MULLINS — Mr. Ed McCracken, 91, widower of Sally Mae Strickland McCracken, died Wednesday, March 29, 2006, at his daughters home after an illness. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 1, at the Chapel of Cox-Collins Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Devotion Gardens Cemetery. Mr. McCracken was born Jan. 8, 1915, in Georgia, a son of the late Alpha Thomas McCracken and the late Olabell Williams McCracken Soles. He was a farmer and an avid fisherman. Mr. McCracken was very devoted to the Lord, and was a member of Mars Bluff Pentecostal Church and attended Church of God of Prophecy. Surviving Mr. McCracken are his children, Ruth Buffkin of Mullins, Ed (Pat) McCracken Jr. of Florence, Patricia (Glenn) Odom of Florence and Betty (Wayne) Hardee of Marion; 11 grandchildren, Glenn Buffkin, Chip McCracken, Joe McCracken, Michelle Driggers, John Odom, Audrea Carter, Teresa Shaw, Rodney Hardee, Douglas Wayne Fowler, Wanda Gail McLellan and Ray Fowler; 18 great-grandchildren; 10 great-great-grandchildren; three sisters, Beulah Ward of Whiteville, N.C., Flora Kinlaw of Whiteville, N.C., and Mable Soles of Chadbourn, N.C.; and a devoted brother-in-law, Elger Strickland of Loris. Mr. McCracken was predeceased by two daughters, Margaret Fowler and Beatrice McCracken; a granddaughter, Linda Buffkin; two sisters, Willa Mae Clark and Esteen Staub; and three brothers, Luther McCracken, Carl McCracken and Boyd McCracken. Memorials may be made to Shepherd Care Hospice, P.O. Box 392, Nichols, SC 29581. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at Cox-Collins Funeral Home.

MULLINS | J.C. Richardson, 72, died Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2006. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Meares Funeral Home and additional arrangements will be announced.

MULLINS | Michael Jeorge died away Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2006. Arrangements will be announced by Troy's Funeral Home.

HATTIESBURG, Miss. | Mrs. Katie Jones Benjamin, 79, died Saturday, Mar. 25, 2006 at the Wesley Medical Center. Mrs. Jones was born in Mullins, the daughter of William Irving Jones Sr. and Maude Nichols Jones. She was a retired music teacher and had taught music for over 40 years. She was an active member of Heritage United Methodist Church and a member of The Love Sunday School Class. She was a worthy Grand Matron of the South Carolina Order of the Eastern Star. Mrs. Benjamin was married to Ludy T. Benjamin Sr. who predeceased her on Mar. 17, 2006. Her sister Irvilee Lane also predeceased her. She is survived by a son, Ludy Thompson Benjamin Jr. of College Station, Texas; two daughters, Becky Allen of Montgomery, Texas and Kathleen Cameron of Hattiesburg, Miss.; brother, W. I. ''Bill'' Jones of Aynor; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Services were Monday at Heritage United Methodist Church with burial in Highland Cemetery. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so to the Building Fund for the new sanctuary at Heritage United Methodist Church. Sign a guest book at MyrtleBeachOnline.com. Jones & Son Funeral Home of Hattiesburg was in charge of arrangements.

