Man injured in wreck on Briarwood Road

Sedan lands in woods; driver airlifted to Augusta, Ga.

March 25, 2007

By R. SHAWN LEWIS
Index-Journal managing editor

A man was seriously injured late Saturday when his car left a secluded stretch of Briarwood Road and ended up on its driver’s side about 15 feet off the road — and roughly 10 feet below it in the woods.
The driver, whose name was not released, was airlifted by helicopter to Augusta, Ga., for treatment of a head injury, said Sloan Griffin, of the Promised Land Volunteer Fire Department. The man was conscious and talking to emergency personnel.
“We had to keep the vehicle stable while EMS personnel went inside it to get him out,” said Griffin, who is the department’s safety officer and public information officer. Promised Land received the call shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday.
The victim, who was alone in the car, was trapped in the green Ford sedan when rescue workers arrived. Emergency personnel were able to pry him out of the vehicle. After stabilizing him on a backboard, they carried him up a steep bank back to the road in a massive team effort.
Johnnie Morton, who lives next door to the wreck scene, was watching TV in the living room of his 2205 Briarwood Road home when he “heard it.”
“We ran out here,” Morton said. “I didn’t know what had happened. I knew somebody had wrecked. I heard tires squalling and then a big loud BOOM!”
State Highway Patrol investigators found skid marks leading to the vehicle that were several dozen feet long. They said the driver apparently ran off the left side of the road, then over-corrected and eventually ended up over the embankment.
The Greenwood County Sheriff’s Office also assisted at the scene.
The wreck in the isolated neighborhood drew a large crowd of curious onlookers.
“When the helicopter lands, everybody comes out,” Griffin said. “The helicopter brings excitement — and not always the good kind.”
The wreck was still under investigation as of 12:30 a.m. today.

Council election Tuesday

Ware Shoals voters to fill Young’s seat

March 25, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

WARE SHOALS — While Republican and Democratic presidential candidates bound around the country drumming up support for the 2008 election, the town of Ware Shoals is getting in on a little electoral action of its own.
Ware Shoals will have a special municipal election on Tuesday. The purpose is to fill a town council seat left vacant by Kit Young, who resigned his position Jan. 1. There are two years left in that term.
Because no one filed for the town council seat, the election will be write-in only.
Only registered voters who live within the town limits are eligible to vote in the election. Likewise, when voters are casting ballots they should be sure the candidate they are writing in is a registered voter living within Ware Shoals.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Polling places will be Ware Shoals 014 at Ware Shoals Town Hall and Hall’s Store 011 at Welcome Presbyterian Church on Turkey Creek Road.
Two write-in candidates are openly and actively campaigning for the post.
One is Sonny Frederick, a retired Fluor-Daniel employee who was the mayor of Ware Shoals for a period in the 1980s. The other is Gwen Whitfield, a Ware Shoals School District 51 employee. Whitfield ran for town council in November but was defeated.
Frederick, who moved away from Ware Shoals in 1986 and has recently returned, said some of the reasons he is running are quite simple.
“Well, a lot of people have come to me and asked me to run,” Frederick said. “I am just very concerned about the financial situation of this town. We’ve got dilapidated buildings, no new industry and water and sewer rates that are way too high.”
Whitfield agrees with Frederick on the subject of utility rates.
“I think the water bills are too high,” she said. “I would also like to see more police hired. I think that would help this community. I just want what is best for everybody.”
In an ad placed in a Ware Shoals newspaper, Frederick says some Ware Shoals residents have asked him to run for mayor again. Frederick said he hopes it does not come to that.
“If I am elected to town council and can help this town get back on the road to good financial standing, I won’t have to run for mayor,” Frederick said. “I think (current) Mayor (George) Rush has done a good job on some things and a poor job on others. I just feel like there has been a lot of money squandered in Ware Shoals.”
Frederick made it clear that he is comfortable with fulfilling the remaining two years in the role vacated by Young. He said he does not have plans for town council beyond that.
For her part, Whitfield said she has a desire to serve the town she loves and grew up in.
“I love this town, because it is small and we are like family here,” Whitfield said. “Everybody seems to know what to expect from everybody else. I just want to be in a position to try to help this town.”
Frederick said he thinks things can be turned around.
“This goes not just for Ware Shoals, but for a lot of elected officials,” Frederick said. “A lot of them have got the words right, but they aren’t playing the right tune. I just think we need to be conservative, be smart and use good sense in our town government.”

