NICHOLS Julian L. `June Bug' Floyd Julian Layton "June Bug" Floyd, 51, died Monday, Oct. 1, 2001, at Seacoast Medical Center in Little River. He was born in Marion County, a son of the late Layton Small. Survivors include his wife, Lynn Shelley Floyd; his mother, Louvaine Floyd of Nichols; his stepmother, Juanita Small of Aynor; two sons, Rodney Floyd and Ashley Watts, both Nichols; a daughter, Diane Caulder of Mullins; three brothers, Nelson Small of Georgetown, Thomas Small of Aynor, and Clayton Small of Nichols; two sisters, Lessie Small of Conway and Brenda Brown of Galivants Ferry; and five grandchildren. He was predeceased by a brother, Michaeal Floyd. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Meares Funeral Home in Mullins. The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, at the funeral home. The Rev. Scotty Enzor will officiate. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery

CONWAY Thelma Watts Thelma Jane Skipper Watts, 81, of S.C. 90, died Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2001, at Conway Hospital, after an illness. She was born in Aynor, a daughter of the late Soloman Wilson and Margaret King Skipper. Survivors include her husband, Weston Watts; two sons, Aubrey Dean Watts and Wayne Everette Watts, both of Conway; a brother, Soloman Wilson Skipper Jr. of Aynor; seven grandchildren; nine nieces; and 10 nephews. She was predeceased by four brothers, Leroy Skipper, Franklin H. Skipper, Eli Skipper and Arch Skipper; and a sister, Edna Skipper Rabon. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel. The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Salem United Methodist Church. The Revs. Ed Daniel and Johnny Jenerette will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to to Salem United Methodist Church, c/o John Kennady, 2740 Lee's Landing Circle, Conway, SC 29528 or to Berea Baptist Church, 4280 Joyner Swamp Road, Aynor, SC 29511.

Hello, I am trying to help my mother-in-law trace her roots and they have brought us to Nichols, SC. If anyone out there is researching or knows about the following family please contact me: James B. Williams (b. 1835 NC) married Lucy Floyd (b.1844 SC). Children: Stella (c. 1867- ), Clarence Peace (c.1870- d. VA), and Nina (c. 1872 - ). Is this the same J. B. Williams that married Lucy Jones? We'd be interested in finding out about his second family also if he had one. Thank you. Cindy

The State (Columbia): Tuesday, October 2, 2001 Vernon Williamson Sr. DILLON -- Funeral services for Vernon Shelby Williamson Sr., 73, will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Little Rock Baptist Church with burial in the church cemetery directed by Cooper Funeral Home. Visitation will be 7-9 this evening in the funeral home. Mr. Williamson died Sunday, September 30, 2001 in Regency Hospital in Florence. Born in Dillon County, November 20, 1927, he was the son of the late Dan Williamson and Emma Lee Bennett Williamson. He was a member of Little Rock Baptist Church, and was a U.S. Army Veteran. Surviving are his wife, Mary Muriel Williamson of Dillon; daughter, Cindy Williamson of Anderson; son, Vernon Shelby Williamson Jr. of Columbia; sisters, Marie McDonough of Clearwater, Fla. and Myrna Loy Duckworth of Clearwater; brother, Robert Williamson of Elizabethtown, NC; two grandchildren.

The State (Columbia): Tuesday, October 2, 2001 Beatrice Barber BENNETTSVILLE -- Services for Beatrice Watson Barber, 79, will be at 2 p.m. today at First Pentecostal Holiness Church with burial in Rogers Cemetery. Rogers Funeral Home, McColl, is in charge. Mrs. Barber, widow of Bartow Barber, died September 29, 2001. Born in Scotland County, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Henry and Hattie Caulder Watson. She was employed for many years as a textile worker in High Point, N.C. Surviving are son, James Watson; daughters, Lee Varner and Faye Erwin; 11 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers, Vester and Otis Watson; sisters, Dorothy Sessoms and Ethel Hall.

