Louise Boatwright Alexander

Louise Boatwright Alexander, of Fair Pines Plantation in Ridge Spring, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2010. She was the widow of Fred Calvin Alexander.
A rite of the Burial of the Dead was held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, followed by burial in Ridge Spring Cemetery.
Born Jan. 19, 1920 into one of the pioneer families that settled the Ridge section, she was the daughter of Benjamin and Henrietta Moore Boatwright. She graduated from Ashley Hall, Charleston and attended Converse College in Spartanburg. She studied at the Kingsmith Studio School in Washington, D.C. and received a degree in piano. She also attended The Julliard School in New York City where she studied piano pedagogy. She then taught at the Holton-Arms School in Bethesda, Md. Among her students was Jacqueline Bouvier, who would later become First Lady of the U.S., Mrs. John F. Kennedy.
After the death of her father in 1955, Mrs. Alexander managed the family peach farm which she actively ran with her partner, James O. Grice, until her retirement in 1972. She was a tireless steward of the land and had an extensive knowledge of agriculture of the Ridge and maintained a lifelong interest in horticulture and gardening. An avid student of history, she was especially interested in the history of South Carolina and the Edgefield District. She was widely read with an extensive library and read the New York Times daily as her father had before her. Shortly before her death, she was interviewed about Robert Frost and his daughter, the late Leslie Frost Ballentine, with whom she had lived in Washington and had formed a lifelong friendship. She also enjoyed entertaining, hosting relatives and friends on many occasions.
Mrs. Alexander spent most of her life in Charlotte and Ridge Spring. While in Charlotte, she was a member of The Charlotte Country Club and Christ Episcopal Church before returning to Ridge Spring and her home church, Grace Episcopal of which her grandmother was a founder. She was a member of the Garden Club of America and was president of the Palmetto Garden Club of South Carolina from 1982 through 1984. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the South Caroliniana Society where she served on the executive council, a life member of the Edgefield County Historical Society and a charter member of the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society. She was also a member of The Edgefield History Class and the Green Boundary Club.
She is survived by her two sons, Richard Boatwright Alexander and his wife Anne Harper of Charlotte, N.C. and Benjamin Boatwright Alexander of Weirton, West Va.; three stepsons, Fred Calvin Alexander Jr. and his wife Janet of Alexandria, Va., William White Alexander of Hendersonville, N.C. and Markham Robertson Alexander and his wife Linda of Atlanta, Ga.; four grandchildren, Fred Calvin Alexander III and his wife Holly, Elizabeth Spotswood Alexander Spencer and her husband Glen, Richard Boatwright Alexander Jr. and his wife Christie and Louise Boatwright Alexander; and two great-grandchildren, Fred Calvin Alexander IV and Montgomery Spotswood Alexander.
Memorials may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, Ridge Spring, or the South Caroliniana Library, Columbia.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Phillip Earl Boatwright

Mr. Phillip Earl Boatwright, 68, husband of Marie Brown Boatwright, of Church Street in Johnston, died Friday, Feb. 26, 2010 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 28, at 2:30 p.m. at Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home. Burial was in Eastview Cemetery in Edgefield.
Mr. Boatwright was a native of and lifelong resident of Edgefield. He was a retired truck driver and mechanic and was a member of Edgefield Church of God.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Nita Boatwright and Christine Hall; sons, Howard Arthurs and Michael Arthurs; brothers, Eddie and Don Boatwright; sisters, Jeanette Stone and Rachel Hall; 13 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