District 50 to revisit teachers’ salaries

Statistics show educators’ pay falling behind

March 25, 2007

By MIKE ROSIER
Index-Journal staff writer

While an exact strategy has yet to be formulated, Greenwood School District 50 officials understand something has to be done.
The district’s teacher salary ranking within the Western Piedmont Education Consortium was shared by Randy Vaughn, assistant superintendent for human resources, in a March 19 presentation to the district’s board of trustees. The consortium consists of Abbeville, Edgefield, Greenwood 50, Greenwood 51, Greenwood 52, Laurens 55, Laurens 56, McCormick, Newberry and Saluda school districts.
Greenwood District 50 stands sixth in average teacher salary out of the 10 WPEC districts — and is falling behind. “If we’re going to be competitive we have to do something,” Vaughn told the board. “It’s apparent from this information that we’re falling behind.”
Vaughn said the monetary commitment needed to bring District 50 salaries in line with current offerings by the leading WPEC districts would eclipse $1 million.
District 50 operates two high schools, three middle schools, nine elementary schools, one alternative school and a career center.
“Our teachers are very important to our educational program here in Greenwood School District 50,” Superintendent Darrell Johnson said. “Our main goal is to make sure that they are compensated at an appropriate level that makes us a district that has quality and competitive teacher salaries.”
Other statistics presented to the board found District 50 salaries are as low as eighth (for those with a master’s degree with 15 years of experience) among WPEC districts or as high as second (doctorate-level instructors) among the five categories ranking teacher salaries — based upon their degree level and overall years of experience.
Among the 85 school districts statewide, District 50 ranks 53rd in overall teacher salary. The average teacher salary (including benefits such as insurance coverage and retirement) in District 50 is $54,850.
Vaughn says the district will evaluate its options and budgetary constraints.
“As far as what we’re going to do, we’re looking at alternatives in the budget as far as what we can do,” he said.
“We’re trying to be proactive about it and keep our district competitive, and salaries are important in attracting good teachers and good people.
“We also have additional quality-of-life benefits here, which are things the district tries to do for our employees that maybe other districts don’t do. Those are things you have to take into consideration when deciding where you work.”
Some of those benefits specific to District 50 include:
*Laptop computers for all teachers.
*Employee assistance program for counseling services (depression, death and financial counseling).
*A registered nurse on staff at each school.
*A case manager on staff at each school serving as a liaison between children at school and home.
*Shared leave policy for serious health problems.
*Strong support of first-year teachers, helping them to get acclimated.
*$750 bonuses for new teachers.
*Keeping employees informed of current health benefit information and any potential discounts school district employees might be eligible for.
Board chairwoman Debrah Miller said the district board strives to remain competitive with other districts.
“Every year at this time we do look at teachers’ salaries and see where we stack up, particularly within our WPEC consortium,” Miller said. “It’s good that we’re not dead last. It would be better if we were above the 50 percentile. We do provide (Advanced Placement) classes, we do provide case managers in all of our schools, we do have a registered nurse in all of our schools, and some of those extras may pull down our numbers.
“We don’t know what the other districts are doing. We’re comparing salaries to salaries, but we’re not really comparing internally apples to apples.”
District 50 officials will continue to gather information on what options are available before making a final decision.
“We try to provide a competitive salary, but we also try to provide those other accouterments to let employees know that we appreciate them,” Vaughn said.

