Week of November 23, 2016

Ila Cribb Lane, age 90, died Sunday, November 13, 2016. A funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 17 at First Baptist Church in Darlington, followed by burial in Grove Hill Cemetery, directed by Belk Funeral Home.

Born in Georgetown County on October 6, 1926, she was the daughter of the late T.J. and Susie Owens Cribb. Mrs. Lane graduated from Winthrop College in 1947 with a degree in Sociology. She worked in Conway with the Department of Social Services before pursuing a career as a public-school teacher. She married the late Reed Lane in 1950, and they moved to Darlington. She taught in Darlington public schools, spending the last 15 years of her career at Brockington Elementary in the Reading Skills Center. Ila was a faithful member of Darlington First Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday School teacher for many years.

Surviving are two sons: Sherwood Reed Lane, Jr. of Darlington, and Phillip David (Karen) Lane of Eagle River, Alaska; a daughter, Anne (Larry) Huber of Grand Junction, Colorado; grandchildren: David Lane, John Lane, Nancy (Justin) Scott, James Lane, Bennett Lane, Susan Lane, and Elizabeth Huber; brothers Don Cribb of Pleasant Hill, and Thomas (Frances) Cribb and Bob (Carol) Cribb both of Georgetown; two sisters, Mary Sue (Kelly) Howell of Wake Forest, N.C., and Delores (Ronald) Waller of Bloomingdale, GA.
In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by brothers Arnie, Wendall, and Clifford O. Cribb.

The family will received friends Wednesday evening at Belk Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Sound Ministry, P.O. Box 297, Darlington, S.C. 29532.

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

O. Allen Alexander, of Hopkins formerly of Darlington died on Tuesday, November 8, 2016.

Allen was taken back to his hometown of Darlington to be buried on the family lot in Grove Hill Cemetery on Thursday, November 10, 2016.

Allen was born in Florence, South Carolina and was the son of the late Oscar Alexander and Odessa Snowden Alexander. He served his country in the United States Army, graduated from Clemson University and South Carolina University School of Law in 1973. Following graduation, Allen practiced law in Darlington, Conway and Columbia. Allen was dedicated member of the Zeta Fraternity, as well as the Tree of Life Congregation in Columbia.

Surviving is his loving wife of 23 years, Cheri Donna Alexander of Hopkins; and his son, David Alexander.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Tree of Life Congregation, Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund at 6710 N. Trenholm, Columbia, S..C 29206.

Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home of Darlington was honored to be serving the Alexander family.

Sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

Mr. Richard (Dick) Lucas Baird, Sr. died peacefully on November 13, 2016, after living 91 vigorous and happy years. He was born Jan. 25, 1925 in Darlington county, S. C. His grandfather, Dr. Andrew Tazewell Baird introduced the Baird name to the Pee Dee when he moved from Louisiana to open a medical practice in Darlington county and to marry Carie McIver Williams, granddaughter of S.C. Governor David Rogerson Williams in the late 1800’s. They had two children, Andrew, Jr, and Lucas.

Dick was predeceased by his parents Andrew Tazewell Baird, Jr. and Daisy Bryant Baird and two brothers, Andrew Tazewell Baird III and Edward Williams Baird.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Michal Millen; their children Richard (Dick) Jr. and his wife Diane, Michal and husband Jim Brown, Susan and husband David Poulnot, and David and his wife, Becky; and eleven grandchildren: Luke, Taz and Rosemary Baird; Baker Brown; David, James and Hannah Poulnot; and Wills, Janie, Becca and Henry “Boo” Baird, as well as numerous special nieces and nephews.

Dick grew up in Darlington. He graduated from St. John’s High School and then attended Clemson College. His studies in agronomy were interrupted by World War II, where he served in the Army Air Corps. Upon completion of his service, Dick returned to Clemson and graduated in 1949. The Clemson football team was undefeated in his senior year.

He loved his God, his family, the soil, and his Clemson Tigers. He also loved to entertain listeners with his stories of Darlington’s past and the colorful characters that inhabited it. He was also known for his wit and directness. Dick and his wife Michal enjoyed hosting the Taste of Society Hill at their home, Japonica Hall, for many years.

The family welcomed visitors to Japonica Hall at 548 S. Main St. in Society Hill on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 4 p.m. (until) to celebrate Dick’s wonderful life. Funeral services were held at St. David’s Anglican Church in Cheraw on Saturday, November 19, 2016, at 11a.m. with internment to follow at Black Creek Cemetery. Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home served the Baird family.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Richard L. Baird, ’49 College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences Student Enrichment Endowment at Clemson University.

Alton J. Young, age 87 passed away Monday, November 14, 2016. Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, November 19th in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home with burial following at Indian Branch United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Born in Darlington on June 10, 1929, Alton was the son of the late Jake C. and Ella Suggs Young. He was a graduate of St. John’s High School. Mr. Young owned and operated Young’s Greenhouses and retired from Dixie Cup after many years of employment. An avid gardener and fisherman, Alton always shared the fruits of his labors with many of his friends and family. He enjoyed many travels throughout the country and frequent fishing excursions to the South Carolina coast. Alton was known by all as a very generous man who dearly loved his family and friends.

Alton is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sarah Skipper Young of Darlington, S.C.; his daughters, Diane Goodson of Hilton Head, S.C., Cathy Young of Ashland, KY, Deborah (Andy) Rentz of Ft. Mill, S.C., and Sandy Plowden of Darlington, S.C.; his sons, Neil (Randy) Young of Gilbert, S.C., David (Dani) Young of Hartsville, S.C., and two step-sons, Mitchell (Carolyn) Shoemake of Darlington, S.C., and Tom (Donna) Shoemake of Jefferson, S.C.. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his brother, Johnnie Young of Darlington, S.C., as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his brothers, Raymond W. Young and Leon C. Young; his sister, Virginia Young Volz; and his granddaughter, Amanda Young.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Friday, November 18th at Belk Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Indian Branch Cemetery Fund, 2160 Indian Branch Rd. Darlington, S.C. 29532.

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