Obituaries – December 19, 2018
DARLINGTON – Elsie Garner Bullard of Darlington, 86, passed away Dec. 15, 2018.
She was the widow of Lairon Carlton Bullard Jr. Born in Hope Mills, N.C., Elsie was the daughter of John Wesley Garner and Pauline Taylor Garner. She worked at First Citizens Bank for over 40 years as a teller, loan officer and branch manager.
Elsie was very civic-minded and served on the board of the Hope Mills Chamber of Commerce for several years. She was a member of the Darlington Presbyterian Church and Circle One. She enjoyed traveling the world and discussing politics.
She is survived by a daughter, Pam Vaughan and son-in-law, Eugene Vaughan of Darlington; two much-loved grandchildren, Claudia Vaughan of Boulder, Colo., and William Vaughan of Columbia.
She is also survived by a sister, Connie G. Koonce (Charles) of Fayetteville, N.C.; a nephew, Dr. Thomas Koonce (Robin) of Carrboro, N.C., and their daughter, Mary Fitzgerald Lairon Koonce; a nephew, Frank Bullard Jr. (Pat) of Little River and their children.
Funeral services were held Dec. 19 at Darlington Presbyterian Church, with burial following at Lafayette Memorial Park, 2301 Ramsey St, Fayetteville, N.C. 28301, directed by Belk Funeral Home.
The family received friends from 10-11 a.m. Wednesday at the church, and other times at the home of Pam and Eugene Vaughn, 105 Georgia Dr., Darlington.
Memorial gifts may be made to Thornwell Home for Children, 302 South Broad St., Clinton S.C. 29325; or to a charity of one’s choice. A guestbook is available online at belkfuneralhome.com.
FLORENCE – Josephine T. Spears (known to friends and family as Jo), 85, of Florence, passed away Dec. 10, 2018, in Columbia.
Josephine was born in Sardis Dec. 18, 1932. She graduated from Sardis High School with honors in 1949. Josephine was an avid athlete during her school years and was a star player for her basketball team. She worked from the age of 15 until she retired in 2010 due to health concerns.
Jo was married to Pearson Frederick Spears in 1952. They were married 44 years.
She worked for a local urologist for 25 years where she was a deeply loyal and committed medical assistant.
She also worked in Mortgage Finance and retail in her earlier years in which she would work two and three jobs at a time providing for her family. She enjoyed being around people and helping them through their problems. She never met a stranger.
Josephine was a devout Christian. She loved going to church and listening to music. Her favorite singers were her son, David Spears and grandson, Luke Killian. She enjoyed being around her family and friends. Her favorite pasttime was spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Josephine is survived by her son – F. David Spears and wife Tina; daughter – Julie S. Danner and husband Kevin; son-in-law – Phillip Killian; grandchildren Melissa Voignier (Clay), Luke Killian, Katherine Danner, Stewart Danner, Jonathan Danner, Douglas Haney (Beckie), Nicholas Haney (Elle) and Rachael Doering (Steven); Sister – Polly Howle, 13 great grandchildren – Pearson, Mackenzie, Killian, Jane, Ronnie, Adeline, Michael, Lauren, Graysen, Kinley, Owen, James and Matthew; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Jo was preceded in death by her husband Pearson Frederick Spears, daughter Brenda S. Killian, son John Monroe Spears; and six of her seven siblings: Nolan Tedder, B. Howard Tedder, Cooper Tedder, Jackie Barefield, Lucy Davis and Evelyn Brown.
Visitation was Dec. 13, 2018, at Belk Funeral Home in Darlington. The funeral service was held Dec. 14, 2018, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Florence. Her son and pastor, David Spears of Eason Memorial Baptist Church and Pastor Charlie Pitmann of Immanuel Baptist Church, officiated.
Burial followed 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.
