Obituaries – April 3, 2019

LAMAR – Sarah Wright Calivas, 71, died Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at her residence following an illness. Funeral services were Thursday in the Lamar chapel at Belk Funeral Home with burial at Fair Hope Cemetery. A visitation was held one hour prior to the service at Belk Funeral Home.

Born April 1, 1947, Sarah was the daughter of the late John Guy Wright and Lillie Mae Atkinson Wright. She enjoyed going for walks, especially on fresh-plowed fields, rocking in her rocking chair, drinking Pepsi-Cola and spending time with her family and friends.

Sarah had won two battles with cancer, but lost her third battle and died peacefully at her home. She was a member of Victory in Christ Church.

Surviving are her daughters, Bessie Mae (Tony) Sutton, Donna (Tommy) James and Terrie (Jimmy) Bell, all of Lamar; stepchildren, Bill (Dena) Calivas of Florida, Mike Calivas and Linda Perkins, both of Manning; grandchildren, Jimmy (Taylor Grooms) Bell, Cynthia (Casey) Galloway, Jamie (Josh) Melton, Kelly Goodman, Shelly Goodman, Thomas (Lena) Sutton, Brittany James, Trey James, seven great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Also surviving are her brother, John Wesley (Faye) Wright of Lamar and sister, Mary Davis of Bishopville.

She was preceded in death by her sister, Eunice Sanchez; brother, Doc O’Neil; the fathers of her children, Steve Owens and Buddy Calivas, and longtime partner and soul mate, Billy Calivas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Belk Funeral Home, PO Box 523 Darlington, SC 29540.

A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.

DARLINGTON — Marion Otis Howle, 75, died Tuesday, March 26, 2019. Mr. Howle was born in Darlington, son of the late Otis Edward Howle and Phoebe Flowers Howle.

Marion grew up in the Indian Branch community and was of the Methodist faith. He served his country in the Air Force and then went to work for NUCOR, retiring after 32 years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and will be remembered affectionately as “Papa” to his grandchildren, and also as a loyal fan of the USC Gamecocks.

He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Claudia Gainey Howle, his sons, Eddie (Karen) Howle of Oak Ridge, N.C., and Michael Howle of Effingham; grandchildren: Mason, Gracie and Kayla Howle and Austin (Jessie) Johnson and Victoria Johnson; his sister, Shirley Howle of Hartsville.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Mildred Raines, Cathy Howle and a brother, James Howle.
The family received friends Thursday evening at Belk Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice House, c/o McLeod Foundation, Po Box 100551, Florence, SC 29501-0551 or the Saleeby Center, 714 Lewellen St., Hartsville SC 29550.

A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.

DARLINGTON — The friendly policeman has passed away.

William Howard Godbold Jr., 85, of Darlington died Friday, March 29, 2019.

A memorial service was held Sunday, March 31, in the Chapel of Kistler Hardee Funeral Home.

Graveside services were Monday, April 1, at Darlington Memory Gardens.

The family received friends Sunday, March 31, at Kistler Hardee Funeral Home.

Mr. Godbold was born in Dillon. He was the son of the late William Hazel Godbold and Nellie Blackmon Godbold.

He went to St. John’s High School before enlisting in the Army. After serving his country he went to work for the Darlington City Police Department, where he was called “The Friendly Policeman.”

He later worked for DuPont and owned his own farm. He retired from the South Carolina Governor’s Office of Victims Assistance. He was a member of the St. David’s Masonic Lodge and the OMAR Shrine.

Surviving are his children, William Howard “Bill” Godbold III and wife Becky of Elgin; and James Judson “Jack” Godbold and wife Janie of Columbia; his sisters, Edna Anderson and Dora Strickland; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Imogene Godbold; and nieces and nephews.

Mr. Godbold was predeceased by his wife, Ann Ramsey Godbold, and his two brother, Gene and Gerald Godbold.

Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital, 950 W. Farris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

DARLINGTON – Sybil Frances Garland Kelly, 81, passed away Friday, March 29, 2019.

Funeral services were held Monday, April 1, in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home with burial at Black Creek Cemetery.

The family received friends Sunday at the funeral home.

Born Dec. 1, 1937, Sybil was the daughter of the late David Gregg Garland Sr. and Lula Brown Garland.

She served as a clerk in the Army.

Sybil worked for the Hartsville Messenger newspaper, and then served as owner and operator of Kelly’s Country Kitchen.

Sybil was a faithful member of Black Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving are her stepsons, Jimmy M. (Connie) Kelly Jr. of Florence and Randy Kelly of Selma, N.C.; grandchildren, Brandy Lorraine Kelly, Jimmy Mark (Crystal) Kelly, Lindsey Brooke (Zachary) Flowers, Lacey Harrison (Mason) Howle, Robyn (C.J.) Beacham, Lorraine M. Kelly, great-grandchildren including a special great-granddaughter, Brianna (Zack) Williams, and great-great-grandchildren.

Also surviving is her brother, D.G. (Glenda) Garland Jr. of Atlanta, and sister, Patricia (Raymond) Wilkes of Hartsville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jimmy M. Kelly Sr.; son, Garland A. Kelly; granddaughter, Shannon Denice Kelly; brother, Rev. Steven T. Garland, and sister, Sadie Kelley.

Memorials may be made to Black Creek Baptist Church, 137 Mont Clare Rd., Darlington, SC 29540.

A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.