Sep 29, 2001 Joyce Elvington Russell FLORENCE -- Joyce Elvington Russell, 73, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 in a local hospital after an illness. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1 in Waters-Powell Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will be in Florence National Cemetery. Mrs. Russell was born in Lake View, a daughter of the late Lawrence C. and Eva Rogers Elvington. She was the widow of John Seth Russell who died in 1987. Surviving are two daughters, Marilyn Adams of Florence and Brenda Leonard of Syracuse, N.Y.; two sons, Michael S. Russell of Florence and Lawrence C. Russell of Plano, Texas; two sisters, Mrs. Sada Kate Rogers and Mrs. Sylva Suggs, both of Lake View; a brother, Earl B. Elvington of Florence; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The State (Columbia): Monday, October 1, 2001 Patty Moody DILLON -- Services for Patty Joyce Moody, 67, will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Main Street United Methodist Church with burial in Old Zion Church Cemetery. Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Cooper Funeral Home. Ms. Moody died Saturday at her residence. Born in Dillon County on August 20, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Clifford Causley Moody and Lee Dale Sellers Moody. Ms. Moody retired as a court reporter for S.C. in 1994 and was an active member of Main Street United Methodist Church where she had perfect attendance in Sunday School for many years. She was a prominent civic leader in the City of Dillon and was a dedicated volunteer for the Library. She worked tirelessly after the fire to get the library rebuilt. Ms. Moody was a member of the Marvin Rast Sunday School Class, the Wesleyan/Sarah Glenn Circle, and was treasurer for the United Methodist Women of the Church for many years. She always kept in touch with members of her church who were residents of the Methodist Home. Survivors include her sister, June Ryan Moody Alexander of Columbia; nephews, Robert Ryan and Heather Alexander of Columbia, Gregory C. and Mary Jane Moody of Green Cove Springs, Fla., and Clifford P. Moody Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla.; several cousins. She was predeceased by her sisters, Dora Moody, Myra M. Cave, Rachael M. Mott, and Barbara M. McRae and brother, Clifford P. Moody.

This is Fran Bothwell from ABQ, NM. Has anyone done any genealogy work on Mason Lee? I am interested in the Baker Wiggins, the relative he disliked, as mentioned in Mason Lee's will. I am thinking that Baker might be an ancestor of mine. My paternal great grandfather was Thomas Boatwright, married to Louisa Wiggins in Marion on 31 May 1864. Does anyone know anything about them? Thanks, Fran Bothwell

The State (Columbia): Sunday, September 30, 2001 Neil McDowell Sr. BENNETTSVILLE -- Services for Neil Ervin McDowell Sr., 69, will be held at 3 p.m. Monday at Parnassus United Methodist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 6-8 tonight at Whitner-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 2711 Middleburg Drive, Suite 311, Columbia, SC 29204. Mr. McDowell died Friday. Born in Marlboro County, he was a son of the late Frank and Beulah Richardson McDowell. He was a retired department manager with Oak River Mills; a former Little League coach, umpire, and commissioner; and football commissioner. Mr. McDowell was a member of the University of South Carolina Gamecock Club. Surviving are his fiance Carmella Hunt of Lexington; sons, Wayne McDowell of Jacksonville, Fla., Neil McDowell Jr. of Columbia; daughter, Patty Brigman of Laurinburg; stepdaughter, Barbara Keisler of Lexington; brothers, Frank McDowell Jr. of Columbia, Lonnie McDowell of Bennettsville, Leroy Richardson of Conway; sisters, Agnes Nash of Myrtle Beach, Betty Hunt of Lexington, Ruby Gaddy and Edna McLean, both of Bennettsville; grandchildren, Megan Brigman, Caitlyn McDowell, Anna Marie McDowell, Rachel Brigman, Thomas Brigman, Travis McDowell, Jason Areheart, Crystal Keisler.

The State (Columbia): Saturday, September 29, 2001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Melvin Nolan BENNETTSVILLE -- Services for Melvin Francis Nolan, 63, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at Salem Baptist church with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation is from 7-9 this evening at Whitner-Evans Funeral Home. Mr. Nolan died Friday, September 28, 2001. Born in Marlboro County, he was a son of the late Charley and Pearl Blue Nolan. He had retired as a field appraiser with the Marlboro County Tax Assessors Office and was a member of Salem Baptist Church. He was a former chairman of the Blenheim Area School Board. Surviving are his wife, Peggy Belk Nolan; daughters, Donna Nolan Keith, Mary Michelle Nolan and Ellie Nolan, all of Bennettsville; sisters, Annie Lee DeLoach and Eleanor N. Brown of Silver Creek, Ga. and Sara N. Fullaway of Smyrna, Ga. and grandson, Nolan Keith. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Kimberly Carol Nolan.

Wonice Baker Sawyer, 68, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, at home after an illness. She was born June 5, 1933, in Marion County, a daughter of the late Zander and Emma Collins Baker. She was the widow of Carl Sawyer. She was a beautician and a member of Nichols Baptist Church. Survivors include three sons, Donald Ray Turner, Robert Turner and Randy Sawyer, all of Nichols; a daughter, Wanda Thompkins of Nichols; nine grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a brother, James Baker of Conway. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. today at the Cox-Collins Funeral Home in Mullins. The Rev. Rick Donaldson will officiate. Burial will be in Calvary Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Pee Dee, 555 E. Cheves St., Florence, SC 29501.