Run for your life ... and the lives of others

Runners set pace to help clinic

March 25, 2007

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal staff writer

Sometimes, the reward justifies the chase.
Such was the case Saturday morning in Uptown Greenwood, as the United Ministries free medical clinic had its Medicine Chase 5K run and walk. It marked the ninth consecutive year United Ministries has put on the event.
The Medicine Chase, which featured 111 runners and walkers, is a fundraiser and awareness event for the free clinic. The clinic provides a center for free medical and dental examination, as well as free prescriptions and free eyeglasses. It also serves as a crisis ministry.
Thus far, the clinic has serviced 1,147 uninsured Greenwood County residents.
It also has dispensed 5,498 prescriptions. Those prescription have an estimated value of more than $357,000.
Walkers and runners of all ages and backgrounds participated on a sunny, warm spring morning. Numerous students ran the course, while some local elected officials— such as Mayor Floyd Nicholson and county councilwoman Edith Childs— chose to walk briskly over the 5-kilometer layout.
While some were clearly out Saturday to have fun and support United Ministries, others were very serious about the run. Trent Humphreys crossed the finish line first, blazing through the course in 16 minutes, 40 seconds.
“This is my first 5K of the year,” said Humphreys afterward as he munched on a banana and slugged down a bottle of water. “I bicycled pretty hard a few days ago and I thought I might have dead legs. But it felt great.”
Judy Bledsoe was the first woman to finish, coming in at 20:08.
United Ministries Free Clinic director Donna Trapp said she was pleased with the turnout.
“The turnout here was great,” Trapp said. “And we’re excited to have such a diverse group of people. Young people, older people, it doesn’t matter. We’re all out here for the same cause.”
Trapp talked about the importance of the annual 5K in terms of fundraisng for the clinic.
“This is my only fundraising event,” Trapp said. “We need to get as much money as we can to make sure we have enough to carry us through. We do get a grant from Self Regional, but it’s never enough to cover all we need. We don’t want anybody to be without medicine.”
This year, United Ministries partnered with Greenwood County Medical Alliance to organize the Medicine Chase. Trapp said GMCA representatives Pam Hunley, Kristie Warner, Casey Warner, Cassie Velkey and Lauren Boylston were integral in getting the ball rolling on the 5K.
“We always try to support United Ministries,” Kristie Warner said. “Last year we raised $8,000 for them doing the Kitchens that Cook tour, and now this year we are partnering for this Medicine Chase. We support other groups, too, but we love the United Ministries and we always back them up.”

Teed off

Chapin wins Ninety Six tourney

March 25, 2007

From staff reports

Despite some scoring in the 70s from teams in the Lakelands, Chapin’s golf game was better, which helped it land the victory in the Ninety Six High School Tee-Off Classic Saturday.
Of teams in the Lakelands that participated, Abbeville’s Jeffery Moats, Ninety Six’s Chris Howard and Emerald’s Wells Ballentine were the low scorers for the Lakelands’ teams, each scoring 73s in the tourney.
Greenwood High School’s foursome had three players score in the 70s with Matt Martin, Travis Gantt and Dustin Smith all scoring 77s.
Saluda’s Thom Sample was the lone scorer in the 70s, hitting a 78 for the Tigers.
After a year’s absence, the classic returned to the Golf Club at Star Fort.
The tournament featured 15 high school teams and included area players who earned All-State honors last year.
The field included teams from Abbeville, Chapin, Clinton, Clover, Emerald, Greenwood, Laurens, Mid-Carolina, Newberry, Ninety Six, Pendleton, Saluda, Strom Thurmond, Ware Shoals and Westside.

Obituaries

Eula Crawford

Eula Gillespie Crawford, 94, of 310 Rock Knoll Drive, widow of William Buel Crawford, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at her home.
Born in Greenville, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Jane Lee Gillespie. She was formerly employed with Greenwood Mills and was a member of Augusta Highway Baptist Church, where she was in the Senior Ladies Class.
Mrs. Crawford was the last surviving member of her immediate family.
She was predeceased by three children, Mildred Christopher, Alvin Crawford and Donnie Crawford; nine sisters and a brother.
Surviving is a daughter, Erleen Crawford of the home; fourteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren and fourteen great-great-grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens with the Reverend Kenny Griffin and Reverend E.H. Cooper officiating.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons.
The family will receive friends at Harley Funeral Home before the service on Monday from 12 noon-1:30 p.m.
The family is at the home.
Memorials may be made to Hospice Care of the Piedmont, 408 West Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Crawford family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Emma Dominick

Emma Stewart Dominick, 83, resident of 4518 Highway 25 South, widow of James L. Dominick, died March 19, 2007 at the Mayo St. Lukes Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla.
Born in Greenville, Dec. 4, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Ben Price Stewart and Sallie Boozer Stewart. Mrs. Dominick retired from Abney Mills and was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church.
Surviving are a daughter, Gail D. Gannon of Jacksonville, Fla. and a son, James S. Dominick of Lexington, Ky.; three grandchildren, Steve Dominick, Mike Dominick and Kelsey Dominick; a brother, Ben P. Stewart of Newberry and two sisters, Audrey S. Coleman and Blanche Stewart, both of Belton.
Mrs. Dominick was predeceased by a brother, Frank B. Stewart.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at Rehoboth United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Fred Buchanan and Bill Coble officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The body is at Blyth Funeral Home and will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The family is at the home and will receive friends at the funeral home 6-8 Monday evening.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, Va. 23058-5216 or to Rehoboth United Methodist Church Cemetery Association, 1808 Callison Highway, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.blythfuneralhome.com.
Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services is assisting the Dominick family.

