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October 22, 2021
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*Obituary for Lessie Samuel*

Sister Lessie Robinson Samuel was born to the late Emanuel and Leary Robinson on July 23, 1929. Our precious Sister Lessie departed this earthly life on Monday October 11, 2021, embarking on an epic adventure to Heaven.

Sister Lessie was educated in her early years in Chesterfield County and later at Butler High School in Darlington County. After the passing of her father, the Robinson family relocated to Hartsville, South Carolina. It was there that she met and married her husband, the late Deacon James Walter Samuel. This union was blessed with seven wonderful children.

Sister Lessie was a faithful member of Second Missionary Baptist Church in Hartsville, South Carolina under the leadership of the late Reverend Samuel Young and in later years she worshipped under the leadership of Reverend Clinton Brantley and Reverend J. D. Blue. Sister Lessie served the church in many capacities, such as: organizing the Revelations Choir that was comprised of teenagers and young adults, served on the Deaconess Board, a member of the Missionary Society and the Sunday School Class. Later years, she joined Jerusalem Baptist Church in Hartsville, South Carolina under the leadership of Reverend Michael Harris and later Reverend Reginald Floyd where she continued to worship faithfully, until her health declined. She was a member of Mount Rona Chapter #233 Order of Eastern Star for more than 50 years.

Sister Lessie devoted her unique skills to a variety of areas such as: mission work, farming, housekeeping, childcare, and manufacturing. She had a extraordinary love for her family, to include all three of her sons-in-law, her church families, and her many dear friends. She enjoyed decorating, fashion, cooking, baking, and fishing.

Sister Lessie loved people and would often visit the sick and shut in. She always made a point to greet everyone in her company individually as she never met a stranger. Her most memorable quote was: “always be nice to people, because you never know when it will be your last time seeing them.” Sister Lessie truly exemplified Colossians 3:12.”Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” a true servant of God.

Sister Lessie was preceded in death by her husband, James Walter Samuel; her parents, Emanuel and Leary Robinson; four brothers, John Robinson, Jason Robinson, Ross Robinson, and Danny Robinson; and five sisters, Lennie Jones, Ethel Funderburk, Sallie Sanders, Ernestine Bishop, and Alice Robinson.

Sister Lessie leaves to cherish her precious memories: seven children, James E. Samuel of Hartsville, South Carolina, Elvis (Dorothy) Samuel of Columbia, South Carolina, Ronnie Samuel, Lottie (Ben) Martin, Linda (Reverend Rick) Fountain, Derrick Samuel (Helen Davis), and Patricia (Allen) Byrd all of Hartsville, South Carolina; thirty-nine grandchildren; fifty-nine great grandchildren; ten great great-grandchildren; six special nieces, Barbara Scarborough, Teresa R. Wallace, Berthena Rogers, Joyce Robinson, Debra R. Scarborough, and Rachel Watson; two special nephews, Bobby Funderburk and J. D. Robinson; two sisters, Mildred Wooden of Hartsville, South Carolina and Gladys McManus of Charlotte, North Carolina; three daughters-in-law, Terri Simpson, Mary Alice Allen, and Betty Samuel; three sisters-in-law, Allean Robinson, Elizabeth Robinson, and Dorothy Robinson all of Charlotte, North Carolina; three god daughters, Mary Boochie Phillips, Hattie Penny Pooler, and Barbara Millhouse-Broussard; two special friends, Patty Dubose and Mamie Thomas; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives, extended church family, and friends.

Please keep the family of Mrs. Lessie Samuel in your thoughts and prayers.

*Obituary for Stevenson Bailey*

Some of you know me as “Steve” but others know me as “Smiley”, I, Stevenson Lemont Bailey was born October 21, 1973 in Florence, South Carolina to Lafayette and Harriette Gordon Bailey.

I, Smiley received my education in Florence County District 1 and Columbia Public Schools in Richland County, South Carolina. My Mama taught me to respect women. My motto is to “love everybody and greet them with a smile.” I loved to fish and raise dogs.

My life was stolen from me, but God blessed me to be in this wonderful family for a short period of time and I am truly grateful. I have met some amazing people and we have had a great time.

