Vera Bryan Perry, 90, went to be with her Lord on 3/11/16. Thanks to Hospice and Community Care, Vicky, Mae, Danielle, Sandra, and all her outstanding caregivers.      Vera is preceded in death by her husband, Hampton; her parents, Wade and Lucille Bryan; her twin brother William and his wife Mae; and her youngest son, Dan Perry (Terrie). Survivors include her oldest son Wade (Pat), her middle son Gordon (Barbara), and her daughter Rose (Tim). Mark, Jonathan, Alison, Matthew ( Tara),Laura (Eddie), and Michael (Lindsey) are the surviving grandchildren. Also surviving are many great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.      Vera was a pastor’s wife and retired elementary and high school teacher. Her sweet, gentle, and humorous ways will be lovingly remembered.

Funeral services, directed by Williamsburg Funeral Home, will be 2 PM Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Spring Gulley Baptist Church near Andrews, SC. Mrs. Perry’s family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 to 2 PM prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Community Care, 2275 India Hook Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732. Online condolences may be sent to the family on the obituary page at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Carl Lee Godwin, 45, husband of Cherrish Stickelman Godwin, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016, in Lake City.

Carl was born February 11, 1971, in Lakeland, FL, a son of Lydia Grinslade Kemp and the late Carl L. Godwin. He was a man of many traits and talents. He had a humble and kind heart and made friends everywhere he went. Carl enjoyed fishing almost every day and loved to have fish frys and cookouts for his family and friends. He enjoyed being a part of and working with the boys in the Royal Rangers Club at Sandy Bay Pentecostal Holiness Church in Kingstree, but most of all Carl loved the Lord and he shared the Light of Jesus in everyone’s life he was a part of.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 28 years, Cherrish Godwin, of Lake City, are: his mother and stepfather, Lydia R. Kemp and John Kemp, of Lakeland, FL; grandmother, Wilda Grinslade, of Crystal River, FL; 3 children, Amber Godwin (Fernando) Solis, of Coward, Bradley Mitchell Godwin, of Chicago, IL, and Brandon Lee Godwin, of Lake City; 4 brothers, Dan (Sara) Godwin, of Kingstree, Keith (Carla) Leavens, of Charleston, SC, Mitchell (Michelle) Godwin, of Charleston, and Stanley (Scarlett) Godwin, of Raleigh, NC; and 4 sisters, Wilda Carol (Mark) Lee, of Johnsonville, Wanda Godwin, of Lakeland, FL, Susan Godwin, of Scranton, SC, and Jean Godwin, of Mount Pleasant. In addition to his father, Mr. Godwin was preceded in death by his grandfather Claude D. Grinslade,  a brother, John Lee, and a sister, Janet Murdock.

Funeral services will be 3 PM, Wednesday, March 16, 2016, in Sandy Bay Pentecostal Holiness Church. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 PM at the church just before the service. Memorials may be made to Sandy Bay Pentecostal Holiness Church or The Royal Rangers at the church, 172 Delos Road, Kingstree, SC.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Stephen Michael Floyd, 43, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Fayetteville, NC from a motor vehicle accident.

Stephen was born August 14, 1972, in Florence, SC, a son of Emiel Louis Floyd, Sr. and the late Mary Elizabeth Eaddy Floyd.

Surviving, in addition to his father Emiel L. Floyd, Sr., of Sumter, are:  his wife, Vicky McConnell Floyd, of Newport, TN; his step mother, Dorothy Floyd, of Sumter; his sister, Melinda (Oliver) Tisdale, of Kingstree; his brother, Emiel L. Floyd, Jr., of Kingstree; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 3 PM, Sunday, March 13, 2016, in Williamsburg Funeral Home’s chapel, with burial in Kingstree Memorial Gardens.The family will receive friends 2 to 3 PM Sunday just before the service. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Charles Edward Gandy, 69, husband of Carol McCutchen Gandy, passed away Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Richland Memorial Hospital.

