Week of April 11, 2018

Funeral services for Mr. Charles W. Mattaway “Son” of Darlington were 1 p.m. Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Christ Temple Holiness Church in Darlington.

Interment followed in Darlington Memorial Cemetery directed by Jordan Funeral Home, Inc. of Darlington.

The family received friends at the residence, 208 D- Avenue, Darlington.

Ila Moore Gray, formerly of Darlington, SC stepped into the presence of her Lord Jesus Christ on April 4, 2018 at the age of 88. Ila was the faithful wife of Rev. Bob Gray for 48 years, until the Lord took him home in 2011.

She was the loving mother of Mike DuBose (Debra), Charlene DuBose, Roger Gray (Dorothy), Russ Gray, Joseph Gray, Douglas Gray, and Angela Gray. At her death, Ila had six grandchildren, Blake DuBose (Lofton), Joel DuBose, Trevor, Jacob, Courtney, and Macy Gray; two great-grandchildren, Maelyn and Merrill DuBose. Through the years, she also provided shelter and care to many foster children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Ollie and Myrtle Moore and her brother, G.W. Moore all of Darlington, SC.

After 20 years, Ila retired from Dixie Cup in Darlington, SC and later worked for The Grove Park Inn in Ashville, NC. She enjoyed playing the piano and organ, while also teaching Sunday school classes. Ila loved the Lord and Savior Jesus and wanted everyone to know Him as well. Some of the people with whom she shared the “good news,” have now greeted Ila as she entered into God’s Heavenly presence.

A service was held in Alabama on Saturday, April 7, 2018. Temples Halloran Funeral Home, 5400 Bush River Road, Columbia, SC 29212 is assisting the family.

Memorial gifts to honor the life of Ila Moore Gray may be made to: Ezra Ministries, a Christian non-profit organization, P.O. Box 23313, Chattanooga, TN 37422.

Online condolences may be sent to www.templeshalloranfuneralhome.com.

Funeral service for (Maj. Ret.) Earl Augustus Johnson, Jr. was held 2 p.m. Friday, April 6, 2018 at St. James United Methodist Church. Rev. Dr. Marvin Caldwell, Pastor. Reverend Allen Parrott, Officiating. Burial followed in Faith Memorial Gardens directed by Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc.

Maj. Ret. Johnson died Friday, March 30th in a Florence retirement center. He was born in Darlington, a son of Earl Sr. and Hilda Grayson Johnson.

He was a member of St. James United Methodist Church where he served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chairman of the Committee for Higher Education and member of the Lay Leadership Committee.

He graduated with honors from Mayo High School Class of 1971 where he also was a Varsity Football player and Member of the Block “M” Club. Because of his outstanding academic record, Earl received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point from then, SC State Senator, Ernest Hollings. On July 1, 1971, Earl entered the “Long Gray Line” becoming a West Point Cadet of the class of 1975.

After 20 years of serving in the military, he was honorably discharged. He was employed as an Assistant Principal at Darlington High School and then as Reading and Technology Coordinator at Sonovista School and the alternative school for Darlington County School District.

He found his final engagement in 2000 and became the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Darlington.
Survivors include: his parents: Earl Johnson, Sr. and Hilda Johnson of Darlington, SC; his sister: Carole (Chris) Jones of Decatur, GA; nephews: Kristopher and Keenan Jones both of Decatur, GA; uncles: Harold (Rex) Grayson of Beaufort, SC, Allen Parrott of NY; Special friends include: Gerald and Valerie Harrison, Allen Parrott and Zenobia Edwards; a host of close cousins and friends.

In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. James United Methodist Church, 312 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532.

The family is receiving friends at the residence of his parents of 116 Tallulah Street, Darlington, SC.

Margaret A. DiLeo, 88, wife of the late Anthony Raymond “Tony” DiLeo died on Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at her home.
A Christian Burial was said at 12 noon on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at the Chapel of Kistler Hardee Funeral Home. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at the home.