Larry Hughes

Larry Hughes, 67, of 152 Kimberly Lane, husband of Elaine Hurt Hughes, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at St. Francis Hospital, Greenville.
Born in Greenwood, he was the son of the late Richard M. and Elsie “Sis” Anderson Hughes. He was the owner and operator of Larry Hughes Construction and Southside Mini Storage for many years. Mr. Hughes was a charter member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church and attended Rice Memorial Baptist Church.
Surviving is his wife of the home; a daughter, Kitty Coker and her husband, Chris, of Greenwood; two special earthly angels and grandchildren, Ashton Larry Coker and RuthAnna Elaini Coker; special friend and helper, Victor Capley; a sister, Linda Phillips of Greenwood.
Services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Rice Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Alvin Hodges and the Rev. George Thomas officiating. Burial is in Oakbrook Memorial Park.
Pallbearers are Keith Hughes, Wayne Hughes, Jerry Moore, Taylor Stokes, Jonathan Bassett and Jimmy Hughes.
The family is at the home of Kitty and Chris Coker, 108 Applegate Court.
Memorials may be made to Fresenius Medical Care, 317 Professional Park Road, Clinton, SC 29325; Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 103 Northside Drive W, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to Rice Memorial Baptist Church, 1975 Highway 72 W, Greenwood, SC 29649.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hughes family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

Gwendolyn Renia Key

COLUMBIA — Ms. Gwendolyn Renia Key, daughter of Larry Sr. and Patricia Key, born Jan. 30, 1971, in Lincolnton, Ga., departed this life on March 21, 2007. Survivors are her parents; a daughter, Little Miss Tatyana G. Key-Cornelius and a special friend, Mr. John Cornelius both of Columbia; a sister; Yolonda (Ansel) Fambrough of McCormick; a brother, Mr. Larry Key Jr. of Plum Branch; grandparents, Calvin (Sallie) Morton and Mr. Henry Key, all of Plum Branch.
She was a member of Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Plum Branch, a graduate of McCormick High School class of 1989 and was pursuing a degree in Business from the University of Phoenix.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where Rev. Melvin Gordon is pastor, assisted by the Revs. John Cornelius Sr. and Eddie Freeman. Friends may call at the home, 735 Highway 283, Plum Branch.
Walker Funeral Home is in charge.

Campbell Lewis

ABBEVILLE — Roy “Campbell” Lewis, 66, resident of 127 Whip-O-Will Road husband of Judy Roberts Lewis, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at Self Regional Medical Center, Greenwood.
He was a son of the late Joe Earl and Tommie Campbell Lewis.
Campbell was a retired owner & operator of Lewis retail car sales. He was a loyal member of Main St. United Methodist Church.
Survivors are his wife, Judy Roberts Lewis of the home; a son, Dr. Darren Lewis and his wife Natali of Abbeville; two daughters, Angie Broome and her husband Stanley of Abbeville and Julie Lewis of the home; two sisters, Josephine Wilson of Greenwood and Frances Cain of Abbeville; four grandchildren, Christian Campbell Lewis, Hana Grace Lewis, Jordan Rose Broome and Sidney Marie Broome.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Horace Lewis and a sister, Tobitha Ellis.
Graveside services will be conducted Sunday, March 25, 2007 at 2 p.m. from Bells United Methodist Church with the Revs. Randy Taylor and Wendell Rhodes officiating. The family is at the home, 127 Whip-O-Will Road, Abbeville.
Memorials may be made to Main St. United Methodist Church, PO Box 656 Abbeville, SC 29620.
Online condolences may be sent to the Lewis family by visiting www.chandlerjacksonfh.com.
The Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