Charles was born October 1, 1946, in Hartsville, SC, a son of Zulene Kelly Gandy and the late W.C. Gandy. He was owner/operator of Charles’ Barber Shop for 45 years and was a member of Sandy Bay Pentecostal Holiness Church. Charles was an avid fisherman, a lifelong Gamecock fan and loved his family above all.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Carol and his mother, Zulene Kelly Gandy, both of Kingstree are: his son, Charles Kelly (Lee Anne) Gandy, of Florence; his daughter, Kimberly (Mark) Vice, of Columbia; his sister, Sandra (Kenny) McClary, of Kingstree; grandchildren, Dilyn Vice, Caroline Vice and Hunter Vice; two great grandchildren, Easton Vice and Kimberly Grace Allen.

Funeral services will be 2 PM, Saturday, March 12, 2016, in Sandy Bay Pentecostal Holiness Church, followed by burial in McClary Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 PM Friday at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree. Memorials may be made to Sandy Bay Pentecostal Holiness Church, 172 Delos Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Billy Frank Seeger, 37, died Wednesday, March 9, 2016, in Florence, SC. Billy was born November 5, 1978, in New Bern, NC, a son of Edward F. Seeger and the late Linda Cole Seeger Mitchell.

Surviving Billy are: his sons, Gavyn Cole Seeger and Ayden Cash Seeger; his father Edward F. Seeger and his wife, Kathleen “Kim” Morrow Seeger, of Mt. Pleasant; his step father Edward Mitchell, of Florence; his sisters, Marie Jeanette Seeger, Susan Michelle Seeger, and Kathrine Anne Poletti, all of Mt. Pleasant; his older brother Edward F. “Eddie” Seeger, Jr., of Florence; his younger brother Matthew Ryan Poletti, of Mt. Pleasant; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins in Florence.

A graduate of West Florence High School, Billy was a free spirit- sometimes dancing to a different beat, an easy rider, and a proud father, who loved his boys Gavyn and Ayden. His other loves were art, music, motorcycles, and people.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Sunday, March 13, 2016, in the chapel in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Florence.  Memorials may be made to Tara Hall Home for Boys, PO Box 955, Georgetown, SC 29442 or online at www.TaraHall.org.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

John Quincy “Jay” Ross, IV, 51, husband of Suzanne Jernigan Ross, passed away Saturday, February 27, 2016, in McLeod Hospice House.

Jay was born May 30, 1964, in Sumter, SC, a son of the late John Quincy Ross, III and Harriet Geddings Ross. He attended Furman High School, of Sumter and was a machine operator at Embroidery Solutions. Jay was an avid model builder and train enthusiast and enjoyed riding his Harley. He was a member of Midway Presbyterian Church.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Suzanne, of New Zion, are: his sister, Dottie Landry, of Columbia; 2 children, John (Sonya) Ross, V, and Victoria (Timothy) Phillips, both of Sumter; stepson, Shane (Jamie) McCrea, of New Zion; 2 adopted children, Victoria Taylor and Trey Suggs, of New Zion; 6 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents Johnny and Harriet Ross, Jay was preceded in death by a step daughter, Christina Tisdale.

Funeral services will be 12 Noon, Saturday, March 5, 2016, in Midway Presbyterian Church, followed by burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 PM Friday at Williamsburg Funeral Home in Kingstree and at other times at their residence. Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Alton Ivan Quattlebaum, 64, passed away Friday, February 26, 2016, in Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill.

Alton was born March 25, 1951, in Florence, a son of Dorothy Nexsen and the late Conrad Ivan Quattlebaum. He graduated from Rock Hill High School and was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church. He is preceded in death by his father Conrad Ivan Quattlebaum.

Surviving are: his mom Dorothy Nexsen Quattlebaum, of Rock Hill; his son David Alton Quattlebaum, of Virginia Beach, VA; his brother Milton (Robin) Quattlebaum, of Irmo; his nephew, Tyler Quattlebaum and his niece Holley Quattlebaum, both of Irmo.

