenant after graduating from college. He taught the Nike Missile program for the Martin Marietta Company in Fla. and taught fourth grade at Umatilla Elementary. Nick went to work in the hotel industry where he remained for a 30 year career in Miami Beach, working as the convention manager and director of sales in hotels such as the Doral Country Club, The Carillon, and the Deauville Hotel. He was the president of the Hotel Sales and Management Association and Bon Vivants and won numerous awards, which included Hotel Man of the Year (1974).
He retired as the assistant director for the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Nick and Betty moved to Due West to be near their grandchildren. Nick is survived by his wife Betty Ann Colantuono; his brother, Frank (Anne) Colantuono; his sister, Patricia (Vinny) Venezia; his four children; Nicki Lynn (Bruce) Kent, Bart Colantuono, Patti Lee (Rocky) Hartman, Alexis Ann (Rick) Damo; 13 grandchildren. He died after a long struggle with Lewy Body Dementia and Parkinson’s.
Services will be held at Beyer’s Funeral Home in Umatilla Fla. at 4 p.m. this Friday, Jan. 5th.
Donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to Lake & Sumter Hospice, 12300 Lane Park Road, Tavares, Fla., 32778.
Beyers Funeral Home, Umatilla

Nancy Free

Nancy S. Free, 53, of 4605 Old Laurens Road, wife of Carl R. “Randy” Free, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2007 at MUSC, Charleston.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of the late Marion Lee and Lela Estelle Davis Starnes. She was a graduate of Ninety Six High School, received her B.A. degree in Childhood Development from Lander and her Master’s degree with 30 hours above from the University of South Carolina. She was retired from Clinton Elementary School, where she taught 4th grade for 28 years. She was a member of Siloam Baptist Church, Ninety Six and attended Bethlehem Union Church, Waterloo.
Surviving is her husband of the home; a daughter, Julie Fortner of Seattle, Wash.; a son and daughter-in-law, Al and Angie Fortner of Ninety Six; a stepdaughter, Lee-Ann Free of Greenwood; two sisters, Linda Chapman and Debra Todd, both of Greenwood and a brother, Marion Starnes of Greenwood.
Services will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Bobby Davis officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Jackson Free, Erek Leary, Jacob Starnes, Brad Alford, Shane Wood and Mackie McKinney.
Honorary escorts will be the faculty and staff of Clinton Elementary School, along with Willson Fisher, Sean Petro, Mack Barton, Mickey West, Chip Galphin, Tommy Patterson, Travis Miller, Steve Coleman, James Miller, Ed Greene, Steven Greene and Bob Vipperman.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Agnes Harmon

Agnes Elizabeth Harmon of Magnolia Manor, former resident of 116 Pine Circle, Lakewood Heights, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Dec. 29, 2006.
Agnes was born in Rutherford County, N.C., to the late Linda Yelton Harmon and Curtis Crawford Harmon. She attended schools in Rutherford County and Howard’s Business College in Shelby, N.C. She was employed at Stonecutter Mills, Spindale, N.C., before moving to Greenwood in 1955. She retired from Self Memorial Hospital, (now Self Regional Healthcare) in 1986, after 31 years as secretary in the physical therapy department. She volunteered with Greenwood County Easter Seal Society for many years. She was a former member of the Spindale Woman’s Club and the Greenwood Business and Professional Woman’s Club.
A founding member of Rice Memorial Baptist Church, she was also a member of the Lydia Sunday School Class and the Joy Group of the church. She served in various other ministries of the church until her failing health.
Surviving are brothers, Clyde W. and wife Ruth Harmon and James B. and wife Jean Harmon, all of Greenwood and Crawford E. and wife Smiley Harmon of Summerville; a sister, Hazel Harmon Brown and husband Howard of Atlantic Beach, Fla.; nieces, Jane H. and husband Jimmy Stroud of Simpsonville, Gay H. and husband Walter Marshall of Greenwood and Vicky H. and husband Paul Collins of Clinton; great-niece, Jennifer Parnell Cain and husband Bill of Greenwood; nephews, James Curtis (Curt) Harmon of Greenwood and Columbia, Elbert and wife Kay Harmon of Concord, N.C., and great-nephew, Parker Harmon Stroud of Simpsonville and many wonderful and caring friends.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday at Rice Memorial Baptist Church with the Revs. Alvin Hodges and Jimmy Tucker officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Curt Harmon, Jimmy Stroud, Parker Stroud, Franchot Parnell, Glenn Shaw, Elbert Harmon and Billy Ray Price.
Honorary escort will be Members of the Lydia Sunday School Class, past and present deacons of Rice Memorial Baptist Church along with Dr. James H. Smith, Dr. Bryan K. Ellenberg, Dr. Jed Graham and Lyle and Tania Egan.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 2 p.m. Thursday.
The family is at the home of Clyde and Ruth Harmon, 108 Pine Circle in Lakewood Heights and the home of Jim and Jean Harmon, 101 North Hill Court at Windsor Road and will receive friends in the church social hall from 2 to 3 Thursday afternoon.
Memorials may be made to Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 1975 Highway 72 W., Greenwood, S.C. 29649.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Harmon Family.

