Week of January 10, 2018

Gary Moore Ferguson

Gary Moore Ferguson, 73, passed away on Saturday morning, December 30, 2017, at his residence. He was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on February 13, 1944. Gary was educated in the public schools of Franklin County, and in 1966, he graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in piano. In 1969 he received the Master of Church Music Degree with an emphasis in organ from the School of Church Music at Southern Baptist Seminary.

In addition to music, Gary enjoyed sailing, running, gardening and yoga. He is survived by his sister, Carol Ferguson; and his brother, Kevin Ferguson and Kevin’s wife, Barbara. He was preceded in death by his father, Clarence Ferguson, in 1999, and his mother, Clara Ferguson, in 2015. Gary served from 1969 until 1984 as Minister of Music and Organist at First Baptist Church of Darlington, South Carolina. He moved to Danville, Virginia, in March of 1984 to serve West Main Baptist Church as Organist/Minister of Music. He also served in an adjunct position, teaching organ and hand bells at Averett University. Gary retired from West Main Baptist Church in June of 2011. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at 2 p.m. at West Main Baptist Church with the Reverend Bruce Wilson officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Duke ALS Clinic, Stacey R. Asnani, Duke University Medical Center, 932 Morreene Road, Durham, NC 27710. The family would like to express its deep appreciation to four caregivers whose untiring efforts provided comfort and peace to Gary in his valiant struggle with ALS. The kindness and sacrificial care given by Ulanda Lanier, Cheryl Hunt, Jessica Coleman and Christopher Barley will always be remembered and appreciated.

Townes Funeral Home, 215 West Main Street, will be serving the Ferguson family. Online condolences can be made at www.townesfuneralhome.com.

Lawrence “JC” McCuller

Funeral services for Mr. Lawrence “JC” McCuller of Darlington were at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2018 in the Washington and Charlotte C. Jordan Memorial Chapel of Jordan Funeral Home, Inc.

Interment followed in Palmetto Baptist Church Cemetery directed by Jordan Funeral Home, Inc.

Mr. McCulller was born in Darlington County, South Carolina on November 3, 1929. He was suddenly called to his final resting place on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

Lawrence was a son of the late Lawrence and Hattie Mingo McCullough.

He received his formal education in the Darlington County Public Schools. He also served his country in the United States Army. After serving his tenure he was honorably discharged. Lawrence later received his certificate in brick masonry. He was a Brick Mason for over 30 years. On December 16, 1972, he was united in marriage to Mary Louise Winn.

Lawrence loved life and family. Most of all he loved his grandchildren. He leaves to cherish his loving memories: his loving family, wife, Mary L McCuller; children, Melvin (Carinthia) Winn, Rodney Winn, MaChelle (George) Winn-Williams, and Lydia Winn; grandchildren, Wynneshia Boyd, Signét Winn, Shawnette (Christopher) Nettles, Mahkayla and Kameron Winn; nieces, Cynthia Green, Shirley Wiggins, and Ilisa Whitney; a special family friend that he took as a granddaughter, Ti’Laysia James; a special caregiver, Anna Brown, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The family is receiving friends at the residence, 522 Brockington Road, Darlington.

Dorothy Ann Kennedy Walker

PITTSBORO, NC–Mrs. Dorothy Ann Kennedy Walker, 89, formerly of Darlington, SC, died on Thursday, December 28, 2017 in Pittsboro, NC.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 1 p.m. at Pittsboro United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Dot will be buried alongside her husband of 63 years, David, and her mother, Mamie Lou, at Eastside Cemetery in Statesboro, Georgia. The interment of both Dot and David will take place on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Dot was born on July 26, 1928 in Statesboro, Georgia. She was the daughter of the late David Kennedy and Mamie Lou Howard Tidwell. Her life’s work centered around her faith and in her service to others. She graduated from Georgia State Women’s College and earned her master’s degree from Columbia University. She responded to a call by faith to become a missionary representing the Methodist Church alongside her husband, David. She spent many years nurturing their four children while teaching the people of the Belgian Congo region of Africa. After returning from the Congo, she spent many years teaching elementary school in Weaverville, NC and in the Darlington SC County School System. Dot was a very active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Darlington, SC where she served as the United Methodist Women President, taught Sunday School and served in many other capacities. Dot’s special ministry was serving children and families through the Darlington Angel Tree program. She also volunteered on many Elderhostel projects.

Surviving are her son, Stephen and his wife Dawn Walker of Pittsboro, NC; her daughters, Rebecca and her husband Don Baker of Gilbert, AZ; Patricia and her husband Russ Averill of Redondo Beach, CA; and Margaret and her husband Sherwood Godwin of Snow Hill, NC; her grandchildren, Anna Godwin, David Godwin, Leslie Walker, William Wolcott (wife-Brittany), Matthew Baker, Carrie Baker, Thomas Baker, Christine McCary (husband-Chris), William Averill, and Cathleen Springfield (husband-Loudon); her great grandchildren, Adam McCary and Isabelle Springfield; her sister Sue Warren and her husband Harry of Pulaski, Georgia; and her sister-in-law, Sammie Preissner of Georgia, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR.org) or to Trinity United Methodist Church Angel Tree (PO Box 16, Darlington, SC 29540).

Condolences may be made at www.donaldsonfunerals.com.

Arrangements by Donaldson Funeral Home & Cremation.

