Week of Jan. 7, 2015

Bobbie E. Taylor

Bobbie E. Taylor, age 80, passed away Saturday, January 03, 2015. A memorial service will be held 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 5, 2014, in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

Bobbie E. Taylor

Bobbie was born August 29, 1934, to the late Robert Edwards and the late Zuline Parnell Edwards Hunt. She was a graduate of St. John’s High School in 1952. She retired as a service coordinator for Pee Dee Coop after thirty years of service. Bobbie was a happy, outgoing person who always had a smile on her face, never met a stranger, and was always there with a helping hand. She enjoyed dancing and being with all of her friends. After her retirement she loved to travel and go on cruises. Mrs. Taylor was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Darlington.

Surviving are her husband Robert G. “Jerry” Taylor; her son Lee Taylor; two daughters, Janice Psillos, and June Taylor, all of Darlington; four grandchildren: Nicole Psillos, Taylor Psillos, Lacy Taylor, and Morgan Taylor; and a special cousin Frankie Godwin.

She was preceded in death by a brother, William Edwards.
Memorials may be made to Epworth United Methodist Church 706 Pearl St. Darlington, S.C. 29532.

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

Lt. Col. Salvatore Arazio Fede

Lt. Colonel Salvatore Arazio Fede, U.S. Army (Ret.), 86, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, January 1, 2015.

OBIT fede, salvatore NE

A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2015, at Dunbar Funeral Home Northeast Chapel. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.
Born in New Haven, Conn., he was the son of the late George and Carmel Modica Fede. Sal graduated in 1949 from New York University and earned his master’s degree and education specialist degree from the University of South Carolina.

Lt. Col. Fede was a highly decorated officer who served his country with distinction for 20 years in the United States Army, serving in Japan, Korea, Germany, Vietnam, the Pentagon and numerous stateside military installations. He was the editor-in-chief of the Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper during the Vietnam War.

After retiring from the military, he began a second career in education and served in several administrative positions for the Darlington County School District, as superintendent of the Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School in West Columbia and as the first director of the Georgetown Career Center.

Sal, or “Pops” as he was affectionately called by his family, friends and students, had a great passion for music, bridge, gardening, cooking and fishing. However, his greatest love was for his family.
He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Cathleen M. Fede. Surviving are a son, John Fede of Clarkesville, Ga.; three daughters, Barbara Masenior (Mike) of Baltimore, Md., Cathleen Asko (Jack) of Fairfax, Va., and Mary Brantner of Columbia; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, SC 29210.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

Bruce Michael Willis

Bruce Michael Willis, age 57, passed away Sunday, December 28, 2014 in a local hospital. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, January 1, 2015 in the Chapel of Belk Funeral Home with interment following in Grove Hill Cemetery.

Born January 21, 1957 in Darlington County, the son of Willie and Faye Watford Willis. Bruce was an unselfish person whom adored his family and enjoyed fishing. He attended Southside Free Will Baptist Church.

Surviving, along with his parents, is his wife, Melinda Davis Willis; sons: Michael C. Willis, Matthew W. Willis, and T.C. Keith; a daughter, Ashley N. Keith; grandchildren: Haylee E. Sanders, Ava Faye Willis, Gabriel Keith, and Austin Boan, brothers: Will (Chris) Willis, Randy (Monice) Willis, Roger Willis, and Robert “Bobby” Willis; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a sister-in-law, Jackie Willis and a niece, Tracie Willis.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Thursday.

A guestbook is available on line at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Delle Pew Bryant

Delle Pew Bryant, wife, mother and best friend, slipped peacefully away on December 27, 2014 after a long illness.

Delle is survived by her husband of 44 years, William Ervin Bryant; children William Douglas Bryant (Lisa), Robert Ervin Bryant (Melissa) and France Elizabeth Ewart (Tommy); four grandchildren; and one brother E. Doug Pew III (Priscilla) of Darlington. She was born in Conway in 1947 to E.D. Pew Jr. and Vardelle Scarborough Pew. She graduated from Columbia College with a BS degree in Speech Pathology. From 1978 to 1998 she resided in Pinopolis, S.C. and devoted her life to raising and teaching her three children. She returned to Darlington in 1998 and was able to spend much time with her father and mother prior to the death of her father in 2008, and her mother in 2013.

