Joseph McClary, Jr.
Funeral services for Joseph “Joe” Durant McClary, Jr., conducted by the Rev. Reginald Segers, Sr. and the Rev. Levern Heyward Segers, were held Sunday, March 15, 2020, at the Mt. Zion Apostolic Faith Holiness Church of Kingstree. Burial, directed by Pressley’s Funeral Home, was held Monday, March 16, 2020, at the Florence National Cemetery.
Mr. McClary, 50, died Wednesday, March 11, 2020, at his residence in Kingstree. He was born July 30, 1969, in Kingstree, the son of Mother Johnnie Bell Hillard McClary and the late Rev. Joseph Durant McClary, Sr. He attended Williamsburg County School System and was a graduate of Kingstree Senior High in 1987. During his high school years as a part of the marching band, the trumpet was his instrument of choice. He pursued the field of engineering both at Clemson University in Clemson and Midlands Technical College in Columbia. He served his country as an enlisted soldier of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. His career history included employment at Milliken of Kingstree; 3V Sigma USA, Inc. of Georgetown; Ohio Railroad Companies; and Nan Ya Plastic of Lake City. At an early age, attended the Mt. Zion Apostolic Faith Holiness Church, where he was an active participant of the youth department. Two brothers, Anthony and Tony McClary, preceded him in death.
Survivors, in addition to his mother of Kingstree, are: his fiancée, Tiffany Gore of Kingstree, a daughter they shared, Joe’laya McClary, two sons he considered as his own, Tytrell and Draquan Gore, all of the home; and two sisters, Janice Brown (Murray) and Ruth Staggers-Wilson of Kingstree.
Jacqueline Darby
Funeral services for Mrs. Jacqueline “Jackie” Charmaine McKnight Darby, conducted by Bishop Dr. Linwood Cooper, were held Friday, March 20, 2020, at the chapel of Pressley’s Funeral Home of Kingstree. Burial, directed by Pressley’s Funeral Home, followed at the Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery of Kingstree.
Mrs. Darby died Saturday, March 14, 2020, at the Tidelands Georgetown Hospital. She was born July 1, 1978, in Williamsburg County, the daughter of the late George McKnight, Sr. and Rose Lee McCullough McKnight. She attended Williamsburg County School System and was a graduate of C.E. Murray High School. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology from Morris College of Sumter. She was a member of St. James Holiness Church in the Trio Community. Her career history included employment as a substitute teacher in the Williamsburg County School System, Fast Point, and Wal-Mart.
Survivors are: her husband, Bryan Lamont Darby of Andrews; three children, Adja Faye Darby, Cornelius Lamont Darby and Octavia Nicole Darby, all of the home; three siblings, Orie Jean McKnight, Lerlean Kinlaw and Quinton (Dana) McKnight, all of Andrews; and father-in-law, Samuel Wilson of Georgetown.
Don Chandler
Don Royal Chandler, 81, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday morning, March 22, 2020, passing away most peacefully at the McLeod Hospice House after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
A private committal service for Mr. Chandler’s immediate family will be held in Kingstree Memorial Gardens. A memorial worship and celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.
Mr. Chandler was born December 6, 1938, in his hometown of Lane, the youngest son of the late Alvin Laurence and Janie Belle Royal Chandler. He was a 1956 graduate of Kingstree High School. Upon graduation, Mr. Chandler’s career began at Thomas Ford Motor Company of Kingstree as a parts salesman, where he first saw his beloved wife of 56 years, Bertha Ann, when she came in to make her car payment. He left this job to become an auto mechanic and co-owner of Chandler’s Garage for over 37 years where he worked harmoniously with his brother, together serving Lane as well as the surrounding communities. In 1994, Mr. Chandler became a shop mechanic/transporter with the SC Department of Transportation from which he retired after 12 years. Don was a life-long and “All In” Clemson fan who looked forward to every football season for the fun rivalries. Mr. Chandler was an active elder, deacon, and Sunday School superintendent of his hometown Lane Presbyterian Church until it was closed in 1996. He, along with his family, then transferred membership to Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, where he was also a long-time elder. Don was a member of the Berean Sunday School class, the Men’s Morning breakfast group and former chair of the Evangelism & Service committee. Through this committee, he coordinated and helped served the Blessed Angela meals to those less fortunate. Upon his retirement, Don continued his lifelong ministry of service to others through his visits to shut-ins and nursing home residents until he became physically unable. When his Parkinson’s disease progressed, Don became an assisted living resident of The Methodist Manor and later as a skilled care resident of The Heritage Home, both in Florence, SC. In these communities, Don pressed onward with his true life’s calling—being God’s disciple, sharing his light and love to all he encountered even until his last earthly breath.
Surviving to love and cherish the precious memories of this good, faithful, disciple of God and servant are: his wife, Bertha Ann Ard Chandler of the home; his daughters, Donna Marie C. (Johnny) White, of Kingstree; Elizabeth Ann C. (Brian) Wieber, of Davidson, NC; his two granddaughters, Chandler Louise White and Caroline Elizabeth Wieber; and many nieces and nephews. Don also had special friends he considered family, Anne and Daniel (Danny) Caison of Kingstree. Mr. Chandler was predeceased by his parents and brother, Alvin Laurence Chandler, Jr.
Memorials may be made to the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 411 North Academy Street, Kingstree, SC 29556, or McLeod Hospice, PO Box 100551, Florence, SC 29502-0051.
Earnest Burgess
Earnest C. Burgess, 69, of Kingstree, died Thursday, March 19, 2020, at his residence.
Graveside services, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Brian L. Williams, were held Tuesday, March 24, 2020, at Greenlawn Cemetery, directed by Redmond-Richardson Funeral Home.
