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[/if ImageKingstree] ESAW BENBOW - LANE
Funeral services for Brother Esaw “Sport” Benbow, conducted by the Rev. Elder B. Holmes and the Rev. Sam Giles, were held Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Lane. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at Wesley-Mt. Zion Cemetery. Mr. Benbow died Friday, December 27, 2008 at his home. He was born January 8, 1923, a son of the late Boston and Daisy Green Benbow. He attended the public schools of Williamsburg County. He was married to the late Victoria Myers. He was a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he served on the Usher Board, Pastor’s Aide Committee, Hospitality Com-mittee and Trustee. Survivors are: his wife, Alma Johnson Benbow of Scranton; and one like a son, Allen Cooper of Lane.

Francis Bradford, III - KINGSTREE
Francis Pelham “Pel” Bradford, III, 57, died Saturday, December 27, 2008 at his residence. Funeral services were held Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at Kingstree United Methodist Church. Burial, directed by Williamsburg Funeral Home, followed at Cedar Swamp United Methodist Church Cemetery. Mr. Bradford was born on October 4, 1951 in Kingstree, a son of the late Francis Pelham Bradford, Jr. and Nell McGill Bradford. He was a graduate of Kingstree High School and attended Spartanburg Metho-dist College. He retired in 2003 as a captain after 29 years of service with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement. Mr. Bradford was a member of Kingstree United Methodist Church. Survivors are: one daughter, Rebecca Bradford of Kingstree; one son, Francis Pelham Bradford, IV of Kingstree; and one sister, Mary Louise Bradford of Anderson. Memorials may be made to Kingstree United Methodist Church, 510 N. Longstreet St., Kingstree, SC 29556 or Cedar Swamp United Methodist Church, 807 Fourth Avenue, Kingstree, SC 29556.

LILLIE WARD - KINGSTREE
Funeral services for Mrs. Lillie Beatrice Ward, conducted by Pastor Terry Law, were held Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Siloam Missionary Baptist Church in Kingstree. Burial, directed by Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home, followed at Greenlawn Cemetery in Kingstree. Mrs. Ward, 93, died Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at her home in Kingstree. She was born May 10, 1915 in Kingstree, a daughter of the late Jeffrey and Peggy McClary. Her education was completed in the Williams-burg County Public Schools. She worked as a nurse in private homes and as a substitute teacher. She was a member of Siloam Missionary Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society, Deaconess Board (Chairperson), Trustee Board, Senior Choir and as a Sunday school leader. She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor L. Ward, Sr. and one son, Marion G. Ward. Survivors are: eight children, Lauretta Dancy (Linwood) and Carolyn Ward-Williams, both of Kingstree; Peggy Holliday (Theodore) of Linden, New Jersey; Victor Ward, Jr. (Alberta) of Fayetteville, North Carolina; Dorothy Love (James) of Columbia; Jessie Ward-Jones of Union, New Jersey; Gwendolyn Evans (Donald) of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Vernett Cheecks (Thornell) of Lithonia, Georgia; two sisters, Florence Shaw of Durham, North Carolina; and Julia Giles of Martinville, Virginia; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

GEORGE COOPER - KINGSTREE
Funeral services for George Odell Cooper, conducted by the Rev. Jack C. Washington, were held Friday, January 2, 2009 at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church in Kingstree. Burial, directed by Dimery and Rogers Funeral Home, followed at Elijah United Methodist Church Cemetery in Kingstree. Mr. Cooper, 73, died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Williamsburg Regional Hospital in Kingstree. He was born March 1, 1935 in Kingstree, a son of the late Friday and Beanie Wilson Cooper. He received his formal education in the public schools of Williamsburg County. He received a certification in culinary arts from South Carolina Area Trade School in Denmark and spent a major portion of his life employed as a chef and cook in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was a member of Mt. Zion United Methodist Church of Kingstree, where he was a member of the Gospel Chorus and the United Methodist Men. Survivors are: two brothers, Mose Cooper (Kathryn) of Kingstree; and Moses Cooper (Mary K.) of Rochester, New York.

RALPH GAMBLE - ANDREWS
Ralph Woodrow Gamble, 87, died Sunday, December 28, 2008, at Tidelands Community Hospice House in Georgetown. Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Murray W. Powell, were held Friday, January 2, 2009, at the graveside in Piney Forest Cemetery.
Mr. Gamble was born in Williamsburg County on October 22, 1921, a son of the late Samuel Lawrence Gamble and Minnie Estelle Taylor Gamble. He served in the Army during World War II and also served for a time in the Coast Guard Reserve. He was a retired long distance truck driver and a former employee of Senn Trucking and Murray Wood Products. He was a member of Piney Forest Baptist Church, a Mason and a Shriner. Mr. Gamble was the widower of Helen Rice Gamble. Survivors are: one sister, Claudia Mae Gamble of Georgetown; a niece; and two nephews.

NELL DENNIS - KINGSTREE
Nell Carolyn Parrott Dennis, 74, wife of Theodore S. “Ted” Dennis died Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at her residence. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Kingstree United Methodist Church. Burial, directed by Williamsburg Funeral Home, followed at Kingstree Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Dennis was born April 23, 1934 in Florence, a daughter of Lois Lane and Lawrence Amos Wilson Parrott. She owned and operated Royal Dry Cleaners for many years. Mrs. Dennis was a member of Kingstree United Methodist Church. Survivors, in addition to her husband of Kingstree, are: five children, Steve Dennis (Lauren) of Mt Pleasant; Keithie Tarver of Bakersfield, California; Karolyn Turner of Hampton; Kathryn Erickson (Eric) of Moncks Corner; and Sue Mathews (Aaron) of Simpsonville; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Memorials may be made to Kingstree United Methodist Church, 510 N. Longstreet St., Kingstree, SC 29556 or Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Attn: Gift Management Services, 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, TX 75244.