She had many close friends especially her roommates and hall mates from Columbia College and her Darlington “beach” girls who joined her for an annual spring time beach get together for many years. She was an avid bridge player and a member of the Darlington Study Club. Trinity Methodist Church was a special place for her since childhood.

Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday December 30 at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home on Pearl Street in Darlington followed by graveside service at Grove Hill cemetery in Darlington on East Broad Street at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Lord Cares of Darlington, 201 Grove Street, Darlington, S.C. 29532 or Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 16, Darlington, S.C. 29540 or The National Kidney Foundation will be appreciated. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest registry at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

Harold Arnold “Ace” Dowdy

Harold Arnold “Ace” Dowdy, age 86, passed away Tuesday, December 30, 2014. Funeral services will be held Friday, January 2, 2015, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home, conducted by Pastor Kendall Williams. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Harold was born December 14, 1928, to the late Reaves and Minnie Dowdy, in Altavista, VA. He worked in textile with Burlington Industry. Mr. Dowdy enjoyed racing, tinkering with lawn mowers, and doing anything he could to help his neighbors.

He was preceded in death by his wife Cleo Atkinson Dowdy of Darlington; a daughter Wanda Gail Guess of Darlington; and two brothers Carl W. Dowdy of Hurt, VA, and Franklin R. Dowdy of Altavista, VA.
Surviving are his daughters Susan Darlene Dowdy of Florence, and Cheryl Ann Maloch of Florence. His brothers Reaves A. Dowdy Jr. of Hurt, VA, and Kenneth W. Dowdy of Hurt, VA, three grandchildren, and a step-daughter Linda Boucher.

Memorials may be made to First Church of God 620 North Main Street, Darlington, S.C. 29532.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Lucille Mellette Thomas

Lucille Mellette Thomas, 80, died peacefully Saturday morning, January 3, 2015 at the Presbyterian Home Communities. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Florence, S.C., on Monday, January 5th at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at the church.

Mrs. Thomas was born on March 2, 1934 to the late Russell and Lucille Mellette in Orangeburg, S.C. Her childhood was spent in Aiken, S.C. She earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from Converse College in 1955.

In 1955, Mrs. Thomas married Richard I. Thomas, and their marriage of fifty-nine years was blessed by the births of two beloved children: a daughter, Elizabeth (Betsy) Thomas Johnson and a son, Benjamin Richard Thomas (deceased). Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband, Richard; three granddaughters: Mellette Johnson Chatham (Gabe) of Alpharetta, GA; Sarah Katherine Johnson of Charlotte, N.C. and Matilee Allison Johnson of Columbia, S.C. She is also survived by four nephews and five nieces from five surrounding states. Mrs. Thomas was predeceased by a son, Benjamin Richard Thomas; and a brother, Russell Ramsey Mellette, MD of Charleston, S.C.

A lovely woman of considerable gifts and talents, Mrs. Thomas served her community unselfishly and graciously. She was a member of the Research Club and the Iris Garden Club of Florence, serving in numerous leadership capacities in both clubs.

Along with her family, Mrs. Thomas’ main devotion was to her music and to her church family at First Presbyterian Church in Florence, where she was a devoted member and a tireless worker. She served as moderator of the Women of the Church from 1976-1978; She helped organized “Mothers Morning Out” for the church and participated enthusiastically in the Meals on Wheels program through the Council on Aging. She served on countless committees within the church community; out of recognition of her diligence, her grace, her modesty, and her humility, she was awarded a Lifetime Membership of the Women of the Church in 1982.

