Hartsville Messenger

Martha Wallace died Friday, July 8, 2022. Martha was born December 12, 1939 in York, SC to JC McCleave and Janie Webb Bankhead McCleave. She was a graduate of Winthrop University where she received her Bachelor's degree in Physical Education. Martha was employed by the Darlington County School District and worked primarily at Thornwell and Carolina Elementary and retired in 2006. She was a volunteer swim instructor at Coker College. She also volunteered for Hartsville Soup Kitchen and served on the Board of Hartsville YMCA. Martha was actively involved with the Darlington County Humane Society and assisted in the startup of the Good News Club at Thornwell Elementary. She was a member of the...

Mary Elizabeth Whitehead Eubanks, 97, of Greenwood, widow of Dr. William Alexander Eubanks, passed away Tuesday, July 5, 2022 at her home. Born May 24, 1925 in East Point, Georgia to Henry McGhee Whitehead and Martha George Lucas Whitehead she was the middle of three sisters. Married on a dare on December 25, 1944 in Obelin, Louisiana to William Alexander Eubanks. They had their only child, Mary Angela, eighteen years later on February 4, 1961. From chasing her asthmatic sister with barn mice as a child to chasing firetrucks in her army surplus jeep as a young married woman, she was always up to something. She had boundless energy and a sunny disposition that drew people to her...

Florida Malvinia Rushing, age 86, passed away peacefully Monday May 16, 2022 at her home in Myrtle Beach, SC. Born in Kellytown, SC, Mrs. Rushing was the daughter of the late Cyril E. Segars and Grace K. Skipper Segars. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Rushing is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bobby E. Rushing; her sons, Tommy Flowers and Scott Rushing and her brothers, T.D. Fields, Shep Fields, Hugh Segars and Cyril Segars. Survivors include, her children, Angie Rabon (Rick), Kenneth Rushing (Lori), Judith Welch; grandchildren, Trinity Rushing, Jordan Rabon and Josh Welch; great grandchildren, Prescott,...

Robert "Bob" Nelson Hart, 87, died April 15, 2022, surrounded by his wife and family. He was born in Steelton, PA, on August 20, 1934. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Chief Mineman during the Vietnam War and retired in 1973. He then worked in Civil Service where he retired from the Naval Ships Parts Control Center in Mechanicsburg, PA. He is survived by his wife, Connie Mae Hart. They were married for 61 years on January 21, 2022. He was preceded in death by his youngest son, Brett Edward Hart. He is survived by two daughters, Corina Jo Tressler and Kathryn Elizabeth Hart of Newport, Pennsylvania and a son, Patrick Allen Hart, of Taneytown, Maryland. Following his retirement from Civil...

Mrs. Bonnie Donahue Kirkley, 85, of Jefferson, SC passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 12, 2022 while surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Kirkley was born on November 13, 1936 in Mt. Croghan, South Carolina to the late Lee Donahue and Letha Sullivan Donahue. She was later united in marriage to the late Roy Pressley Kirkley. She was a Seamstress for Socony for 30 years and a homemaker, where she enjoyed baking, cooking and sewing. After retiring from Socony; she went to work for the family business, Hartsville Lumber and Barns. When everyone would go into the lumber store, she was the friendly face everyone would see. Bonnie was an active member of Rocky Creek Presbyterian Church. ...

Charles (Charlie) Dean Burnside, 78, of Peachland NC passed away after a short illness on November 11, 2021. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Charlie was the only child of Dean and Mary Burnside. He graduated from W. Thresper Clarke High School in East Meadow, NY in 1961. He continued his education at The Citadel in Charleston SC graduating in 1965 with a degree in Electrical Engineering. While at The Citadel he was a member of St Alban's vestry and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. After graduation Charlie spent his career with Carolina Power and Light's Nuclear Engineering Department at the HB Robinson Plant in Hartsville SC. He also ran his own shooting supply...

Robert Dawson "Bob" Rhoad, Sr., 75, of Raleigh, passed away Tuesday evening, November 9, 2021 at WakeMed Hospital. He was born in Darlington County, South Carolina to the late Henry Poppenhiem Rhoad and Mary Dawson Rhoad. Bob, affectionately known as "Bobby" by his family, was a 1969 graduate of the University of South Carolina, and went on to a career in retail management that spanned almost 40 years. He raised two sons as a single father at a time when that was almost unheard of, and did so with an incredible amount of patience and love. Despite working a demanding job that sometimes required 60 to 70 hours a week or more, he somehow always made it to his sons' soccer and basketball...

