Week of October 21, 2015

Funeral service for Mrs. Ruth Scipio “Cookie” Witherspoon of Atlanta, GA, formally of Darlington, were conducted Saturday 11:00 a.m. at Providence United Methodist Church in Darlington, S.C. The body lay in state one hour prior to service, and internment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Witherspoon was a daughter of the late Harrison and Elmer Scipio of Darlington, S.C. She was educated at Wilson High School in Florence, S.C., and graduated from Columbia Hospital School of Nursing. She was the first African American Registered Nurse at REX Hospital in Raleigh, N.C.

“Cookie”, as she was affectionately known, was a member of St. Paul A.M.E Church in Raleigh, N.C. and served on several committees and the first Lady of St. Luke A.M.E Church in Wilson, N.C.

She was married to the late Dr. Augustus M “Gus’ Witherspoon, the longtime trailblazing professor at N.C. State University.
The family is receiving friends at the home of a sister Mrs. Gladys Wingate 304 Chestnut Street Darlington and a niece Roberta Wingate Balthrop 3401 Teaberry Drive Florence.

Local announcement by Jordan Funeral Home Darlington, S.C.

Percy James Adams, 70, of Darlington died on Saturday, October 17, 2015.

Funeral services were held on Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 2 :00 p.m. in the Chapel of Kistler Hardee Funeral Home. Burial followed in East Marlboro Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 19, 2015 at Kistler Hardee Funeral Home, and other times at the home.

Percy was born in Marlboro County. He was the son of the late Burnice and Louise Caulder Adams. Percy retired from selling insurance with Life of Georgia. He was past master and member of St. David’s Masonic Lodge #72 in Darlington. Percy was also a Shriner member, enjoyed working with his mules, a Ham Radio Operator W4RN, and spending time with his grandchildren.

Surviving are his wife, Evelyn J. Adams of Darlington; his children, Percy J. “Buddy” Adams, Jr. of Laurinburg, N.C., Tuesday Adams of California, and Jackie Adams of California; his step children, Julie Ferguson Lee and husband, Marus of Florence, Tony Ferguson and wife, Natalie of Orangeburg, and Rose Steen and husband, Robert of Hartsville; his sisters, Bernice Grooms of Hopemills, N.C., Gloria Jean Brigman of Brownsville, and Mildred Danford of Hopemills, N.C.; and many beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Percy was preceded in death by his parents listed above; his daughter, Connie Adams; and by his stepmother, Dorothy Adams Butler.

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

Richard “Dick” Edwin McMillen, age 71, passed away Friday, October 16, 2015. Funeral service will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 21st in the chapel at Belk Funeral Home, with burial following at Grove Hill Cemetery. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service Wednesday at Belk Funeral Home.

Born February 21, 1944, Dick was the son of the late Richard E. McMillen, and the late Estella Marie Hargrave. Mr. McMillen served in the United States Navy. He worked on dairy farms since he was 11 years old, and founded R&M Jersey Farms in Darlington. Dick enjoyed building model railroad train sets, and watching NASCAR.

Surviving are his children, Lynn (Danny) Coleman of Darlington, Michael (Shannon) McMillen of Lamar, Dawn (Charles) Kelly of Darlington, and Tammy (Gary) Boggs of Darlington; his grandchildren, Brandon E. Boggs, Taylor M. Boggs, and Spencer W. Kelly; his brother, Gary (Irene) Hargrave of Norwood, N.Y.; his sisters, Dot (David) Capon, Nona (Rod) Hargrave-McLeod, and Carrie-Jane Hargrave, all of Christchurch, New Zealand.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne E. McMillen.

Memorials may be made to McLeod Children’s Hospital Foundation PO Box 100551 800 East Cheves St., Suite 150 Florence, S.C. 29502-0551.

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

J. Adger Howle, Jr, age 88, passed away Friday, October 16, 2015. Graveside services were held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, October 18th at Grove Hill Cemetery. A visitation was held from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Belk Funeral Home.

Born May 14, 1927 in Society Hill, S.C., Adger is the son of the late J. Adger Howle, Sr., and the late Janie Jackson Howle. He graduated from St. David’s School in 1945 after serving 15 months in the U.S. Navy. He attended Presbyterian Junior College in Maxton, N.C. On April 4, 1948, he married Tootsie Smith Howle of Cheraw, S.C. They were married for 65 years until her death in 2013.

Although he was not a registered pharmacist, he worked behind the prescription counter of several drug stores from his late teens, until his retirement in 1993; these stores included Wannamaker Drug Store in Cheraw, Bridgers Pharmacy in Marion, and Bair Drug Store in Bennettsville. In 1957 he came to Darlington to manage the newly opened Carolina Drug Store; eventually, he became a part owner and in 1981 became the sole owner.

Adger was a long time member of Darlington First Baptist Church. He served on the City Council from 1970 – 1974. He served on the Darlington County Recreation Board and the Darlington Country Club Board of Directors where he was a continuous member since 1958. He was active in the Pee Dee Pharmaceutical Association, and was a former member of the Darlington Kiwanis Club, Jaycess Club, and Chamber of Commerce. Adger was also a Mason.

In his retirement years he enjoyed spending all the time that he could with his beloved family of friends at Inlet Point in Garden City.

Adger is survived by his two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Sharon Howle, Ken and Julie Howle, both of Darlington; five grandsons, Alan (Jenna) Howle, Philip (Beth) Howle, Alex Howle, Grainger Howle, and Kendall Howle; two sisters, Virginia Coleman of Darlington, and Jane Mayhew of Cheraw; and a sister-in-law, Joanne Howle of Marion, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Wilcox Howle.

Memorials may be made to Darlington First Baptist Church 246 S. Main St. Darlington, S.C. 29532.

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

Mr. James Douglas Atticus Carter, 88, husband of Martha Ellen Carter, passed away October 16, 2015 surrounded by family at Carolinas Hospital System of Florence after an illness.

Mr. Carter was born December 15, 1926 in Marion County, the son of the late Hagood and Lula Gore Carter. He was a retired foreman for Standard Trucking Company. Mr. Carter was a U.S. Navy veteran having served his country in W.W. II. He was a member of Faith Freewill Baptist Church, where he had served as Deacon. Mr. Carter attended Southside Freewill Baptist Church.
Surviving Mr. Carter in addition to his wife of the home, Martha Ellen Carter Carter, are: his children: Douglas James (Betty) Carter of Darlington, Sheila Brown of Darlington, and Johnnie F. Carter also of Darlington; five grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; his brothers and sisters: Christine Jackson of Manning, Richard Carter of Sumter, Pat Daniel of Mullins, and Bonnie Lou Holt of Loris; and a special person, Jodia Slater.

Mr. Carter was predeceased by three sisters: Etheline Carter, Florence Price, and Gracie Lee Church; and a brother, Carl Carter.

Memorial services was held at 2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, October 19, at the Chapel of Cox-Collins Funeral Home in Mullins, with the Rev. Leroy Lowry and Rev. Cyrus Shoffner officiating. Cox-Collins Funeral Home of Mullins will be assisting the family.

Visitation was held Sunday evening, October 18 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Cox-Collins Funeral Home.