To all who knew her, it was easy to recognize that God had blessed Mrs. Thomas with exceptional musical talent. She taught private piano lessons for 48 years; she was the rehearsal accompanist for the Florence Masterworks Choir for 12 years and she was a charter member of the Florence Independent Music Teacher’s Association. Her favorite use of her music was for the glory of God. She sang in the Florence First Presbyterian Church Chancel Choir for 40 years and played the piano and harpsichord for countless services within the life of the church, both as accompanist and as soloist.
The family requests that memorials be made to the Piano Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 700 Park Avenue, Florence, S.C. 29501

Belk Funeral Home of Darlington is assisting the Thomas family.

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

Richard W. Bailey

Richard W. Bailey, 75, died December 17, 2014.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m. Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Trinity United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at Grove Hill Cemetery directed by Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for two hours prior to the service in the church fellowship hall.

Richard was born on May 17, 1939, along with his twin brother, Tommy, in Darlington, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Boyd Preston and May Hutchinson Bailey. He was raised in Darlington and graduated from St. John’s High School. After a brief time in the United States Army, Richard returned to his hometown. He married Patricia Price and together they raised two boys, Rhett and Curt. Richard owned and operated Bailey’s Thriftway until he became associated with Bonnoitt’s / Darlington Feed and Seed. It was here he worked for many years until his retirement. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church and served as the Sunday School Secretary and Chairman of the Trinity BBQ for many years. He was a member of St. David’s Masonic Lodge # 72.

Richard was given a gift by the Lord that was granted to him from his own adversities. It was this gift he would use for many years to assist others their difficult journey.

Survivors include his wife, Patricia Price Bailey of the home; two sons, Curt Bailey and Jennifer of Charleston and Rhett Bailey and Charlie Yates of Columbia; grandchildren, Hillary (Jake), Zachary and Ryan; and a great-grandchild, Rylee.

Memorials are suggested to Trinity United Methodist Church, PO Box 16, Darlington, S.C. 29540 or to Hope Lodge – 269 Calhoun Street.

Robert W. McCormick

Robert W. McCormick, age 52, passed away Friday, December 26, 2014, in Columbia, S.C. Funeral services will be held Saturday, January 3, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at the Mechanicsville Chapel. Pastor Frankie Tanner will conduct the service, directed by Belk Funeral Home.

Robert was born November 7, 1962 to Alvin and Carolyn McCormick. He was a graduate of St. John’s High School in 1981. He was a member of Mechanicsville Church. He was a caregiver that loved helping his family and friends.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his two brothers, Rev. Allen (Derri) McCormick of Pamplico, and Mike McCormick of Darlington; a sister, Belinda (Richard) Jernigan of Darlington; and several nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made in lieu of flower donations to Belk Funeral Home 229 W. Broad St. Darlington, S.C. 29540.

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

Mary Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Hall Quick

Mary Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Hall Quick, age 56, passed away Wednesday, December 30, 2014, at MUSC in Charleston. A memorial service will be 2:00 p.m Saturday, January 3, 2015, in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home, conducted by Pastor Frankie Tanner.

Mary was born December 31, 1957 to Mary Teal Kaiser and the late Tommy Hall. She married James W. ‘Jimmy’ Quick, and was a loving wife and mother to her family.

Surviving, in addition to her mother and husband, are her daughter Amy R. Stabler of Sandy Run, S.C.; three sons, James Andrew (Stacey) Quick of Darlington, Michael S. (Brandy K.) Quick of Hartsville, and Eric Rion Quick of Darlington; grandchildren: Khristina R. Hopkins and her fiancé Stephen, Taylor Hopkins, Logan Stabler, William “Will”, Skylar and Tyler Quick, Brianna Sheffield, Tristan Beasley, Lucas and Lincoln Quick, McKiney Watford, and R.J. Quick; two great-grandchildren, Brayslee and Patrick; brothers David, Chris, Tommy, and Robbie Hall of Columbia; sister Mona Mendez; and mother-in-law Jean Quick of Darlington.

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors in lieu of flower donations.

Guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Author: Duane Childers

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