George Ray Chesnut

Mr. George Ray Chesnut Jr., of Modoc, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
A Memorial Service was held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Home, with the Rev. Gary DeMore officiating.
Mr. Chesnut, 84, husband of Elizabeth “Bettie” B. Chesnut, was a native of Atlanta, Ga. and a 1948 Georgia Tech graduate with a B.S. in industrial engineering. He served in the U.S. Navy Air Corp during World War II. He retired in 1965 as plant manager at Babcock and Wilcox. He was a charter member of Covenant Presbyterian Church. He was a board member and past president of Augusta Rotary Club, served on YMCA Board of Directors –Personnel Committee, Metro-director of National Alliance of Businessmen, chairman of Private Industry Council, United Way-co-chairman of Budget Committee and Large Firms Division, member of Executive Reserve (Dept. of Commerce), chairman of Factory Operators of Refractories Institute (National), board member of Augusta Chamber of Commerce, chairman of Manufacturers Council of Augusta, member of Board of Health Central-University Hospital, and member of Augusta Country Club. He also served as the first president of the Modoc Shores Association.
In addition to his wife, family members include his daughter, Beverly Charlotte Franklin, Aiken; his son, Roger Ray Chesnut, Richmond Hill, Ga.; his sister, Caroline McNeil, Atlanta, Ga.; brother-in-law, Sam Tinkler of Lakeland, Fla.; grandchildren, Matthew Franklin, Lesley Chesnut and Brian Chesnut.
Memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, Davis Road, Augusta, Ga. were in charge of arrangements. A guestbook may be signed online at www.thomaspoteet.com.

Jacob Daniel Crane

Jacob Daniel Crane, baby boy of Timothy Daniel and Katrina Bishop Crane of Spartanburg, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
The family received friends at Christian Heritage Church in Graniteville on Saturday, Feb. 27, after which the family and close friends met at 4 p.m. at Graniteville Cemetery for a graveside service, with the Rev. Steven Phillips officiating.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his maternal grandparents, Gary and Debra Bishop, Graniteville; and his paternal grandparents, Betty Johnson and Gordon Haltiwanger, Edgefield.
Napier Funeral Home, Graniteville, was in charge of arrangements.

Curtis Johnson

Mr. Curtis Johnson, 61, of Hugh Street in North Augusta, died Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2010 at his residence.
Funeral services were held Monday, March 1, at 1 p.m. at Old Macedonia Baptist Church, with the Rev. Limuer Myers officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Johnson, a native of Edgefield County, was baptized at First Providence Baptist Church. He attended Jefferson High School and was a self-employed brick mason.
Survivors include two sons, Elliott Tyrone Johnson and Wesley Jarod Johnson; his mother, Mary Jefferson Johnson; two sisters, Carrie B. Hampton and Shirley Johnson; five brothers, King David (Susie) Johnson Jr., Timothy (Catherine) Johnson, Kevin (Patricia) Johnson, Bruce (Michell) Johnson and Michael (Debra) Johnson; all of North Augusta; three grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, North Augusta, was in charge of arrangements.

Glen Sherwood Kral

A memorial service for Mr. Glen Sherwood Kral, of Edgefield, father of Suzette “Suzy” Gamblin and Erik Kral, will be held at a later date.
Hatcher Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Langley is in charge of arrangements.

Raymond Roper

Mr. Raymond Roper, 87, of Augusta, Ga., died Thursday, Feb. 18, 2010 at Aiken Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Johnston, with the Rev. Lewis Burt, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. A memorial service was held Tuesday at 7 p.m. at New Hope Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga.
Mr. Roper was a retiree of the South Carolina Department of Transportation Highway Division.
Survivors include five sons, Gregory Roper (Carrie), Aiken, Leonard Roper (Linda), Gardener, N.C., Stanley Roper (Ida) Hephzibah, Ga., Darvin Roper, Aiken, and Dexter Roper (Jackie), Carrie, N.C.; four daughters, Annette Culbreath (Willie), Ward, Claudia Brunson (Lee), Augusta, Ga., Shirley Walker (James), Aiken, and Joann Stokes, Augusta, Ga.; a sister, Vivian Houser, New Jersey; a brother, Johnny Roper, Aiken; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces,, nephews and other relatives.
Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston, was in charge of arrangements.

Ned Joseph Sherlock

Mr. Ned Joseph Sherlock, of Heatherwood Drive in North Augusta, died Thursday, Feb. 25, 2010 at University Hospital in Augusta, Ga.
The Mass of Christian Burial and Prayer Vigil were celebrated Monday, March 1 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Edward Catholic Church, with Father Cherian Thalakulam, celebrant. Burial was in Pineview Memorial Park.
Rowland Funeral Home, North Augusta, was in charge or arrangements.

