Betty Boyd McCrea, 96, wife of the late Thomas “Martin” McCrea,  passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at her home in Kingstree, SC.

     Mrs. McCrea was born July 1, 1927, in Columbia, SC, a daughter of the late Emmett Henry Boyd, Sr. and Laura Hamlet Boyd. She was a homemaker, worked at Baxter Labs for some years, and operated Two Seasons Fruit Stand in Pawleys Island for many years.

     Mrs. McCrea is survived by one son, Hugh (Linda) McCrea of Kingstree.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, two sons, Bill McCrea, and Emmett McCrea, three sisters, and one brother.

     A graveside funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Sunday, January 14, 2024, in the Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.  The family has requested memorials be made to the American Heart Association, https://www.heart.org/, or by mail- American Heart Association,  PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Richard Arnold Stone, 71, died Sunday, January 7, 2024, at his home in Kingstree, SC, surrounded by family.

     Mr. Stone was born June 28, 1952, in Kingstree, the son of Margaret Hayes Stone and the late Clinton McKenley “Buddy” Stone. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School and a veteran of the US Air Force. Richard retired from Greentree Financials.

     Surviving Mr. Stone, in addition to his mother Margaret, are: his daughter, Amy Burchell;  his sister, Sheron (Wright) Miles; and nieces and nephews.

     There are no services planned at this time.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Joyce Hudson Epps, 66, wife of the late David Epps, died Saturday, January 6, 2024, at  home surrounded by family.

     Mrs. Epps was born November 19, 1957, the youngest of three children to the late Gene Hudson and Hazel Miles Hudson. She was a graduate of Williamsburg Academy and retired after thirty plus years from Santee Electric Cooperative. Even before retiring from Santee Electric in 2018, she enjoyed traveling and organizing gatherings for her family and friends. Generous with her time, talents and possessions, Joyce looked for opportunities to assist whomever she could. She was capable of finding a solution to any problem that arose and many people relied on her as a regular source of guidance. Joyce was a member of Hebron Independent Church and recently attended Millwood Methodist Church.

Joyce is survived by: her children, Eric (Tina) Holladay, Ryan (Suzanne) Holladay, and Angie (Chris) Brown;  grandchildren, Alexis Holladay, Carson Holladay, Kaylee Holladay, and Olivia Holladay; sister, Claire (Len) Gaskins; and many family members and friends who were precious to her. In addition to her parents and her husband, Joyce was preceded in death by her brother, Steve Hudson.

     A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Monday, January 8, 2024, at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. Joyce’s family will greet guests beginning at 1:30 just prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The National Kidney Foundation online at www.kidney.org.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Joseph Philip Lazzari, Jr., 97, husband of Zeloree Scott Lazzari, died Friday, January 5, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.

Mr. Lazzari was born April 10, 1926, in Boston, MA, a son of the late Joseph Philip Lazzari, Sr. and Anita Latola Lazzari. Mr. Lazzari was a US Navy veteran, serving as a First-Class IC Electrician during World War II and The Korean War.  He was an engineer for Carolina Power and Light Co, retiring after 36 years. Mr. Lazzari was a member of St. Ann Catholic Church and served on the Parish Council. He enjoyed golf and fishing and was an avid Boston Red Sox fan and Clemson Tigers fan. He was a member of the Kingstree Moose Lodge. While living in Sumter, SC, he was a member of the Civitan Club, where he served as state president and was named Man of the Year.  Also in Sumter, he established and was scout master to the first special needs Boy Scout troop, which was sponsored by the Civitan Club.

Surviving Mr. Lazzari, in addition to his wife  of 72 years Zeloree of Kingstree, are: two sons, Eric (Donna) Lazzari of Wilmington, NC and Phil (Mary Frances) Lazzari of Georgetown; seven grandchildren, Katie Lazzari, Carolyn (Mathew) Prisco, Ken (Jackie) Lazzari,  John  (Liz) Lazzari, Neal (Sandy) Humphrey, Olivia (Grady) Jarman, and Theodora (Dustin) Fitzgerald; and nine great grandchildren, Airlie, Della, Anna, Aiden, June, Luna, Tess, Sophia, and Freya.

A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. The Lazzari family will greet friends following the mass at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org/memorial.

A committal service will be held 11 AM, Saturday, April 20, 2024, at Tisdale Cemetery. Mr. Lazzari’s family will greet friends following the service in the cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Carroll Staggs Hammet passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 3rd, 2024, at the age of 92.

