Week of February 14, 2018

Lavinia James Page, age 90, died Thursday, February 8, 2017. A Funeral service was held in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Burial took place Mount Zion Cemetery in Aynor, SC at 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Born July 15, 1927 in Horry County, she was the daughter of the late Joseph Richard James and Jewell Hucks James. Mrs. Page worked briefly at Dixie Cup, and devoted all of her time to being a housewife. She enjoyed fishing and going to Santee with her husband, Sonny, who died in December.

She is survived by her children, Deborah Page Phillips (Jimmie), Iris P. Andrews (Dale), Della P. King (Henry), Elaine P. Harrelson (Tim), and Richard “Dickie” Page (Angie); her grandchildren, Jimmy L. Phillips (Fran), Page Willis (Scott), Joey Phillips (Julie), Stephen Andrews (Michelle), Stevette Young (Rick), Missy Monterosso (Vinnie), Sonny Stokes (Eddie), Chris Perkins (Tara), J.J. Stark (Martin), Lon Kirven (Sydney), Richard Page (Erin), Andrew Page, and 26 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her siblings, Bobby H. James, Norton H. James (AnnieLou), Loretta Leonard (Ted), Dottie Rogers (Buddy), Patricia Jones; and a sister-in-law, Virginia James.

She was preceded in death by her husband Schubert “Sonny” Page and siblings, Parmallee James, Richard Earl James, Orville James and Huxley James.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. (www.alz.org)

Billy J. “B.J.” Gainey, age 38, died Wednesday, February 7, 2018. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home. Burial followed in Indian Branch Cemetery. The family received friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Saturday evening at the funeral home.

Born in Florence on December 22, 1979, Billy is the son of Elizabeth Morris Gainey and the late Ronald “Ronnie” Gainey. B.J.worked in maintenance for POLYQUEST in Darlington, and always enjoyed going hunting, fishing, or just riding around on the backroads.

In addition to his mother of Hartvsille, he is survived by his daughter, Kaitlyn Gainey of Hartsville, brothers Ronald (Candace) Gainey, Jr. of Darlington, Jamie Gainey of Timmonsville; two sisters: Elizabeth (Terry) Johnson of Darlington, Jacenda (Chris) Burr of Pamplico, many nieces and nephews, his maternal grandfather: Lonzy Morris of Florence.
He was preceded in death by his father, Ronnie Gainey.

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

John Colen Lee, age 51, passed away suddenly on Sunday, February 4, 2018. A memorial service was held 4 p.m. Tuesday, February 6th at Elim United Methodist Church, directed by Belk Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the home of Brenda Kirby, 3548 Oates Hwy. Lamar, SC 29069.

Born August 18, 1966, John is the son of Colen Lee and the late Mildred Sansbury Floyd. John was a “jack of all trades” and was currently employed as a mechanic at Trading Post Motors. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, fishing, and enjoying life. John had a passionate love for animals and a heart of gold. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Surviving are his sons, Matt and Cody Lee; his sister, Robin (Jerry) Phillips; his brother, Jim Floyd; his father, Colen (Susie) Lee; his half-brothers, Tim Garrett, David Lee,; his nephew, Cameron Phillips; his nieces, Savannah and Maddie Floyd; a special aunt, Brenda Kirby; special cousins, Donna “Milton” Helms and Gracie Helms, whom he considered his niece.

In addition to his mother, Mildred Floyd, he was preceded in death by his cousin/best friend, Jody Hayes.

John’s special request was to have his ashes spread in the water of his favorite fishing place.

Memorials may be made to Elim United Methodist Church, 3586 Oates Hwy, Lamar, SC 29069; or to a local Animal Humane Society.

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

Robert “Bobby” M. Bryant, age 78, passed away Sunday, February 4, 2018 at McLeod Hospice House in Florence. Born in Darlington on June 20, 1939, Bobby is the son of the late Wilden Andrew Bryant and Nellie Walker Bryant. He graduated from St. John’s High School and attended Florence-Darlington Technical College. He worked for Nucor Steel for 24 years until his retirement in 2002. Bobby served for 22 years in the SC National Guard, and worked for many years with the Darlington Rescue Squad. He was a member of Indian Branch United Methodist Church and the Indian Branch Community Center.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Barbara Rogers Bryant and their three children: Robert M. Bryant, Jr. and his wife Karen Pate Bryant of Clayton, NC; Christopher P. Bryant and his wife Kimberlyn Blackwell Bryant of Darlington, and Melanie Bryant Jordan and her husband Mitchell S. Jordan of Darlington. He leaves five grandchildren: William Robert Bryant of Charlotte, NC; M. Scott Jordan of Clemson; Benjamin M. and Rebecca Grace Jordan of Darlington, and Kevin C. Bryant of Darlington. He is also survived by one brother, David H. Bryant and his wife Gwen Clark Bryant of Florence; his nieces, Lori B. Anderson, and Gina B. Cox and her husband Brian Cox of Darlington; Summer B. Avant and her husband Geno Avant of Florence; and his nephew, Chad Bryant and his wife Crystal Bryant of Florence. He was preceded in death by his brother, Larry Bryant.

Funeral Services were held 11 a.m. Wednesday, February 7th in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home. Burial followed in Grove Hill Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the McLeod Hospice Foundation, PO Box 100551 Florence, SC 29502-0551.

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