Obituaries – March 13, 2019
Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2019
DARLINGTON – John Kenneth Smith, 40, passed away Sunday, March 3, 2019. A memorial service was held Thursday, March 7, in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home, and other times at the home, 125 Coggeshall Road, Darlington. The family received friends following the service.
Born Feb. 19, 1979, Kenneth was the son of Sherrie B. Smith and the late Andrew James Smith. He worked at Farm Bureau, and then worked at Darlington RV and Boat Dry Storage. Kenneth was an avid Clemson fan and a member of St. David’s Masonic Lodge.
In addition to his mother, Sherrie B. Smith, Kenneth is survived by his son, Dylan Andrew Smith; grandmother, Marvie Barr; stepson, Patrick Causey, all of Florence, and many extended family members. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew James Smith, and his brother, James “Jamie” Smith.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes.org.
A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.
DARLINGTON – Raymond Coker, 69, died Tuesday, March 5, 2019. The family received friends March 8, with services following at Belk Funeral Home.
Born Sept. 17, 1949, Raymond was the son of the late Sherman Coker and Linnie Bell Kennedy Coker. He worked for Nucor, Sun Construction and then worked in the produce department for IGA and Piggly Wiggly.
He participated in Golden Glove Boxing. Raymond had a big heart and enjoyed being around people.
Surviving are his daughter, Christie Coker of Hartsville; son, John (Michelle) Coker of Ashville, N.C.; grandchildren, Harley Cheyanne Davis and Reid Coke; step-grandson, Joey Sardis; sister, Virginia Edwards; brothers, Jack (Bobbie Jean), Dexter “Pee Wee,” Steve (Crystal), Rex Coker, and sisters-in-law, Jackie and Helen Coker.
He was preceded in death by his brothers, M.C., Johnny, Flemming (Lucille) and Virgle (Alice) Coker.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Belk Funeral Home, PO Box 523 Darlington, SC 29540.
A guest book is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.
LAMAR — Edgar Allan “Pee Wee” Howell Jr., 55, died Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at his home.
A funeral service was held Saturday, March 9, at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, with burial following in Newman Swamp Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home.
The family received friends Friday evening at the funeral home in Lamar.
Born in Timmonsville, he was the son of Catherine Ray Howell Gaul and the late Edgar Allan Howell. Mr. Howell made a living early in his life as a farmer, and then worked at Sonoco Products for 12 years.
He was an avid hunter, and when he wasn’t hunting, he liked to fish. Pee Wee was a member of Newman Swamp United Methodist Church.
In addition to his mother and stepfather, Catherine and Jim Gaul of Lamar, he is survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy “Libby” Miller Howell of Lamar, a nephew who was like a son to Pee Wee, Allan Shane Howell of Texas, sisters, Cathy (Barry) Evans, Edna Mae Howell, and his brother, James (Iris) Howell, all of Lamar; sister-in-law, Judy (Earl) Watson of Latta; also many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice, c/o McLeod Foundation, PO Box 100553, Florence, SC 29501-0553.
A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.
LAMAR — Edgar Allan “Pee Wee” Howell Jr., 55, died Wednesday, March 6, 2019, at his home.
A funeral service was held Saturday, March 9, at Newman Swamp United Methodist Church, with burial following in Newman Swamp Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home.
The family received friends Friday evening at the funeral home in Lamar.
Born in Timmonsville, he was the son of Catherine Ray Howell Gaul and the late Edgar Allan Howell. Mr. Howell made a living early in his life as a farmer, and then worked at Sonoco Products for 12 years.
He was an avid hunter, and when he wasn’t hunting, he liked to fish. Pee Wee was a member of Newman Swamp United Methodist Church.
In addition to his mother and stepfather, Catherine and Jim Gaul of Lamar, he is survived by his wife of 35 years, Judy “Libby” Miller Howell of Lamar, a nephew who was like a son to Pee Wee, Allan Shane Howell of Texas, sisters, Cathy (Barry) Evans, Edna Mae Howell, and his brother, James (Iris) Howell, all of Lamar; sister-in-law, Judy (Earl) Watson of Latta; also many nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice, c/o McLeod Foundation, PO Box 100553, Florence, SC 29501-0553.
A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.
DARLINGTON – Addie Beatrice “Bea” Poston Register, 83, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, March 8, 2019.
Mrs. Bea asked that we not spend this time in sorrow, but celebrate her reunion with Jesus and the joy she found in her lifetime. A celebration of her life was held in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home at Monday, March 11, 2019, with burial following in Grove Hill Cemetery.
Born in Pamplico on Oct. 6, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Isom K. Poston and the late Belle Coleman Poston Thompson. Mrs. Register learned the value of hard work growing up on a farm, and raised her children while working at Dixie Cup, where she made lifelong friendships that she treasured.
In later years, she enjoyed keeping her house, laughing with family, visiting friends and going to eat at Mayflower every Friday evening with “her” Paul. She looked forward all year to her trips to the beach with her daughter and “crazy woman.”
She will be remembered as a woman who loved life and laughter and as a devoted Christian. She loved her church, Temple Free Will Baptist, and her church family very much, and was an active member of Temple Treasures. Mrs. Bea was indeed a treasure to many people.
Surviving are her children, Cheryl (Gene) Gandy of Forest, Va., Curtis Register of Darlington, four grandchildren: Kirby Register, who was raised like a daughter to Mrs. Bea, Tiffany (Zach) Baldridge, Tressa (Chad) Jones and Tamara (Mike) Laughlin, a brother, Jackson McLeod (Marie) Poston of Cottageville. Also surviving are her “Prince Charming,” Paul Dudley, and her friend Sonja Watkins, who faithfully helped care for her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Henry Register, her daughter-in-law, Renee’ Register, and a brother, Ralph Lewis Poston.
The family received friends Sunday evening at Belk Funeral Home.
A guestbook is online at belkfuneralhome.com.
DARLINGTON – Sallie James Gardner, 89, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2019. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 13, in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home with burial following at Mt. Hope Cemetery. The family received friends Tuesday at the funeral home.
Ms. Gardner was born Dec. 6, 1929, the daughter of the late Henry K. James and Annie Cooper James. She was a member of Southside Free Will Baptist Church. Sallie was dedicated to her faith and was a prayer warrior.
Surviving are her daughter, Shirley (Ralph) Bosley of Darlington; son, Marvin (Victoria) Gardner of Jacksonville, FL; grandchildren, Alicia Gardner of Jacksonville, Fla., Crystal B. Allen of Darlington and Elizabeth B. (Tony Hill) Gregg of Timmonsville; great-grandchildren, Zachary Walters, Dylan Walters, and Emily Hill; sister, Doris Haselden of Charleston.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William “Bill” Gardner, and her son, William L. Gardner.
Memorials may be made to Southside Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 5, Darlington, SC 29540; or to McLeod Hospice Foundation, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502.
A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.
