Week of September 28, 2016

Jack C. Johnson, age 90, died Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the McLeod Hospice House. Funeral services were held on Tuesday, September 27, at 3:00 p.m. in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home, followed by burial in Grove Hill Cemetery. The family received friends from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and other times at the home, 720 Spring Street, Darlington.

Born in Marion County on July 14, 1926, Jack was the son of the late Leroy C. Johnson, Sr. and Sarah Elizabeth Smith Johnson. Jack worked for James Rivers for over 40 years and retired as a printing supervisor. Mr. Johnson was a member of Darlington First Pentecostal Holiness Church, where he had served in many capacities, including: Men’s Sunday School Class, usher, and past Chairman of the Board of Deacons.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Ruth Simpson Johnson; four sons: Don (Mary Ann) Johnson of Lamar, Gregory Johnson, Jerry Johnson, and Shane Johnson, all of Darlington; grandchildren: Natali (Mitchell) Driggers, Bradley Johnson of Florence and his fiancé, Kelsey Amerson, and Hunter Johnson of Nichols.

He was preceded in death by his sisters: Geneva Pederson, Earle Stangler, and Opal Spears; and brothers, Leroy C. Johnson, and Delwyn N. Johnson.
Memorials may be made Darlington First Pentecostal Holiness Church.

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

Katie passed away on Tuesday, September 20, 2016. Born in Camden, she was the daughter of Escol Gilliard Ard, Jr. and Jennifer Lee McLeod Ard. A 2003 graduate of Lugoff-Elgin High School, she received her bachelor’s degree in Fire Science from the University of Maryland. She was a fire fighter for the Charlotte Thompson Fire Dept. and Municipal Coordinator at the State Fire Academy and a former law enforcement officer.

Katie’s passion for serving her community was expressed through her volunteer service at Charlotte Thompson Fire Department. She was the first female fire fighter for the City of Camden. Katie also fostered animals with the Fostering Foster Animal Rescue. She enjoyed cooking, crafts, camping, hunting, and most of all, spending time with her daughters.

Surviving are her husband, Jonathan Chase Iseman; daughters, Laken Elizabeth Iseman and Riley Alice Iseman; sister, Stephanie Beam (Jonathan) of Camden; brother, Kevin Ard (Kimberly) of Camden; father and mother-in-law, Johnnie and Susan Iseman of Darlington; brother-in-law, Lance Iseman (Jessica) of Lamar; nieces and nephews, Hailey Beam, Kennedy Beam, Paisley Beam, Kayson Ard, Kanaan Ard, Kealin Ard, Keiting Ard, Jason Iseman, and Mandy Iseman; and special family members Tim and Carlene Glenn, and Carl Lee Glenn.
Memorials may be made to Fostering Foster Animal Rescue, 1718 Kennedy Drive, Camden, S.C. 29020.

Charles Edward Ray, 68, of Florence died on Wednesday, September 21, 2016 at his home.

Funeral services were held on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of Kistler Hardee Funeral Home. Burial was held privately in Florence Memorial Gardens. The family received friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 23, 2016 at Kistler Hardee Funeral Home.

Charles was born in Live Oak, Florida. He was the son of Eva Atkinson Ray and the late Silas Ray. Brother Ray was a member of St. David’s Lodge No. 72 A.F.M. in Darlington, S.C. as well as a very devoted member of the Shrine. Charles was a long-time member of the Omar Shrine Jazz Morticians as well as a Founding Member of the Omar River Rats. In addition to his service within the units, Charles was a Past President of the Pee Dee Shrine Club in Florence, S.C. and a member of Charleston Court No. 113, Royal Order of Jesters. This list does not even begin to touch the amount of achievements that Brother Charles has accomplished, and in no way could express the amount of influence he has had in all of our lives.

Charles Ray was a great man and his legacy will not be forgotten.

Surviving are his mother, Eva Atkinson Ray; his wife, Sandra T. Ray; his sons, Charles Ray and Randy Brown; his sisters, Norma Hussey and Evie Hatchett; and a close friend, Trey Clarke.

Family and friends are invited to sign the online guest book at www.kistlerhardeefuneralhome.com.

As her girls held her hands, Peggy Teague Cross, age 81, gained her angel wings Friday, September 23 after an extended illness.
Funeral services were held 2:00 p.m. Monday, September 26 in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home, followed by burial in Grove Hill Cemetery. The family received friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, and other times at the home of Tammy Needham, 112 Woodcreek Road, Darlington.

Born February 6, 1935 in Boone, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Russell and Bessie Fox Teague. Peggy received her teaching degree from Appalachian State University, where she played clarinet in the band. While student teaching in Reidsville, N.C., she met her husband, the late Dale “Tee” Cross, moved to South Carolina, and later retired from teaching with the Darlington School District.
She was active in the Red Hat Society, Saints Alive, Canasta Club, and former President of the Pilot Club. She was a fabulous artist, and loved painting and art classes.

Peggy loved God and her church, Central Baptist. She was a member of the Robert Clyde Sunday School Class and active in her circle group. She touched the lives of many, never saying a harsh word of anyone. Her greatest accomplishment was her two daughters: Cindy Cross of Darlington, and Susan Cross (Matthew) Ballengee of Winterville, N.C. Also surviving are her doggie grandbabies, Roxy and Molly.

Memorials are suggested to Central Baptist Church, 512 Spring Street, Darlington, S.C. 29532 or Darlington County Humane Society, Post Office Box 1655, Hartsville, S.C. 29551.

Linda Gail Graham Mercuri, age 60, died Sunday, September 25, 2016. The family received friends from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 prior to funeral services at 1:00 in the chapel of Belk Funeral Home, followed by burial in Florence Memorial Gardens.

Born in Conway, SC on May 14, 1956, she was the daughter of the late James W. Graham and the late Sarah Brown Graham Furr. Gail’s father died at an early age and she was raised by her mother and step-father, John Furr. Mrs. Mercuri worked for K and M Cleaners, and then worked for over twenty years for Hubbard’s Cleaners in Florence. She enjoyed shopping and tending to her flowers. She will be remembered as an excellent and talented decorator, especially when it came to Christmas.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Mercuri of Florence; a daughter, Celeste Mercuri of Greenwood, S.C.; her grandchild, Taylor Durant; and a sister, Lesa Graham of Hartsville.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Jordyn Durant.

In honor of Gail’s love for flowers, the family is accepting floral donations in lieu of memorial contributions.

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