Edward Harrison “Ed” Harville, 78, passed away Friday, January 26, 2024, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence, SC.

     Ed was born August 5, 1945, in Danville, VA, the son of Evelyn Perkins Harville and Theodore Harrison Harville. He was educated in Danville where he excelled at track, setting several speed records.

     Ed entered the US Army and trained at Ft. Jackson. He was stationed in Germany for three years where he ran for the US Track Team all over Europe. He was also the photographer for the Third Division.

     After discharge from the Army, Ed began a career in Store Planning and Retail Merchandising for Belk Stores in Charlotte, NC. While there he met and married Gloria Byrdic from Kingstree.

     They relocated to Williamsburg County where Ed began 34 years of service with the Williamsburg County Fire Department. He was instrumental in starting the county fire department and worked his way from Firefighter/Mechanic to Fire Chief. He advocated for a Training Facility, modeling a rural specific firefighter training program. After retiring from the fire service, Ed became a custom cabinetmaker, designing and building kitchens and home interiors for many clients in the surrounding area. Throughout his life, Ed was an avid outdoorsman, loving backpacking, hunting and fishing.

    Ed is survived by: wife, Gloria Byrdic Harville; daughter Erin (Scott) Schwasnick of Greenville, SC; grandsons, Jacob and David Schwasnick; sisters, Jane (Kyle) Everett of Plano, TX and Ann (Gene) Burnett of Wesley Chapel, NC; and several nieces and nephews.

      A memorial service celebrating Ed’s life will be held at 3 PM Saturday, February 10, 2024, at Headquarters Station, Williamsburg County Fire Department, 2100 Martin Luther King, Jr. Highway, Kingstree, SC. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 6704, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or online at www.cancer.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

Mrs. Sarine was born March 5, 1942, in Kingstree, SC, the daughter of the late John Luther Frierson and Meta Willis Frierson. She was a graduate of Kingstree High School, managed Gamble’s Liquor Store and Family Dollar and retired from Fresenius Medical Care in North Charleston. She enjoyed fishing, camping, and baking and was always involved with the lives of her children and grandchildren. She was a member of Mount Vernon United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Sarine is survived by: a daughter, Mandi (Bob) Nance of Hartford, KS; three sons, Emory Leverette and Darren Sarine, both of Walterboro, and Gerry L. (Renee) Sarine of Summerville; grandchildren, Jamie Bowen, Christopher Yeo, Katrina Leveille, Cody Yeo, Zachary and Tucker Nance, Alexis Sarine, and Amber Sarine; eight great grandchildren; a brother, Roy (Nancy) Frierson of North Carolina; and niece and nephew, Sherry and Bryan.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 3 PM Saturday, January 27, 2024, in Mount Vernon  United Methodist Church Cemetery. Levelia’s family will greet friends following the service in the fellowship hall.

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

Edwin Virgil “Sonny Boy” Nexsen, Jr., 85, husband of Ruth McGee Nexsen, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Thursday, January 18, 2024.  

     Mr. Nexsen was born August 7, 1938, in the Millwood Community of Kingstree, SC, the son of the late Edwin Virgil Nexsen, Sr. and Crawford McClary Nexsen. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School where he excelled in sports, especially football, track, and baseball. He was a star running back for the Boll Weevils, won awards in track, and signed to play baseball with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1958, but decided that “living out of a suitcase” was not the life for him. He returned to the family farm and retired from farming at the age of 75. Mr. Nexsen was an avid fisherman and hunter and was a former member of the Bryant Hunting Club. He especially enjoyed watching and following the Carolina Gamecocks. He was a member of Millwood Methodist Church.

         In addition to his wife of 65 years Ruth,  Mr. Nexsen is survived by his son, Steve E. Nexsen; daughter, Melanie L. Nexsen; granddaughter, Mary Beth (Neal Price); great granddaughter, Kate Price; and his dog Dixie. In addition to his parents Mr. Nexsen was preceded in death by two sisters, Virginia Nexsen Seeger and Mary Nexsen Rohe.

     The family would like to extend a special thank you to Denise Young Bryant of Amedisys, Kimberly Banks, and the Agape Care Group for the loving care given during his illness.