I, Smiley leave to cherish my precious memories: my wife, Latoya Britt-Bailey of Florence, South Carolina; my two bonus children, Amonie Britt-Cooper and Shy’quan Brown of Florence, South Carolina; my beautiful parents, Lafayette and Harriette Gordon Bailey of Florence, South Carolina; my maternal grandmother, Magnolia Gordon of Marion, South Carolina; my two brothers, Marvin Bailey, Jr. and Timothy Bailey both of Florence, South Carolina; my two wonderful nephews, whom I cherish as my own, Rah’hiem Bailey and William Bailey both of Florence, South Carolina; my adorable niece, Royalty Bailey of Florence, South Carolina; my four uncles, Curtis Bailey of Santee, South Carolina, Leo Gordon and George Gordon both of Marion, South Carolina, and Mitchell (Sharon) Gordon of Columbia, South Carolina; my seven aunts, Delinda (Steve) Anderson of Winston Salem, North Carolina, Myrtis (Charles) Cusack of Pamplico, South Carolina, Maxine Cusack of Marion, South Carolina, Alice (Henry) Davis of Marion, South Carolina, Helen, (Spencer) Pee of Charlotte, North Carolina. Rosa Bailey of Winston Salem, North Carolina, and Emma Bailey of Detroit, Michigan; my three great aunts, Evangelin Davis of Pamplico, South Carolina, Lillie Bell Davis of Elmsford, New York, and Georgia Mae “Jack” Kelly of Florence, South Carolina; my father and mother-in-law, Elder Rondal (Jacquelyn) Briggs; my three sisters-in-law, Latasha Britt, Shannelle (Emmanuel), Coaxum, Sherrelle Britt all of Florence, South Carolina; my special friends, Kevin, Donald Gordon, and Marty; and a host of extended family, cousins, and friends.

Please keep the family of Stevenson Lemont Bailey in your thoughts and prayers.

*Obituary for Barbara Outler*

Barbara Ernestine Outler, age 84, of Effingham, SC is now at rest. Barbara was born March 21, 1937 in Timmonsville, SC and passed away Saturday, October 9, 2021. She was a proud honors graduate of the private African-American boarding school Boylan-Haven-Mather Academy in Camden SC. After graduating Mather Academy, she ventured to New York City to make her mark as a professional. Barbara became a hard working wife and mother during the challenging times of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s but managed to continuously elevate herself professionally. In addition, her community spirit and activism included organizing the start of a community daycare center, RoundTable Daycare Center and a senior citizen center, RoundTable Senior Citizen Center, in Brooklyn, New York. She also found the time to assist assembly members, councilmen and judges run for their positions in the community and wasn’t shy about letting them know that their follow through was expected.

She reached the highest financial position of Controller prior to retiring from the human rights organization Amnesty International USA in 1997. She returned to her childhood roots of South Carolina and built a home in Effingham SC. She loved spending time with her children, grandchildren, and reconnecting with family and friends that remained in SC. Barbara was a Right Worthy National Grand Past Senior Matron and became a member of the United Order of Tents, J. R. Giddings and Jollifee Union. She was a member of Royal Circle #44, Royal Degree Chamber #3, Past Officers Council and a Guardian. She was also a member of Southern District No. 4 and the National Grand Encampment. She exemplified her love for family by helping to organize the Outler Family Reunions and hosting family cookouts that turned into dance parties and card game marathons. She enjoyed crocheting; watching Soap Operas and most sports but especially basketball; chatting with loved ones and fellowshipping with her Tents Sisters.