William J. Meece

WARE SHOALS — William J. Meece, 68, husband of Betty Oulla Meece, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at his home. He was born in Ashville, N.C., a son of the late James E. and Vaudie Willis Meece. He retired from the U.S. Army as a Master Sgt., having served in both the Berlin Crisis and Vietnam and was retired from R & L Trucking Co. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Surviving besides his wife of the home are a daughter, Cindy L. Meece of Ware Shoals; a brother, Edward Meece of Greenwood; three sisters, Margaret Brown of Laurens, Ruby O’Dell of Ware Shoals and Faye Kirkland, of Fountain Inn.
Graveside services are 3 p.m. Monday at Greenwood Memorial Gardens conducted by the Rev. Dr. Marcus Bishop. Pallbearers are Ryan Lovett, Scott Giles, William Oulla, Colie Timmerman, Robbie O’Dell and Mark O’Dell.
Memorials may be made to Relay for Life.
The family is at the home of Don and Ruby O’Dell, 503 Maddox Bridge Road and will receive friends 7-9 p.m. on Sunday at Parker-White Funeral Home.

William Calvin Rush

MARTINEZ, Ga. — William Calvin Rush, 44, of 407 Old Evans Road, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Medical College of Georgia.
Born in Fulton Ala., he was the son of Sally Talbert Byrd and the late Eugene Rush. He was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his mother of McCormick; two brothers, Edward Rush and Tracy Rush; two sisters, Pam Sharpe and Wanda Rush; nieces and nephews, Aaron and Bobby Rush, William and Nikki Rush, Audria Sharpe, Jamie McKinney and Emily Miller.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Michael Byrd.
Memorial services are 11 a.m. Saturday, March 31, 2007 at Buffalo Baptist Church, Highway 28, McCormick, conducted by the Rev. Ryan Eckland. The family will receive friends at the church after the service.
The family is at the home of his mother, 1517 Greenwood Highway 221, McCormick.
Strom Funeral Home, McCormick, is in charge.

Ouida S. Shaw

HODGES — Ouida Shuman Shaw, 96, of Hodges, more recently of Jacksonville, Fla., died March 13, 2007. She was born Aug. 15, 1910, to the late Noah and Laliah Richardson Shuman.
She was a lifetime member of “Women of the Church,” Hodges Presbyterian Church and was devoted to her church, family and friends. After retiring from Riegal Textile Corp., she enjoyed traveling, bowling, community involvement and watching the Atlanta Braves.
She was predeceased by her husband of forty-three years, Louie C. Shaw, four brothers and seven sisters.
Surviving is a daughter, Caroline Shaw Corrigan and devoted son-in-law, Michael Corrigan; grandchildren, Shawn C. Asmuth and John, Kelly C. Wood and Raymond, Michael L. Corrigan Jr. and Edna, Caroline C. Yazdiya and David, Casey C. Rogers and Dwayne; great-grandchildren, Ian, Chelsea, David, Ashley, Trevor, Emily, Talbot, Shelby, Connor, Caroline, Casey and Riley.
Also her nephew, J.W. Brock and Dot; her sister-in-law, Lucile Moore and Ed and numerous nieces and nephews.
To know her is to love her.
The funeral services will be conducted Monday at 11 a.m. at Hodges Presbyterian Church conducted by Rev. Robert P. Piephoff. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
Active pallbearers will be J.W. Brock, Aubrey Williams, Pete Godfrey, Chad Cox, Ian Wood, David Yazdiya.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hodges Presbyterian Church or to Hodges Fire Department.
Parker-White Funeral Home.

Nellie H. Tutton

WARE SHOALS — Nellie Haygood Tutton, 89, formerly of Maddox Bridge Road, widow of Ralph H. Tutton, died Friday, at Magnolia Manor.
She was born in Rabon County, Ga., a daughter of the late Charlie C. and Martha Jane Hill Haygood. She retired from Park Davis, was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and the Brewerington Order of the Eastern Star.
Surviving are a son, Roy Eugene Tutton of Ware Shoals; a daughter, Barbara Ann Payne of Central; a brother, James Haygood of Ware Shoals; two sisters, Lorene H. Pitts of Ware Shoals and Christine South of Hodges; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are 3 p.m. Sunday at Parker-White Funeral Home with the Rev. Hans Wunch officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family is at the home of Roy Eugene Tutton, 71 Maddox Bridge Road, and will revieve friends from 2-3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Pearlie Mae Watson