Edith Johnson Suthers

Mrs. Edith Johnson Suthers, 80, formerly of North Augusta, died Monday, Feb. 22, 2010in Savannah, Ga. after a brief stay in the hospital.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Feb. 25, at 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church in North Augusta, conducted by the Rev. Dr. James C. Adams.
Mrs. Suthers was the widow of Allen Whitaker Suthers. A native of Edgefield, she lived in North Augusta for more than 50 years. She resided in Savannah for the past three years. She attended the Medical University of South Carolina School of Nursing and graduated from the University Hospital Nursing School in Augusta, Ga. She was a long-time member of Grace United Methodist Church and attended Isle of Hope United Methodist Church after moving to Savannah.
Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John Earle Suthers and Linder Sipple Suthers and grandchildren, Holly Emmaline Suthers and Daniel Allen Suthers of Savannah; son and daughter-in-law, Michael Allen Suthers and Suzanne Atkinson Suthers and grandchildren, Joseph Michael Suthers and Lindsey Suzanne Suthers of Murrels Inlet; sister, Sara J. Cartledge, McCormick; sister-in-law, Mrs. John T. Suthers Jr. of Roanoke, Va.; and six nieces and one nephew.
Memorials may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 639 Georgia Avenue, North Augusta, SC 29841 o r to Isle of Hope United Methodist Church, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, GA 31406.
Gamble Funeral Service, Savannah, was in charge of arrangements. Share condolences at www.gamblefuneralservice.com.

Johnnie “Shine” Thomas Jr.

Mr. Johnnie “Shine” Thomas Jr., 93, of W.A. Reel Drive in Edgefield, died Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2010 at Edgefield County Hospital.
Funeral services were held Sunday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. at Jeter Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Jasper Lloyd officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Thomas, a native of Edgefield County, was a member of Science Hill Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include four sons, Willie B. (Georgia) Thomas, Eddie Albert Thomas, and Willie (Sadie) Thomas, Edgefield, Johnnie (Eva) Thomas III, Trenton; two sisters, Fannie Tillman and Chaney Glanton, Edgefield; 18 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Essie Cheatham and Susie Glover; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.
G.L. Brightharp & Sons Mortuary, Edgefield, was in charge of arrangements.

Marion Erskine Thomas

The Rev. Marion Erskine Thomas, 83, of Liberty, died Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, at his residence. Born in Lowell, North Carolina, he was a son of the late Lloyd and Nathalie Lawson Thomas.
Memorial services to celebrate the life of Rev. Thomas will be conducted Wednesday, March 3, at 3 p.m. at Norris First Baptist Church, by the Revs. Royce Addis and Bill Rigsby. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church fellowship hall. Inurnment will take place next month at Arlington National Cemetery will full military honors.
The Rev. Thomas earned a Masters of Theology degree from Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. During World War II he served his country as a Merchant Marine and later in the Korean War as a first lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He was highly decorated, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and was a F-86 fighter pilot for the North Carolina Air National Guard. He was a commercial pilot for Trans World Airlines for many years and was also employed as a private corporate pilot. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and pontificator. He was most recently a member of Norris First Baptist Church. Prior to his move to Liberty, the Rev. Thomas was pastor of Little Stephens Creek Baptist Church in Edgefield and later worked for the Saluda Baptist Association.
Surviving are his wife, Judith Morton Thomas; two daughters, Debra Paysinger and her husband Ben Paysinger M.D. of Columbia, Susan Braun and her husband Eric Braun of Alexandria, Va; a son, Stephen Thomas and his wife Lisa of Orlando, Fla.; a sister, Zanita Thomas of Lake Mary, Fla.; a brother, Jack L. Thomas of Spartanburg; and even grandchildren, Kristen Paysinger M.D., Daniel Paysinger, Meredith Paysinger, Nicholas Braun, Olivia Braun, Lauren Thomas and Samuel Thomas.
He was predeceased by a sister and seven brothers.
Liberty Mortuary of Liberty is in charge of arrangements.

Johnny Washington

Funeral services for Mr. Johnny Washington, of Aiken, were held Saturday, Feb. 27, at 2 p.m. at Old Rosemary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Henry Curry, pastor, officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Washington was a farmer.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Harris Washington; two daughters, Viola Mountrie (Eugene), Aiken, and Johnnie Mae Mealing (Joseph), Aiken; two brothers, Willie Williams, Trenton, and Lloyd Washington, Aiken; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston, was in charge of arrangements.