Roy L. Butler Sr.

Funeral Services for Mr. Roy L. Butler, Sr., 82, of West Columbia, were held Friday, July 22, 2011 at Johnston First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Burial followed in Sunset Gardens Memorial Park in Johnston.
Mr. Butler, a native of West Columbia, died Monday, July 18. He was the son of the late Clyde A. and Nell Workman Butler. Mr. Butler was owner of Butler Laser and a pioneer in the construction laser business. He held seven U.S. patents for his innovative ideas, and his products are used around the world.  However, his greatest accomplishment was love of family. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Columbia, and served in the South Carolina National Guard.
Survivors include his wife, Claudine Kirkland Butler; sons, Roy Jr. (Lisa), Kevin, Darrin (Shelly), Jordan Butler; daughters, Denise Pilgrim, Janine Bundrick; grandchildren, Mark Bundrick, Rhett Pilgrim, Scarlett Pilgrim, Melanie Pilgrim, Matthew Bundrick, Rachel Robinson, Austin Pilgrim, Mikayla Frye; a great-grandchild, Leighton Pilgrim; a brother, Thomas Butler; sisters, Bernice Bush and Marsha Yonce.
Memorials may be made to Midlands Special Needs Program, 109A Vista Oak Drive, Lexington, SC  20972, or a charity of one’s choice.
Bland Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Samuel Oscar “Sam” Morgan Jr.  (with pic, e-mailed)

Mr. Samuel Oscar “Sam” Morgan Jr., 94, of Morgan-Bussey Road in Edgefield, died at the Edgefield County Hospital on Friday, July 22, 2011 after a brief illness.
Funeral services will be held at Gilgal Baptist Church at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 24, with burial in the church cemetery. 
He was the widower of the late Doris June Davis Morgan.  He was born July 12, 1917 in Modoc, son of the late Samuel Oscar Morgan Sr., and the late Hettie Lou Bussey Morgan.  He was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II.  He was retired from the U. S. Postal Service after many years as a mail carrier.  He had a real love for his family history, and was a very reliable, conscientious researcher and he made many travels over the years to Texas, Missouri, and other far-off places following his leads.  He was looked to for guidance by many researchers of families from this area, since he was considered a walking history book of old Edgefield County.  He surveyed the family cemeteries of this area and his surveys are considered standard reference guides by researchers.  He was a charter member of the Old Edgefield District Genealogical Society and was still, at age 94, an active researcher.  He was a member of the American Legion and the National Letter Carrier’s Association.  He was the senior member of Gilgal Baptist Church, where he was a deacon and had served as treasurer for over 30 years.
He is survived by his sons, Bruce Jennings Morgan and Jerry Wayne Morgan (Mickey) of Edgefield; three grandchildren, Brian (Frances), Patrick (Christie), and Nick (Rosa) Morgan of Edgefield; three step-children, Frances Altman, Gray, Ga., Elaine Abbott, Wauchula, Fla., Steve Jones, Savannah, Ga.; 11 great-grand children; and one great-great-grandchild. 
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Linda Harriet Morgan, and his sister, Martha Edna Morgan Boyer.
Memorials may be made to Gilgal Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Bruce J. Morgan, Treasurer, 41 Morgan-Bussey Road, Edgefield, SC 29824, or to the Old Edgefield Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 546, Edgefield, SC 29824.
Edgefield Mercantile Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Please sign the register book at www.edgefieldmercantilefh.com.

Ralph Talmadge Smalley

Mr. Ralph Talmadge Smalley, 91, of Modoc, died Tuesday, July 19, 2011.
Graveside services were held Saturday, July 23, at 2 p.m. at Modoc Baptist Cemetery. Mr. Smalley was a resident of Modoc. He was retired from Murray Biscuit Company. He was the son of the late Horace and Julie Whitener Smalley. Mr. Smalley was married to the late Sarah Howle Smalley. He was the oldest living member of the Modoc Baptist Church where he was a former deacon.
Survivors include his brother, John D. Smalley of Aiken; four sisters, Ruby S. Howle of Augusta, Ga., Annie S Doolittle of Edgefield, Sarah Milford of Martinez, Ga., and Virginia Randall of Modoc.