Graveside funeral services will be 1:30 PM Sunday, February 28, 2016, in Kingstree Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Boy Scouts of America, 420 S. Church St., Spartanburg, SC 29306.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Ellen Little Lesesne died February 18, 2016. A graveside service will be conducted on Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. at New Market Cemetery, Highway 375, three miles south of Greeleyville, directed by Williamsburg Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at New Market, across the highway from the cemetery, following the service.

She was born July 21, 1918 in Louisville, GA., the daughter of Augustine Patterson Little and Laura Lee Little.

She was a 1938 graduate of Agnes Scott College. After graduation from Agnes Scott, she was a service representative for what was then Southern Bell in Atlanta and Augusta, GA. After the United States declared war in December 1941, she joined the United States Navy and was commissioned as an officer in the WAVES. In 1943, she met the love of her life, Louis LeMaire Lesesne, while they were both serving as officers in the Navy. They were married October 21, 1943.

Ellen and Louis moved to Kingstree, SC, in 1946, where the two of them became pillars of that community. She worked for years as bookkeeper and office manager for Swain Construction Co. In 1961 they moved to Louis’ family’s home outside of Greeleyville, SC.  Louis died in 1996, and in 1997 she moved back to Kingstree, where she continued to live until she moved to the Presbyterian Home in Lexington, SC, in 2005.

During her 59 years in Williamsburg County, she freely gave of her time to many community organizations. In 1993 she was named Humanitarian of the Year for Williamsburg County, in recognition for her work in organizing Hospice of Williamsburg County. She received the Norah Jones Volunteer of the Year Award in 2003 from Tidelands Hospice. She was a charter member and volunteer of the Kingstree Hospital Auxiliary for 29 years. A former member of Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, she had belonged to McDowell Presbyterian Church in Greeleyville for 36 years. She held positions of leadership in the Women of the Church on the church and Presbytery levels at both churches, while also teaching Sunday School and Circle lessons. She was given a Life Membership from the McDowell Presbyterian Church in recognition of her years of service. She had been an active member of American Legion Auxiliary Post # 8, Daughters of the American Revolution, Margaret Gregg Gordon Chapter, and Board Member and Volunteer with Hospice, board member of WRH Endowment, and longtime member of the Tuesday Afternoon Bridge Club. In 2004 she was named Woman Veteran of the Year for South Carolina by the American Legion Auxiliary of South Carolina.

She is survived by their three children: Louis L. Lesesne, Jr., and his wife Tamara of Charlotte, NC, Laura L. Lesesne, of Columbia, SC, and Katherine F. Lesesne, of Greeleyville, SC. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Emily Bingham, and her husband Walter, of Mount Pleasant, SC, David Lesesne, and his wife Kristen, of Camden, SC, Dr. Laura Patterson Smith, of Hartsville, SC, and her husband Travis. Carlen Weselovs and her husband Jason, of Charlotte, NC, and Rebecca Lesesne of Charlotte, NC, and by three great-grandchildren: Emma Louise Bingham, Eleanor Bingham and Kellen Weselovs.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be sent to Williamsburg Regional Hospital Foundation, PO Box 568, Kingstree, SC 29556, Agnes Scott College, 141 E. College Ave., Decatur, GA 30030, or to a charitable organization of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com

Billy Frank Seeger, retired US Naval Commander, passed away on February 16, 2016, in Mt. Pleasant, SC.

Billy was born on October 29, 1920, in McKinney, TX, to the late Edward Frank and Anna Berra Seeger. He was preceded in death by his wives, Virginia Nell Nexsen Seeger and Mary Claire Pinckney Jones Seeger, as well as three brothers, George E. Seeger, Julius P. Seeger, Lawrence W. Seeger, a sister, Rhea Seeger Fernandez, and a son, Julius Wayne Seeger.

Billy graduated from the US Naval Academy in Annopolis, MD in 1943. He then served in WW II in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific, after returning, while still in the Navy, he attended and graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in Boston. He served twenty years in the Navy and retired at the rank of commander in 1963.

