Pee Dee Homegoing Services This Week

* Obituary For Mrs. Evelene McKenzie Leaf

Mrs. Evelene McKenzie Leaf, age 84, received her angel wings on Friday, January 28, 2021, surrounded by family and friends in both presence and prayer where she transitioned peacefully.

Evelene was born on March 30, 1936 in Olanta, South Carolina. She is the daughter of Eddie Samuel “Buck” McKenzie and Rosella Brown McKenzie.

Her love of life, family, friends, and her Lord and Savior was shown through her giving heart and beautiful smile. Evelene graduated from the Poynor Adult Education School and received her nursing certificate from Florence-Darlington Technical College. She was a long-time member of New Ebenezer Baptist Church where she sang in the choir for several years. She worked for McLeod Regional Medical Center in nursing for nearly 30 years.

Evelene married the love of her life, Lucious Leaf, in 1962. Together they were blessed with two sons, Allen Leaf of Florence, South Carolina and Joe Leaf of Alamosa, Colorado. Her heart and love grew larger with the addition of her five grandchildren, Jocelyn, LeKelvis (Ebonee), and Stephon Leaf of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Markita and Tyra Leaf of Florence, South Carolina. Added to her blessings were five great-grandchildren whom she adored.

In addition to her husband, Lucious Leaf, parents, Eddie Samuel “Buck” McKenzie and Rosella Brown McKenzie, as well as siblings, Edith M. “Snoot” Brayboy, John Alton “Sun” McKenzie, Junior McKenzie, and Laura McKenzie “Connie” Howe preceded her in death.

She is survived by two sisters, Dorthy Gean McKenzie and Rosa Lee McKenzie Taylor, of Macon, Georgia, and sons, Allen and Joe Leaf. Other survivors include a special niece, Valorie Keels of Macon, Georgia, a special friend, Bobbie Washington of Florence, South Carolina along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

In place of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the college scholarship fund that is being set up in her name.

* Obituary For Mrs. Frances Louise Doby Levy

Mrs. Frances Louise Doby Levy was born August 1, 1945, in Florence, South Carolina to John and Victoria Canty Doby. She entered eternal rest Wednesday, January 27, 2021, at McLeod Hospice House.

Frances attended Florence County Public Schools. At a young age, she met the love of her life, Glenn Levy, whom she married and together, they moved to New York where they built their lives. After many years in New York, she returned to Florence to be closer to family and help raise her beloved great grandnephews, whom she loved as her own.

Frances was a member of Cumberland United Methodist Church, where she served faithfully until her health declined.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, one brother John Doby, Jr, two sisters, Annie Ruth Porter and Estelle Williams, and nephews: Leon “Sonny” George and Chadwick Anderson.

Left to cherish her memories include: her brother, Harry (Jacqueline) Doby; her sister, Betty Robinson; three nieces: Margie Porter and Tammie Altice of Florence, SC, whom she raised as her own and Stacie Hawkins of New York, NY; nephews: Brandon Doby of Florence, SC; Harry Maxwell of Sayersville, PA; Laurence Doby, Sr. of Burlington, NC; Charles Doby of Brooklyn, NY; three grandnieces: Autia Gainey and Twaniquyia Gainey of Florence, SC whom she raised as her own and Tenaya Hawkins of Tucson, AZ; a grandnephew: Chancellor Gregg of New York, NY; the apples of her eyes and raised in her home, her heartbeats, great-grandnephews: Damon, Cordea, Jayden and King; and a host of other nieces, nephews, extended relatives and friends.

* Obituary For Ms. Esther May Martin Dubose

Ms. Esther May Martin Dubose was born December 8, 1954 in Paterson, NJ. She was the oldest of four children born to the late Leola Seacrest Taylor and Richard Eugene Martin, Sr. On January 26, 2021 after battling her life long sickness “Cookie”, as her friends may call her, was called home to be one of God’s Angels in Heaven’s Kingdom.
Esther attended St. John’s High School in Darlington, SC of which is now known as Darlington High School. She resided in Darlington where she was a member of Grace Temple Apostolic Church serving as a member of the Missionary, Choir Director and on the Usher Board. In her spare time, she enjoyed listening to her gospel music, playing her computer games, watching movies on Nexfix and Hulu, painting, drawing and taking care of her fish; but most of all she loved the Lord and going to church.
Esther is preceded in death by: her granddaughter, Zippora C. Byrd and her daughter-in-law, Kimberly Dubose.

Those left to cherish her memory are: her four children: Henry (Michelle) Byrd, Kieklo Gattison, Tora (Tyrone) Lucas and Lonnie Dubose; one sister, Lottie Ann Martin; two brothers: Eddie Martin and Richard Eugene Martin, Jr.; twelve grandchildren: Shaneque Gattison, Tyisha Gattison, Inesha Gattison, Delonte Dubose, Kymbrawa Dubose, Tamiya Dubose, Messaiah Dubose, Jaleel Moses, Darius Byrd, NaZyriah Johnson, Aquavion Lucas and Khaaliq Lucas; two great grandchildren: Skylar Brown and Myric Brunson; a special grandson-in-law, Mytea Brunson; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation for relatives and friends were held at the residence of a daughter, 622 Woodduck Lane, Darlington.