ALLEN WOODARD - SALTERS
Funeral services for Minister Allen “Squeaky” Jerome Woodard, conducted by Rev. Clement Grant and Moderator Dr. Herman Gibson, were held Saturday, January 3, 2009 at Central Missionary Baptist Church in Salters. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at the churchyard cemetery. Mr. Woodard died Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. He was born March 10, 1966 in Kingstree, a son of Mrs. Lucille C. Woodard and the late Moses G. Woodard, Sr. He was educated in the public schools of Williamsburg County, graduating from Kingstree Senior High School, class of 1983. After graduating from high school, he attended and graduated from Baptist College in Charleston. He later received his certification as a medical assistant. He was a member of Central Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as associate pastor, youth minister, youth Sunday school teacher and president of the Youth Convention, Williamsburg Education Association. He was instrumental in starting the group, The Central Singing Angels. He taught school for four years at South Florence High School. He obtained his ministry degree and was ordained by Bishop Paul Morton. He was employed by Pee Dee Orthopedics of Florence.
Survivors, in addition to his mother of the home, are: one sister, Lou Ella Woodard of Kingstree; and two brothers, Anthony Woodard of Kingstree; and Retired Master Sgt. Moses Woodard, Jr. of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

ELLIS McKNIGHT - KINGSTREE
Funeral services for Ellis Elmore McKnight, conducted by Pastor Deberry P. Cook and the Rev. Alfred V. Griffin, Jr., were held Wednesday, Dec-ember 31, 2008 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Kingstree. Burial, directed by Pressley’s Funeral Home, followed at Bethel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Mr. McKnight died Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at Kingstree Nursing Home in Kingstree. He was born December 14, 1926, a son of the late Harrison and Mary Robinson McKnight. He was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church, where he served as a choir member, Sunday school teacher and a member of the United Methodist Men. He was a farmer and later in life a seasonal employee at the Carolina Warehouse in Lake City. He was married to the late Lothree McCullough. Survivors are: two sons, Ellis McKnight of Kingstree; and CSCM Jimmie McKnight (US Navy) stationed in Yokosuka, Japan; two daughters, Della Cooper of Columbia; and Chief Shirley Ann McKnight of Kingstree; five brothers, James Arthur McKnight of Miami, Florida; Harrison McKnight (Jannie), Paul McKnight (Landeas) and Andy McKnight (Regina), all of Kingstree; and Levern Burrows (Jeanie) of Hem-ingway; two sisters, Lurine Shaw of Miami, Florida; and Roberta Sheriff (Napolean) of Hemingway; 13 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

PICKENS WILSON, SR. - KINGSTREE    
Funeral services for Pickens Wilson, Sr., conducted by the Rev. Dr. Charles R. Conner and the Rev. Clyde Henryhand, Sr., were held Friday, January 2, 2009 at St. Michael United Methodist Church in Kingstree. Burial, directed by Pressley’s Funeral Home, followed at St. Michael United Methodist Church Cemetery. Mr. Wilson died Sunday, December 28, 2008 at Carolinas Hospital System in Florence. He was born April 1, 1920 in the Millwood Community of Williamsburg County, a son of the late Sam “Mott” Wilson and Shula Brown Wilson. He attended the public schools of Williamsburg County and graduated from Tomlinson High School. He was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church. He began working as a farmer. He was employed by Ray Baker. He was later employed by Swain Highway Construction Company. He retired from Johnny Meekin Highway Construction Comp-any. One child Herman Wilson preceded him in death. Survivors are: his wife, Ruth Wilson of the home; seven children, Geneva Wilson (Aaron) of Englewood, New Jersey; Zenobia Nesmith, Pickens Wilson, Jr. (Ruth Ann), Deloris Henryhand, Sr. (Clyde), Charles Wilson (Jannie Lee), Ronald Wilson (Evelyn) and Katherine Graham (Dexter), all of Kingstree; two sisters, Elzetta Trawick and Roberta Kelly, both of Kingstree; 26 grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

MAE McKNIGHT - KINGSTREE
Funeral services for Mae Burgess Tuck McKnight, conducted by Elder Lee Roy McClary, were held Monday, January 5, 2009 at William N. Redmond Memorial Chapel in Kingstree. Burial, directed by Redmond-Richardson Funeral Home, followed at Kingstree Cemetery. Mrs. McKnight, 91, died Friday, January 2, 2009 at Carolinas Hospital System in Florence. She was born August 1, 1917 in Kingstree, a daughter of the late Willie James and Annie Mae Burgess. She received her formal education in the public schools of Williamsburg County. She was married to the late Willie James Tuck. A daughter Johnnie Mae Woods Younger preceded her in death. Survivors are: her husband, Richard McKnight of the home; three sons, Earl Burgess (Magelene) and Vernell Woods (Lillie Mae), both of Kingstree; and Willie Tuck of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; one daughter, Darlene Tuck Adams (Jacob Darby) of Kingstree; 15 grandchildren; and a host of great-grandchildren.