     Funeral services will be 3 PM Sunday, January 21, 2024, at Williamsburg Funeral Home with burial in McClary Cemetery. Mr. Nexsen’s family will greet friends just prior to the service from 2 to 3 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Millwood Methodist Church, c/o Jamie Brown, 1560 Millwood Road, Kingstree, SC 29556 or Lane Methodist Church, c/o Mrs. Cornelia Bell, 20 Marble Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.

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

Nettie Sue Williams Sibley passed away on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at Select Specialty Hospital in Augusta, Ga. She was 76 years old.

The funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, January 20 at Fairfax First Baptist Church. Visitation will begin at noon prior to the service.

Mrs. Sibley was born March 1, 1947, in Kingstree, S.C. and was the daughter of the late Taylor and Frances Williams.

She was a faithful member of Fairfax First Baptist Church, Fairfax, S.C. Mrs. Sibley served in many aspects of ministry including Vacation Bible School, Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas child boxes, and fed everyone with meals and cinnamon buns. Her life was marked with service and a heart for ministry. Her loves were her husband, her children, grandchildren, and honestly, everyone’s children.

Mrs. Sibley, and her husband, were former Georgia Baptist Children’s Home parents for 10 years. Moving often, they never hesitated to plug in and serve faithfully in ministry at the churches where they were members.

Mrs. Sibley is survived by her loving husband of 50 years, Stanley Warren Sibley and her children, Warren Taylor Sibley (Myradel) of Americus, Ga., Andrew Kirkland Sibley (Jessica) of Cleveland, Tenn., and Shannon Sibley McDuffie (Jonathan) of Douglas, Ga.; six grandchildren, Elijah, Esther, and Caleb Sibley; Cole, Luke, and Ben McDuffie. She was also a grandmother to multiple foster children.

She was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Steve Brewer, and survived by her sister Ophelia Williams Brewer and brother Levin Taylor Williams. She is survived by a niece and nephews; Kris Brewer, Alexia DelMoro, Taylor Brewer; Charlie and Taylor Williams.

A Memorial Service will be Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Fairfax Baptist Church with Rev. James Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 noon until the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Fairfax First Baptist Church, P.O. Drawer 820, Fairfax SC 29827 or the charity of your choice that Mrs. Sibley also supported.

Keith Smith Funeral Service, 128 Water Street, Allendale, SC 29810. 803-584-2492.

Albert Hampton Skvarek, 75, husband of Gwendolyn “Gwen” Price Skvarek, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his home in Kingstree, SC.

Mr. Skvarek was born October 27, 1948, in Salters, SC, a son of the late John Skvarek and Victoria Ard Skvarek. He was a graduate of Greeleyville High School and was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Vietnam. Albert worked at Baxter Labs and DSM before he retired. He was a member of the Kingstree Moose Lodge # 1886, Swamp Fox- Moose Legion #74, and was a lifetime member of the American Legion.

In addition to his wife of 45 years Gwen,  Mr. Skvarek is survived by: his son, John Albert (Lauren) Skvarek of Moncks Corner, SC; and a brother, Joseph Bunyan Skvarek of Florence, SC. In addition to his parents, Albert was preceded in death by his sister, Sophia S. Lambert. Albert’s family would like to give a special thank you to Linda Hemingway and  Francine Barnes, as well as the staff of Amedisys Home Health and Amedisys Hospice for the loving care given to him in the last few years.

A graveside funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Tuesday, January 16, 2024, in Sandy Bay Cemetery. Per Albert’s request, attendees are asked to leave their neck ties at home.  Albert’s family will greet friends 6 to 8 PM Monday, January 15, 2024, at Williamsburg Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Sandy Bay Cemetery, c/o Mr. Doug Price, 1753 McCutchen Road, Kingstree, SC 29556.

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

     Margaret Hayes Stone, 91, wife of the late Clinton McKenley “Buddy” Stone, died Sunday, January 14, 2024, at her home in Kingstree, SC, surrounded by family.