Mr. Seeger held several management and engineering positions after his retirement including positions at National Gypsum Company, Baxter Travenol, M & T Chemical, and taught school at the Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree. Mr. Seeger was a member of Kingstree United Methodist Church for many years, the Kingstree Kiwanis Club and other civic and community organizations.

He is survived by his son, Edward F. Seeger and his wife, Kim Morrow Seeger, of Mt. Pleasant; daughter, Cheryl S. Hall and her husband David Hall, of Benson, NC; 10 grandchildren who he adored, Marie, Susan, Eddie Jr. and wife Lynn, Billy, Jason, Robert, Taylor, Alex, Katie, Matthew; and 4 great grandchildren, Gavyn, Ayden, Cody and Anna Maria.

Funeral service will be held on Sunday February 21, 2016, at 2:00 PM in Williamsburg Funeral Home Chapel, followed by burial with full military honors in McClary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at Williamsburg Funeral Home.  The family asks in lieu of flowers in memory of Mr. Seeger, please send a donation in his name to: Tara Hall, PO Box 955, Georgetown, SC 29442, these are tax deductible contributions, see www.tarahall.org.

Patricia Cantey “Patti” Patrick, 51, passed away Thursday, February 12, 2016, in Clarendon Health System after a long courageous battle with cancer.

Patti was born March 6, 1964, in Kingstree, a daughter of the late William C. “Billy” Cantey and Sandra McKenzie Cantey. She graduated from Kingstree Senior High School and had a long career in banking. She retired from Anderson Brothers Bank as Assistant Vice President. Patti was a member of McDowell Presbyterian Church. She loved nature and the outdoors, especially collecting shells on the beach at Pawleys Island.

Surviving are: her son Drake Patrick, of Greeleyville; her daughter Billie Ann Patrick, of Greeleyville; sister Teri (Chris) Ward, of Greeleyville; brother Neil (Jade) Cantey, of Cades; special friends, Diane Godwin, Wendy Altman, and Candace Beard; and several nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be 3 PM Sunday, February 14, 2016, in Bethesda UMC Cemetery in Cades. Patti’s family will receive friends 1:00 to 2:30 PM Sunday at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Williamsburg Regional Hospital Foundation, PO Box 568, Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

George G. Mixon, III, 30, passed away Saturday, January 30, 2016.

George was born July 21, 1985, in Kingstree, a son of George G. Mixon, Jr. and Phyllis E. Owens. He attended Kingstree schools.

In addition to his parents, George is survived by: his daughter, Autumn Evans, of Pamplico; his sister, Tammy Cantey, of Hemingway; his brothers, Tony Mixon, of Hemingway and Randy Dennis, of Indiana; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday, February 6, 2016, at Williamsburg Funeral Home Chapel, with burial in Kingstree Second Baptist Church Cemetery. George’s family will receive friends from 12:30 to 1:30 before the service at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Danny Mixon, 21 Florence Lane, Kingstree, SC 29556.

Phillip Craig “Phil” McKnight, 58, passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2016, in McLeod Hospice House.

Phil was born June 10, 1957, in Kingstree, a son of the late A. Clyde McKnight and Bernice Thornbrew McKnight. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School and attended Francis Marion University. He was a salesman at Santee Automotive in Manning. Phil was an avid golfer and loved all the old westerns, especially those starring John Wayne.

Surviving are: his brothers, Keith McKnight, of Kingstree, Joe (Ettaphine) McKnight, of Florence, and Fredis (Dena) McKnight, of Conway; his beloved nieces and nephews and grand nieces and grand nephews, who were like his own children; and numerous cousins who were special to him also.

Graveside funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday, January 30, 2016, in Kingstree Memorial Gardens. Phil’s family will receive friends following the service at Millwood Community Center. Memorials may be made to Williamsburg Funeral Home to help with medical and end of life expenses, or a charity of one’s choice.

Furman Graham Tisdale, Sr., 75, husband of Carolyn Langley Tisdale, passed away Monday, January 25, 2016, at his residence.