Mr. Burgess was born November 4, 1950, in Kingstree, the son of the late Alphonzo Burgess and Ola Cooper Burgess. He was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg County. He excelled in sports and graduated from Kingstree Senior High School in 1971. A son and three brothers, Alphonzo Burgess, Jr., Paul Burgess, and Harold Burgess, preceded him in death. He was a member of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Kingstree, where he served on the trustee board and steward board, as a class leader for class #10, and a member of the gospel and men’s choirs. He was employed by the Williamsburg County School District in the maintenance department, and also as a self-employed contracted carpenter by trade.
Survivors are: his wife, Marjorie Brown Burgess of the home; one son, Versell Burgess of Summerville; three daughters, Amanda Burgess and Wancilla White (Kenton), both of Florence; and Kimberly Burgess of Summerville; two brothers, Alphonzo Burgess (Mary) of Bronx, New York; and James Burgess of Manhattan, New York; one sister, Rebecca Burgess of Manhattan, New York; and seven grandchildren.
James Elmore
Funeral services for James Lewis “Muda” Elmore, conducted by the Rev. Robert E. Galloway and the Rev. Sam Whack, Jr., were held Monday, March 23, 2020, at the Howard Chapel AME Church of Manning. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at Howard Chapel Church Cemetery of New Zion.
Mr. Elmore died Monday, March 16, 2020, at the McLeod Regional Medical Center of Florence. He was born December 2, 1949, the son of the late James Elmore and Eula Mae Chandler Elmore. He was educated in the public school system of Clarendon County. He was a jack-of-all-trades, farmer, construction worker, and mechanic. A daughter, Kendra McFadden-Goss, and five siblings, Willie Elmore, Larry Elmore, Eurealee Elmore, Shirley Ann Elmore, and Michael Elmore, preceded him in death.
Survivors are: his wife, Lucille Elmore; nine children, Keisha Elmore of the home; Kimberly Crawford (Daryl) of Myrtle Beach; Linda Porter and Branden McFadden, both of Sumter; Direne Lee of Manning; Lewis Fredrick Elmore and Marvin Porter (Maria), both of New Zion; and Calvin Elmore (Shana) and James Porter (Charlene), both of Lake City; four sisters, Dorothy Elmore and Polly Evans, of Lake City; Juanita Miller (Charles) of New Zion; and Lois Evans (Clinton) of Turbeville; 29 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Floral bearers were Angela McFadden, Nina Elmore, Catheren Elmore, Doris Elmore, Demetrus Graham, Hannah Dicks, LaShonda Dollins, and Shaneka McCrea.
Pallbearers were Leroy Elmore, Brian Evans, Mark Elmore, Deon McFadden, Willie Elmore, and Kendrick Elmore.
James Wilson
Graveside funeral services for James Wesley Wilson, conducted by the Rev. Lee Burgess, were held Friday, March 27, 2020, at the New St. John Cemetery of Lake City, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home.
Mr. Wilson died Monday, March 23, 2020, at the Grand Strand Hospital. He was born March 13, 1962, in Lake City, the son of the late John Wilson Sr. and Dinah Wilson. Two sisters, Dorothy Wilson Elmore and Jeanette Wilson Evans, preceded him in death. He received his formal education in the public schools of Williamsburg County. He was a member of Saint John United Methodist Church of Lake City. He worked on the farm for many years prior to being employed by McCall Farms for 11 years.
Survivors are: his wife, Leathia Wilson; one stepson, Limus Woods of Boston, Massachusetts; two stepdaughters, Ellaresha Woods of Long; and Shawnita McElveen of the home; his father-in-law, Bobby Brockington, Sr. of Kingstree; two sisters, Linda Simmons (Paul) of Augusta, Georgia; and Mary Cooper of Florence; four brothers, John Wilson and Sammie Lee Wilson, both of Kingstree; Eugune Wilson (Shirley) of Lake City; and Eula Porter of Florence; and five grandchildren.
James Mack
Funeral services for James Curtis Mack, conducted by the Rev. Lou E. Salters, were held Friday, March 27, 2020, at the Spirit and Truth Deliverance Church, STDC of Hemingway. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at the Wilson Cemetery of Stuckey.
Mr. Mack died Wednesday, March 18, 2020, at the Carolinas Hospital System of Florence. He was born April 25, 1968, in Florence County, the son of the late Amos (Ruth) Mack. He was educated through the public schools of Lake City High School of Lake City. He was a member of New Birth Christian Fellowship Center. He was self-employed as a master builder. He was married to Ruby P. Nesmith (Mack). Survivors are: eight children, Priscilla Singleton (Darrin) of Sumter; Cynthia Robinson (Newt) of Myrtle Beach; Curtis Mack of Georgia; James Mack of Florida; Victoria Mack and Demetrius Mack, both of Hemingway; and Jean Curtis Briggs and Jarell A. Mack, both of Lake City; nine siblings, Gloria Davis (Dewane) of Johnsonville; Bernice Mills (Michael) of Hamden, Connecticut; Ida Burgess (Phillip), Amos Mack (Mary Ann), and Endia Clark (Kenneth) of Johnsonville; Emma Weaver (Gerald) and Nancy Brown, both of Lake City; Linda Simon (Leon) of Hemingway; and Little Joe Mack (Ernestine) of Myrtle Beach; and eight grandchildren.
Floral bearers were Maquita Turner, Holliey Nesmith, Sabrina Mack, Latrise Mack, Loria Nesmith, and Samatha Fulmore.
Pallbearers were Levan Nesmith, Kenneth Clark, Joseph Turner, Antonio Burgess, Jeffrey Nelson, and Quincy Mack.