The daughter of Roy and Doris Staggs, Carroll, the oldest of three children, was born on December 20^th, 1931, in Bemidji, Minnesota.  Carroll and her family spent several fond years on her Grandparent Carroll’s farm in Orangeburg, SC, before settling in Kingstree, SC.   Carroll attended Kingstree High School where she was an honor student and enjoyed being on the basketball team.

Carroll met George Barr Hammet Jr., also of Kingstree, and the two were married on June 1^st, 1951.   They proudly raised four daughters: Susan Smith (Jerry) of Columbia SC, Ginger Odom (James) of Pawleys Island, SC, Mary Mallick (Bruce) of Georgetown, SC and Novia Cooper (Russell) of Salters, SC   They also had seven grandchildren: Jer Smith (Ashley) of Chapin SC, Megan Senn (Kyle) of Chapin, SC, Josh Odom (Rebecca) of Southampton, N.Y., Lindsey Richardson (Aubrey) of Murrells Inlet, SC, Laura Eanes (Brandon) of Anderson, SC, Russ Cooper of Salters, SC, and William Cooper (Colleen), also of Salters, SC.  Carroll and George were also the proud Grandparents of 11 great-grandchildren. Carroll is also survived by a brother, Reverend Chuck Staggs (Mary) of Sumter, SC. Carroll was preceded in death by her husband George Hammet and her sister Lorraine Gordon (Roy) of Fort Mill, SC.

Carroll was a founding and faithful member of Kingstree Presbyterian Church.  Carroll served as the church historian for many years, taught the Ladies’ Sunday School class, hosted many youth group activities at her home and was active in the Women’s Circle group.  She proudly represented her church when she attended the Presbytery annual meetings. She supported the mission work and trips hosted by the church.  Carroll also enjoyed serving as President and being a member of the Kingstree Garden Club for many years. She enjoyed flower arranging and working in her yard. She comforted many through her card sending ministry.   She was a loyal employee at Welch’s Insurance in Kingstree for 37 years.  At the age of 50 Carroll decided she wanted to further her education and earned an associate degree in English from Williamsburg Technical College.

Carroll and George were known for having an open-door policy for their family and friends.  There was always room at their table for one or two more. They loved spending time at the family cabin on Black River. They enjoyed attending and supporting many sporting events at Williamsburg Academy.

The family would like to thank the staff of The Landings of Georgetown for always treating Carroll with dignity and respect. A graveside service will be held at Williamsburg Cemetery in Kingstree, SC on Sunday, January 7^th at 2:00pm.   The family will visit with friends immediately following the service. Memorials may be made to Kingstree Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 904, Kingstree, SC  29556 or to Williamsburg Academy Booster Club, P.O. Box 2 Kingstree, SC. 29556.

Dr. William David Witherspoon, Jr. died of complications from ALS at Season’s Hospice in Rochester, Minnesota on December 30, 2023. David was born on April 12, 1959, to Linda Johnson Witherspoon and William David “Billy” Witherspoon in Dillon, South Carolina. He was proceeded in death by his father.  David is survived by his wife of 42 years, Louise Atkinson Witherspoon, two daughters, Virginia McIntosh Witherspoon, Gillen Witherspoon Schecter (Aaron), and son, William David Witherspoon, III (Julia). He leaves four grandchildren Louise Atkinson Merritt, Edward James Merritt, William David Witherspoon, IV, and Adeline Rose Witherspoon. He is also survived by his brother Hubert Craig Witherspoon (Fran) and sister Linda Anne Witherspoon Adams (Dent), brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert Edward Atkinson, Jr (Stephanie) and Ernest McIntosh Atkinson (Kelly) as well as ten nieces and nephews and twelve great nieces and nephews.

David loved his family, and after 32 years in the Midwest he delighted in retiring to the Southeast and spending more time with family and friends at the beach and the farm, reuniting with his Conway High School friends, fishing and enjoying the outdoors, and applying his agronomy education to perfecting his yard at the beach and land at the farm. David truly loved entertaining his family and friends at the beach and farm, showing midwestern friends his love for the beach, taking people salt-water fishing, and creating a hunter’s paradise at the farm. When watching his grandchildren fish at the farm or learning to swim in the pool at the beach he often said, “this is why I built it.” David was the most positive person; he gave thanks to God for the almost ten years that he lived with ALS, never angry about the diagnoses and handling the progression of the illness with grace and never letting it slow him down. David had many hobbies and rode his motorcycle across the country shortly after his diagnosis and retirement. During the last nine years of his life David walked Gillen down the aisle, was Will’s best man, and met his four grandchildren. More than once, Virginia overheard him saying to the babies, “I am so glad I got to meet you.” Louise was the love of David’s life and his true partner, holding down the fort at home with three children while David worked and traveled, and then being by his side every day after his diagnoses and retirement. David and Louise did not let ALS slow them down. Three weeks before his death David and Louise flew to spend the holidays with their Midwest-based children and grandchildren, traveling with oxygen, other required equipment, and their beloved dogs, Bandit and Bruiser.