Mr. Tisdale was born March 10, 1940, in the Cedar Swamp Community, a son of the late John Clyde Tisdale and Margaret McKnight Tisdale. He was a graduate of Williamsburg County Schools. Furman was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, where he was a Sunday school teacher, choir member and a deacon. He retired after 33 years as a route salesman with Merita Bread Company.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Carolyn, are: his sons, Grady (Mary) Tisdale and Chris Tisdale, both of Kingstree; 5 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren; a sister, Loren T. Gause; and a brother, Willis Tisdale. In addition to his parents, Furman was preceded in death by his daughter, Donna Tisdale Sherman and a brother, Winston Tisdale.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Thursday, January 28, 2016, in Cedar Grove Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 PM Wednesday at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove Baptist Church, 3905 Big Woods Road, Kingstree, SC 29556 or Amedisys Hospice Care, 500 Pamplico Highway, Florence, SC 29505.

Carroll Leverne Watson, 73, husband of Deborah Alsbrook Watson, passed away Sunday, January 24, 2016, in McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Watson was born March 13, 1942, in Marion, SC, a son of the late Henry B. Watson and Lura Dean Foxworth Watson. He was a 1954 graduate of Marion High School, where he was a star football player and a 1978 graduate of Coker College where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education. Carroll was a veteran of the US Coast Guard. He was a High School Teacher for Hampton County School District and Williamsburg County School District. Carroll was a member of Gideons International and Williamsburg Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, Debbie, are: his daughter, Kate Watson, of Kingstree; step daughter, Stephanie (Joe) Cochran, of Oakboro, NC; a step son, Michael (Leejah) Ross, of Sumter; five grandchildren, Mills Ruth Watson, Mason Kurtz, Keagin Hixson, Afton Ross and Trip Ross; and a brother, Harold Watson, of Florence.

In addition to his parents, Carroll was preceded in death by his son, Daniel Watson.

Funeral services will be 11 AM Wednesday, January 27, 2016, in Williamsburg Baptist Church, with burial in Marion at Spring Branch Baptist Church Cemetery at 2:30 PM. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Williamsburg Baptist Church, 8378 Hemingway Highway, Kingstree, SC 29556 or The Gideons International, PO Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800.

Jettie Mae McClam Cannon, 77, wife of Marion Elwood Cannon, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2016, at home.

Mrs. Cannon was born July 4, 1938, in Lake City, a daughter of the late Levi McClam and Lero Mixon McClam. She was a graduate of Lake City High School. Jettie was a retired employee of Black River Hardwood Company and was a member of Cades Baptist Church.

Surviving are: her husband Elwood; son, Mike (Kathy) McKenzie, of Kingstree; sisters, Mary Smith, of Cades; Evelyn Hildebrand, of Colorado; and Mellie Christopher, of Columbia. In addition to her parents, Jettie was preceded in death by two brothers and four sisters.

Graveside funeral services will be 2 PM Tuesday, January 19, 2016, in New Market Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Cades Baptist Church, PO Box 69, Cades, SC 29518.

Claire Epps Morris, 71, passed away Thursday, January 14, 2016, in McLeod Hospice House.

Mrs. Morris was born May 28, 1944, in Kingstree, a daughter of the late Thomas Olin Epps, Jr. and Melba Hendrix Epps. She was a graduate of Kingstree High School and Northcutt’s School of Cosmetology. Claire was a retired cosmetologist and was an avid reader. She was a member of Kingstree United Methodist Church.

Surviving are: her son, Gregg Baker, of Kingstree; sister, Beth Epps Phillips, of Manning; brother, Michael D. (Sandra) Epps, of Kingstree; stepsons, Greg Morris and Will (Amelia) Morris, both of Salters; former daughter-in-law, Kim Bingham; grandchildren, Morgan and Brian Morris, Abbie Wilkes, and Callie and Gregory Morris; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Claire was preceded in death by her husband Oneal Morris and her brother, Thomas Olin Epps, III.

