Lee County Observer

McLendon Wade "Wendy" Smith Winstead, 54, of Kings Mountain, NC, died suddenly from a heart attack on August 14, 2021 at her residence. She was born in Mecklenburg, NC to the late Robert Lee "Bob" Smith, Jr. She was also preceded in death by her sister, O'Kelley Smith Broadway. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and colleagues with whom she shared a zest for life and a love for others. Wendy was spirited in all she did and achieved. Wendy graduated from Kings Mountain High School, earned a AA from Peace College in Raleigh, NC, a BS in Zoology from NC State University and a second BS in Psychology from UNC-Charlotte. She also received a MA in Human Behavior from Capella...

Richard Durwood Smith, Jr. passed away peacefully in Alpharetta, Georgia on May 19, 2021 at the age of 84. He is survived by his wife, Veralyn Merritt Smith; daughters Marcille Nance of Cornelius, NC and Laura Armistead and her husband, Kerry of Alpharetta, Georgia; 5 grandchildren, Cameron and Richard Nance, and Ben, Grayson and Mack Armistead. Dick was born in Bishopville, SC on July 7, 1936 to Richard Durwood Smith, Sr. and Marjorie Lucille Mozingo Smith. He graduated from Clemson University in 1959 with a degree in Textile Engineering and was a charter member of the Numeral Society. In 1978, he completed the Executive Leadership Program at UNC-Chapel Hill and while there, Dick was...

Private family services with Military Honors for Mr. Robert D. Steele, Jr., 90, who entered into rest on Sunday, September 6, 2020, will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2020, in The Chapel of Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home. The Rev. Kathy Carr will officiate with burial to follow in St. Matthew United Methodist Church Cemetery. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Directors are caring for the family. Memorials may be made in his honor to St. Matthew United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund in c/o Ralph Baker, 230 Roundup Drive, Bishopville, SC 29010. Mr. Steele, the widower of Vivian Irene Steele, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020, at his home. He was born on August 18, 1930, in Lancaster,...

Mr. Louis "LC" Shirley, 91, passed on July 4, 2020. He was a loving husband, supportive father, generous grandfather, and a proud great-grandfather. He was a compassionate, loyal caregiver to his first wife, Iris Compton Shirley as well as his second wife, Christine Smith Muldrow Shirley. Louis is preceded in death by his father, Louis A. Shirley, and his mother, Carrie Lee Douglas Shirley of Hartsville, SC; his brothers, Alvin, Eugene, and Levern along with his sisters, Ruby Lee McDugle, Mary Law Shumate (May) and Francis Byrd (Kitty). Surviving Louis is his son, John Louis Shirley of Bishopville, SC; step-children, (Christine's children) Beverly Muldrow Reid of Charlotte, Bob Muldrow of...

Long-time Bishopville resident, businesswoman, and mother Frances Bass Ginsberg passed away on June 30, 2020 following a long period of ill health. Mrs. Ginsberg was born Frances Ruby Bass in 1925, and was raised in North, South Carolina where she was one of 7 children of Nathan and Esther Bass, owners of the Bass Mercantile Company; she and her brothers and sisters grew up working at the store. Following her high school graduation, she attended the University of South Carolina. In 1949, she married Arthur Ginsberg of Bishopville, where the couple made their home and their livelihood, managing the family's store, Ginsberg's Ladies Shop. Following her husband's death in 1988, Mrs. Ginsberg...

Emma K. DuBose, 89, wife of the late V. Fred DuBose died on May 29, 2020. Born in Lee County, SC, she was the daughter of Marie Kinlaw Logan. She is survived by a son, Freddie DuBose, (Deborah); grandchildren, Andrew Troublefield (Dawn), Mark Troublefield (Kristin); great-grandchildren, Gracie and Julia Troublefield; sisters, Lois Hayes, Shelby Jean Christmas, Alice Owens, and Joyce Christmas (Bill). She is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, and extended family, as well as special friends and farm associates Leyland Carroway, and Donnie Branham. She is predeceased by a son, David DuBose, a sister, Elizabeth Walters, and a niece Pam Hayes. Mrs. DuBose graduated from Tuomey...

Private graveside funeral services for Mr. John Crues Bell, Jr., 92, who entered into rest on Thursday, April 16, 2020, will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2020, at the Bishopville Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Chris Parnell will officiate, and Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his honor to Bishopville Presbyterian Church, 215 South Main Street, Bishopville, SC 29010. Mr. Bell was the son of the late John Crues and Carmen Pound Bell of Inman and Spartanburg, SC. Born in Roanoke, AL, he attended elementary and high school in Inman, SC, and was a graduate of Presbyterian College, Class of 1947. He also did graduate study...

