Alleged stabbing leaves child hurt

July 6, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Greenwood Police Department has made an arrest following a reported stabbing that left a 13-year old child with two stab wounds, a broken rib and a punctured lung.
Police arrested James Carter III, 35, of 122 Old Ninety Six Hwy., and charged him with assault and battery with intent to kill, larceny, resisting arrest and burglary.
According to police incident reports and arrest warrant affidavits, the incident happened about 10:30 p.m. Wednesday. The stabbing victim and his family told officers they had just arrived back at their home after attending a Independence Day fireworks show. A female family member told other family members that she saw a man, later identified as Carter, walking around inside the front of their home.
The stabbing victim and a male family member walked around the rear of the home, ostensibly to investigate. The male family member said he saw Carter step out of the shadows and walk over to a small SUV that was parked at a neighboring home then walk back toward the victim.
Carter reportedly stabbed the 13-year-old twice in the back as he turned to run. The child got up and attempted to get away, with Carter reportedly in pursuit.
The report said Carter abandoned his chase of the 13-year-old when he saw the female family member attempting to get an infant out of a car seat. He allegedly marched toward them and raised his knife as if preparing to stab them. However, the woman fell to the ground with the infant.
Two other family members reportedly confronted Carter before he could get to the woman and infant, at which time he allegedly fled in his white Geo Tracker.
While interviewing the 13-year-old and other family members at Self Regional Medical Center, officers learned the vehicle belonged to Carter. Family members told officers they had seen the vehicle parked many times at the aforementioned Old Ninety Six Highway address.
Several officers went to Carter’s home. Upon entering, two officers went back into Carter’s bedroom, where they reportedly saw a silver knife sitting on the bed. Carter was in the back yard talking to two other officers.
They convinced Carter to come to the police station to talk, even though Carter claimed he hadn’t left his house all night. Carter reportedly said he needed to go get dressed. While standing outside Carter’s bedroom, one of the officers noted the knife that had been on Carter’s bed was gone.
An officer asked Carter if he had picked up the knife, to which he allegedly responded, “What knife? I don’t have a knife.” Officers asked Carter to empty his pockets, but said he did so while obviously trying to conceal something in his left hand. Sgt. Vernon Peppers reportedly discovered the knife, as well as some jewelry.
The report said Carter refused to drop the knife and moved his hands together as if to open the blade. Peppers and Lt. Chris Gray grabbed Carter’s wrists, but he continued to try to open the knife. Two more officers reportedly came in and helped subdue Carter.
Besides the jewelry, officers found a woman’s purse at Carter’s feet that had a pay stub in it with the name of the female family member of the stabbing victim on it. The woman later confirmed the purse and jewelry were stolen from her house while she was at the fireworks show.

Obituaries

Virginia Ek

Virginia Norman Ek, 79, beloved wife, mother, nurse, grandmother and great-grandmother, went to be with the Lord on the 5th day of July, 2007. Otherwise known as “Ginny,” “Mama,” or “Nanny,” she was a pioneer in nursing and emergency medical services, but her children and their families were the joys of her life. With a comforting spirit and smile for everyone, she was an example to all in her words and her deeds.
She was born in Greenwood, SC, to W.T. Norman, Sr. and Stella Rhodes Norman. She graduated from Greenwood High School in 1944 and from Lander College in 1960 with a nursing degree. She served as a nurse at Self Memorial Hospital for over 30 years and was the assistant director of nursing at Self when she retired in 1984. She had many professional accomplishments, including being the regional nurse coordinator for the Live Course for EMS Training in South Carolina, and she was actively involved in such agencies as the American Nurses Association, the SC Nurses Association and the SC Heart Association. She was a long-standing member of Lupo Memorial United Methodist Church and she thoroughly enjoyed her monthly meetings with the “Canasta Club,” her group of long time friends here in Greenwood.
Her husband, John Wilhelm Ek, predeceased her in 1980.
Surviving are her two daughters, Petrina Ek McMillian of Ninety Six and Sandra Ek Cawood, with whom she made her home in Greenwood; two sons, John William Ek, Sr. and wife, Deborah of Ninety Six and David Andrew Ek and wife, Janet of Chappells; eight grandchildren, Cheryl McMillian Overturf of Ninety Six, Kelleen McMillian Kingsmore of Lexington, John William Ek, Jr. of Austin, TX, Andrew Coleman Cawood of Simpsonville, Matthew Norman Cawood and Jonathan Michael Cawood, both of Acworth, GA, Jeffrey David Ek and Christopher Andrew Ek, both of Chappells; a great-granddaughter, Brittany Marie Vittone of Lexington.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday from the Blyth Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Chris Stansell officiating.
Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be her six grandsons, along with Donald W. Overturf and Scott A. Kingsmore.
Honorary escort will be John Hughes, Bob Gilmer, Virginia Anagnost, Ruby Benjamin, Helen Stathakis, Rita Pickens and Gene Hancock.
The family is at the home of Sandra Cawood, 222 Autumn Trace and will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 to 2 Saturday afternoon.
The family requests that memorials be made to Lupo Memorial United Methodist Church, 110 Lanham St. Greenwood, SC 29649, Ninety Six Pentecostal Holiness Church, 206 State St., Ninety Six, SC 29666 or to Hospice House, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646.
For online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Ek family.

