Pee Dee Homegoing Services This Week...

**Obituary for Leon Grant**

Mr. Leon “Levern” Grant, a devoted husband and father gently and peacefully departed his life and surrendered to the Lords call on Thursday, August 12, 2021 at McLeod Hospice House following a brief illness. Levern was born on June 28, 1927 to the late Michael and Etta McAllister Grant. He grew up on a farm in the rural area of Pamplico, SC.

At an early age, Levern became a member of Spring Branch Baptist Church. Prior to his death he enjoyed membership at Mill Branch AME Church in Pamplico, SC.
Levern a lover of all sports had a tremendous passion for the Philadelphia Eagles which was demonstrated on many Sunday afternoons, especially if they were playing Lizzie’s favorite Dallas Cowboys. He also enjoyed gardening and tinkering with all things mechanical. He was educated in Florence Public Schools and upon graduation he moved to Philadelphia, PA and began working with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

In 1950 Levern joined the United States Army during the Korean War and advanced to the status of Lieutenant. For service to his country, Levern was awarded the Korean Service Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge and the Bronze Star Medal. During his military service he received special training as a mechanical technician which he continued to pursue upon his discharge. Following his discharge from the military Levern began working with Food Machinery Corporation (FMC) in Horsham, PA and later Huntington Valley, PA as a Senior Mechanical Engineering Technician until his retirement.

Levern was first married to the late Carrie Mae Suber. This marriage was blessed with three children, Marcia, Michael and Kim. Levern also has a wonderful daughter, Evelyn all four were always his pride and joy. In 1996 he married Ms. Lizzie Wise and became the father of three additional daughters and a son-in-law, Shirley, Mona, Faye and Herman. This union completed the life of a great husband and father.

Levern was predeceased by his parents, Etta and Michael Grant; two daughters, Kim Grant and Faye Andrews; one grandchild, Malcolm Grant; six sisters, Corine Grant, Virginia Munnerlyn, Etta Mae Eagleton, Naomi Grant, Celestine Brown; four brothers, Maxwell Grant, Mikel Grant, Albert Grant, and Isadore Grant; five sisters-in-laws and four brothers-in-law.

He leaves to cherish his memory a loving wife, Lizzie W. Grant of Pamplico, SC; daughters, Marcia (Don) Watkins of Yeadon, PA, Evelyn (Robert) Laster of Burlington, NJ, Shirley Morrison of Greensboro, NC, Mona Lisa (Herman) Funderburk of Pamplico, SC; a son, Michael (Aisha) Grant of Philadelphia, PA; two sisters, Dorothy Grant and Alice (Levarne) Wilson both of Philadelphia, PA; four sisters-n-law, Ida Mae (Isadore -deceased) Grant of Philadelphia, PA, Evelyn (J.B.-deceased) Woodberry of Pamplico, SC, Rosan (B.C.- deceased) Andrews of Pamplico, SC, Anne (Deleon) Andrews of Myrtle Beach, SC; a brother, Charles Liston (Francine) Grant of Baltimore, MD; a brother-in-law, Deleon (Anne) Andrews of Myrtle Beach, SC; nine grandchildren; great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Due to COVID -19, family and friends may call the home at (843) 493-2849. Please keep the family of Mr. Leon "Levern" Grant in your thoughts and prayers.

**Obituary for Mary Dunham**

Mrs. Mary Catherine “Mae Catherine” Dunham was born March 22, 1950 to the late Leo Britt, Sr. and Annie Mae Britt in Florence, South Carolina. She departed this earthly life on Wednesday, August 11, 2021.

“Mae Catherine” as she was affectionately called, attended Florence County Public Schools and was a proud graduate of Wilson High School.

Mae Catherine was employed with Young’s Pecan Company for more than forty years, before she retired.

Mae Catherine was joined in marriage to the late Maxie Leroy Dunham, Sr. and this union was blessed with four children, two of which are twins.

Mae Catherine will always be remembered as a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great Grandmother, having a firm hand, a devoted servant to all, and her spirit of gratitude.