David had a fulfilling career in agriculture. David earned a PhD in plant breeding and genetics from North Carolina State University. Prior to that he earned his master’s degree in agronomy from his beloved Clemson University and graduated with lifelong friends and a degree in biology from the Citadel. The family moved to Marshall, Missouri in 1986 for David to start a research station for Garst Seed Company. While David loved plant breeding, he eventually transitioned to the business side of agriculture, and the family moved to Ankeny, Iowa where David became the Director of Marketing and then President and CEO of Garst Seed Company. After Syngenta acquired Garst, David worked in various roles for Syngenta ending his career as the Head of Renewable Fuels for North America. When he retired, Syngenta gave him the “Energy Award,” for his achievements with the company and the passion he was known to bring to the work. David brought excitement and passion to everything he did, and he drew his strength and inspiration from his relationship with Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church in Kingstree on Saturday, January 13 at 11 AM with Rev. Josie Holler officiating, followed by visitation and a luncheon at Grace Hall. Williamsburg Funeral Home will oversee arrangements. In honor of David’s love of hosting people at “Camp David,” anyone interested in seeing the farm can join the family there after the luncheon. There will be a roaring fire in the cook shed and tours of the farm. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 N. Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 (https://www.williamsburgpresbyterian.org/giving/) or the ALS Association (als.org.)

On Friday, December 29, 2023, at 11:04 pm, Roger Edward Buttermore fulfilled a long-held dream by kicking his oxygen habit. As his Australian children would put it, he carked it.

Roger is survived by the love of his life, his wife Linda. He is also survived by his sister Joan; his daughters Erika, Erin, Charlotte, and Lucy; his son Kirk; his eleven grandchildren Neve, Leo, Issy, Jordan, Cole, Emily, Cade, Piper, Mikey, Joey, and Nadia; his stepdaughter Brandy and her son Bentley; his stepsons Bill and Drew; assorted step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren whose connections nobody seems to clearly understand; his sons-in-law David Vieler and Robert Grubb; and his Savannah cat Sisi. His two ex-wives are heaving a quiet sigh of relief. A passionate genealogist, Roger no doubt cultivated his elaborately complex family tree on purpose.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Harriette Buttermore, his brother John Buttermore, an entire lineage of ancestors whose lives and deaths he painstakingly documented, and the battery drill he spent the last five years trying to fix before they both bit the dust. Kirk is still trying to perform necromancy on the dead drill but has fortunately left Dad alone.

Roger graduated from Pioneer High School in 1964 and spent the next almost 60 years desperately searching for his misplaced yearbook. While the reunions he organised were legendary, we can only conclude that he timed his death to avoid responsibility for the 60^th anniversary later this year.

He volunteered his service for the US Air Force, spending four years as a Sergeant during the Vietnam War. His time in the Air Force gave him many things, including his first tape recorder, several questionable photos in south-east Asian night spots of ill repute, and the heart defect that eventually carried him off. He was nevertheless deeply proud of his service and expected his children to make their beds and shine their shoes with military precision.

After returning to the US, he completed a Bachelor of Science in International Agricultural Development at the University of California Davis and a Master of Science in Aquaculture at Auburn University in Alabama.

His wanderlust then took him to the wilds of Tasmania, where he founded a dynasty by fathering four of his children, who have been a never-ending source of anxiety and disappointment to him, principally due to their poorly made beds and scuffed shoes.

He worked for many years as Senior Curator, Invertebrate Zoology at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, where he got paid to indulge his interests by pinning butterflies to cards and getting up close and personal with giant squid. His groundbreaking research on Tasmania’s bumblebee population saw him awarded a Churchill Fellowship which took him around the world to gab with other nerdy scientists who liked to spend their weekends videoing hives and hand-feeding their pet bumblebees. His work had the unexpected side benefit of proving that bumblebees do, in fact, sting, and if you wear a beekeeper’s hat, they will instead go up the leg of your trousers and attack your groin.

