Ernie Dutton
Ernie Dutton DARLINGTON — Ernie Laddie Dutton, 77, passed away at the McLeod Hospice House on July 7, 2020. A graveside service was held at Grove Hill Cemetery on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at 10 a.m. The family received friends 5-7 p.m. at Belk Funeral Home on Friday evening. Born in Florence Oct. 18, 1942, he was the son of the late Ernest and Ruth Suggs Dutton. Ernie served in the S.C. National Guard and worked for Sonoco and...
County recreation on hold during COVID-19
By Samantha Lyles Staff Writer slyles@newsandpress.net Due to COVID-19 concerns, many summer recreation mainstays are on indefinite hold, including baseball and softball, cheerleading camps, athletic skills camps, park barbecues and parties … the list goes on, and each addition makes this sunny season a bit sadder. Though it may feel like this pandemic is going to last forever, there will come a day when kids suit up and play...
Thomas Preston Schurlknight
Thomas Preston Schurlknight (“Big T”), 44, passed away July 11, 2020, surrounded by family. Tom was born Jan. 17, 1976. He was the son of Nancy W. Schurlknight and the late Leon I. Schurlknight Jr. He loved the Clemson Tigers and never missed a game. Well, “loved” is an understatement. He could practically tell you the score of every Clemson game ever played if you asked — the “unofficial statistician,” as we always say. He...
Verida Blackwell Marchette
BOXWOOD PLANTATION, DARLINGTON COUNTY — Verida Blackwell Marchette, 90, died Monday, June 29, 2020. Celebration of her life was held Friday, July 3, 2020, at Boxwood Plantation. Friends were asked to wear a mask and bring a chair if needed; no suits or ties, just come as you are. A private burial was held later in the day in the family cemetery. Verida was born on Evans Street in downtown Florence in 1930. She was the daughter...
Kathy Smith Sims
DARLINGTON — Kathy Smith Sims, 62, of Darlington, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. Kathy was born a daughter of the late Sarah Griggs Smith and James “Jimmy” Smith of Ruby. She was Director of Nursing of the Heart and Vascular Institute at McLeod Regional Medical Center Heart and had been employed with McLeod for 30 years. Kathy loved her family, her fur babies and celebrating Christmas. She was happiest when entertaining...
Chafee Jones III
DARLINGTON – Chafee Jones III, age 69, passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2020. A graveside service was held Tuesday, July 7, at Grove Hill Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home. The family received friends Monday from 6-8 p.m. at the Darlington Country Club. Born Aug. 26, 1950, Chafee was the son of the late Chafee Jones Jr. and Katherine Harris Jones. He was involved in the Boy Scouts of America, achieving its highest rank as Eagle...