MARION William R. Ashe William R. Ashe, 78, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001, at Marion Nursing Center. He was born Nov. 29, 1922, in Mount Washington, Ky., a son of the late Bennie L. and Sidney Moore Ashe. He was an Army veteran and a retired electrician with the Civil Service. He was an honest man who never hurt anyone, led a good, moral life and has gone to be with Jesus. Survivors include his wife, Juanita H. Ashe of Mullins; two sons, Wayne Ashe of Columbia and Alvin J. Miles II of Aynor; four daughters, Robin Russell of Sumter, Tina Lewis of Texas, Pamela Brown of Mullins and Darlene Batties of Oklahoma; a brother, Floyd Ashe; two sisters, Frances Lovely and Catherine Faulkin, all of Kentucky; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation was Friday at Palmetto Funeral Home in Conway. A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. today at the funeral home. The Rev. Mack Hutson will officiate.

Jake J. Larrimore Jake J. Larrimore, 61, of the Pawley Swamp community, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001, at Conway Hospital. He was born Oct. 8, 1939, in Brittons Neck, a son of Roosevelt V. "Pet" Larimore and the late Lodie Mae Pope Larimore. He was a truck driver with Prime Equipment, now RSC, was a Baptist, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. Survivors, in addition to his father, include his wife, Joyce A. Larrimore of Conway; two sons, Jerry Larrimore of Bucksport and Eddie Larrimore of Conway; a daughter, Libby Squires of Socastee; a stepson, James Gibson of Gainesville, Fla.; three stepdaughters, Sherry Hurlbert of Plant City, Fla., Sharon "Neicey" Smith of Conway and Cheryl Alaxander of Conway; a sister, Frances Hardwick of Longs; and 15 grandchildren, including Angel Alaxander of Conway. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Palmetto Funeral Home in Conway. A funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. The Rev. Paul Lambert will officiate. Burial will be in Old Neck Cemetery in Brittons Neck.

Sep 26, 2001 Theo Elbert Sawyer Jr. MARION -- Mr. Theo Elbert Sep 26, 2001 Theo Elbert Sawyer Jr. MARION -- Mr. Theo Elbert Sawyer Jr., 69, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, in a VA Nursing Home in Columbia after an illness. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 from Richardson Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Devotion Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Born in Marion, Mr. Sawyer was a son of the late Theo Elbert Sawyer Sr. and Frances Jean Sawyer. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and was a retired insurance salesman. He also was an Army veteran. Survivors are his wife, Cara Bell Sawyer of the home; two sons, Tommy Sawyer of Marion and Karl (Gloria) Sawyer of Marion; a daughter, Angela S. (Bryan) Rogers of Marion; a brother, Larry Sawyer of Lynchburg; a sister, Betty Jean (Sims) Lambert of Little River; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was predeceased by a son, Jack Lee Sawyer, and a brother, Glen Dale Sawyer. Jr., 69, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001, in a VA Nursing Home in Columbia after an illness. Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27 from Richardson Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Devotion Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. Born in Marion, Mr. Sawyer was a son of the late Theo Elbert Sawyer Sr. and Frances Jean Sawyer. He graduated from the University of South Carolina and was a retired insurance salesman. He also was an Army veteran. Survivors are his wife, Cara Bell Sawyer of the home; two sons, Tommy Sawyer of Marion and Karl (Gloria) Sawyer of Marion; a daughter, Angela S. (Bryan) Rogers of Marion; a brother, Larry Sawyer of Lynchburg; a sister, Betty Jean (Sims) Lambert of Little River; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. He was predeceased by a son, Jack Lee Sawyer, and a brother, Glen Dale Sawyer.

The State (Columbia): Friday, September 28, 2001 Edgar English DILLON -- Services for Edgar Jackie English, 57, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday in Cooper Funeral Home Chapel with burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation will be held 7-9 this evening in the funeral home. Mr. English died Wednesday, September 26, 2001. Born in Marlboro County, September 8, 1944, he was the son of the late Delton English and Geraldine Wells English. He was a foreman with Crawford Sprinkler Company in Myrtle Beach for 40 years, a member of East Dillon Baptist Church and a member of the Lower Pee Dee Hunting Club. Surviving are his wife, Patsy Lynn Harrelson English of Dillon; daughters and sons-in-law, Pamela and Michael Linker of Dillon and Kimberly and Jason Herring of Fort Lewis, Wa.; sister, Lois Jeanette Baysinger of Morton, Ill.; brothers, William T. English of Latta and Mackie H. English of Dillon; grandchildren, Brandon and Kristen Huggins and Jason Herring Jr. Mr. English was preceded in death by his son, Jackie Keith English.

