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Obituary for Sharon Denice Stephens

Sharon Denice Stephens was the daughter of Ruth Stephens and the late Harley Stephens and the late Henry Brown. She was an entrepreneur, with several successful businesses.

As a result of her generous spirit and pleasant personality, she was loved by many. Her generous spirit was a picturesque as a flower and her influence will forever remain in the lives of all who knew and loved her. She quietly departed this life on Friday, December 17, 2021.

Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Antoinette Stephens, Shalisha Stephens, Terrice Johnson, and Marshell Livington. Her grandkids: Jhorney Johnson and Zyrionne Stephens. Her sister Lovely Vernell Stephens. Her nieces and nephews: Latrell Stephens, Joy Stephens, Paris Stephens, Harley Stephens, Aaron Brown, Arnesha Brown, Anthony Brown, Ty’Vion Phillips, Tivon Phillips, Jaina Johnson, and Zaliyah Phillips. Cliton Williams, Sharonda Phillips(Ty’Vion Phillips, Tivon Phillips, Jaina Johnson, and Zaliyah Phillips) all of Georgia; Deidra Thomas (Aaron and Arnesha Brown); Danita Brown (Anthony Williams) all of Florence.

Obituary for Katherine Gassaway

Katherine Monique Gassaway was born in Niles, Michigan, on December 27, 1989, to Lorretta Farmer and Alex Gassaway. On December 21, 2021, she departed this life at MUSC of Charleston, South Carolina.

Katherine attended Florence County public schools, where she was an honor graduate of Wilson High class of 2008, where she was in ROTC, a trainer with the Wilson High School Tigers football team, where they won the championship in 2008.

Katherine worked at QVC and Monday Morning daycare of Florence. Before moving back to Florence, she worked at Dunkin Doughnuts in Bluffton as a supervisor and Dominos as an assistant manager.

Katherine was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Everett and Berenice Farmer. And her paternal grandfathers, Samuel Addison and Theodore Ham III.

Katherine and James “Brandon” Kelly were joined in marital bliss on July 12, 2020. This union was blessed with two children.

She leaves to cherish her memories: her husband James Kelly of the home, her daughter Eryn Gassaway and her son Jahidi Kelly of Florence, South Carolina. Her mother, Lorretta Farmer of Florence, South Carolina, her sister Jathibiyya Addison of Columbia, South Carolina, and her brother Xavier Addison and father Craig (Brenda) Addison of Florence, South Carolina. Two special people in her life were her cousin/sister Stefanne Jackson and her aunt Mary Jackson, along with a host of family and friends.

Obituary for James Woodbury

James Bartell Woodbury was born in Marion, South Carolina on December 21, 1944 and departed his earthly life in North Chesterfield, Virginia on December 20, 2021. He was born to the late Jack Woodbury Jr. and Roberta L. Woodberry-Alston.

James Bartell (most knew him as Bartell) was a graduate of Terrell’s Bay High School Centenary, South Carolina. Afterwards, he attended South Carolina State University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry. After graduating, Bartell became employed and worked as a chemist at Phillip Morris, USA in Weyers Cave, Virginia located in the Shenandoah Valley. While at Phillip Morris, USA, Bartell completed some chemistry courses at the University of Richmond to enhance his educational career. Bartell was drafted by the US army and served his country. He was honorably discharged in August of 1970.
Bartell was later employed by E. I. Dupont and Company in Richmond, Virginia where he was a chemist. Some of his work related assignments involved troubleshooting techniques designed to solve mechanical problems. He was passionate and dedicated about the work he did, so much so that there were times he would wake up in the middle of the night with a solution to a mechanical problem he was working on. Bartell received recognition at Phillip Morris and E. I. Dupont for financial benefit savings for the companies due to his innovations.

During Bartell’s college career at South Carolina State University, he met Julia Pleasant and later, they got married. Their union until his departure lasted over 45 years and was filled with many blessed days of remembrance.

Bartell joined St. James AME Church in Marion, South Carolina at an early age and faithfully served and attended. After relocating from South Carolina, he attended other denominational churches as well and remained true to his Christian beliefs.

Bartell appreciated classic 1969 cars: especially Mustangs and SS Chevelles and other high performance muscle cars. He appreciated reading books, watching westerns, and researching a variety of ways to keep cars running smoothly. Bartell enjoyed fishing, discussing and visiting historical sites, and listening to Motown hits. He also enjoyed attending sports games with the family and coaching his children in basketball occasionally. He later enjoyed spending time with his grandson.

Bartell was a loving husband, grandfather, brother and a likable and caring person to many. He was preceded in death by his parents: Jack Woodberry, Jr. and Roberta L. Alston, his step-father: Paul Alston, his sister: Gail Woodberry, his brothers: Jack Joseph Woodberry, and SFC Earl Woodberry.

Bartell leaves to cherish his memories: his wife Julia P. Woodbury of North Chesterfield, Virginia, a daughter: Pamela M. Woodbury of Richmond, VA; a son: Nicholas R. Woodbury of Clermont, Florida; a grandson: Valentino A. Battle of Virginia; and a brother: John (Dianne) Woodbury of Marion, SC. Bartell will be remembered by many in-laws; nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and other relatives and friends.

Funeral services are scheduled to be held at the Jackson & McGill Memorial Chapel on Tuesday December 28, 2021 at 11am. He will be laid to rest at St. James AME Church Cemetery.

The family of Brother James Bartell Woodbury 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 Woodbury 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. What the family needs most at this time are your prayers and understanding. Thank you for your concern and cooperation.