Jessie Johnson

ABBEVILLE — Jessie Albert Johnson, 48, died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at Richland County Hospital, Columbia.
The family is at the home of a sister, 202 Hampton St.
Services will be announced by Richie Funeral Home.

Veinetta Moss Kelly

PHILADELPHIA — Veinetta Moss Kelly, widow of the late Rev. Jack M. Kelly, died Saturday, Dec. 30, 2006, in Philadelphia.
The family is at the home of a niece, Carl and Ella D. Crochen, 917 Carter Road, Ninety Six.
Services will be announced by Parks Funeral Home.

Sallie Strong

Sallie Bell Strong, 88, formerly of 120 Burbank Drive N.W., Atlanta, widow of Jesse Strong, died Monday, Jan., 1, 2007 at the HospiceCare of the Piedmont.
Born in Ninety Six, she was the daughter of late John and Lillie Lewis Alexander. She was a member of Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Atlanta. Survivors include two cousins Carrie Jackson of Ninety Six and Sallie Bell Adams of Greenwood and seven nieces and three nephews. Funeral services will be Thursday Jan. 4, 2007 at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc., conducted by the Revs. Janie Gist and James Price. Interment will be in the Lincoln Cemetery in Atlanta. The family is at the home of a cousin, Carrie Jackson, 212 Little Mountain Road, Ninety Six.
Online condolences can be sent to the family at robson@nctv.com.
Robinson & Son Mortuary Inc. is assisting the Strong family.

Edward R. Thornton

HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Edward Ray Thornton, 68, of Hendersonville, died Monday, Jan. 1, 2007, at Pardee Care Center.
Services will be announced by Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors, Hendersonville, N.C.

Voters deserve and expect open government, respect

January 3, 2007

Government of the people, by the people, for the people. Those words, we pray, are familiar to most South Carolinians, even if history is not always taught as it should be. They were, of course, the words that ended President Abraham Lincoln’s immortal address at Gettysburg ..... you know, the speech that began with “Fore score and seven years ago ..... “
They were pertinent all those years ago, to be sure, and they’ve never gotten old. They apply to every aspect of our government and every elected official today. In fact, they are important to every South Carolinian who deserves and expects a government of, by and for the people. They may even be more meaningful now than then.
Unfortunately, experience tells us that it doesn’t always work that way.

TOO MANY OF OUR ELECTED officials too often act contemptuously toward constituents. Sometimes some even look upon constituents as the enemy and treat them as such. If they don’t, they could fool a lot of people.
There are times, the record shows, when some elected “representatives” of the people even treat fellow officials with the same kind of contempt ..... or worse. There is no excuse for any member of any county or city council, school board, legislature or any other government agency or organization to ostracize his or her peers. They may disagree on issues, certainly, and that’s how it should be. However, all elected officials are in office to represent those who elected them, and for that they should be accorded the respect and equal standing as others elected. To act contrarily is a slap in the face of all voters.

EVERY VOTER IN GREENWOOD knows, though, that is not always the case, and that needs to change.
We have a republican form of government, of course, which means those elected are obligated to use their best judgment when handling public business. That doesn’t mean, however, that the public and public input should be ignored, nor should the deliberations and comments of elected officials be disregarded because they differ with the majority. It happens, though, and that, too, should change.
Another Lincoln quote is noteworthy as well: “Politicians (are) a set of men (and/or women) who have interests aside from the interests of the people, and who, to say the most of them, are, taken as a mass, at least one long step removed from honest men .....”