Week of March 25, 2015

Bertha “Bunny” Smith Beatson of Tryon, N.C. passed away Friday, March 13, 2015 in White Oak Manor of Tryon.

Born in Landrum, SC, she was the daughter of the late Claude O. Smith and Harriett Finley Smith and widow of Dutton D. Beatson who died in 1992. Mrs. Beatson taught at Florence-Darlington Technical College and later worked at NCNB Bank for many years. Bunny and her late husband Dutton were owners and operators of David’s Men’s Wear on the Square in Darlington and members of Trinity United Methodist Church. She was a member of Tryon United Methodist Church and served as past Treasurer for many years and was a member of the Polk County Extension Agency.

She was preceded in death by four brothers, Broadus H. Smith, J.W. Smith, Claud Smith and Robert F. Smith; four sisters, Ethnie Smith, Mary Smith Rogerson, Delle Smith Beatson and Frances Smith Suttle.

Surviving are nieces and nephews, Nancy Schmeing, Bette Auld, Mary Ellen Rogerson, Lex Rogerson, Christopher Bates, Jodi Smith, Heather Bates and Rebecca Smith.

A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 21, 2015 in the Tryon United Methodist Church, Tryon, NC with Rev. Phil Hurst officiating.

The family received friends prior to the service Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the church.

Memorials may be made to Tryon United Methodist Church, 195 New Market Road, Tryon, N.C. 28782.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

John L. Clements, age 77, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at his home after an illness. A visitation was held from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 18 at Belk Funeral Home Lamar Chapel. Graveside Service were held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 19 at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Adrian Allen.

J.L. was born February 20, 1938, in Darlington County, the son of the late W.L. and Annie Andrews Clements. Mr. Clements served in the United States Army, and then worked for the S.C. Highway Department, and LH Stokes Sand & Gravel. J.L. enjoyed watching Atlanta Braves baseball, and racing. He was a member of Lamar First Baptist Church.

Surviving are his wife, Geraldine M. Clements, of Lamar; two sisters, Leora (Bubba) Stokes of Darlington, and Ann Clements of Hampton, Virginia; and several nieces and nephews.

John was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, David and Farrell Clements.

Memorials may be made to Lamar First Baptist Church PO Box 431, SC 29069.

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

Patricia Carolyn Conder, age 69, passed away Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at McLeod Hospice House. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 20, at the chapel at Belk Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service at Darlington Memory Gardens. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Pastor Mark Chapman will officiate the service.Patricia was born October 11, 1945 in Hartsville, S.C.; she’s the daughter of the late Cecil Gainey and Etheleen Malloy Gainey Warren. Patricia was an avid cook, and enjoyed gardening, sewing, and taking care of her family.

Surviving are her husband William Wylie Conder of Hartsville; her daughters Jaime (Mitchell “Rat”) Steen of Darlington, and Carla Pemberton Odom of Lakeview; her grandchildren: Mitchell, Julian “JuJu”, J.C., and Brooks Steen, Christen Dority, and Terilyn Odom; her great-grandchildren Landon and Brooks Steen; her sister Barbara (Leverne) Johnson of Darlington; her brothers, Shelton Nolan Gainey of Patrick, Dennis (Beth) Gainey of Leesville, and Johnny (Brenda) Gainey of Hartsville; her step-father Bobby (Edna) Warren of Hartsville; her mother-in-law Grace Conder of Pembroke, GA.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her sister Sylvia Perdue.

Memorials may be made out to the American Lung Association 55 W. Wacker Drive, Suite 1150, Chicago, IL 60601, or to the American Heart Association PO Box 23128 Columbia, SC 29224.

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

James K Skinner, age 87, died suddenly on Friday, March 20th, 2015. A funeral service was held in the Mechanicsville Baptist Church Chapel at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 22, with burial following in the church cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home.

Born June 3, 1927 in Darlington County, he was the son of the late Thomas Ariel Birch Skinner, Sr. and the late Martha Ray Moody Skinner. He served in the United States Air Corps and then retired from Sherman Manufacturing. Mr. Skinner worked hard to provide for his family. He loved being around people and was known to “love to be the center of attention.” He will be remembered as a friend to all. James also enjoyed farming and gardening; he gave away what he grew to people in the community. Mr. Skinner could often be seen riding the roads throughout Darlington.

He is survived by a son, Birch (Tracy) Skinner, and a daughter, Vicki (Ken) Hatchell all of Darlington; grandchildren: Jennifer H. (Shawn) Stom, Jessica Hatchell and her fiancé, Chris Fairfax, and Ally Skinner; three sisters: Janey S. Carter of Florence, Ann S. Floyd of Conway, and Dora S. Lee of Timmonsville; and many nieces and nephews who were like grandchildren to him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Mae Miles Skinner; and three brothers; Infant Skinner, William Henry Skinner, Sr., and Thomas Ariel Birch Skinner, Jr.

Memorials may be made to Mechanicsville Baptist Church, 2364 Cashua Ferry Road, Darlington, SC 29532.

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

he life of Harriet Gardner Watson, beloved wife of Roderick McIver Watson, mother of the late Anna Elizabeth Watson, sister of Mr. and Mrs. John P. Gardner, Jr., aunt of Bryant and Peden Gardner, and daughter of the late John P. (Jack) and Lucylee Arthur Gardner, will be honored by a graveside service to be held at Grove Hill Cemetery in Darlington, S.C. on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.

A memorial service will also be held at Unity Church of Charleston, 3525 Leeds Avenue, Charleston S.C. on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

Harriet loved life, her family, friends and animals. She was a light that shined brightly for all who knew and loved her. Her family requests that her love of animals be recognized by donations to the Feline Freedom Coalition, PO Box 874, Ravenal, S.C. 29470.