After 28 years abroad, he left before clearing out the attic (that’s probably where his high school yearbook is still gathering dust) and returned to the USA for Act 2 of his career. His work with the Department of Agriculture saw him first corralling quarantine inspection dogs in Hawaii and later protecting the State of California from invasions of brown moths. Next time you bite into a juicy, moth-free apple, you might want to say a silent thank you to Roger.

His arrival in California coincided with the revelation of his surprise daughter Erika, the result of a youthful indiscretion in college. Roger was overjoyed to welcome Erika and her family into his life.

After retirement, a cross-country road trip left him stranded in South Carolina with a broken-down campervan and a missing cat. While awaiting the return of the cat, he bought a house by the beach and married an artist. This was enough to induce Sisi the cat to stage a comeback.

A quintessential nerd, Roger’s interests ranged from sci-fi and fantasy to computer club. He lettered in swimming in high school, which was an appropriate outlet for his gangly limbs and wild kinetic energy. With his death, there are now remaining only an estimated 134 humans globally who know how to correctly use an apostrophe. This includes all five of his children.

He loved gardening, dining out, The Beatles, darkly humorous TV shows, having terrifyingly loud sneezes, and getting free parking due to his disabled veteran status. He also loved online karaoke. He leaves behind his collection of recordings on Youtube in case you ever need cheering up, as well as a truly bizarre assortment of costumes in his wardrobe (a clown suit with a curly wig? Really, Dad?)

Roger loved to travel, though it was a bit like going on tour with a cast member of The Hangover. One memorable trip saw us pursuing his lost iPhone across Europe like a game of Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?

His other pastime was major surgery. His assortment of life-saving interventions included (but was not limited to) open heart surgery (twice), gall bladder removal, spinal fusion, an appendectomy and bowel resection, and a brow lift so he would look surprised in his daughter’s wedding pictures. He survived melanoma and multiple basal cell carcinomas. Consequently, he had a penchant for taking his shirt off, because in his words, “chicks dig scars.”

Heartfelt thanks go to the medical team at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Hospital who treated Roger with compassion, care, and dignity through to the very end.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend his funeral service at Williamsburg Funeral Home at 332 East Main Street, Kingstree, South Carolina, on Saturday 6 January at 1.00pm. The service will also be available to livestream at https://www.facebook.com/WilliamsburgFuneralHome

Interment will follow at Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 4501 SC-377, Salters, SC 29590.

James William “Jimmy” Huggins, Jr., 73, died Friday, December 29, 2023, at MUSC Black River Medical Center in Cades, SC.

Jimmy was born March 7, 1950, in Hemingway, SC, the son of the late James William Huggins and June Hill Huggins Jarrett. He spent his early life in Hemingway and was a 1968 graduate of Kingstree High School. He attended Clemson University and was a member of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He was a 1974 graduate of the University of South Carolina. Jimmy was an expert carpenter and like his great grandfather, William James Timmons Huggins, Jimmy crafted furniture, especially tables, a corner hutch, and bookcases, as well as the Hugo Hut. Jimmy was a member of Kingstree Moose Lodge #1886.

Jimmy is survived by his sisters, Sandy Huggins McCaskill of Glen Burnie, MD and Nancy Huggins Staton of Kingstree, SC; a niece, Nancy Hope McCaskill (Scott) of Millersville, MD; two nephews, Joe Staton of Ocean Isle Beach, NC, and Roscoe Nesmith (Wendy)  of Lexington, SC; great nephews, Christopher Staton and George Nesmith; and great nieces, Logan Malatesta and Morgan Nesmith.

Graveside funeral services, officiated by Rev. J. Robert “Bob” Huggins, pastor of Butler and Shiloh Methodist Churches, will be held 11 AM, Saturday, January 27, 2024, in the Old Johnsonville Cemetery, near his childhood home.  Jimmy’s family will greet guests following the service in Old Johnsonville Methodist Church fellowship hall across the street from the cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or online at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Davyne Kelly Williamson, 84, wife of the late Alva Stephen “Bubba” Williamson, died Sunday, December 24, 2023, at Carlyle Senior Care surrounded by her beloved family.

Davyne was born August 5, 1939, in Charleston, SC, a daughter of the late William David Kelly and Marguerite Gertrude Boland Kelly. She was a graduate of Kingstree High School, Class of 1957. Davyne served as a secretary and bookkeeper at Kingstree Manufacturing, Kingstree First Baptist Church, Williamsburg Academy and USDA-FSA over the years of her working outside the home. She was a member of Williamsburgh Historical Society and enjoyed extensive genealogy. Davyne was also an accomplished floral designer and enjoyed crafts of all kinds.

