Pee Dee Homegoing Services This Week

Dorothy B. Phillips March 25, 1933 - July 2, 2022

Mother Dorothy E. Thomas Phillips was born March 25, 1933, in Florence, SC. She was the daughter of Anthony and Ethel Peanard Echols. She transitioned to her heavenly home Saturday, July 2, 2022, at Heritage Nursing Home, Inc.

She attended the public schools of Florence County and graduated from Wilson High School. She worked over twenty years at “Kress Store”located downtown Florence where she was affectionately called “Dot”. She also worked and retired from the Florence County Disability Board.

Mother Phillips was a faithful member of Greater Gethsemane Apostolic Church. She received the gift of the Holy Ghost during the leadership of the late Bishop Lloyd Swaringer, Sr. She served on the Mother’s Board, usher ministry, and sang on the Senior Choir where she gladly gave all praises to God.

She humbly utilized her gift of hospitality affording her innumerable opportunities to cook and serve others who often came back for seconds. In the community, she was known as a giver because she willingly comforted others with her smile and ministered with words of wisdom in addition to giving freely (whether a person wanted it or not). Mother Phillips was a true disciple of Christ, wife, mother, grandmother; she always had time to demonstrate the love of Christ. She loved everyone. Mother Phillips embodied a quiet nature, but her actions spoke volumes. She taught her children and everyone what love is.

Mother Phillips was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. Anthony and Mrs. Ethel Peanard Echols; husbands, Mr. Isaac Phillips and Mr. James Thomas, Sr., two daughters; Gwendolyn Mack, Janice Phillips and twelve siblings and grandchild Antwan Samuel.

Her legacy lives on through her daughters, Barbara Thomas, Doris (Rev. James Brown, Jr.), Mary (Larry) Ann Phillips; three sons; James (Myra) Thomas, Jr,. Isaac (Demetrius) Phillips, Jr., and John Phillips; one son-in-law, Entran Mack, Sr.; one sister Uneedia Deas and a host of grandchildren, Mickey Giles, Maurice Giles, Jameyal (Clarissa) Thomas, Bernice (Rontrell) Robinson, Scmirio Sanders, Kevin Sims, LaFarris (David) Clements, Jackie Hicks, Andrian Hicks, James (Vanessa) Brown III, Andreana (Robert) Daniels, Timothy Brown, Dorissa Brown, Leon Paige, Shelton Paige, Tiffany Paige, Jennifer (Justin) Williams, Gavette (Shae) Samuel, Jomia Mack, Entran (Joanna) Mack; great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.Mother Phillips will be greatly missed and so deeply remembered- never forgotten. Take your rest! We’ll see you in the morning. We Love You!

Mary Jane McLamore McKithen May 14, 1946 - July 3, 2022

Early Sunday morning July 3, 2022, she was summoned by the Lord to join him in heaven.

Mrs. Mary Jane was born May 14, 1946, in Florence, SC to the late Sam and Ruth McLamore, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Hampton, and Mr. and Mrs. Moses Friday. She was married to Mr. Alvester McKithen at an early age, he preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by numerous brothers, sisters and in-laws.

Mrs. Mary Jane affectionately known to her family as “Lil Sister” attended Johnson Middle School. She retired from Florence School District Four, where she dedicated 25 years of employment.

Mrs. McKithen leaves to cherish her precious memories: Three sons, Levester “Solo” (Kimm) McKithen of Florence, SC, Tony (Deborah) McKithen, Chris (Angela) McKithen, both of Timmonsville, SC; Three daughters, Ms. Fransena “Tammy” McKithen, Lori (Kevin) Alston and Shrell McKithen, all of Timmonsville, SC; children she accepted as her own, Tracey McKithen, James (Felicia) McKithen, Jr., Brenda McKithen, Caroline McKithen, preceded in death, Agnes McKithen Carter and Cheryl McKithen; two God sons Glenn (Elizabeth) McKithen and Roosevelt Thomas, Jr., both of Timmonsville, SC; thirteen grandchildren, Bryant Bailey, Cherease Phillips, Tony (Rachelle) McKithen Jr., Bryson McKithen., D’Jieri McKithen, Bobby Williams Jr., Shaquela Brown, Chris McKithen Jr., Christopher Mack, Jaheim Alston, Aaliyah Alston, Toniyah McKithen and reared in the home Yazmin Sumpter; Seven great grandchildren; Ace, Jaidan, Cali, Aspen, Kenzi, Pasley, Journee; Six Sisters; Eleanor (James) McKithen, Dorothy Hickson, Rosa Marie Thompson, Debra Hampton, all of Timmonsville, SC, Celestine (Winfred) Fleming, of Lynchburg, SC and Khadijah (Pat)Vidal, of Richmond, VA; Six brothers, Steve Hampton, of Florence, SC, Victor Hampton, John (Janice)Hampton, Jimmy (Cynthia)Hampton, all of Timmonsville, SC, Marvin (Tywanna)Hampton of Florence, SC and Michael (Lillian) Friday, of Richmond, VA; Six Sisters- in-law, Travis McKithen, Janie Bell Hampton both of Florence, SC, Mary Mckithen, Sylvia Richardson, Diane McKithen and Linda (Steve) Keith, all of Timmonsville, SC; Special honorary cousin, Martha Dicks; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; other relatives and friends.