VERDERY — Pearlie Mae Watson, 98, widow of Clarence A. Watson, died Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Abbeville Nursing Home.
Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Ida Mae Davidson Stow. She was the former owner and operator of Watson’s Store in Verdery. She was a member of Cedar Springs ARP Church, where she was a member of the Adult Sunday School Class.
She was preceded in death by a son, Clarence Bruce Watson and a sister, Mae Bell Stow Watson.
Surviving is a son, William H. “Buck” Watson and wife Helen of Greenwood; a daughter-in-law, Maude Watson Bell of Verdery; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Cedar Springs ARP Church with Dr. Lloyd Melton officiating. Burial will be in the adjoining church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Billy Watson, Larry Harrison, Craig Mayo, Anthony Harrison, Joshua Kirby and Jason Bryant.
Honorary escort will be the members of Cedar Springs ARP Church.
The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall following the service.
The family is at the home of her daughter-in-law, Maude Watson Bell, 119 Muckaway Road, Bradley.
It is respectfully requested that flowers be omitted and memorials made to HospiceCare of the Piedmont, 408 W. Alexander Avenue, Greenwood, SC 29646.
Harley Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com.

John Carl Williams

John Carl Williams, 64, of 628 Gage St., husband of Bobbie F. Williams, died March 23, 2007, at Hospice House.
Born in Mt. Carmel, Aug. 3, 1942, he was a son of the late John Carl Williams Sr. and Rose Oliver Williams. He was owner and operator of Booker Street Grocery, a graduate of Brewer Class of 1963, and attended Lander College and the University of Florida. He was a member of Springfield Baptist Church and a veteran of the Vietnam War.
Surviving is his wife of the home; a son, John Carl Williams III of Atlanta; three daughters, Erika Lukie of Greenwood, Mitzi D. Williams of Atlanta, and Brittany N. Williams of Columbia; two sisters, Georgia Williams Hawkins of Trenton, N.J. and LTC Henrietta Williams Brown of Fort Carson, Colo.; three grandchildren; a host of other friends and relatives.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Springfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Andy Young officiating.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers and flower bearers will be friends of the family.
The body will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.
The family is at the home.

Onedar Witt

Onedar Witt, 91, of Magnolia Manor, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at her home.
The family is at the home of her niece, Martha Ann Well, 122 Swallow Road.
Services will be announced by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home.

Opinion

Blame abuse of children on excesses of society

March 25, 2007

Part One
Why? That’s a question we all could ask ourselves when it comes to the sexual and physical abuse of children that has captured our attention in recent times. To make it even worse, add murder.
There have been murders and abuse before, to be sure. Everyone in South Carolina remembers the case in Union where a mother drowned her three children by running her car into a lake while they were strapped in by seat belts. Through the years there have been numerous incidents of violence against children in many forms. Nowadays, though, while all kinds of violence have been evident in too many cases, sexual violence has, it seems, all of a sudden grown to almost episodic proportions.

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS reports around the country in recent times where teachers have been charged with having sex with students, including a couple of high-profile cases in South Carolina. It hasn’t been all that different around the nation, either.
Now there has been a teacher/student sexual affair in Knoxville, TN., that ended with the teacher’s husband of 11 years shooting to death the teenager who was involved with his 30-year-old wife.
Abuse and murder of young children have been highly emotional situations because there’s always something about them that leaves us wondering why. Yet we wonder at the same time what might have been done to prevent them.
Just the other day a six-year-old Georgia boy was kidnapped, sexually assaulted, killed and his body was stuffed in a trash bag - a trash bag - and dumped on the side of a road.
Why, indeed? Known child molesters are supposed to register so police can always keep track of them. Time has shown, though, that even while many attacks are prevented, too many are not ..... and children die.

IS THERE AN INCREASE IN the numbers of molestation and/or murder cases, or are we simply hearing about more of them? In some cases, the record shows, molesters slip though the legal fences and they strike again. Sometimes, it’s also obvious, lenient judges could to blamed.
Overall, though, it has to be a problem caused by society ..... the excesses of society. It would seem, then, that finding a solution will require changes in society. There’s no secret that faith and morality have become victims of those excesses and the attitudinal permissiveness about those excesses. We can point the finger of blame at other things - and some will, no doubt - but the more we accept the more things happen ..... and they aren’t always good.
Tomorrow: Part Two