Week of January 31, 2018
Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Barbara Humphries Dovell, 79, of Columbia, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Thursday, December 28, 2017.
A native of Darlington, SC, she traveled and lived throughout the United States and Philippines but always enjoyed returning to Darlington to be with her family and friends. She especially looked forward to USC football games, trips to the beach and to New York City with her lifelong friend, Delores Scurry. Shopping was her forte and she happily indulged this hobby while living in Atlanta, GA. Barbara worked for Bellsouth Business Systems (AT&T) for over 30 years.
Barbara was a wonderful mother to her two daughters, Janet Kelly Safran (Michael) of Columbia and Michelle Kelly Cowsert of Irmo. Her true joy and love of life came from spending time with her grandchildren K.D. and Alex Safran of Columbia and Maddie and Molly Cowsert of Irmo. She is also survived by a brother, Henry Humphries (Ann) and a sister, Susan Humphries Iseman (Johnny), both of Darlington; her special nephew, Ed Byrd of Columbia; seven nephews and numerous other relatives and friends, including Larry and Linda Kelly. Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Fred Eugene Humphries and Kathleen Webb Humphries, her husband Earl Dovell, and two sisters, Betty Humphries Byrd Sanders and Sally Humphries Warren.
A celebration of life was held in Columbia on Saturday, December 30, 2017 in the Bush River Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with eulogies given by her brother, Henry Humphries and granddaughter, K. D. Safran. Her nephew, Carl Martin Humphries, delivered final passages and prayers.
The family requests that any memorials be made to a charity of one’s choice.
Thomas Roger Hathcock, 78, of Darlington died on Saturday, January 20, 2018.
Graveside services were held on Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the Florence National Cemetery, directed by Kistler Hardee Funeral Home of Darlington. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2018 at Kistler Hardee Funeral Home and other times at, 872 Ivanhoe Drive, Florence, SC 29505.
Roger was born in New Jersey. He was the son of the late Robert L. Hathcock and Margaret Rogers Hathcock. Roger was a graduate of St. John’s High School and he served his country in the United States Navy. He was a member of Central Baptist Church, and the Kiwanis Club in Darlington. Roger retired from Life of Georgia and enjoyed working part time at the IGA in Darlington.
Surviving are his loving wife, Patsy Goff Hathcock of Darlington; his children, Tina Hathcock of Florence and Jason Hathcock and wife, Brandy of Lexington; his grandchildren, Sara Elizabeth and Austin; his sister, Louise Knight of High Point, NC; and numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents listed above and by his brothers, Robert L. Hathcock, Jr. and William Hathcock and by his sister, Carol Mills.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online gust book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.
Brandon J. Alexander, Sr. , age 38, died Wednesday, January 25, 2018. A Memorial service was held in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home at 3 p.m. on Saturday, January 27th. The family received friends immediately following the service.
Born August 15, 1979 in Darlington County, he is the son of Andrew Tazwell Baird and Olivia McDonald Baird. He worked for Darlington Shredding and enjoyed hunting and listening to music. Brandon was a member of Mechanicsville Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents of Hartsville, he is survived by his wife, Hannah Thompson Alexander of Hartsville, two sons; Brandon J. Alexander, Jr. and Gabriel S. Alexander, a sister and brother-in-law, Beth Atkinson (Allen Parr) of Hartsville, special friend, Judy Miner, Uncles: Guy (Cynthia) McDonald and Richard “Rocky” (Cindy) Shumake.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Charles “Buddy” Vaughn, his grandmother, Elizabeth Shumake, and a niece, Charlee Elizabeth McGee.
Memorials may be made to Belk Funeral Home, PO Box 523, Darlington, SC 29540.
A tribute page for Brandon is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Ellen Cecillia Wright Jones, age 75, died Thursday, January 25, 2018 at her residence in Stella, NC. A funeral service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 29, 2018 in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home, with burial following in Darlington Memory Gardens. The family received friends from noon until 1 p.m.
Born in Bethesda, MD on February 11, 1942, she is the daughter of the late Richard Floyd Wright and the late Louise Jones Wright. Ellen was a devoted housewife and enjoyed spending time with all of her family.
Surviving is her son, Richard Floyd (Jan) Shell of Hubert, NC, two daughters: Ellen Bethel of Florence and Christina (Kyle) Shaw of Stella; and grandchildren, Richard, Matthew, Stefanie, Tiffany, Erica, Kerrie, Marissa, Blake, Summer, Heather, Brandi and Lewis, fifteen great-grandchildren, sisters: Marie Mahon and Patty Alonso, and stepchildren, Debi Jones and Mike (Ginger) Jones.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Buddy” Jones, her son Christopher “Scooter” Jones and a sister, Julia Lee Mahon
A tribute page for Mrs. Jones is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
F. Ray Dudley, 84, of Florence, passed away on Tuesday, January 23, 2018.
Mr. Dudley was born in Darlington, SC a son of the late N.G. Dudley, Sr. and Ura Mae Stewart Dudley. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church and a US Navy veteran. He had been a crane operator for General Motors for over 30 years and retired from Red Roof Inn. Ray was a loving husband, father and grandfather and loved his church, singing and riding his zero turn lawnmower. He was a huge sports fan, including football, basketball and especially his Tigers.
He was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Katelyn Miriam Matthews.
Surviving are his wife of 27 years, Arleen Altman Dudley; son, Steve Young of Nescopeck, PA; daughters, Melissa (Fernando) Roig of Lighthouse Point, FL, Kimberly Davis of Novi, Michigan and Kimberly (Darryl) Tumbleson of Florence; grandchildren, Scott Matthews, Ava Roig, Brandon Mosher, Jordan Mosher, Ethan Davis and Shelby Tumbleson; brothers, Paul Dudley and Wade Dudley, both of Darlington and sister, Ruth Iseman of Hartsville.
Memorials may be made to Midway Baptist Church, 4777 Hoffmeyer Road, Darlington, SC 29532 or to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Cancer Research.
The family received friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018 at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home and other times at the residence, 3813 W. Dover Drive, Florence, SC 29501.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home with the burial following in Florence Memorial Gardens.
The family would like to thank McLeod Hospital and staff as well as UNC Chapel Hill for their unwavering love and support during his illness.
Please send messages to the family at the obit section of www.stoudenmiredowling.com.
Robert “Bobby” E. Stewart, age 65, passed away Thursday, January 25, 2018. Funeral services were held 1 p.m. Saturday, January 27th at Zion United Methodist Church, with burial following in Zion Cemetery. The family received friends from 12-12:45 p.m. Saturday in the Lamar chapel at Belk Funeral Home.
Born April 15, 1952, Bobby is the son of the late Trellis Stewart and Dorothy “Dot” Stewart. He worked as a maintenance mechanic for Rexam Beverage Company. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed working and could fix anything, but his real passion was for farming.
Surviving are his wife, Caddie W. Stewart; his children, Candyce (Scott) Chapman of Lamar, and Grier (Betc) Copeland Jr of Kingstree; his grandchildren, Dylan, Grayson, Carter, and Peyton Copeland; his step-son, Jimmy (Wendy) Dotts of Lamar and their children, Damien and Dakota Dotts; his brothers, Bruce (Susan) Stewart of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Sonny (Elmarie) Stewart of Lamar; and his best canine friend that followed him everywhere, Mendy.
Memorials may be made to Zion Cemetery, 310 N. Darlington Ave. Lamar, SC 29069.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.