She is preceded in death by her parents Louis Jones Jr. and Ernestine Coker, her beloved grandmother Elvira Dolly Martin Coker, great grandparents Ezra Martin and Josephine Wilson Martin, her beloved sister Thomasina Williams and nephew Mark Williams. She is survived by her husband of 60 years Richard Outler Sr.; Children: Ernestine Michelle Rivers (Kenneth Rivers Sr.), Nadine Bluford-Derricotte (Kevin Derricotte), Richard Outler Jr. (Sheila Ford-Outler), Jeffrey Outler Sr. (Pamela Outler), Gregory Outler (Leathene Carter), Leticia Outler; step-children: Patricia Belin (Stanley Belin Sr.), Regina Outler, Doreen Rodriquez; Grandchildren: Kenneth R. F. Rivers (Keisha Rivers) , Tor Derricotte, Chanelle Davis, Taylor Outler, Aaliyah Outler, Dominique Outler, Jazmyn Epperson (Elliot Epperson), Jeffrey Outler Jr. (Lina Outler), Jeremiah Jenkins, Sabrina Outler, Jaydn Outler, Gabrielle Ellis, Phoenix Outler, Samia Benton, Stanley ‘Ronnie’ Belin Jr., Leiah Belin, Terreia Mitchell (Dr. Noah Mitchell), Allen Outler (Atia Outler), Monique Outler, Shon Vasquez (La’Shuanta Vasquez), Na’eem Outler, Celeste Bridges Vasquez, Larry Outler, Kareem Outler; Great grandchildren: Kiara Rivers, Tyler-Michelle Rivers, Ryan-Victoria Rivers, Chloe Coles-Rivers, Addison Charles, Mekhi Barnett, Brandon Barnett, Elijah Epperson, Elle Epperson, Prince Outler, Zaniya Green, Amia Belin, Ysan Massey, Shalonda Mitchell, Joseph Mitchell, Aniyah Outler, Autumn Outler, Mona Outler, Aminah Outler, Tanazia Outler, Antoine Outler, Ny’Jell Outler, Michael Partlow, Seyjou Partlow, Zay’leea Partlow, Shon Vasquez Jr., Keyhon Vasquez, Iyanna Vasquez, Emery Vasquez, Avery Vasquez, Liam Vasquez, Z’yale Bridges, Jacob Miller, Jordan Miller, Giovanni Miller, Gunnar Miller; Aunt Josephine Marks, Sister-in-law Eugenia Outler, Brother-in-law Ruben Outler, Cousins Rev. Boykin and Ruth Jordan, Virginia Muldrow, adopted sons Yashua Lane, Marvin Boyle and Dorian Brown; numerous relatives from the Ham, Martin, Coker, Wilson and Outler families and a host of friends.

*Obituary for Elizabeth Nathaniel Mitchell*

Elizabeth Nathaniel Mitchell, 83, daughter of the late Isadore, Sr. and Beatrice Weston Nathaniel, was born on November 3, 1937 in Sumter County, SC. She departed this life on Saturday, October 16, 2021 in McWhorter Hospice House in Monroe, NC.

Job’s Mortuary, Inc., 312 South Main Street, Sumter is in charge of arrangements.

*Obituary for Leonard “Bunny” James*

Leonard “Bunny” James, 61, son of Willie Rembert and Willie Mae James Cato, was born on September 29, 1960 in Lee County, SC. He departed this life on Friday, October 15, 2021 at Prisma Health Tuomey in Sumter, SC.

Public viewing will be held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021 from 2-6pm at Job’s Mortuary.

Funeral Services will be held at 1pm on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Salem Chapel & Heritage Center, 101 South Salem Avenue, Sumter, SC 29150, with Bishop Tommie L. Doe, Eulogist and Minister Thomasina Moses Presiding.

Interment will follow in Mayesville Community Cemetery.

Family will receive friends at the home of his mother, 224 Ravenbrook Road, Eastover, SC 29044.

Job’s Mortuary, Inc., 312 S. Main Street is in charge of arrangements.

*Obituary for Janie Lee Owens*

Sister Janie L. Owens was 74 and departed this life Thursday, October 14, 2021, in Marion County.

Family visitation will be at 1711-Senator Gasque Road in Marion, SC. Sister Janie was the sister of Bessie Wilson, Joyce Ann Patrick of Marion, SC, and the adopted sister of Daisy Bell Owens of Columbia, SC.

Funerals services are scheduled to be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens, Marion on Saturday 11:00 am. Services will be live-streamed on the Jackson & McGill Facebook Page.

The family of Sister Janie L. Owens in consideration of the current health crisis facing our world, nation, state and local community, has decided to hold a private 50 people or less, family only, funeral service for their loved one with private interment immediately following. While the Owens family would love to be surrounded by your presence, they acknowledge the health risks to family, church members, friends, and particularly to those who are most vulnerable to this disease, the elderly and those with chronic health conditions.