Week of November 9, 2016
Gloria Jean O’Neal, age 71, died Friday, October 21, 2016. A funeral service was held at 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 24, at First Free Will Baptist Church in Florence. A private burial will be held at Florence National Cemetery. The family received friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at Belk Funeral Home on Sunday, October 23, 2016.
Born in Darlington on September 5, 1945, Gloria was the daughter of the late Leo Wallace O’Neal and the late Mildred Hawkins O’Neal. Mrs. O’Neal worked as the librarian at Maranatha Christian School, and was occasionally a substitute teacher. She enjoyed her career as a librarian and loved working with the children and teaching them to read. She was a member of First Free Will Baptist Church, and was very involved in the Free Will Baptist National Youth Conference. She served as the director of the youth camp, and also the entertainment director.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Edward “Ed” O’Neal; two daughters, Crystal (Bruce) Kimbrel of Washington, N.C., Jennifer O’Neal of Darlington; two granddaughters, Kayla Kimbrel and her fiancé John Daniel Newland both of Nashville, TN , and Elizabeth Kimbrel of Washington, N.C. Also surviving are her siblings, Connie O. (Wayne) Woodham of Darlington, and a brother Leo (Dottie) O’Neal of Florence.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Maranatha Christian School Library, 2624 West Palmetto Street, Florence, S.C. 29501.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Russell G. Misner, Sr., 74, of Darlington died on Sunday, October 30, 2016.
A Celebration of Life service was held on Saturday, November 5, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. in Chapel of Kistler Hardee Funeral Home. Burial followed in Grove Hill Cemetery. The family received friends on Saturday, November 5, 2016 afternoon at the funeral home and other times at the home.
Russell was born in Carbonville, IN on February 14, 1942. He graduated from Attica High School in Attica, IN in 1961 and served in the United States Air Force from 1961 until 1983. Russell served one tour in Vietnam as an Air Control and Warning Radar Technician. Upon returning state side he moved into Bio Med Engineering and retired as a Master Sergeant. Upon leaving the U.S. Air Force, he worked for Service Master/Aramark Management Services as a director of Bio Med from 1983 until 2002. Russell was a member of the Sumter Masonic Lodge Post #364 in Sumter, S.C. and the American Legion Post # 178 in Murrells Inlet, S.C. He loved fishing and his dogs.
Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Lester G. Misner and Eleanor Misner Steele; his sister, Elsie Jane Misner; and by his first wife, Sandy Bethany Misner.
Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Gladys Nesbitt Misner of Darlington; his daughter, Melissa Hall and husband, David of Newport News, VA; his son, Russell G. Misner, Jr. and wife, Sheri of Darlington; his grandchildren, Ted Prince, Tiffany Wayland and Jarrod Misner; and his great grandchild, Sumalee Stotts.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Agape Hospice, 1929 B Mountain Laurel Court, Florence, S.C. 29505 or to the Bethea Baptist Home, 157 Home Ave, Darlington, S.C. 29532.
Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.
Able “Bud” T. Register, age 83 passed away Thursday, November 3, 2016. Funeral services were held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, November 6th at Pine Grove United Methodist Church followed by at Pine Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery directed by Belk Funeral Home.
Born September 14, 1933, Bud was the son of the late Johnny “Jack” Register and Lena Agnis Smith Register. He served in the U.S. Navy for 27 years and retired as Master Chief Journalist. During his service in the Navy, he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Antarctica Service Medal, and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He also served on the Darlington County Disability and Special Needs Board. Bud enjoyed playing golf, softball, fishing, and hunting. He was a member of the United Way and Pine Grove United Methodist Church where he served as Financial Treasurer and numerous other capacities.
Surviving are his wife of 63 ½ years, Anne J. Register of Darlington; his children, Patricia (Jim) Olsovsky of Cypress, TX, John Edward Register of Darlington, and Allen (Bonnie) Register of Columbia. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kim (John) Hayes, Jennifer (Ryan) Baldwin, David Register, Patrick (Anita) Register; his great-grandchildren, Kylie, Zach, Kate, and Nate; and his sister, Mary Langston of Mechanicsville.
Bud was preceded in death by his brothers, Henry Register and Richard Register.
The family will received friends Saturday evening at Belk Funeral Home, and other times at 105 Carol Dr. Darlington, S.C. 29532.
Memorials may be made to Pine Grove United Methodist Church, 3544 Timmonsville Hwy, Timmonsville, S.C. 29161; or to Darlington County Disability and Special Needs Board Foundation, 201 Damascus Church Rd, Hartsville, S.C. 29550 or donations can be received from their website at www.dcdsnb.org.
A guestbook is available online at www.belkfuneralhome.com.
Elizabeth Gandy (Betty) Kirven, 87, of Darlington, SC, died peacefully at McLeod Hospice House on November 5, 2016, after an extended illness. Born July 24, 1929, she was the daughter of Eline Durant Gandy and Ralph Edward Gandy, Sr. She was educated in the Darlington County Schools and graduated from Coker College. Betty was a teacher and a homemaker and married William Wilson Kirven, Jr. in 1952.
A lifelong member of Black Creek Baptist Church, Mrs. Kirven was very active in the Carmen White Circle Group and loved her music, especially singing hymns. She devoted much of her time and energy to her grandchildren; she also enjoyed reading, playing bridge with friends and solitaire in the evening. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her brother, Ralph Edward Gandy, Jr. (Helen); her brother-in-law, Daniel L. Pearman; and her nephews, Ralph Gandy III, Bill Duvall, and Joel Perry.
Betty is survived by her sister, Frances Gandy Pearman; her children, William Wilson Kirven, III (Kathy), Elizabeth Kirven Ray, and Ruth Kirven Templeton; her beloved grandchildren, Daniel DuBose Ray (Hunter), Anna Elizabeth Ray, Kalaya Coyt Freeman, William Wilson Kirven, IV, Anne Darby Kirven-Graham (Tyson), Caid McCullough Kirven, Sarah Katherine Templeton, and Elizabeth Louise Templeton; and her great grandchild, Samuel Austin Ray. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Presbyterian Home, including the Mabrey House and Healthcare, McLeod Hospice House, and especially Kathy Kirven for the unyielding care given to Mrs. Kirven during her long illness. Memorials may be made to the Connie Maxwell Children’s Home, P.O. Box 1178 Greenwood, S.C. 29648, a favorite charity of Mrs. Kirven.
Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home of Darlington is serving the family. The funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 7 at Grove Hill Cemetery. They will receive friends at the home place on Leavensworth Road.