OBITUARIES — Feb. 5, 2020

LAMAR – Franklin Walter Alford Sr., 78, passed away Monday, Jan. 27, 2020. A memorial service was held Thursday, Jan. 30, at Lamar First Baptist Church, directed by Belk Funeral Home.
The family received friends Thursday at the church. A graveside service was held Friday at Florence National Cemetery.
Born July 9, 1941, Franklin was the son of the late Thomas B. Alford and Annie Bell Griggs. He served in the Air Force and retired after 20 years. Franklin was a life-long member of the National and South Carolina Skeet Shooting Association, and a member of the Amateur Trap Association. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Lamar.
Surviving are his wife, Janice Copeland Alford; son, Franklin Alford Jr. of Lamar; grandson, Josh (Marie) Griggs; brother, and Jerry Alford.
He was preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Lennis Alford; siblings, J.T. Alford, Jack Alford, Onie Gardner, Letha Mae Wadsworth, and Doris Weaver.
Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

FLORENCE — Patrick “Pat” B. Spivey, 72, died suddenly at his home on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020. A celebration of his life was held Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020, at Palmetto Street Church of God, with burial in Grove Hill Cemetery.
The family received friends at Belk Funeral Home on Tuesday evening and also from Wednesday at the church.
Born Aug. 9, 1947, in Darlington County, he was the son of the late Victor and Louise Bryant Spivey. Mr. Spivey graduated from St. John’s High School and attended Mars Hill College.
He retired as superintendent of the Melt Shop at NUCOR. He later managed the retread shop for Black’s Tire Service before becoming a realtor for Coldwell Banker in Florence. Pat was a member of Palmetto Street Church of God, where he taught the Senior Alive Class. He also attended Christian Assembly Church, where he was an Elder and taught a Sunday school class.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Gray Spivey, two sons and daughters-in-law, Shannon and Dawn Spivey, Brock and Carolyn Spivey, his grandson, Beck Spivey, who was the joy of his life, two sisters, Linda Marsh and Venita (Chafee) Jones, many nieces and nephews, and a dear friend Iris Garland.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Victor C. Spivey, and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Mary Emma and Lester “Rags” Faircloth.
Memorials may be made to Palmetto Street Church of God, 3132 W. Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29501.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

LAMAR — Loretta Lynn Grooms Watford, 53, died Saturday, Feb. 1, 2020, at the McLeod Hospice House. A memorial service was held in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home in Lamar Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2020. The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home and other times at the home of Timmy and Angela Grooms, 2004 E. Lydia Highway.
Born in Darlington County on Dec. 29, 1966, she was the daughter of the late Walter and Myrtle Ham Grooms.
Loretta had worked as a cashier at different retail stores, and enjoyed singing karaoke.
She enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren, and also taking care of her husband of 32 years, Marty Watford.
In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Brittney (Gene) Chapman, grandchildren: Elizabeth Carter, Keaton Powell and Raven Chapman, brothers, Wayne Grooms, Ricky Grooms and Timmy (Angela) Grooms.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Stevie Grooms and a half brother, Robbie Grooms.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com