Mae Catherine was preceded in death by her parents; Leo Britt, Sr. and Annie Mae Britt; her husband, Maxie Leroy Dunham, Sr.; and two brothers, Andrew Evans and Leo Britt, Jr.

Mae Catherine leaves to cherish her precious memories: her children, Nina Mae Dunham (James, Sr.), Maxie Leroy (Atoinette) Dunham, Jacqueline Naomi Dunham, and Gregory James (Gloria) Dunham; fourteen grandchildren, Bryjhana Morgan, LaFaith Morgan, KyShada Morgan, James Morgan, Jr., Calvin Robinson, Maxie Leroy Dunham, III., ShaRon Richardson, Kennedy White, Maddison Dunham, Desiree Hunter, Alicia Davis, Anya Davis, Diamond Marilyn Dunham, and Sabrina (Rodney) Davis; one great grandchild, Messiah McWhite; one brother, Jerome Britt; four sisters, Irene Britt, Daisy Mae Cannon, Gloria James, and Jacqueline (Ronald) Briggs; one uncle, Houston Evans; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

Please keep the family of Mrs. Mary Catherine "Mae Catherine" Dunham in your thoughts and prayers.

**Obituary for Kenneth Benjamin**

Mr. Kenneth Benjamin, Son of the late Mrs. Ruby Benjamin and the late Mr. Pittman Benjamin was born June 19, 1961, in Florence County. He departed this early life on Thursday August 12, 2021, after an illness at Mcleod Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Kenneth Benjamin was a devoted father and a hardworking man. He will be truly missed by those who loved and care for him.

He was preceded in death by, his mother Mrs. Ruby Benjamin, father Mr. Pittman Benjamin, a sister Mrs. Diane McAllister and a grandmother Irene Benjamin.

Those who will cherish loving memories are: his son, Mr. Kelly Rose; an adopted daughter, Ms. Shawndricka Rose; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Benjamin Brown of Florence and Janet McCullum of Minnesota; three brothers, Curlee (Patricia) Benjamin of Timmonsville, Jeffery (Janice) Benjamin and Al Benjamin of Thomasville Alabama; seven grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; a special friend Arlene Lesesne McAllister;; and a host of other relatives and friends.

**Obituary for Laura Coe Johnson**

It is with sorrow the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. announces the passing of Mrs. Laura Coe Johnson of Darlington. Mrs. Johnson transitioned on Monday, August 9, 2021 in a Florence hospital. Celebration of Life was Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Fellowship Church of God Holiness.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Roman 8:38-39

Mother Laura Coe Johnson was born to the late Tollie and Eva Hester Coe on February 24, 1943, in Hartsville, SC. She departed this life on Monday afternoon, August 9, 2021 at McLeod Regional Medical Center, Florence, SC after a brief illness.

Mother Laura received her formal education in Hartsville Public Schools.

She was united in marriage to the late Isaac Johnson June of 1970 and was blessed with two children: Glenda and Fredrick.

She was employed at Nitronics for several years, until her retirement in 1999.

Mother Laura helped raise her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and neighborhood kids. She loved going for rides with her sisters, and they loved to go shopping.

She accepted Jesus as her Savior at a young age and was a member of Centerville AME Church of Hartsville South Carolina. Later in life, she became a member of St. James Holiness Church of Society Hill, South Carolina where she served on the usher board. In 2002, she joined the Fellowship Church of God in Timmonsville, South Carolina under the leadership of Pastor Gloria and Elder Richard Bracey, Sr. having already confessed the Holy Ghost and baptism in Jesus name. Mother Johnson was an active member serving faithfully on the Mother Board and was known as one of the Golden Girls until her demise.

Mother was preceded in death by her: Tollie and Eva Coe Hester; her husband, Isaac Johnson; a brother Willie Coe and her sister and sister Margaret Coe.