Surviving Davyne are: her son, Alva “Al’ S. (Pam) Williamson, Jr. of Cades, SC; daughter, Debbie Williamson, DVM of Harwood, MD; grandchildren, Alva S. “Tripp” (Maggie) Williamson, III of Georgetown and Megan “Meg” Williamson (Clint) McDuffie of Kingstree; great grandchildren, Alva S. “Ro” Williamson, IV, and Ella Louise McDuffie; a brother, William David Kelly, Jr. of Charlotte, NC;  a sister, Lois Ann Graham Bowen of Lake City and her longtime beloved caregiver, Beulah McFadden.  In addition to her parents and her husband Bubba,  Davyne was  preceded in death by a grandson Samuel Kelly Williamson, brother, James Russell Graham, and sisters, Marguerite Stoddard and Patricia Inez Kelly.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday December 28, 2023, at Kingstree First Baptist Church, with burial in Williamson Cemetery. Davyne’s family will greet friends Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 PM at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. Memorials may be made to Williamson Cemetery, c/o Mr. Stan Williamson, 515 Live Oak Avenue, Kingstree, SC 29556.

Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Kingstree native Morgan Hunt Alsbrook, 71, passed away on November 30,2023, at her residence in Inver Grove, Minnesota. Born September 1,1952, Morgan was pre-deceased by her parents, Joseph Brockington Alsbrook, Jr. and Elizabeth Morgan Hunt Alsbrook. She is survived by longtime partner Holly Koski and son Jordan Hull of Hibbing MN, and by 3 siblings, Mary Vaughan Alsbrook and her son Joseph Morgan Hunt Alsbrook (Erin) of Charleston, Brooks Alsbrook of Dania Beach, FL, and Joseph Brockington Alsbrook, III (Vicky) of Charleston, and their daughters Lexa Skope (Jonathan), Sarah Horst (Matthew), and Chandler Brockington Alsbrook. Next generation survivors include great-nephews Greyson and Gavin Cole, Jack, Knox and Rhett Horst, and one great-niece, Piper Skope.

Morgan was an accomplished industrial draftsman for a Charleston military defense contractor.  She particularly enjoyed working in naval electronics, which led to exciting travel adventures to seaports on the east and west coast as well as Panama. After taking early retirement due to disability, Morgan lived in Boston and later, in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Morgan treasured memories of happy times growing up in Kingstree, the house on Live Oak Avenue and her daddy’s hardware store.  She valued people over things, and the friendships she made sustained her throughout her lifetime. From childhood friends in Kingstree and the class of 1970 to her buddies at Limestone College to friends and coworkers in  Charleston and finally friends, family and caregivers in Minnesota, Morgan was admired and respected for her wit, her daring, her grace and her courage. She held her own against Multiple Sclerosis for over thirty-five years, and her strength and spirit are inspirational to those who knew her.

A graveside service will be conducted by Rev. Frank P. Seignious, III at 1:00 pm Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Williamsburg Cemetery in Kingstree,SC.

Herman “Alton” Boyd, Jr., 69, of Kingstree, husband of Diane Gilman Boyd, passed away peacefully Thursday, December 7, 2023, at Roper-St Francis Hospital in Charleston.

     Alton was born January 8, 1954, in Kingstree to Mona Rhodes Boyd and the late H. Alton Boyd, Sr.. He graduated from Williamsburg Academy and went on to graduate from Clemson University with honors in 1976 in Economic Biology. He was a member and Elder of Union Presbyterian Church in Salters, serving as a choir member who sang solos and Sunday School Treasurer. Alton retired from Wellman, Inc. after thirty plus years of service.

     One of his biggest accomplishments was achieving the Grand Slam with turkeys and having an article written about him. Not only was he an avid outdoorsman but loved deep sea fishing and birding with an active membership with the Arthur T. Wayne Society. Alton never met a stranger and had a story or 100 to tell. He loved to cook for dear friends, especially known for his Fire Chicken at the Wedgehill Dove Club with his beloved brother/best friend David.

     Surviving Alton, in addition to his high school sweetheart and wife of 47 years, Diane Gilman Boyd and his mother Mona Rhodes Boyd, both of Kingstree, are: his daughters, Laura (Matt) Rowland and Amy (Clay) St. John; son, Adam Boyd; grandchildren, Emily Claire Rowland and Henry Christopher Rowland; brother, David (Jamie) Boyd; sisters, Vickie B. Mitchell and Pam Boyd; sister-in-law, Gayle (Bob) Mone; nieces, Hannah M. (Colby) Cooper and Taylor (Eric) Matthews; nephews, Jon (Joanna) Mone and Jonathan Baxley; and his beloved dog Molly.