     Mrs. Stone was born July 24, 1932, in Hyman, SC, a daughter of the late Holland Berry Hayes and Minnie Mae Earp Hayes. She was a homemaker who loved cooking and gardening. Mrs. Stone was a member of Kingstree First Assembly of God, where she was very active until her health failed.

     Surviving Mrs. Stone are: her daughter, Sheron (Wright) Miles of Kingstree; grandchildren, Andy (Pat) Miles, Clint (Danielle) Miles, Pam (Jason) Markland, Amanda (Jake) Stevens, and Amy (Pat) Burchell; great grandchildren, Aiden Miles, Cadie Miles, Ethan (Mary Louise) Miles, Garrett Miles, Kylie and Jackson Markland, Pita, Sophia and Trey Stevens, and Vayda Serrato; sisters, Vonnie (David) Turner and Jerrilyn (Van) Fraley; and special sister-in-law, Merilynn Hayes. In addition to her parents and her husband, Mrs. Stone was preceded in death by her son Richard A. Stone, brothers, John Thomas Hayes, Ernest Hayes, and Earl Hayes, and a sister, Lois Wise.

     Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Monday, January 15, 2024, at Williamsburg Funeral Home, with burial at Kingstree Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Stone’s family will greet friends at the funeral home at 1 PM just prior to the service.

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

Sloane Ryann Plexico passed away peacefully in her mother’s loving arms with her daddy by her side on January 9, 2024. She was born on January 4, 2024, in West Columbia, SC to Ryan Plexico and Maggie Rodgers.

Sloane’s family had five precious days with her before she went to her heavenly home. Sloane experienced singing “Jesus Loves Me” with her mommy and daddy, holding hands and many kisses from her family, and being told “I Love You” an unaccountable amount of times. She was baptized on Friday, January 5th with her mommy and daddy by her side so when God needed her, she would know who he was. Her mommy got to help her with her first and only arts and crafts project. The name Sloane means warrior and she was a warrior from the time she took her first breath to her last.

Sloane was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Richard Henry Rodgers.

Sloane is survived by her sisters, Ada Marie and Vivianne Plexico; maternal grandmother, Libby M. Rodgers of Kingstree; paternal grandparents, Margaret and Harry A. Plexico, Jr., of Little Mountain; paternal great-grandmother, Barbara C. Plexico of Blythewood; aunts, Jennifer Burgess (Brian) of Kingstree, Kimberly Rodgers of Charleston, and Marie Newell (Will) of Lexington; cousins, Jenna Kate Burgess of Kingstree, and Ford, Garland, and Maggie Newell of Lexington. Sloane also had many great aunts and uncles and cousins who loved her dearly.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on January 12, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Caughman Harman Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072. A memorial service will be held on January 13, 2024 at 2:00 pm in the chapel at Caughman Harman Funeral Home.

In honor of Sloane’s memory, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House or Special Olympics of South Carolina

Professor Tisdale was born in Williamsburg County South Carolina. He served in the United States Navy, obtained his bachelor’s degree in political science from Newberry College in 1961, and completed his master’s degree in international relations from the University of South Carolina in 1965. Professor Tisdale taught political science, international relations and comparative government at Manatee (Junior) Community College in Bradenton, Florida for 47 years. He loved teaching and discussing politics with his students and family and was known for his colorful, mock political rallies he would organize with his students. He also loved world travel, hunting, preserving nature, and telling stories about his youth and growing up in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.

He is predeceased by his Father, Varnie Clifton Tisdale; Mother, Kathleen (Thelma) Tisdale; and sister, Carol (Tisdale) Sanders.

He is survived by his wife, Barry Puett (Bradenton, FL); his first wife, Mary Ann (Watkins) Tisdale (originally of Newberry, SC); his second wife, Susan M. Zimmer (Tampa); sons: Laurie Clifton Tisdale (Georgia); Joseph Watkins Tisdale (Tampa); Robert Paul Tisdale (Los Angeles); and Barry Powers “Jack” Puett (Bradenton, FL).

Robert C. Tisdale will be laid to rest at the Tisdale Family Cemetery in Kingstree, South Carolina on Sunday, January 14, 2024, at 1 PM.

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