Funeral services will be 2 PM Monday, January 18, 2016, in the chapel at Williamsburg Funeral Home, with burial in Williamsburg Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice Services, McLeod Health Foundation, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0551. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

James Edward “Eddie” Clowney, 67, husband of Frances Burgess Clowney, passed away Wednesday, January 6, 2016, in Williamsburg Regional Hospital.

Mr. Clowney was born May 30, 1948, in Winnsboro, SC, a son of the late William Meador Clowney and Annette Baker Clowney. He attended Winnsboro High School and was a veteran of the US Marine Corps, having served in Vietnam. Eddie was retired from McGill Distributors and was co-owner of Clowney’s Catering. He was the host of FTC’s television show “Cooking on the Wild Side with Eddie”. Eddie was a former Little League coach, a member of the American Legion, the NWTF, and the Sons of the Confederacy. He was an active member of Union Presbyterian Church, where he was the Sunday School Superintendent, an Elder, and a former Deacon.

Surviving, in addition to his best friend and wife of 37 years, Fran, are: his beloved son, William E. “Eddie” Clowney, of Richmond, VA; adored granddaughter, Jordan Marie Clowney, of Powhatan, VA; a special daughter-in-law, Kim (Brian) Carson, of Powhatan, VA; a young man that he loved as his own, Barry (Joyce) Justice, of Greeleyville, SC; sisters, Jane Lee Bennett and Lenora (Bill) Bundy, both of Winnsboro, SC and Mary (Bob) Hilton, of Garden City, SC; brother, Samuel Stanley (Margie) Clowney, of Winnsboro, SC; brothers-in-law, Charles Scott (Sandra) Burgess and Eugene S. (Melony) Burgess, of Greeleyville, SC; special friends, J.C. and Denise Cook, of Smyrna, TN; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Eddie was preceded in death by brothers, Benjamin Brice Clowney and William Meador Clowney, Jr..

Funeral services will be 2 PM Saturday, January 9, 2016, in Union Presbyterian Church, with burial in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 PM Friday at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Union Presbyterian Church, c/o Diane Boyd, 114 E. Brooks Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 or Amedisys Hospice, 500 Pamplico Hwy, Ste D, Florence, SC 29505.

Cecil Eugene “Gene” Hall, Sr., 73, husband of Judy McDonald Hall, passed away Sunday, January 3, 2016, in Williamsburg Regional Hospital.

Mr. Hall was born February 1, 1942, in Marion, a son of the late Leslie Eugene Hall and Ida Mae Lollis Hall. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School and was retired from Farmers Telephone Cooperative. Gene served in the US Air Force for four years. He was a member and former president of the Kingstree Optimist Club. Gene coached baseball, enjoyed golf, and loved his church. He was a member and deacon emeritus at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church. Gene, affectionately known as “Papa” by his grandchildren, loved them dearly and always enjoyed being with them.

Surviving, in addition to his wife Judy, are: his daughter, Meri Leslie (Van) Dukes, of Kingstree; daughter-in-law, Emily Moore Hall, of Kingstree; grandchildren, Taylor, Westley and Dalton Hall, and Hall and Gretchen Dukes; and his sister, Judy Hall (John) Park, of Greenwood, SC. In addition to his parents, Gene was preceded in death by his son, Cecil Eugene Hall, Jr.

Funeral services will be 3 PM Wednesday, January 6, 2016, in Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, with burial in Broad Swamp Pentecostal Holiness Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 to 8 PM Tuesday at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 N. Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 or Williamsburg Regional Hospital Foundation, PO Drawer 568, Kingstree, SC 29556. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.WilliamsburgFuneralHome.com.