     Funeral services will be held at 2:30 PM Friday December 15, 2023, at Union Presbyterian Church in Salters, with burial in the church cemetery. Alton’s family will greet friends Thursday evening from 6 to 8 PM at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o 114 E. Brooks Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, National Wild Turkey Federation, 770 Augusta Road, Edgefield, SC 29824-0530 or online at www.nwtf.org, or a charity of one’s choice.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Joseph Leon Coker, 58, died Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at MUSC Medical Center in Charleston, SC.

Mr. Coker was born March 7, 1965, in Columbia, SC, the son of the late Mary Coker Mitchell. He was a graduate of Irmo High School and  attended Charleston Southern University. Joseph was a chef at several restaurants in Murrells Inlet, SC and was the former owner of Cactus Kate’s in Coward. Joseph was also an accomplished artist.

Surviving Mr. Coker are: his son, Austin Coker and daughter, Summer Coker, both of New Zion; a stepdaughter, Meredith (Cory) Biggs of Kannapolis, NC; a grandson Henry;  his brother, Robert Mitchell, III of Lexington; his stepfather, Robert “Bobby” Mitchell, Jr. of Lexington; his best friend, Greg Altman of Nashville, TN; and the mother of his children, Debra A. Reardon of New Zion.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Betty Pope Szczepanski, 85, wife of the late Frank Szczepanski, died Monday, November 20, 2023, at Carlyle Senior Care in Kingstree, SC.

     Mrs. Szczepanski was born February 13, 1938, in Marion County, SC, the daughter of the late Ephraim Pope and Beulah Rentz Pope. She was a graduate of Kingstree High School and worked at Warsaw Manufacturing for many years and several other merchandise stores around town. “Miss Betty” enjoyed crocheting, especially baby blankets and many other crafts too. She was a member of Life Center Pentecostal Holiness Church where she happily served as a greeter.

     Surviving Betty are: her daughters, Denise (Billy) McKnight of Kingstree, SC, and Vicki (Darby) Fulton of Salters, SC; four grandchildren, Travis (Nancy) McKnight and Nicole (Trey) Coker, both of Kingstree, Dwayne (Joyce) Pate, of Sumter, and Elliott (Lindsey) Fulton, of Kingstree;  and son-in-law, Kris McGee, of Lake City. Also surviving Mrs. Szczepanski are six great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents and her husband Frank, Betty was preceded in death by her first husband, James Alton Haselden; daughter, LuAnn Welch; son-in-law, Gene Welch; grandson, Davy McKnight and granddaughters, Gina Welch, and Amanda McGee.

     A celebration of her life will be held at 4:30 PM Sunday, November 26, 2023, at Life Center Pentecostal Holiness Church, with a visitation beginning at 4 PM just prior to the service. The burial will be private. Memorials may be made to the Life Center Pentecostal Holiness Church New Building Fund, 2111 M.L. King, Jr. Highway, Kingstree, SC 29556.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Bobby Smith, 88, husband of Myrtle Gause Powell Smith, died Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Carlyle Senior Care in Kingstree, SC.

     Mr. Smith was born June 23, 1935, in Williamsburg County, a son of the late Ollie Steel Smith and Chloie Dewese Chinnes Smith. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School and was a veteran of the US Air Force. Bobby was a farmer and a self-employed carpenter. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and attended Kingstree Pentecostal Holiness Church.

     Surviving Mr. Smith, in addition to his wife Myrtle of Kingstree, are: stepchildren, Ricky Powell of Florence, Randy Powell of Kingstree, Ronald (Marian) Evans of Manning, Angela (David) Duke of Gaston, and Arnold Evans of Columbia; three brothers, Jimmy (Debbie) Smith of Culpeper, Virginia, Roy “Buddy” (Margaret) Smith of Pooler, GA, and Dickie (Johnnie) Smith of Florence; and a sister, Faye Osborne of Scranton. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by stepchildren, Jerry and Donald Evans and Tammy Jones, brother, Raleigh Hugh “Bubba” Smith,  and sisters, Betty Floyd and Sybil Vause.