William D. Mitchell September 23, 1955 - June 30, 2022

William D. Mitchell affectionately known as “Bill / Mitch”, departed this earthly life on Thursday, June 30, 2022 at PRISMA Health Tuomey Hospital in Sumter.

William was born in Sumter County, (Borden), on September 23, 1955. He was the first born of the late Abraham and Mrs. Carrie Robinson Mitchell. William received Christ at an early age and became a member of the Rafting Creek Baptist Church, Rembert. He received his education in the Sumter County Public Schools and graduated from Hillcrest High School, Dalzell, with the Class of 1974.

Upon graduation from high school, William studied Electrical Engineering at formally, DeVry Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, currently, DeVry University. He joined the United States Navy in 1975 and served until 1981. After basic training, William was stationed at Miramar Naval Base in San Diego, California, where he served as an AE8345-F-14 System Aircraft Organizational Maintenance Technician. He was honorably discharged in 1981. After faithfully serving his Country, William gained employment with Sorbus Industries in Anaheim, California, where he pursued his passion as an Electrical Maintenance Technician. William was a curious, adventurous, mischievous and well- loved child and young man. Technically speaking, electronics was his first love. Nothing was too hard for him. He loved nature, almost too much. Hunting, fishing and gardening were his favorite past-time activities. He was also a self-proclaim handyman, tinkering with plumbing, painting houses and various other projects. William was preceded in death by his father, Abraham Mitchell and his step-sister, Victoria (Penny) Young. He leaves to cherish his precious memories: his mother, Carrie Robinson Mitchell; one son, Kevin Andre’ (Karrie) Nelson of Columbia; one sister, Kenneth Mae Mitchell of Columbia; one adopted sister, Tiffany Monique Mitchell of New Port News, VA;, two half-sisters, Kelly (Patrick) Washington of North East, DC., Karen Yvette Mitchell of LaPlata, MD.; one half brother, Brian Andre’ (Rev. Dr. Marlene) Mitchell of Upper Marlboro, MD; two step-sisters, Annette Dennis of LaPlata, Maryland, Martha (Richmond) Workmen of South East, DC.; two grandchildren, Alexis Nelson and Vivienne Nelson; one grand aunt, Delores (George) Waters of Philadelphia, PA.; three aunts, Rose Robinson and Debra Robinson of Buffalo, NY., Roberta Shirley of Oxon Hill, MD; four uncles, Reverend Dr. Roosevelt (Ella) Robinson of Baltimore, MD, Francis Mitchell of North East, DC., Isaac (Bessie) Mitchell of North West, DC., Johnnie Mitchell of Columbus, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family friends and a special pet kitten, Gypsy. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a. m., Friday, July 8, 2022 in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Home, Inc., 821 North Main Street, Sumter, with the Rev. Dr. J. Elbert Williams, Eulogist, the Rev. Melvin Mack, pastor of Rafting Creek Baptist Church, presiding. The procession will leave the home at 10:20 a. m. Burial will follow in the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia

Doris Flemming September 27, 1959 - July 2, 2022

It is with profound sorrow we announce the transition of Mrs. Doris Flemming, 62, of Florence, South Carolina, who entered into eternal rest on Saturday, July 2, 2022. Masks are required during all of these services at the request of the family.

Joseph Patrick Vereen December 16, 1966 - June 28, 2022

Brother Joseph Patrick Vereen was 55, and departed this life Tuesday June 28, 2022 in Florence County. He was the father of Letoya Johnson, the grandfather of Brooke Johnson and Ayden Johnson, the brother of Caralene Fling, Mamie Davis and Nadine Allen. You may visit the family at 2942 Cherrydale Rd. Marion.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church on Friday July 8, 2022 at 11:00 am. He will be laid to rest at St. John Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, Aynor

Deloris Thirkell Grant December 1, 1946 - June 30, 2022

Sister Deloris Grant was 75, and departed this life Thursday June 30, 2022 in Marion County. She was the mother of Jacqueline Clark, Cathie Grant and Patricia Grant. You may visit the family at 3703 Dorothys Ct. Marion.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the St. James AME Church on Thursday July 7, 2022 at 1:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at St. James AME Church Memorial Garden. Services will be live-steamed on the Jackson & McGill Facebook Page.