Lillie Mae Harrison

McCORMICK — Lillie Mae Harrison, of 1954 Troy Road, widow of James C. Harrison, died Wednesday, July 4, 2007 at Palmetto-Richland Health Care Center.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Walker Funeral Home.

Lula Mohr

Services for Lula Belle Simmons Mohr will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Jason McCary officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Lula Belle Simmons Mohr, 71, of 402 Fair Forest Drive, widow of Eugene Mohr, died Thursday, July 5, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Abbeville, she was retired from the Mathews Plant of Greenwood Mills and was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Surviving are a son, Michael Gene Mohr of Greenwood; a daughter, Cathy Ann Stidman of Greenwood; two sisters, Betty Chappa of Florence, AL, and Jane Ellis of Marion, IL; four brothers, Raeford Simmons of Abbeville, Jimmy Simmons of Ramona, CA; Dale Simmons of Iva and Wayne Simmons of Greenwood; two grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
The body is at Harley Funeral Home, where the family will receive friends Friday night from 7 until 9 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Chris Stewart, Jesse Weeks, Raymond “Mutt” Getsinger, Ben Lindle, Jamie Ashley, and Willie Jones.
The family is at the home.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Donald Taylor

McCORMICK — A memorial service for Donald Edward Taylor will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 at the Lutheran Church by the Lake in McCormick, with the Rev. Dick Albert officiating.
It is requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to the Alzheimer’s Association, PO Box 658, Greenwood, SC 29648. Mr. Taylor, 72, of 204 Links Place, McCormick, husband of DaLee Bowers Taylor, died Saturday, June 30, 2007 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Detroit, MI, he was a son of the late Arwood Edward Taylor and Gladys Edith Rhodes Lovall. He was retired from Allen Storage & Moving in Flint, MI, which is an agent for Allied Van Lines. He was a member of the Lutheran Church by the Lake in McCormick.
Surviving is his wife of the home; a daughter, Sandra DaLee DeCarolis of Corvallis, OR; a son, Steven Dennis Taylor of Lake Orion, MI; a sister, Mary Lou Carey of New Boston, MI; a brother, Gerald Arwood Taylor of Oklahoma; five grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Eddie Joe ‘Yogie’ Thomas Jr.

Eddie Joe Thomas, Jr., 65, of 313 Cambridge Apts., husband of Dorothy Thomas, died June 29, 2007. Born in Greenwood County, he was a son of the late Eddie Joe Thomas, Sr., and the late Daisy Pearl Burton Thomas. He graduated from Brewer High School in 1960 and attended Claflin College, Orangeburg, SC. He also attended Clemson University, where he obtained skills as a Waste Treatment Technician. He worked and retired from the Commission of Public Works at an early age, as a Waste Treatment Operator. He joined Mt. Zion Baptist Church at an early age.
Survivors include three daughters, L’Tonya Michelle Thomas and Sandra Gail Thomas of Brooklyn, NY, and Vikki L. Thomas of Long Island, NY; one son, Shawn Thomas of Norfolk, VA; two grandchildren, Jerald Kwasi Ford and Sandra Gail Thomas of Brooklyn, NY; four sisters, Betty (Bramore) Duncan of Petaluma, CA, Mary Ellen Aiken and Linda Diane Johnson of Greenville and Jackie (Pat) Aiken of Greenwood, SC; two brothers, Bennie (Sarah) Thomas of Greenwood and Willie James Thomas of Hodges, SC; 16 nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, with Rev. Bernard White officiating, assisted by Revs. Samuel McPherson, Jerry Aiken, Isaac Booker, Bruce Norman and Daisy Floyd.
Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Willie Wideman, Charles Foster, James Workman, Bobby Foggie, Bennie Johnson and Tony Gaines. Flower bearers will be Deaconesses of the church. Honorary escort will be Brewer HS Class of 1960.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 7-8 p.m. Friday evening. The family is at the home of a brother Bennie Thomas, 101 Hickory Lane, McKellar Farms. Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home is assisting the Thomas family.
Online: pertompfh1@earthlink.net.