     A memorial service will be held at 12 PM Friday, November 10, 2023, at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Mr. Smith’s family will greet friends beginning at 11 AM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Kingstree Pentecostal Holiness Church Building Fund, PO Box 338, Kingstree, SC 29556.   Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Frank Wesley McIntosh, III age 79, of Camden, NC died on Friday, October 27, 2023, at his residence. Born in Ft. Dix, NJ on May 28, 1944, to the late Frank Wesley McIntosh, II and Ann Dugger McIntosh. As a Vietnam war veteran in the U.S. Army, Frank often attended reunions with his Scout Platoon #2-47 Infantry. After his service in the Army, he served in Hospital Administration as the Director of Human Resources at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Loris Community Hospital. He was a long-time member of the Loris Civitan Club, serving in various officer positions. He was also recently a member of the River City Shag Club and a regular attender of Sawyers Creek Baptist Church.

Frank was a fun-loving guy who never met a stranger, he was always willing to lend a helping hand, and he loved working in his yard. He also took every chance he could to go to the beach and to have a good time with friends. But above all of this, his passion in life was his kids, his grandkids, and his family.

He is survived by one daughter, Elizabeth Uniacke (Sean) of Raleigh, NC; one son, Wes McIntosh (Michelle) of Camden, NC; one brother, Bill McIntosh (Lynn) of Seabrook Island, SC; sisters, JoAnn Gibbs (John) of Hilton Head Island, SC and Mary Wicker Hance of Kingstree, SC; and, five grandchildren Annika McIntosh, Alexandra McIntosh, Lillian McIntosh, Patch Uniacke, and Connor Uniacke.

A visitation/viewing will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC. A second visitation/viewing will be held on Friday, November 10, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Williamsburg Funeral Home, 332 E. Main Street, Kingstree, SC 29556. A graveside service will be held at Williamsburg Cemetery in Kingstree, SC on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations be made in his honor to the Loris Civitan Club (P.O. Box 451, Loris, SC 29569 c/o Larry Dawsey), Sawyer’s Creek Baptist Church (http://www.sawyerscreek.org/online-giving), or River City Shag Club (P.O. Box 426, Camden, NC 27921).

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 is assisting the McIntosh Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com  or www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

      Edith Carmen McClary Covington, 82, wife of Raymond Chesley Covington, died peacefully at home Monday, October 30, 2023, after a long illness.

     Mrs. Covington was born November 25, 1940, in Kingstree, SC, the daughter of the late Hugh Alex McClary and Edith L. Rodgers McClary. She was a 1959 graduate of Kingstree High School and received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Coker College. Mrs. Covington taught business classes such as shorthand, accounting, typing, and bookkeeping for 22 years at Kingstree High School and Kingstree Senior High School. In 1985, following retirement, she and her husband Raymond opened R&CC Framers. Carmen was a lover of the outdoors, especially fishing, hunting, and horseback riding. She enjoyed photography, crafts with cones, pods, and dried flowers. She had a great love for her animals. She rescued animals in need, especially dogs and horses. She was an avid horseback rider and her prize Palamino was named Bess. Carmen also collected wren figurines.

     Surviving Mrs. Covington, in addition to her husband Raymond of Kingstree, are: sister-in-law, Janice Covington Russell of Sumter; cousins, Ondra (Bert) Hanna, Joyce Gibbons, Judy (Michael) McClary, Tammy (Gamby) Smith, and Melissa (Mike) Langmo; special friend Carol Clarke; and several nieces and nephews.

     Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Thursday, November 2, 2023, at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree, with burial in Kingstree Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Covington’s family will greet friends from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Williamsburg Baptist Church, 8378 Hemingway Highway, Kingstree, SC 29556 or Williamsburg County Animal Care and Control, 200 County Camp Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.  

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

     Thomas “Tommy” Randolph Goude, 83, husband of the late Betty Grier Goude, died Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at Regency Hospital of Florence, SC.

     Mr. Goude was born January 25, 1940, in Hemingway, SC, the son of the late Liston Thomas Goude and Dorothy Douglas Goude. He was a graduate of Pleasant Hill High School and a US Navy veteran. Mr. Goude retired as head of maintenance at Baxter Health Care after more than thirty years of service. Tommy enjoyed working on electronics and computers as a hobby.

     Surviving Tommy are: his daughter, Marie G. (Doug) Filyaw of Cades, SC; two sisters, Louise (Steve) Richardson of Johnsonville and Annie Ruth Goude of Hemmingway; two grandchildren, Erin Filyaw (Josh) Pierce and Katie Filyaw (Byron) Coker, both of Hebron; daughter-in-law, Priscilla Goude of Florence; and a nephew, Brad Richardson of Johnsonville. In addition to his parents and his wife Betty, Tommy was preceded in death by a son, Thomas R. “Randy” Goude.