Funeral services for Mr. James Andy "John" Haithcock, 58, who entered into rest on Wednesday, April 15, 2020, will be private. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Mr. Haithcock was born in Lee County, SC, a son of Doris Haithcock and the late Lester Haithcock. John was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather. He was happily married to his wife, Nancy, for 38 years, with whom he had two wonderful children. He enjoyed the freedom of riding his motorcycle. He was always joking around and loved making others laugh. He enjoyed going to concerts with his son and listening to rock music way too loud. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family the most. He was a...

Agnes Graham Drayton of Bishopville, SC, died on her 101st birthday, Monday, April 6, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Cokesbury, SC, daughter of the late John Marion and Mai Eloise Banks Graham. She was predeceased by her husband Edward R. Drayton, Jr. and her son Marion G Drayton, five sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her sons Edward R. Drayton III (Linda) of Hartsville, SC, Thomas A. Drayton (Ami) of Bishopville, SC, and her daughter-in-law Frances R. Drayton of Bishopville, SC, nine grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren. Agnes and Edward started City Nursery in 1950 and added a florist shop in 1955, fulfilling their passion for flowers....

Funeral services for Mrs. Donna Redding Alexander, 57, will be held at 3 o'clock on Thursday, February 27, 2020, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. The Rev. Fran Connell will officiate with special guests, Kathy Griffin of Just for Women Ministries and best friend, Susan Liles. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 pm on Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home. Memorials may be made in her honor to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, PO Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010. Mrs. Donna Redding Alexander entered into rest peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at McLeod Hospice House surrounded by her...

Funeral services for Robert Dellinger Walden, 93, will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 19, 2020 at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Bishopville, SC. The Rev. Fran Connell will officiate with burial in the church cemetery directed by Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home. Mr. Walden entered into rest on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Born in Charlotte, NC he was a son of the late Walter Ancel and Edna Dellinger Walden. He was raised in Kannapolis, NC. He served in the United States Army during World War II in Germany, France, and England. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He graduated from Wake Forest College in 1949 with a B.S. degree and was a...

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Nelle Floyd Brown, 93, who entered into rest at her home in Bishopville, SC, on Saturday, December 7, 2019, will be held at 2 o'clock on Saturday, December 14, 2019, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church. The Rev. Ken Phelps will officiate with burial to follow in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church, one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, PO Box 167, Bishopville, SC 29010. Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family. Mrs. Brown, the widow of Howard Melvin "Pete" Brown, was born in Olanta, SC, a daughter of the late Jennings James Floyd and...

Ed Privette went to his heavenly home on Saturday morning, November 30, with his beloved wife, children, and grandchildren surrounding his bedside. Ed was born in Bishopville, SC on June 29, 1949, the first-born son of Junius and Thelma Privette. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Eleanor Tyson Privette, his three children, Matthew (Robin) of Apex, Mark (Laura) of Wake Forest, and Amy of Cary, and his three grandchildren, Caleb, Tyson, and Hannah. He is also survived by his two brothers, Bobby (Dawn) of Cleveland, Georgia and Tommy (Alma) of Mebane, along with several nieces and nephews. Ed was preceded in death by his parents and his precious niece, SSGT Lori Privette. Ed's...

Funeral services for Mrs. Jane Turner Brown, 83, who entered into rest on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, will be held at 5 o'clock on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church, with The Rev. Fran Connell and The Rev. Ron Davis officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:00 pm on Saturday, August 31, 2019, at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home, who is caring for the family. Born in Kershaw County, SC, she was a daughter of the late James Irby Turner and Violet Myrtle Smith Turner. Jane was a member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church. She served faithfully as Treasurer from 1997 and served in numerous church committees. She was a member of the Joe...

BISHOPVILLE, SC- Nelle Kirby Player's funeral, held at Mt. Zion Presbyterian, 4544 St. Charles Rd. is scheduled for 3PM Saturday, July 13, 2019. Rev. Irvin Plowden Jr. will officiate. Burial afterwards at St. Luke Cemetery. Family to receive friends 4-6 pm Friday, July 12 at Hancock-Elmore-Hill Funeral Home, Bishopville & continuously at the family farm home. The daughter of the late Hazel & Marie Davis Kirby of Lynchburg, SC, Nelle was 95 years old & a 1945 Winthrop graduate. She taught HomeEc & Primary School before becoming a full-time farm wife & mother. Nelle served as Sunday school teacher at St. Luke for 50 years. She was an active with Lee Gardeners, Farm...

Funeral services for Mrs. Faye McGuirt Brown, 89, who entered into rest on Sunday, June 30, 2019, will be held at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, July 3, 2019, in Memorial Chapel with The Rev. Paul Atkinson officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Ashwood-Central Reunion Fund, c/o Jo McGuirt, 4040 Sumter Highway, Bishopville, SC 29010. Mrs. Brown, the widow of Wayne Brown, was born in Lancaster County, SC, on June 22, 1930. She was a daughter of the late John Rodman McGuirt and Lillian Morrow McGuirt. She was a graduate of Ashwood High School and was retired from DuPont. She served as the Secretary of Ashwood School...