Week of March 8, 2017
Belk Funeral Home – Mack E. Dease, age 84, died Sunday, February 26, 2017 at his residence. A memorial service was held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2017 in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home. The family received friends following the service at the funeral home and other times at the home of Jane and Sammy Nance, 204 Belvin Street, Darlington.
Born in Darlington County, he was the son of the late Furman and Annie Mae Boatwright Dease. Mack served his country in the United States Army. He worked as a mechanic and enjoyed auto racing. Mack was known for his willingness to try and tackle any job presented to him.
He is survived by his daughter, Crystal (Josh) Phillips, his sons, Rodney (Rhonda) Dease and Johnny Mack (Angie) Dease of Darlington, several grandchildren, and his sisters; Annie Jane (Sammy) Nance of Darlington, Edna Dease (Homer) Goodwin and Shirley Dease Sanford all of Ashville, NC.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, J.W., Robert and Furman Dease, Jr.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Belk Funeral Home – Barbara Jean Johnson, age 77, died Thursday, March 2, 2017. A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 6, 2017 in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home, with burial following in Darlington Memory Gardens. The family received friends from 1 until 2 p.m. at the funeral home on Monday.
Born in Darlington County, she was the daughter of the late Cecil Gainey and the late Ethel Malloy Gainey Warren. She worked for GE and then ESAB until her retirement. Barbara enjoyed being spending time with her family and enjoyed working in her yard, tending to her plants and flowers.
Surviving is her husband, Lavern Johnson, her grandchildren: Josh Gainey, Megan (Paul) Ribeiro, all of Myrtle Beach; her brothers: Shelton Gainey of Patrick, Dennis (Beth) Gainey of Leesville, Johnny (Brenda) Gainey of Hartsville; two special nieces, Jaime (Rat) Steen and Carla Odom, and many other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her son, Randy Gainey and two sisters, Sylvia Purdue and Patricia Conder.
A guestbook is available www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Belk Funeral Home – Brenda Spears Killian, 60 years of age, of Florence, South Carolina, passed away on March 4, 2017.
Brenda was born in Florence, S.C. on October 11, 1956. She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Degree from Limestone College (Summa Cum Laude), and was actively working on her Masters Degree from Phoenix University. She was successful in getting a patent for a business that would generate revenue to help children in need.
Brenda was married to Phillip G. Killian on July 19, 1976; they were married for 40 years.
Brenda worked in the medical profession for 30 years, but actively changed career paths about 10 years ago. She wanted to work in a field where she could “make a difference” helping people. She became an instructor of Medical Coding and Computer software programs at Virginia College. She found so much joy in teaching her students. She also worked at Florence Memorial Gardens, and enjoyed every minute working with her friends, family, and co-workers.
She was a Christian who enjoyed her study in God’s Word. She was talented in so many ways. She loved sewing, painting, cross-stitching, crocheting, cooking, her dog, Dexter, and being with her 2 horses – Patches and Joe Black. Her favorite pastime was spending time with her grandchildren, Pearson, Mackenzie, and Killian.
Brenda is survived by her husband, Phillip G. Killian; her son, Luke Killian; her daughter, Melissa Voignier, and son-in-law, Clayton; her grandchildren, Pearson Baldwin-Voignier, Mackenzie Baldwin-Voignier, and Killian Baldwin-Voignier; her mother, Josephine T. Spears; her brother, F. David Spears, and wife, Tina; her sister, Julie S. Danner, and husband, Kevin; and all her beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Brenda is preceded in death by her father, Pearson Frederick Spears, and her older brother, Johnny Monroe Spears.
Visitation was held from 6 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 7, 2017, at Belk Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 11a.m. today, Wednesday, March 8, 2017, in the Chapel at Belk Funeral Home in Darlington, S.C. Her brother and pastor, Reverend F. David Spears, of Eason Memorial Baptist Church will be officiating. Burial will follow the funeral at Mount Hope Cemetery. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Belk Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to St. Jude’s Hospital.
An online guestbook is available at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