PROSPERITY | Philip T. Ricks Sr., 71, of Ralph Williams Road, Prosperity, died Friday, Mar. 24, 2006 at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Mr. Ricks, a son of the late Thomas B. and Ruby B. Ricks, was born on Feb. 1, 1935 in Marion County. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and the retired owner of Ricks Electric Company. He was a member and deacon of Dreher Island Baptist Church, a former member of the Marion Jaycees and a former volunteer fireman in Surfside Beach. Mr. Ricks is survived by his wife of 33 years, Earline Brown Ricks of Prosperity; nine children, Teresa E. Collins and friend, Harold Smith of Nichols, Philip Thomas Ricks Jr. and wife, Donna of Fairfax, Leasa R. Smith and husband, Russell of Marion, Angela E. Jennings and husband, Ned, of Blythewood, Brenda D. Edwards, Denise E. Epps and husband, Michael, of Myrtle Beach, Philip S. Ricks and wife, Sarah, of Myrtle Beach and J. Beth Ricks of Mt. Ulla, N.C.; fifteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one sister, Martha Anne Shepard of Myrtle Beach; two brothers, Joseph Ricks of Mullins and Marvin Ricks of Marion. Services were held at 3 p.m. on Mar. 26th at the Dreher Island Baptist Church. A memorial service will be held at Little Bethel Baptist Church in Marion on Saturday, April 1st at 2 p.m. Both services will be officiated by Pastor Dave Smith. The family will be at the residence, 298 Ralph Williams Road, Prosperity and will be receiving friends there. Memorials may be made to the Dreher Island Baptist Church, 360 State Park Road, Prosperity, 29127 or to the American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, PA 23058-5216. Visit www. SouthCarolinaCremation.com or MyrtleBeachOnline.com to view the obituary and sign the online condolence register.

MULLINS | James Nichols died Sunday, Mar. 26, 2006. Arrangements will be announced by Troy's Funeral Home, Mullins.

LORIS | Mr. John Henry Jackson, age 58, died Sunday, Mar. 26, 2006, at Loris Community Hospital following an illness. Born July 20, 1947 in Mullins, Mr. Jackson was the son of the late George Bernice Jackson and the late Corine Britt Jackson. Mr. Jackson served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era, he received his law degree from the University of South Carolina, was a member of the North Mullins Baptist Church, and was currently self-employed. Survivors include his wife Gloria Springs Jackson of Loris; one son, Jackie Jackson of Loris; three daughters, Joni Jackson of Loris, Georgia Springs and husband, Ray, of Loris and Jennifer Boyd of Loris; four brothers, Harry B. Jackson, Jimmy R. Jackson, Billy Jackson, and Bobby Jackson all of Mullins; three sisters, Pauline Altman and Jean Smith of Mullins, Elise Cooper of Loris; and two grandchildren, Dakotah and Elijah Springs both of Loris. Mr. Jackson was predeceased by two brothers, Lonnie Lee Jackson and Jackie L. Jackson. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Mar. 29, 2006, at Loris First Baptist Church with burial following at Harrelson Cemetery. Officiated by the Rev. Drew Jackson and the Rev. Reese Housand. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, Mar. 28, 2006, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Hardwick Funeral Home. Sign a guest book at MyrtleBeachOnline.com. Memorials may be made to the Meagan Conner Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o BB&T, P.O. Box 7, Loris, SC 29569. The family ask that friends join them at Mrs. Isabelle Springs home, at Hwy. 9 Bus., Loris, SC.

GALIVANTS FERRY | The Rev. Casey Alfred Barnhill, 37, died Sunday, Mar. 26, 2006 at his residence after an illness. Casey was born Dec. 1, 1968 in Mullins, a son of Walter James Barnhill Jr. and Linda Faye Williamson Barnhill. He was pastor and member of Raynham Baptist Church in Roland, N.C. He was a graduate of Aynor High School. Surviving Casey in addition to his parents of Galivants ferry are two sons, Benjamin Tyler Barnhill and Walter Randolph Barnhill; his fiancee, Ruth Anne Hall of Roland, N.C. and her children, Ethan Hall and Rachel Hall; a brother, Kip James Barnhill and his wife, Gina, of Aynor; and a niece, Brianna Barnhill. Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m., Wednesday, Mar. 29th at Mt. Trolly Freewill Baptist Church, with the Rev. Rick Rogers officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Trolly Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, directed by Cox-Collins Funeral Home. Visitation will be held Tuesday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at Mt. Trolly Freewill Baptist Church. Sign a guest book at MyrtleBeachOnline.com. Memorials may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 1789 Barnhill Rd., Gallivant Ferry, SC 29544.