* Obituary For Mother Linda Washington Curtis

It is with heartfelt sorrow that the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. announces the passing of Mother Linda Washington Curtis of Florence, formally of Darlington who transitioned peacefully from labor to reward on Saturday, January 23, 2021 in McLeod Hospital.

Celebration of Life for Mother Linda W. Curtis was 1:00PM on Saturday, January 30, 2021 in the Church Yard of Glorious Remnant Revival Church, 109 Langston Road, Darlington. Interment followed in the Faith Memorial Gardens, Rogers Road, Darlington.

Mother Linda Washington Curtis was born October 3, 1948, in Georgetown, SC. She was the daughter of the late James and Mary Rodgers Washington. She was the seventh child of nine born into this union. She was reared by her aunt, Nancy (Jake) Rodgers Hiers. She departed this earthly life on January 23, 2021 at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

She continued her career as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Faith Nursing Home, McLeod Regional Medical Center, and Nitronics of Darlington as staff nurse. Continuously displaying a love for people, she was promoted as a Human Resources manager at Nitronics, along with maintaining her nursing position within the company. In 1984, Linda resigned from Nitronics to be a helpmeet for her husband in running the family business, Curtis Oil & Trucking Company. They worked diligently together, with Linda also opening Linda’s Boutique and C&M Grocery with her husband’s support. Eventually, their work together led to the reorganizing of the companies to Curtis Enterprises of Darlington, Inc, where she later retired.

Linda was a faithful woman of God and a mighty prayer warrior. Her favorite scripture was Psalm 118:17: I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. She served God through her church until her health declined. Linda gave her life to Christ as a young woman at Round O Baptist Church where she served on the Missionary Board, UBIA Ministries, Spiritual Choir, and Youth Department Advisor for several years until she was led by Holy Spirit to transfer her membership to Glorious Remnant Revival Community where her spiritual growth continued. As a member of Glorious Remnant Revival Community, Mother Curtis served as a member of the Finance Ministry, Wise Council, and a Children’s Church teacher. Whatever her hands found to do, she did it will all her might (Ecclesiastes 9:10)

Linda loved to sit outside, attend church, read, travel, and spend time with her family. She enjoyed watching old Western shows and ironing clothes. Linda was a loving individual with a heart of gold and would do all she could to help anyone. Her warm smile and contagious laugh will truly be missed.

Linda was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, godmother, and friend.

She leaves to cherish her memories: three daughters: Anastacia (Jarvis) Simon of Darlington, SC, Tifani (Apostle Jeremiah) Merritt of Florence, SC, and Sandra Curtis (Kirby) Samuel of Darlington, SC; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She also leaves two brothers: Rev. Levi (Christina) Washington of Hemingway, SC and Rodney (Carrie) Washington of Florence, SC; three sisters: Bertha Washington of Far Rockaway, NY, Emma Lee Seymore of Huntersville, NC, and Barbara Ann Washington of Fairburn, GA; three special godsons: Pastor Kelvin (Yvonne) Charles and Minister Lionell A. (Lakeisha) Cribb, both of Darlington, SC, and Eddie Robinson of Myrtle Beach, SC; a longtime friend, Sarah Gilbert of Hartsville, SC; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Visitation for relatives and friends were held at the residence of a daughter and son-in-law, Anastasia and Jarvis Simon, 2304 Holly Circle, Darlington. Mask wearing was required to visit the residence.

* The Benedict College Family Deeply Mourns the Loss of Trustee Emeritus and Treasured Alumnus, Dr. Milton Kimpson

A native of St. Matthews, SC, Dr. Kimpson graduated from Benedict College in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics. He earned a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin and received Honorary Doctorate degrees from Benedict College and Wofford College. After graduating from Benedict College, Dr. Kimpson began his teaching career at Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia as a mathematics teacher. He later distinguished himself as a principal at two of the city’s elementary schools before being selected as a State Supervisor of Elementary Education at the South Carolina State Department of Education.

He later was appointed the first Executive Director of the Community Relations Council of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce. In 1979, he was appointed Executive Director of Health, Education and Human Services by the Honorable Richard W. Riley, Governor of the State of South Carolina, where he was responsible for the supervision and administration of the State’s efforts in education, health, community services, employment, and training. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, and Phi Delta Kappa Fraternity. Dr. Kimpson’s commitment and service to Benedict College is notably unmatched and unparalleled. He served on the Board of trustees for forty-one (41) years and was elected to Board Emeritus status in 2011.

His legacy will endure at Benedict College and the community-at-large through his endowed scholarship fund and the Milton Kimpson Center for Graduate Studies and Continuing Education Building named in his honor.

Rest well Mighty Tiger – you will be forever remembered as The BEST of BC!