In a message dated 9/26/01 4:12:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time, vproc@ix.netcom.com writes: > Our Helen Moody has been slaving away and the Marion County > SCGenWeb site displays more fruits of her labor -- the 1900 > federal census for Manning Township is now up to Page/Sheet > 5A !!! That's 450 entries/individuals and about 100 households. > Go, Helen!!! > > Victoria Proctor > WOWWWW Helen :-) You go girl!!! You have been a wonderful help in so many ways :-) Jane

FLORENCE Robert E. `Bob' Clemons Robert Edward "Bob" Clemons, 66, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001, at home after an illness. He was born in Marion County, a son of the late Talmadge DeWitt Clemons and Beulah Collins Clemons Smith. He was a member of Mizpah Baptist Church and the Prayer Warriors Sunday school class and was a former deacon. He was the retired owner and operator of Carolina Curbers Inc. of Florence. Survivors include his wife, Jenny Turner Clemons; a son, Robert E. Clemons Jr. and his wife, Pam, of Florence; two daughters, Debra Clemons Shuler and her husband, Billy, and Mitzi Clemons Mozen and her husband, Jimmy, all of Florence; a sister, Joyce Odom and her husband, John, of Florence; and seven grandchildren, Kelly Clemons, Robbie Clemons, Jacob Shuler, Kelsey Shuler, and Leah Mozen, all of Florence, Justin Hill and his wife, Jessica, and Ethan Hill and his wife, Brandy, all of Bishopville. Visitation will be from 7 to 9 tonight at Stoudenmire-Dowling Funeral Home in Florence. The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Mizpah Baptist Church. Entombment will be in Florence Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, the American Heart Association, or Mizpah Baptist Church

The State (Columbia): Thursday, September 27, 2001 Edith Hutchinson NICHOLS -- Graveside services for Edith Hutchinson, 68, will be held at 2 p.m. today in Hutchinson Cemetery directed by Meares Funeral Home of Mullins. Miss Hutchinson died Tuesday. Born in Marion Co., she was a daughter of the late Vernon and Mae Ford Hutchinson. She was a member of Nichols United Methodist Church. Surviving are her brother, Laverne Hutchinson of Fort Mill; sisters, Vonceil Elliott of Nichols, Ovileen Rhodes of Prosperity, Georgie Mae Goodyear, Elinor Hartsell both of Nichols; several nieces and nephews.

Just fyi... Our Helen Moody has been slaving away and the Marion County SCGenWeb site displays more fruits of her labor -- the 1900 federal census for Manning Township is now up to Page/Sheet 5A !!! That's 450 entries/individuals and about 100 households. Go, Helen!!! Victoria Proctor Marion County SCGenWeb: http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/1786/marion.html Dillon County SCGenWeb: http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/1786/dillon.html

Ima H. Graves LAURINBURG -- Mrs. Ima Hyatt Graves, 75, of 70 10th St., died Monday September 24, 2001 in FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. Daughter of the late Raymond and Lilly Cook Hyatt of Dillon, S.C. Mrs. Graves was a textile worker for Waverly Mills before retiring. She was a member of East Laurinburg Pentecostal Holiness Church. The funeral will be conducted at 4 p.m. Thursday in East Laurinburg Pentecostal Holiness Church by the Rev. Legrande Taylor. Burial will be in Hillside Memorial Park. Mrs. Graves is survived by a son, Ronnie Graves of Laurinburg; two daughters, Judy Waltz and Blondell Glossner, both of Laurinburg; five brothers, Edward Hyatt of Dillon, S.C., Archie Hyatt and Oliver Hyatt, both of Laurinburg, Leon Hyatt of Raleigh and Robert Hyatt of Washington; four sisters, Eva Lovelace of Sumter, S.C., Carolyn Powell of Laurinburg, Roxie Caulder of Dillon and Linda Herring of Marion, S.C.; four grandchildren; and two great- grandchildren. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Boles Funeral Home & Crematory in Laurinburg. Memorials may be made to East Laurinburg Pentecostal Holiness Church, P.O. Box 1046, Laurinburg, NC 28353.