Donaldson Funeral Home & Cremation is honored to serve the Walker family.

Monica Marks

Monica Marie Marks, age 47, passed away Thursday, January 4, 2018. Funeral services were held 3 p.m. Sunday, January 7th in the Lamar chapel of Belk Funeral Home, with burial following in Lamar Memorial Cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel.

Born June 21, 1970, Monica is the daughter of William Luke Marks and Barbara Jones Watford. She worked as a waitress and as a store clerk for a convenient store.

Surviving are her father, William “Bill” Luke (Terry) Marks of Tennessee; her mother, Barbara J. Watford of Lamar; her stepfather, Johnny Watford of Lamar; and a special friend, Jay Hood of Florence. She was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Stokes.

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

Eva Mae Humphries

Eva Mae Adams Humphries, age 89, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2018. Funeral services were held 2 p.m. Thursday, January 4thin the chapel at Belk Funeral Hom. Burial followed in Black Creek Cemetery.

Born August 14, 1928, Eva was the daughter of the late Hartwell Kitchen Adams and Daisy O’Neal Adams. She retired from Lazy Boy Furniture, and she loved her flowers and crocheting. Surviving are her sons, Randy D. Humphries and Tommy (Sandy) Humphries, both of Darlington, and six grandchildren. Eva was the last of ten children, and was preceded in death by her husband, David M. Humphries; and her son, James H. Humphries.

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

Rev. John M. Stephenson, Th.D.

Rev. John Mills Stephenson, Th.D. went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 30, 2017. A service celebrating his life was held at Philadelphia Southern Methodist Church at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, officiated by Rev. Sidney Howell and directed by Belk Funeral Home. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Born March 18, 1957 in Jackson, Mississippi, he was the son of the late Rev. Bob and Earlynne Carr Stephenson and the late Miriam Weathers Stephenson. Rev. Stephenson dedicated his life to serving the Lord, preaching at Salem SMC for ten years, Will of Faith SMC from 1989-2013 and Timmonsville SMC from 1989 – 2016. John was also a teacher, coach and principal at Orangeburg Christian School and taught at Florence Christian School.

Surviving are his wife, Pat Floyd Stephenson, two daughters; Beth Stephenson of Darlington, Kay (Stephen) Kirby of Effingham, grandchildren: Isaac Stockton, Adalynne Kirby, Norah Stockton, Ella Stockton, Lyla Mills Kirby and Raelyn Kirby; and siblings, Vicky (Tom) Biers of TX and Bobbye Sue (Rev. Ellison) Evans of Turbeville.

In addition to his parents and stepmother, John was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Robert Stephenson.

Memorials may be made to Camp Summers & Manget Tabernacle Restoration Fund, Conference Properties Trustee, c/o Boyd Lloyd, 203 McLendon Street, Lamar, SC 29069.

A tribute page for Rev. Stephenson is available at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Emeline Clarkson

Emeline James Clarkson, age 71, died Friday December 29, 2017 at her residence. A memorial service was held at St. Matthews Episcopal Church on Saturday, January 6, 2018 at 2 p.m. The family received friends following the service.

A native of Hartsville, Emeline was the daughter of the late Blanding D. Clarkson, Sr. and Sue Flinn James Clarkson of Darlington. After graduating from Winthrop University, she was involved in church work in Greenville, N. C. before joining the S. C. Department of Social Services, retiring from there after more than 20 years. She was an active member of St. Matthew Church in Darlington. Emeline led a life of service to the community through her career as a social worker, her dedication to her church and will be dearly missed by her many friends and her loving family.

She is survived by her brother, Blanding (Annette) Clarkson, Jr. of Rock Hill, SC, nephews: Blanding Lee (Haley) Clarkson of Isle of Palms, Flinn Thomas (Sherry) Clarkson of Taylors, Lauren James (Margaret) Clarkson of Rock Hill; three great nephews and one great niece.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorial donations to St. Matthew’s Church, 210 South Main Street, Darlington, SC 29532.

A tribute page for Ms. Clarkson is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.

Dessie Modena Gandy Suggs

Dessie Modena Gandy Suggs, 97, widow of Winston Leroy Suggs, Jr., of Darlington, most recently living in Conway, SC, died on January 3, 2018.

The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1620 Malden Dr., Florence, SC. Funeral services will follow immediately at 11 a.m. at the same location.

Interment will follow in the LDS Cemetery in Society Hill, directed by Kistler Hardee Funeral Home, Darlington.

Mrs. Suggs was born in Chesterfield County, SC. She was the daughter of Sildem Joy Gandy and Rebecca Maude Crolley.
Surviving are her children: Wayne Lucas (Susan) Suggs of Oregon; Don Winston (Lorna) Suggs of Utah; Joye Eileen (Bill) Rockwood of California; John Scott (Barbara) Suggs of California; Modena Lee (Earl) Zaugg of Utah; Susan Ola (Steve) Richey of South Carolina; Michelle Marie (Jeff) Ranck of Utah; and Alex Eric (Ronda) Suggs of Montana, 40 grandchildren; 105 great grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren; her brother, Rupert (Marilyn) Gandy of Utah; and her sister, Lorraine Burr of Utah.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The General Missionary Fund of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints through a local bishop or Corporation of the President, 50 East North Temple Room 1521, Salt Lake City, Utah 84150 or you may call 800-453-3860 ext. 2-2554 or email donations@ldschurch.org.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

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