Those left to cherish her memories are: her daughter, Glenda Taylor of Florence, SC; her son, Fredrick Johnson of the home; daughter-in-law, Jacqueline Johnson of Darlington, SC; step-children: Lucy, Diane, Frankie, Carlos, Mark and Isaac Johnson; one brother, Sylvester (Evelyn) Coe of Darlington, SC; a sister, Louise Player; a host of sisters and brothers-in-law: Annie Ruth Coe, Willie (Linda) Johnson, Edward (Fracenca) Johnson, Helen Crawford, Charley (Lorene) Johnson, Houston (Margarie) Johnson, Geraldine Johnson; four grandchildren: Latasha Jett of Florence, SC, Jabarie, Brittany and Nicholas Johnson all of the home; three great grandchildren: Zymir, Dollbrielle and Cedrick Ludd all of Florence, SC; a special friend/sister for over 60 years, Ms. Lillie Kirven; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She was preceded in death by: her parents, Tollie and Eva Coe her brother, Willie Coe and her sister, Margaret Coe.

Mother Laura Johnson, a true servant of God will always be remembered as a wonderful Mother who was loving, humble, faithful, dedicated, courageous, thoughtful, peaceful and an obedient peacemaker that was encouraging and strong.

Please keep the relatives of Mrs. Laura Coe Johnson in your thought and prayers.

**Obituary for Rosa Lee Coe**

With sorrow the management and staff of Mitchell-Josey Funeral Home, Inc. announces the passing of Ms. Rose Coe of New York.

Funeral services were Sunday, August 15, 2021 at Sandy Bluff United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Rosa Lee "Row" Coe departed this earthly life on Sunday, August 1, 2021, at the age of 66 after a courageous battle with a very rare form of crippling and painful arthritis at the Harlem Hospital in Harlem, New York City.

Rosa Lee was born on April 25, 1955, in Darlington, South Carolina to the late Mildred Beatrice Coe. She moved to New York City with her mother at a very early age. Rosa Lee completed her education in the New York City public school educational system. The simplest pleasures in life brought great joy to Rosa Lee. She treasured and loved helping raising her nieces and nephews; and gloated in the fact of spoiling them. Rosa Lee Coe is what we called back in the day a late "Bloomer"! She was the "Auntie" that treated each one of them as an only child. While her siblings and cousins her age were having little bundles of "Joy", she bashed in the joy of spoiling, indulging them and sending them home to their parents! But at the rightful age of 30, Rosa Lee gave birth to her one greatest accomplishment and joy. A beautiful and healthy baby girl in whom she proudly named "Tiana Coe". Rosa Lee or "Row" as she was affectionately called by those that loved and knew her was strong willed and determined. Even though, her body was wrapped with constant pain, she found many ways to laugh and smile. She had such a contagious smile and laughter! During the years when she was physically able, Rosa Lee "Row" could throw a mean bowling ball. Rosa enjoyed bowling and beating the "crap" out of her opponents! Last but certainly not least of the list of things Rosa Lee enjoyed doing were handball, dancing, family gatherings, cooking and bossing folk around! Rosa Lee will be very sadly missed and remembered by her only child , Tiana Coe of Bronx, New York, one granddaughter, Teddiana Coe, Bronx, New York, one sister, Brenda Coe- Williams, Harlem, New York, and two brothers, Thomas and Stevie Coe of New York City, four maternal aunts, Grace Coe-Lyde, Mary Francis Coe-Blackmon, of Darlington, South Carolina, Cozette Coe, Harlem, New York and Thelma Coe-Jones (Rickey), Concord, North Carolina. Special Friends; Sandra Berard, Kim Lee, Vionka Daley and Bunny Phappell. Rosa Lee was preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Beatrice Coe, a brother (in childbirth) "Peter Rabbit", maternal grandparents Grace and Jesse Coe, two maternal uncles, Jesse and Allen Coe, four maternal aunts, Alice Coe-Wilson, Betty Coe-Davis, Queen Esther Coe-King and Elizabeth Coe-Brown. Rosa Lee "Row" Coe had a "Time to be Born" which was April 25, 1955; a "Time To Live" which was 66 years on this earth, and a "Time for her Journey to end" which was August 1, 2021. But as we mourn her time to die let's remember God's words

"The LORD is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit" Psalm 34:18