Mark Todd

Services for Joseph Mark Todd will be at 3 p.m. Saturday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. G. Thomas Cartledge officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Pallbearers will be Kenny Cole, David Hutto, Dennis Clark, Dan Henderson, Robert Ashley and Mike Rutland.
Honorary escorts will be Nelson Norman, Ivan Hershberger.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home on Friday from 7 until 9 p.m.
The family is at the home, 1803 Emerald Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Mark, 50, of 1803 Emerald Road, died Thursday, July 5, 2007 at Hospice House. He was the beloved husband of Bonnie and father of Brandon and Brooke and a wonderful grandfather to Jacob, Cody, Bri, and Brandi. He is now in eternal resting with his Lord and Savior, following a two year battle with cancer. During his long and hard journey through pain and suffering, Mark found the inner peace and comfort that only God can provide. Mark’s humor and very likable nature will be missed by all of his family and friends who admired his brave determination to not give up and who all have faith that Mark has found rest and healing in heaven.
Mark shared a close relationship with his children, sharing his love of golf and his business with Brandon and his love of music with Brooke.
Born in Greenwood, he was a son of Robert E. Todd and Glenda Parnell. He was the owner and operator of Todd Siding and Awning, with special projects including Connie Maxwell Children’s Home and working with Ivan Hershberger. He was an avid golfer, a member of Cokesbury Golf Course and a former member of Rolling S and Star Fort Golf Courses. He attended First Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are his wife, Bonnie Carol Martin Todd, of the home; a daughter, Brooke Todd of the home; a son, Brandon Todd of Greenwood; his father of Greenwood; his mother of Mt. Carmel; two sisters, Cindy Erwin of Georgia and Robyn Noraine of Mt. Pleasant; three brothers, Steve Todd, Rick Todd and Jason Todd, all of Greenwood; four grandchildren, Brandi Todd, Jacob Todd, Cody Todd and Brianna Todd.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Joe Stephenson and his entire staff and to the staff of Hospice House, Greenwood, for their dedicated care during Mark’s illness.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Bonnie Warren

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — Bonnie Warren of Lawrenceville, GA, formerly of Greenwood, died July 2, 2007. She was 88 years old. Daughter of Pete B. and Eloise D. Warren, Miss Warren was born in Greenwood County on Dec. 9, 1918 and lived there until 1999, when she moved to Georgia to be closer to relatives. She was a longtime employee of Greenwood Mills and a member of South Main Street Baptist Church. Miss Warren, known as “Bon” to her family and friends, was loved for many reasons, not least of which was her wonderful sense of humor. Children, especially, were attracted to her and loved her playful spirit. Miss Warren was predeceased by her sister, Edith Warren Browning Wood, and her brother, Stanley L. Warren. She is survived by her nieces, Margaret Neil Coyle and her husband, John of La Place, LA, Pat Daugherty of Athens, GA, Jane Robbins and her husband, Richard of Stone Mountain, GA; and many great-and great-great-nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Saturday, July 7, at 11 a.m. at Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to South Main Street Baptist Church, 1000 S. Main St., Greenwood, SC 29646, or to your favorite charity.

Opinion

Looking back on festival: Story of people, optimism

July 6, 2007

Greenwood has been known as a textile industry town, a medical town, a baseball town, and can claim a lot of other titles. One that has been closely associated with the Emerald City and County for as long as anyone can remember is a town where flowers bloom, from Park Seed Company to neighborhood gardens and indeed almost every yard around the area. They splash rainbows of colors all around for every eye to see.
Flowers and colors also have another role to play in this area and all of South Carolina. In general, they play it well, too. They are the foundation for one of the Palmetto State’s most successful celebrations: The Festival of Flowers.
It’s been 40 years since the festival began, with little more than a small budget and a huge dose of optimism with the folks at the Chamber of Commerce, Park Seed and others. Through the intervening years it has grown ..... and grown ..... and grown.
It is now so multi-faceted it draws participants and visitors from miles and states away. It features the Park Seed experimental gardens, to be sure, but it also showcases other gardens and manicured yards, along with spectacular homes, sports, food, entertainment and a variety of fun-providing pastimes.
One ingredient, though, makes all of this happen. That’s people, many of them volunteers. They are the secret of success and they deserve a well-earned communitywide pat on the back. They’ve made the 40 years and there appears to be no end in sight.