Mrs. DiLeo was born on October 4, 1929 in Harvey, Illinois. She was the daughter of the late Raymond and Ann Wells. Her and her late husband have been a part of this community since 1965. Mrs. DiLeo was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for 53 years. She loved spending time with her family and was well known for her awesome cooking.
Surviving are her children, Susan (Stephen) Gardner of Darlington, David DiLeo of Darlington, and Anthony P. DiLeo of Tucker, Georgia; her grandchildren, Karin (Theo) Deligiannidis of Columbia, Michael (Shannon) Gardner of Florence, Kathy (Mike) Carroll of Slate Hill, NY, Devon (Christopher) Bagwell of Marietta, Ga., Dominick DiLeo, Joseph DiLeo, and Gabriel DiLeo both of San Francisco; her great grandchildren, Evi, Gus, Thomas, Chase, Mayson, Madyson, and “Peanut”; her sister, Betty Wells Ross of Homewood, Illinois; and many nieces and nephews.

Mrs. DiLeo was preceded in death by her husband, Anthony R. “Tony” DiLeo; her parents, Raymond and Ann Wells; and by her brother, Eugene Wells.

Memorials may be made to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, C/O St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 363 N. Fifth Street, Hartsville, SC 29550.

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

Mrs. Willie Mae Jordan of Darlington died Sunday, April 1, 2018.

Funeral services for Mrs. Jordan were held noon Wednesday, April 4, 2018 at New Providence United Methodist Church in Darlington.

Viewing and visitation with the family for Mrs. Jordan was 11 a.m. until noon on Wednesday at the church.

Interment followed in the church cemetery directed by Jordan Funeral Home, Inc. of Darlington.

Thelma Louise Campbell Parnell, age 90, died Thursday, April 5, 2018. A graveside service was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 7th in the cemetery of Mt. Elon Baptist Church, directed by Belk Funeral Home.

Born in Darlington County, she was one of nine children born to the late Leon and Mamie Brand Campbell. She was a talented seamstress, who was known for making Majorette outfits and gowns; she had worked at Hartsville Manufacturing and Bishopville Manufacturing. Mrs. Parnell was a member of Freedom Baptist Church in Darlington.

Surviving are her daughters: Emily Jeffords of Hartsville, Marilyn (Danny) Stewart of Darlington, three grandchildren: Randy Jeffords, Cathy Jeffords and Carl Webb, several great-grandchildren and a brother, Ricky Campbell of Darlington.
She was preceded in death by her husband, L.T. Parnell, Jr., three infant children, and siblings, Robert, Jamie, Sonny, Dan, Phillip and Hazel Campbell and Marie Whittle.

Memorials may be made to Freedom Baptist Church, 1416 Lamar Hwy, Darlington, South Carolina 29532.

A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Richard Dixon, age 77, of Darlington died Friday, April 7, 2018. A funeral service was held in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10th. Burial followed in New Providence Baptist Church Cemetery in Hartsville, with full military honors.

Born in Hartsville on April 15, 1940 he was the son of the late Carroll and Annie Rhodes Dixon. Richard retired from the United States Army, a veteran of the Vietnam War and the Korean Conflict, and also served in Germany. He enjoyed sitting by the fire in his backyard, and in his words “ I like to eat, smoke and sleep.” Mr. Dixon was a member of Faith Free Will Baptist Church.

Surviving are his sons, Russell (Shelly) Dixon and Richard Dixon of Oklahoma, his sister-in-law and caregiver, Ella Mae Dixon, a niece, Teresa Moore, Nephews, David Dixon, Sr. and Wendell Gooding.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Callie Gooding, and brothers, Lavern, James and Marion Dixon.

The family received friends from 1 until 2 p.m. Tuesday at Belk Funeral Home and other times at 1741 Indian Branch Road, Darlington.

A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.