Week of May 11, 2016
Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2016
Ben Wesley Watson, age 85, died Monday, May 2, 2016. The family received friends from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6th at Belk Funeral Home. Following the visitation, family and friends were invited to follow in procession to the Latter-Day Saints Cemetery in Society Hill for a graveside service.
Born in Darlington, on May 9, 1930, he was the son of the late James H. and Clara O’Neal Watson. Ben was the owner and operator of the 301 Snack Bar in Florence for thirty years. He was a Shriner and lifetime member of Amity Lodge 340 in Florence. Mr. Watson was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
He is survived by his son, Jay (Sandra) Watson of Florence; grandchildren, Brandon (Cheryl) Watson of Concord, N.C., and Chris Watson of Charlotte, N.C. ; and great-grandchildren, Asiah Watson and Hannah Watson. Also surviving are his sisters, Daphne Doane of AZ, Jean (Johnny) Williams of Moncks Corner, Helen Gause of AZ; brothers David and Robert Watson, both of Darlington, and a very close and special family friend, James Wesley Hyatt.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Marie Hyatt, a son, Ben W. “Button” Watson, Jr., sisters, Mildred Case and Elizabeth Hyman, brothers, James H. Watson Jr, William “Bill” Watson, Mack Watson, and Howard Watson.
The family will be at the home of Jay and Sandra Watson, 3712 E. Winlark Dr., Florence.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Fred M. “Freddie” Burr, age 59, died Tuesday, May 3, 2016. A funeral service was held Friday, May 6th in the chapel of Belk Funeral at 4:00 p.m. The family received friends from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Born in Chesterfield County on October 14, 1956, Freddie was the son of Mary Hudson Burr and the late Fred Burr. He worked for Gardner-Marsh Equipment for 25 years, and enjoyed riding his motorcycle and spending time with his faithful canine friend, Captain. Freddie had attended church at Swift Creek Baptist Church as a boy and gave his life to the Lord as a young man at Central Baptist Church
.
Surviving, in addition to his mother of Darlington, is his brother, Billy Burr of Darlington and nieces, Shannon and Stacy Burr. Mr. Burr is also survived by his fiancé, Elaine Milligan of Darlington and her children, Baker (Renee) Milligan, Nickie (D.J.) Moody, and their children: Maddison, Logan and Kherington Moody; and adopted nieces; Jill Lewis and Julie Davis.
He was preceded in death by his father.
Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, 512 Spring Street, Darlington, S.C. 29532 or the Duke Cancer Center, www.gifts.duke.edu/ dci.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Ida Belle Thomas Grooms, 96, of Lamar went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 3, 2016, and was welcomed by her loving husband, Cecil Grooms, Sr. and by her grandson, Tony Grooms.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home in Darlington. Burial followed in Elim United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends on Thursday, May 5, 2016 from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home in Darlington and other times at the home, 4409 Lamar Highway, Timmonsville, S.C.
Mrs. Grooms was born in Darlington County. She was the daughter of the late Leonard Thomas and Lena Raines Thomas. Mrs. Grooms was a member of First Baptist Church in Lamar, and was retired from Dixie Cup in Darlington. She loved spending time with her family and will be missed dearly.
Surviving are her sons, Leonard Grooms, Phillip Grooms and wife, Patsy, and Cecil Grooms, Jr. and wife, Rose Marie; her daughter, Woody Pate; her grandchildren, William Cecil Grooms, III (Missy), Chad Grooms, Glenn Harris, and Stacy Smith (John); 10 great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Grooms was preceded in death by her parents listed above; her husband, Cecil Grooms, Sr.; her son-in-law, Sam Pate; her grandson, Tony Grooms; and by her brothers and sisters, Claude Thomas, Alma Clark, Woodrow Thomas, Vera Lloyd, and Elbert Thomas.
Memorials may be made to McLeod Hospice, 1203 E. Cheves Street, Florence, S.C. 29506.
Sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com
Sarah Parnell Coker, age 89 passed away Thursday, May 5, 2016. Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 7th at 3:00 p.m. in the Lamar chapel at Belk Funeral Home, followed by burial at Lamar Cemetery. The family received friends from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home in Lamar.
Born July 30, 1926, Sarah was the daughter of the late Paul Hennis and Jennie Arrants Parnell. Sarah worked as a bank teller for Carolina Bank for over 34 years, and was an honorary member of the Lamar Rescue Squad. She was known as Granny Sarah by many growing up in the surrounding area. Sarah was a member of Lamar United Methodist Church and had served as a Sunday school teacher. She loved children and she loved to read.
Surviving are her son, Robert E. “Bobby” Coker, III and her daughter, Paula Coker, both of Lamar; her nephew, Jerry (Evelyn) Hicks of Lamar; her niece, Ellen (Earl) Baucom of Massachusetts; and her special cat, BoBo.
Sarah was predeceased by her husband, Robert E. “Bob” Coker.
Memorials may be made to Lamar Memorial Cemetery Fund, PO Box 2 Lamar, S.C. 29069, or to Lamar United Methodist Church, PO Box 555 Lamar, S.C. 29069.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