ROCK HILL | Lecie Patterson, 90, died Saturday, Mar. 25, 2006. Arrangements will be announced by Meares Funeral Home of Mullins.

DILLON — Services for Dr. Douglas White Jenkins will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church with burial in Greenlawn Cemetery. Dr. Jenkins, 69, died Sunday, March 26, 2006, at his residence. Born in Mullins, SC, March 15, 1937, he was the son of the late Douglas Carlton Jenkins and Marguerite White Jenkins. He was a member of St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church, was a graduate of Wofford College and the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He was the founding partner of Dillon Family Medicine. He was also a U.S. Air Force veteran. Survivors include his wife, Eleanor Cain Jenkins of Dillon; daughters, Katherine (Kay) Porcher Jenkins of Greenville, SC, Anne Palmer Jenkins of Columbia, SC, and Eleanor (Lea) Jenkins Webster and her husband, Jay of Anderson, SC, and brother, Arthur Willis Jenkins of Mullins. Dr. Jenkins was preceded in death by his brother, Marvin Nixon Jenkins. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 330, Dillon, SC 29536, or to the charity of one’s choice.

TABOR CITY, N.C. | Yvonne Shelley, 77, died Friday, Mar. 24, 2006 in McLeod Hospital in Florence after a brief illness. Mrs. Shelley was the daughter of the late Alfred Edward and Mary Buffkin Lancaster. Her aunt, Adella Lancaster, raised both her and her cousin, Rudolph Lancaster. As a member of Cherry Grove Baptist Church, Mrs. Shelley sang in the choir, served as a Sunday school teacher and was a member of the Women's Missionary Union. She was a homemaker, an avid reader, and enjoyed working outdoors in her flowers and garden. Survivors include her husband of 62 years, Clyde Lewis Shelley of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, James Edward ''Jimmy'' and wife, Pamela Shelley of Nichols; and a daughter and son-in-law, Deidre and husband, Sonnie Graham of Green Sea. Other survivors are one brother, Joseph Hampton Lancaster of Green Sea; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Wilhemenia and Duvall Suggs of Green Sea, Enid and Willard McFayden of Ellerbe, N.C., and Freida and Bobby Harrelson of Gastonia, N.C.; brother-in-law, Dayton Shelley of Green Sea; sisters-in-law, Ordet Shelley of Marion and Lois Johnson of Green Sea; brother-in-law, Shelton Shelley and wife, Betty June, of Green Sea; grandchildren, Clyde Douglas Wrenn of Raleigh, N.C., Larissa Adams and husband, Bryan, of Lumberton, N.C., Shanda Strickland and husband, Benji, of Fair Bluff, N.C., Rachel Tefertiller and husband, Richard, of Florence, Shelley Todd and husband, Jeremy, of Loris, Jessica Graham of Myrtle Beach, and Stacey Graham of Green Sea; great-grandchildren, Peyton and Seth Adams, Jacob and Ethan Strickland, and Jet and Tessa Tefertiller of Florence. Mrs. Shelley was predeceased by her daughter, Donna Cheryl Shelley. The family will receive friends at Inman Funeral Home on Saturday, Mar. 25, 2006 from 7 until 9 p.m. Funeral services will be at Cherry Grove Baptist Church on Sunday, Mar. 26, 2006 at 2 p.m., officiated by the Rev. Josh Phillips, with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Winston Coleman, Ron Herring, Darrell Suggs, Steven Suggs, Jody Lancaster and Greg Huggins. Sign a guest book at MyrtleBeachOnline.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cherry Grove Baptist Church, 9833 Swamp Fox Hwy W, Cerro Gordo, NC 24830. A service of Inman Funeral Home, Tabor City, N.C.

MULLINS | Henry Dewitt Jr. died Thursday, Mar. 23, 2006. Arrangements will be announced by Troy's Funeral Home in Mullins.