     Special thanks to the staff at MUSC Health Black River Medical Center, MUSC Florence, and Regency Hospital for their care and compassion.

     A graveside funeral service will be held 2 PM Friday, October 27, 2023, at Kingstree Memorial Gardens. A viewing will be held Friday from 9 AM to 1 PM at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or online at www.dav.org  or Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516 or online at www.woundedwarrior project.org.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Emily April Dorrell Blocker, 46, wife of Michael Blocker, died Wednesday, October 18, 2023, at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital after a long, heroic 6-year battle with breast cancer.

     Emily was born December 2, 1976, in Kingstree, the daughter of Kathryn Thompson Dorrell and the late Barry Miller Dorrell. Emily was a 1995 graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and attended Coastal Carolina University. She was a pharmacy tech with Walmart for thirteen years. Emily became a strong advocate for breast cancer research and support to many women who received that diagnosis. She always wanted to help others, so she listened, gave advice, encouraged them, and raised awareness about the disease. She worked with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Organization to further her reach in helping others, participating in races, walks, and fundraisers.

     Surviving Emily, in addition to her husband Michael of Greenville and her mother Kathy of Kingstree,  are: four daughters, Ryan, Mya, Cori, and Tori, all of Greenville; two brothers, Phillip (Marisor) Dorrell of Baldwin, MD and Billy (Amber) Dorrell of  Rock Hill, SC; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her father, Emily was preceded in death by her brother Joseph Byron “Joey” Dorrell.

     A memorial service will be held 3 PM Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Overbrook Baptist Church at 1705 E. North Street,  Greenville, SC 29607. Emily’s family will greet friends in Kingstree from 3 to 5 PM Saturday, October 28, 2023, at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen, 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889, Dallas, TX 75380 or online at www.komen.org  or to a charity of one’s choice.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

     Mary Jane Coward Richardson, 77, wife of Jimmy Richardson, died Sunday, October 1, 2023, at MUSC Health Black River Medical Center in Cades, SC.

     Jane was born July 28, 1946, in Kingstree, SC, the daughter of the late James Peden Coward and Jewel Irene Cleveland Coward. She was a 1964 graduate of Kingstree High School and earned a bachelor’s degree from Francis Marion University. Jane was an elementary school teacher in Williamsburg County School District for 17 years. She was a member of the Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter of The Daughters of the Revolution and was a member of Kingstree Presbyterian Church. Jane enjoyed reading and loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

     Surviving Jane, in addition to her husband of 59 years Jimmy, are son, Lance Richardson  and daughter, Jeanine McCrea, both of Kingstree, 5 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held 6:30 PM Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Kingstree Presbyterian Church, 229 Sumter Highway, Kingstree, SC 29556.  Jane’s family will greet friends at the church from 5:30 to 6:30 just prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Kingstree Presbyterian Church, PO Box 904, Kingstree, SC 29556.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

William Wright “Billy” McAllister, 76, husband of Jeanette Feagin McAllister, died peacefully at home, surrounded by family, Sunday, October 1, 2023.

     Billy was born March 31, 1947, in Kingstree, SC, a son of the late William W. McAllister and Rowena Powell McAllister. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School who served as a firefighter in Chattanooga, TN, worked in construction at Farmers Telephone Co-Op, and owned and operated a home repair and construction business to complete his career. Billy also served in the US Army National Guard in Tennessee and South Carolina. He was a member of Broad Swamp Pentecostal Holiness Church and attended Cades Pentecostal Holiness Church.

     Surviving Billy, in addition to his wife of 57 years, Jeanette, are:  his son, Andy (Tammy) McAllister of Myrtle Beach; grandchildren, Drew (Sara) McAllister of Myrtle Beach, Austin (Cassidy) McAllister of Scranton, Brian McAllister of Kingstree, and Paige, Emma, Mary Helen and Lizzie Kellahan of Kingstree; daughter-in-law, Tracy Floyd McAllister of Kingstree; sister, Rose Carraway of Latta; and dear friends who were like his children, Conrad and Blair Kellahan of Kingstree; and a beloved family member, Wanda Lynch, who assisted in caring for Billy during his illness. In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Brian McAllister, brothers, Charles and Carl McAllister, sisters, Libby Matthews, Ann Dukes, and Deola Cumbee.

     Graveside funeral services will be held 2 PM Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at Smith Cemetery in Cades, SC. Billy’s family will receive friends and family 5-7 PM Tuesday, October 3^rd at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN or online at www.stjude.org.

     Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com