Son of James Marvin Kirby and Lydia Epps Kirby, James “Jimmy” Whitfield Kirby of Kingstree, S.C. was born September 10, 1939, and died on January 2, 2016.   He passed away at 76 surrounded by loved ones just as he had lived his life.  He is survived by his wife, Annette Dukes Kirby of Kingstree, S.C.; sons Jay (Catherine) Kirby of Kingstree and Craig (Elizabeth) Kirby of Columbia, S.C.   In addition, he is survived by his grandchildren that brought him indescribable joy; Tripp Kirby, Tyler Kirby, Taylor Kirby of Kingstree, S.C., and Allen Kirby and Andrew Kirby of Columbia, S.C.   He was predeceased by his brothers Donald Kirby of Lake City, S.C. and Bill Kirby of Greeleyville, S.C.      Jimmy Kirby’s love as a son, husband, and father leaves a strong legacy of a tightly woven family.   He built a strong family foundation with his wife of 55 years and best friend, Annette.  He loved his sons Jay and Craig deeply and always stayed actively involved in their family’s lives.  He gladly welcomed Catherine and Elizabeth into his family and loved them unconditionally as his very own.  Known as “Papa” to the grands, he cherished them all and could even be accused of spoiling them on occasion.      Jimmy spent much of his life helping others with a servant’s heart.  He never missed an opportunity to help when needed.   He assisted his community by serving on Kingstree Town Council from 1977-1989.  He served as Mayor for the Town of Kingstree from 1989-1995 and 1999-2007.  He also was a dedicated member and Chairman of the Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments in Georgetown, S.C. for 33 consecutive years.  In addition, he touched many lives coaching Little League Baseball in the 1970’s crossing paths with his former players complementing the time he spent and memories developed with them.      He retired from 39 years of service with Westvaco Corporation in December 2002.   He developed many dear friendships in his years of service that he carried throughout his life long after retirement. Jimmy was blessed to have a second home at Garden City Beach where he spent countless hours and shared generously with his family leaving behind precious memories.   He enjoyed spending his weekends in the fall at Williams-Brice Stadium cheering on the USC Gamecocks.        He was a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church of Greeleyville, S.C. and attended Kingstree First Baptist Church of Kingstree, S.C.        Funeral services will be held 2 PM, Tuesday, January 5, 2016, in Kingstree First Baptist Church, with burial in Mount Vernon United Methodist Church Cemetery. Jimmy’s family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6 to 8 at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.      He loved his mother’s biscuits flat, his peanuts boiled, his coffee piping hot, his cookies crispy, and his glass full of ice.  He brought positive energy and humor to an occasion.  He enjoyed catching up on the daily news with his friends over coffee in the morning. He was a blessing to all and will be greatly missed.

Junius Webster Swittenberg, Jr., son of Junius Webster and Ann Riser Swittenberg, was born on February 1, 1918 in the family home in Kingstree.

He was a graduate of Kingstree High School and of the University of South Carolina, and was a World War II veteran, having served in the 8^th Air Force from 1941 – 1945. He was a bombardier on a B-17 and flew 32 missions over France and Germany, including two missions flown on D-Day over Normandy Beach. He was proud of his service to our country, and his patriotism and loyalty were unmatched.

In July of 1951, Junius married the love of his life, Louise Alsbrook, who preceded him in death in 1976. He is survived by his daughter, Lucie Ann Smunk, her husband, Bill, and their daughter Louise, all of Kingstree, his daughter Cathy Gordon and her son Trey Baker, both of Charleston, his lifelong friend, Johnny Evans, of Kingstree, his niece, Lou Easterling and her husband, Barney, of Kingstree, and many other beloved nieces and nephews.

Junius owned and operated Kingstree Flower Shop and Greenhouses for 50 years and had many hobbies and interests, but dearest to his heart, other than his family, was Gamecock football. He was an avid Gamecock fan and never missed a game, either watching on television, listening to the game on the radio, or doing both simultaneously.

Junius will be remembered for many things, but above all, for his kind and gentle spirit, and for his sharp mind and wit, even until the end of his life. He was a role model for all who knew and loved him, and will continue to be so, and his family gives thanks to God for the blessing of his long and happy life of 97 years.

Funeral services will be 3 PM Sunday, January 3, 2016, in Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, with burial in Williamsburg cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 N. Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556.