NICHOLS | Mr. John Holly Livingston, 81, died Monday, Mar. 20, 2006. Service will be 1 p.m. Saturday at High Hill Baptist Church, with burial at Hickory Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

LORIS | Richard ''Ricky'' Glenn Johnson, 47, of Quail Run, died Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2006. Mr. Johnson was born in Marion County, the son of the late Guy Elton Johnson and Billie Jean Gaddy Hardee. He was employed by Conbraco Industries in Conway, with 22 years of service. Mr. Johnson was an avid supporter of the University of South Carolina athletics and enjoyed attending their sporting events. Surviving are his wife of the home, Karen L. Johnson; a daughter, K. Michelle Johnson of Conway; a son, Eric Guy Johnson of Conway; a sister, Debra Johnson Gerrald and her husband, Richard, of Aynor; a brother, Larry Mills of Conway; and grandmother, Ethel Johnson of Aynor. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Mar. 25, 2006 at Goldfinch Funeral Home with the Rev. Steward Norris officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Sign a guestbook at www. goldfinchfuneralhome.com or at MyrtleBeachOnline.com. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

MARION — Thelma Eugenia J. Reynolds, 84, widow of Henry Clay Reynolds, passed away Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at her home in Marion, with family members at her side. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 25, at Pisgah United Methodist Church in Dogbluff, with the Rev. Henry Altman officiating. Burial will follow in Rehobeth Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Mrs. Reynolds was born March 12, 1922, in Horry County, a daughter of the late Jessie Byrd James and Lillie Floyd James of Conway. She was a great daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She was very precious to her family and will be dearly missed by all. In addition to her mother, father and husband, she was predeceased by three brothers, Robert James, Frank James and Lynwood James; and two sisters, Maxine Hucks and Frances Lewis. Surviving her are two daughters, June Hyman of Conway and Maribel Snipes and her husband, Carrol, of Marion; three sons, Michael Reynolds and his wife, Edith, of Denver, Jesse Reynolds and his wife, Jeanine, of Seattle and Terry Reynolds and his wife, Susan, of Houston; a sister, Lillian Skipper and her husband, Jack, of Conway; several grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and many, many precious memories. Palmetto Funeral Home is honored to serve the Reynolds family. Online family registry at www.palmettofuneralhome.com

MULLINS | Mary W. White died Wednesday, Mar. 22, 2006. Arrangements will be announced by Troy's Funeral Home of Mullins.

MULLINS — Mr. James Robert Kersey Jr., 34 died Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Richardson Funeral Home in Marion. Burial will follow at Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. today at the funeral home. Born in Marion, Mr. Kersey was a son of James Robert Kersey Sr. and Lillie Jane Page. He was a police officer with the city of Mullins. In addition to his parents, he is survived by a son, Jacob Kersey of Florence; three sisters, Brenda Sackett of Hartsville, Cindy McDaniels of Marion and Sandra Williams of Bennettsville; as well as niece, Dana Tuner, and nephew, Joey Turner, both of Florence.

MULLINS — Kathleen L. Bane, age 78, died Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at her home, 110 Hampton Circle. She was the daughter of the late Shep Lee and Talmae Brigman LeGette. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Bane. Mrs. Bane is survived by one son, Richard C. Bane and his wife, Pamela of Little River. Two daughters, Brenda B. Richardson and her husband, Harry of Effingham and Pamela B. McDaniels and her husband, William of Mullins. One sister, Juanita L. Hardee of Longs, also, five grandchildren and two great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Thursday, March 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Meares Funeral Home. Graveside Service will be Friday, March 24, at 2:00 p.m. at Devotion Gardens in Mullins. Meares Funeral Home of Mullins has been given the honor of serving the family of Mrs. Bane.

MARION | Thelma Reynolds, 84, the widow of Henry Clay Reynolds, died Tuesday, Mar. 21, 2006. Arrangements will be announced by the Palmetto Funeral Home, Conway, 397-2500.

GREEN SEA | Fred T. Elswick, 86, died Thursday, Mar. 16, 2006. Services will be held at a later date in Varney, Ky. Meares Funeral Home of Mullins is in charge.