Obituary for Bishop Margaret Ballard Lang

Bishop Margaret Ballard Lang entered eternal rest and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, December 24, 2021. She was born on April 16, 1946, to the late Lillie Bell Ballard and Sam Sowells. She was raised in the loving home of Mary and Sam Branch, who taught her Christian values through the Bible reading and teachings. A 1965 Class graduate of Manchester High School, Bishop Lang pursued her studies at Sumter Area Technical College, where she majored in accounting and secretarial studies. Bishop Lang received an Associate’s Degree in Theological Ministry and Pastoral Counseling from United Christian Ministries Theological Seminary. Bishop Lang was founder of Mission Reaching Out Jesus is the Answer, Inc., through which she served the community as a Ministry of Helps by orchestrating community programs such as: Project Hope Food Pantry, Love Hope Chest Clothing distribution and Survivor R Us Support Group, to enhance healthy awareness for better living. Bishop Lang also established and pastored the Lighthouse of Prayer Temple Church until her health declined. She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her husband of 51 years, Freddie Lang; two daughters, Cassandra Lang, Karen (Timothy) Glover of Wedgefield; two sons, Kevin (LaToya) Lang of Columbia, MD and Anthony Branch of Wedgefield; daughter of the heart, Andrea Branch of Sumter; seven grandchildren; three sisters, Anne Miller of Columbia, Sheila Sowells of Belle Glade, FL and Sandra Sowells-Shaw of Happy Valley, OR; one brother, Willie Ballard of Columbia; four sisters-in-law; one brother-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In accordance with the COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting no visitation at the home. Funeral services will be held 11:30 a. m., Friday, December 31, 2021 at Tiverton Missionary Baptist Church, 2420 Old Charleston Road, Wedgefield, with Pastor Elijah Geter, Officiating, and Apostle David Johnson, Sr., Eulogist. The procession will leave from the home at 10:50 a. m. Burial will be in the Tiverton Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, Wedgefield.

Obituary for Jerry Lee Williams, Sr.

Jerry Lee Williams, Sr., the son of the late Pickey Holmes and Rosa Lee Jones Holmes, was born on March 3, 1930 in Branchville. He departed this life on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at his home in Sumter. Trustee Jerry Williams attended public schools in Branchville. He was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and attended Cross Roads Christian Fellowship Ministries of Sumter. Trustee Williams was a self-employed mechanic for many, many years. He had a deep love of and for his family and friends that he made throughout his journey of his blessed life. Trustee Williams was preceded in death by his wife, Louise Brown Williams; two sons, George Williams and Jerry Williams, Jr.; one daughter, Cora Williams Henderson, and one granddaughter, Ramona N. Wright. He leaves to cherish his memories: four sons, Micheal B. Williams of Yigo, Guam, Isaac (Rhonda) Williams of Orlando, FL, Hammie “Randy” (Varline) Johnson of Sumter, S. C., Vashawne (Del) Leonard of Camden, S. C.; one daughter, Jacqueline Wright of Sumter, S. C; one son-in-law, Ted Henderson of Orangeburg, S. C.; one brother-in-law, William “Duke” Brown of Bamberg, S. C.; one sister-in-law, Hattie B. James of Bamberg, S.C.; his extended children, Jacqueline Kimes and Dennis Davis (Barbara) of Sumter, S. C., William (Mahsa) Kimes of Stone Mountain, GA; nineteen grandchildren; twenty three great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and dear friends. In accord with the COVID 19 guidelines, the family is requesting face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home, 14 West Bartlette Street, Apt #114, Sumter. Funeral services will be held 1:00 p. m., Thursday, December 30, 2021 at First Baptist Missionary Church, 219 South Washington Street, Sumter, with the Rev. George P. Windley, Jr., Pastor, the Rev. James Blassingame, Pastor of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Eulogist. The procession will leave from the home at 12:20 p. m. Burial will be in the Bradford Cemetery, Highway 15 South, Sumter.

Obituary for Andre Richardson

On Friday, December 10, 2021, Andre De’Ron Richardson transitioned from earth to eternity. De’Ron, Drezzy or Dre Rich as he was affectionately known as was born May 22, 1991, in Washington, DC, to Ronald R. Hughes and Loukeitha (Flynn) Richardson.

He was educated through Florence Public Schools, Andre was employed with Hilton Homewood Suites for almost two years and his last place of employment was Pilot Travel Center in Florence.

Drezzy was a very outgoing, comical, loving family man. His pride and joy were his children Mal Mal and Twinkie. To know him you know he forgot everything and would call his dad Tylynn before he called me and say don’t tell mama. Last but not least his mama he always called his rider and #1 hitter.

He was preceded in death by his aunt Tasha Owens and first cousin Timothy D. Brown Jr. (Nooney).

Left to cherish his memories are his children Malachi King Richardson, Jaylynn Summer Richardson, Cadence Arianna Hines all of Florence. His parents Loukeitha Richardson and Tylynn Brunson; siblings Timothy (Lashawn) Phillips Jr. of Pennsylvania and Jameshia (Willie) Richardson of Washington, DC; grandparents Joyce (Herbert) Session of Florence, and David (Mary) Thorpe Jr. of Durham, NC; aunts Buswanita (Shawon) Richardson of Chapel Hill, NC, Teresa (Shawn) Sessions of Florence, SC, Jemeika Rice of Raleigh, NC, and LaRosa (Shawn) Sessions of Richmond, VA, Diarri (Chris) Smith of Durham, NC; uncles Toby Lyons of Durham, NC, Patrick Sessions of Florence, SC, David Rice of Durham, NC, Jermaal (Nisha) Owens of Charlotte, NC, Jerome Owens of San Diego, CA; the mother of his children Latonya McDowell and Jaleesa McFadden of Florence, SC; and a host of others aunts uncles and special friends, and close friends which include the floral and pallbearers.