James M. Sisson Jr, 82, of Murrells Inlet SC, went to be with the Lord on July 20, 2021. He was born on August 19, 1938 to James M. and Helen D. Sisson in Claymont, Delaware. Jim, a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather, is survived by his wife of 58 years, Thelma R.; daughters Kimberly (Craig) Marshall, Beth Ann (Mark) Meschter; grandchildren Nathan, Abigail (Jason), Samuel, JC, and Mickey; and brother Thomas (Alicia) Sisson. He is preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Joseph D. and Donald A. Sisson. God, his wife, his family, and his friends were the things he held dearly. Jim never met a stranger and was always willing to give a hand to someone in need. He was a...

Marguerite Norris Perkins, 78, of Lamar, SC entered into eternal rest Sunday July 11, 2021. Her memorial service will be held Thursday July 22, 2021 at the J. Henry Stuhr West Ashley Chapel, 3360 Glenn McConnell Parkway Charleston, SC at 1:00 pm. Marguerite was born August 29, 1942 in Darlington County, SC. She was the daughter of the late Perry Norris and the late Evelyn Worrill Norris. She was a member of Mount Elon Baptist Church in Lydia, SC, where she sang in the choir. She retired from customer service in the polysak division of Sonoco. She enjoyed family vacations, shopping, gardening and walking on the beach. She is survived by her daughter Sharon Coe (Addam) of Hollywood, SC , her...

Jackie Cleveland Munn, 76, formerly of Hartsville, SC, died June 11, 2021, at his residence in Chesnee, SC. Born November 10, 1944 in Hartsville, he was a son of the late Lawrence Hamilton and Marguerite Matthews Munn. Jackie was also preceded in death by his siblings, Frankie Munn, Cecil Munn, Celeste Munn Crowley and Ronnie Munn, all of Hartsville, and great-grandchildren, Jack and Evi Peeler of Boiling Springs, SC. Jackie was a longtime machinist with Sonoco, was a member of Whispering Pines Baptist Church in Hartsville and was a former member of the SC National Guard. He loved his children and grandchildren so much! He also enjoyed fishing, Hartsville Red Fox football and he watched...

Bobby Jean Beasley, "also known as Mrs. B" was born on December 13, 1934 in Hartsville, SC to the late Creighton and Kate Beasley. In addition to her parents, she is the sister of the late Dather Beasley and the late Sara Beth Beasley. After graduating from Hartsville High School, Bobby went to nursing school. In the late 1950's she moved here to the Metro Atlanta area. Where she met the love of her life, Charles Everett Sweat Sr. On December 13th, 1960 Charley and Bobby Jeanne Beasley had their 1st date and they been forever together. They married on March 6, 1960. Charley and Bobby had 3 children, Katy Elizabeth, Charles Everett Jr. and the late Austin Ward. They have some 6 grandchildren...

Donald Clarence Bigby of Litchfield passed February 5th, 2021 at 84 years. Born in Columbia, SC in 1936, he was the son of the late Hattie Bell Bethea Bigby of Marion and James Clarence Bigby of Greenville. The family residing in Hartsville. Mr. Bigby is survived by his son James C Bigby II, and daughter in law Anne Trent Rauch Bigby of Columbia. Don attended Ashville School for Boys and graduated from USC in '59 where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, Block C Club, and lettered in swimming serving as the team Captain for two years. After college, he returned to Hartsville and joined Sonoco where he served as Product Manager for Textile's. Mr. Bigby enjoyed being involved in the local...

Donald Clarence Bigby of Litchfield passed February 5th, 2021 at 84 years. Born in Columbia, SC in 1936, he was the son of the late Hattie Bell Bethea Bigby of Marion and James Clarence Bigby of Greenville. The family residing in Hartsville. Mr. Bigby is survived by his non James C Bigby II, and daughter in law Anne Trent Rauch Bigby of Columbia. Don attended Ashville School for Boys and graduated from USC in '59 where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order, Block C Club, and lettered in swimming serving as the team Captain for two years. After college, he returned to Hartsville and joined Sonoco where he served as Product Manager for Textile's. Mr. Bigby enjoyed being involved in the local...

Mrs. Linda Jane Miller Wright, 80, of Woodstock, Georgia passed away peacefully Thursday morning, January 21, 2021 at home. She was born November 9, 1940 in Hendersonville, North Carolina to the late Johnson W. and Callie (Watts) Miller. Also preceding her in death are her brother Johnson (Jack) Miller and sister-in-law Patricia (Hill) Miller. Growing up, Linda attended Albemarle High School (NC), Hartsville High School (SC) and graduated from Bennettsville High School (SC) in 1958. From the time she was born, Linda had a passion for helping others which led her to her lifelong calling to become a nurse. She graduated from Cabarrus Memorial Hospital (now Atrium Health Cabarrus...

