Week of June 10, 2015

James “Buddy” W. Dudley, age 75, died peacefully at his home on Monday, June 1, 2015. A funeral service was held 3:00 p.m. Thursday at Indian Branch United Methodist Church, followed by burial in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home.

Born in Darlington County on January 22, 1940, he was one of fourteen children to the late N.G. ‘”Tony” and Ura Mae Stewart Dudley. Buddy worked for and retired General Motors and always enjoyed “piddling around” and fixing things in his shop. Mr. Dudley loved his wife and family very much and will be missed dearly. He was a member of Indian Branch United Methodist Church.

Surviving is his wife, Margie Rogers Dudley of Darlington; three daughters: Wanda (Ricky) Bowers of Camden, Vicki (Kenny) Bowers of Kershaw, and Pamela (Don) Dove of Tifton, GA; step-children: John Miller of Pensacola, FL, Angie (Johnny) Deas of Darlington, Gary (Candace) Elms of Florence, and Michelle (Lewis) Jones of Florence; fourteen grandchildren, and many great-grand-children; siblings: Trubee Dudley, George (Thelma) Dudley, Paul Dudley, Wade Dudley all of Darlington, Ray (Arleen) Dudley of Florence, and Ruth Iseman of Hartsville; and a special cat, Tabby.

The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Indian Branch United Methodist Church or the Darlington County Humane Society, PO Box 503, Darlington, S.C. 29540.

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

Sammy Gandy Boyette, age 96, passed away Monday, June 1, 2015. Funeral service was held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 4th at Black Creek Baptist Church, followed by a burial at Black Creek Cemetery.

Born in Darlington, Sammy was the daughter of the late Samuel Boyd Gandy and Nellie Winters Gandy Herring. She graduated from St. John’s High School, and then studied for one year at Lander College before studying at Columbia College in business. Mrs. Boyette was a member of Black Creek Baptist Church and was involved in the church for many years from playing piano since she was 14 years old, and taught Sunday school for all ages.

Mrs. Boyette is survived by her children, Joseph LeGrande Boyette, Jr. of Glenden Beach, OR, Martha Boyette of Weaverville, N.C., Patsy (Bill) Summer of Aiken, and Jane (Paul) Harrington of Florence and Spartanburg; 13 grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Frank Linder.

Preceded in death is her husband, Joseph LeGrande Boyette, Sr,, and her daughter, Sara Joyce Boyette.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at McLeod Hospice House, and Southland Health Care Center.

The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 3rd at Belk Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice, or McLeod Hospice House 1203 E Cheves St, Florence, S.C. 29506, or The Lord Cares 201 Grove St, Darlington, S.C. 29532.

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

Jake Watford, age 78, passed away, Wednesday June 3, 2015 at his home. A memorial service was held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, June 7 in the Lamar chapel of Belk Funeral Home. The family received friends one hour prior to the service from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Born in Darlington County, Jake was the son of the late Elbert Eugene Watford and Melissa Knotts Watford. He served his country in the United States Navy, worked at Sonoco for ten years and then was self- employed. Jake enjoyed his life with music, and having Jake and Jerry’s Combo singing with Jake, Jerry and Jean. He was a member of the Elks, Moose, Shriners, V.F.W.; St. David’s Lodge and attended Bethel United Methodist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Terry Dudley Watford of Lamar; two sons, Jay (Robin) Watford, also of Lamar, and Joe M. (Valerie) Stephens, Jr. of Bishopville; one daughter, Julie (Kyle) Stanley of Lamar; six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren; also, a sister, Debbie (Timmy) Kirven, of St. Charles.

Jake was preceded in death by his son, Terry “Tony” Watford; brother, Jerry Watford and sister, Rebecca Jean Melton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to Alzheimer’s Association, 3223 Sunset Drive, Suite 100, West Columbia, S.C. 29169.

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

Minnie “Mincy” Hodges Copeland passed away Tuesday, June 2, 2015. A funeral service was held 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 5 in Trinity United Methodist Church with interment following in Grove Hill Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home. A visitation was held Thursday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Born September 14, 1915 in Marion County, she was the daughter of the late Robert G.W. and Edith Othello Meggs Hodges. Mincy graduated from Winthrop College in 1936 with a bachelor’s degree in Home Economics. She taught in the model school of the state of South Carolina at Baron- DeKalb School, in Westville, South Carolina, along with others schools in the state. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she served as youth worker, Sunday school teacher, caretaker of Methodist Cemetery on Orange Street and wrote the church history. She was past chairman of Darlington County Historical Commission and a member of the Darlington County Historical Society. She organized Girl Scouts of the Pee Dee in Darlington in 1960, working with scouting in various capacities for 10 years; she was a volunteer for Hospice of the Pee Dee for many years. Mincy was a member of various organizations including: National Society Colonial Dames XVII Century, serving as President General from 1981-1983; National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons, First Families of South Carolina, Jamestown Society, National Society Huguenots of North Carolina, Sovereign Colonial Society-Americans of Royal Descent, the Dames of the Court of Honor and Society of Descendants of Knights of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

Surviving is her son, Dr. Frank P. Copeland, III. of Darlington; her daughter, Mincy Copeland Peterson and son-in-law, Jim; granddaughters, Shannon Copeland Burris, and Britton Copeland (Bryan) Epps; grandson, James W. “Trey” Peterson, III.; seven great grandchildren; and her nieces, Sara Hodges Horton and Kay Hodges Heinrich.
Mincy is preceded in death by her husband, Frank P. Copeland, Jr.; her brothers, James L. Hodges, Robert S. Hodges, William Everette Hodges, and Rupert “Pert” G. Hodges; and her sisters, Charlotte “Polly” Hodges, and Sallie H. Jordan.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church Post Office Box 16, Darlington, S.C. 29540 or SCCD XVII Century Mincy Copeland Scholarship Fund c/o Billie Finklea 2701 Hoffmeyer Rd. Florence, S.C. 29501-1928.

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

David Thomas “Dog Eye” Gainey, age 66, passed away Friday, June 5, 2015. A funeral service was held 4:00 p.m. Monday, June 8th at Welsh Neck Baptist Church in Society Hill. Burial, with Military Honors, followed in Welsh Neck Cemetery.

Born in Darlington County, David was the son of the late David Burnice Gainey and Vergia Jordan Gainey. He was a Vietnam Veteran, serving in the 82nd Airborne. After the military, David worked in construction. He enjoyed fishing, laughing, and joking around with people. He was a member of Welsh Neck Baptist Church. David was known around Society Hill for wearing his coonskin cap.

Surviving are his daughter, Lisa (William) Skipper; his grandchildren, Molly O’Neal and Jodi O’Neal; his sisters, Patsy (Mike) Bryant, and Rose Mary McCallum, all of Society Hill; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Richard “Runkus” Gainey, and Billy Gainey.

The family received friends from 5:oo -7:00 p.m. Sunday, June 7th at Belk Funeral Home, and other times at Davids home at 807 Crowley Hill Rd. Society Hill, S.C. 29593.
Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Send donations on their website www.woundedwarriorproject.org, or to the Florence Veterans Honor Guard, PO Box 12771 Florence, S.C. 29501.

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