Bobby Lewis Womack passed away peacefully December 7, 2020 at Morrell Nursing Center in Hartsville, SC. All services will be private with burial in Forest Hills Cemetery, Rock Hill, SC. Mr. Womack was born in Doraville, GA, September 12, 1932, the son of the late Carlos E. Womack and the late Marion Anderson Womack. He was also proceeded in death by his loving wife, Judy Sherer Womack. Bob was a kind and intelligent gentleman. He wasn't the loudest person in the room, but you always knew he was there with a warm smile and quick humor. Bob was a graduate of University of Georgia, he earned a master's degree from Duke University, and served as Lieutenant in the US Army at Fort Benning,...

Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Genell Gainey Webb, 86, who entered into rest on Monday, September 28, 2020, will be held at 3 o'clock on Sunday, October 4, 2020, at Westview Memorial Park Cemetery. The Rev. Marvin Gainey will officiate and the family will receive friends following the service. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Directors are caring for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Amedisys Foundation, 1309 Professional Drive, Suite 100, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Born on January 6, 1934, in Chesterfield County, SC, Nell was the daughter of the late Mary Johnson and Marion Onslow Gainey. In addition to her parents, Genell was preceded in death by her husband...

Cheraw, SC Charles Ralph Johnson 92, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 29, 2020 at home surrounded by his family after a short illness. Born in Patrick, SC he was a son of the late Arthur W. and Julia Pankey Johnson. Ralph grew up and was educated in Hartsville. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, first serving aboard the USS Fox, followed by the USS Houston. While serving, Ralph visited many ports of call. Among his favorites were Australia, Italy and Paris. He established several life-long friendships while serving. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 70 years, JoLynn Huggins Johnson, daughters Terrie (Ricky) Sheets of Bennettsville, Susan Johnson...

Private graveside funeral services for Mrs. Helen Godfrey McInvaill, 104, who entered in to rest on Sunday, July 19, 2020, will be held at 10 o'clock on Friday, July 24, 2020. The Rev. Tony Adams will officiate, and Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home is caring for the family. Mrs. McInvaill went to be with the Lord at the age of 104. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard H. McInvaill, Jr., to whom, Mama was his world. She is survived by her son, Rick H. McInvaill, who loves her with all of his heart. Mama was blessed with seven siblings and is survived by her brother, Albert (Eula Mae) Godfrey of Colorado. Mama had four beloved sisters, Emily, Jeannette, Jewel, and Betty;...

Clara Ingram Gandy of Columbus, NC, died on June 24, 2020. She was 92 years old. Born in Biloxi, Mississippi, in 1928, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin C. and Thelma Reynolds Ingram. She grew up in Georgia and South Carolina. She held the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Coker College and graduate degrees in history from Emory (M.A.) and the University of Tennessee (Ph.D.). Her teaching career of more than twenty years involved active participation in professional organizations in the United States and Europe. In the several locations in which Dr. Gandy lived also included work in many civic, religious, and historical organizations. She retired in 1993 as Professor of...

Patrick, SC Larry Richard Smith, Jr., 49 died Wednesday, June 17, 2020. Born in Cheraw, SC he was a son of Larry Richard Smith, Sr. of Patrick, SC and the late Jeannine Victoria "Vickie" Cheek Smith. He was very caring and loved spending time with family and friends, especially during cookouts. He enjoyed fishing, drag racing and NASCAR. He is survived by his son, David "D.J." (Avery Blackman) Smith, Sr. of Wallace, SC, daughters, Cortney Smith of Wallace, SC and Hannah Smith of Wallace, SC, his father listed above, a brother, Chad (Rhonda) Smith of Patrick, SC, grandchildren, Dakota Sanchez, Bryson Griggs, Abraham Griggs and David Justin Smith, Jr.,a daughter of the heart, Alexus Spencer...

Deacon Laverne Wingate was born on December 15, 1932 in Darlington, SC. He was the 5th child of the late Prince Wingate and Rosa Lee Hammonds Wingate. He departed his earthly body on June 14, 2020. Laverne was educated in the public schools of Darlington County and attended Cherry Grove Elementary School and graduated from Mayo High School. He received his undergraduate degree from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Business Education. He received his Master's Degree in Gerontology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Laverne enlisted in the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1952. During his military career he was stationed at various bases...