'L' Newberry County Obits

South Carolina Genealogy Trails

Mary Rilla Shealy Long
PROSPERITY - Services for Mary Shealy Long, 92, formerly of Route 1, will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Bethel Baptist Church, with burial in the church cemetery. Rev. Lynn Peters will officiate. Active pallbearers will be Mike Long, Tracy Long, Dean Long, Jimmy Counts, Gene Counts, Von Counts, Francis Shealy and Roy Shealy. The family will receive friends 6-7:30 tonight at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home, Newberry. Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2503 Bethel Church Road, Prosperity 29127.

Mrs. Long, widow of Curtis D. Long, died Monday, Dec. 28, 1998, in Sumter. Born in Chapin, she was a daughter of the late Julian and Ella Derrick Shealy. She was a homemaker and a member of Bethel Baptist Church.

Surviving are her sons, Derieux Long and William Long, both of Sumter; sister, Ada Ruth Addy of Irmo; three grandsons and six great-grandchildren.

Nell Johnson Livingston
EASLEY -- Nell Johnson Livingston, 89, widow of Vernon Jesse Livingston, died Thursday, March 6, 2008. Funeral services will be today at 1 p.m. in Easley at First United Methodist Church conducted by the Reverend Jim Correll and the Reverend Ben Barnett. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery in Newberry. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the church prior to the service.

Born March 30, 1918, in Kinards, SC, she was the daughter of the late George William and Katie Dreher Johnson. She retired from Hollis Elementary School, District of Greenville County, and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Easley. Mrs. Livingston was a blessing to all her family, a caring sister, a devoted wife, a loving mother and a doting grandmother. She was a wonderful cook and loved flowers and gardening.

Surviving are two sons, Heath Livingston and wife Jo Bell of Galatin, Tennessee, Tim Livingston of Easley; a daughter, Elaine Bassett and her husband Rick of Easley; four grandchildren, Rachel Bassett, Matthew Bassett, Laura Livingston and Jesse Livingston and two greatgrandchildren. She is survived by one brother, Mayer L. Johnson of Columbia and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents and brothers, Ansel Johnson and Champ Johnson and sisters, Louise Lathrop, Ruby Sharpe and Mary Cromer.

Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 115 West 1st Avenue, Easley, SC 29640 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1821 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621. Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Bertha Lott
CLINTON - Services for Bertha Leailla Owens Lott, 87, will be held at 4 p.m. today at Gray Funeral Home chapel with burial in Rosemont Cemetery, Newberry. Visitation is from 3-4 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Mrs. Lott, widow of John Lott Sr., died June 6, 2002. Born in Roebuck, she was a daughter of the late Victor and Bessie Mitchell Owens. She was a member of Second Baptist Church of Laurens.

Surviving are sons, Rev. John Lott Jr., Rev. Kimmett Lott; stepson, Gary Lott; stepdaughter, Nina Byrdsong; brother, Herbert Owens; grandchildren, John III, Rose, Jared and Kimberlee Lott.

Elbert Long
NEWBERRY - Services for Elbert C. Long, 81, will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Ken Ferrell. Burial will follow in Rosemont Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8 this evening at the funeral home. The family suggests that those desiring may make memorials to College Street Baptist Church, 3240 College Street, Newberry, SC 29108.

Mr. Long died Tuesday at Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Born in Newberry County, he was a son of the late Neely and Anner George Long. He was a retired automobile mechanic and a member of College Street Baptist Church.

Surviving are wife, Ester H. Turner Long, Newberry; son, Tommy Long, Lexington; stepson, Wayne Turner, Newberry; stepdaughter, Linda Turner, Fayetteville; sisters, Mozelle Boland, Columbia, Mary Alice Smith, Newberry; brother, David H. Long, Newberry; grandson, Blake Long; stepgrandchildren, Carole Jean Bilous and Larry Wayne Turner.

Evelyn Lever
NEWBERRY - Evelyn Leopard Lever, 84, of 55 Holly Circle, Newberry, widow of C. Odell Lever, died Monday, July 14, 2003 in Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Lever was born February 22, 1919, a daughter of the late David P. and Cleo DeHardt Leopard. She was a retired employee of the Kendall Company, Mollohon Plant and a member of Glenn Street Baptist Church, the TEL Class, the Church Clerk, taught Sunday School grade 4 and 5 years old, and senior coordinator of the senior event of the church. She was a member of the RSVP Singers.

Mrs. Lever is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth "Libby" and Mike Cook of Chapin; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and Karen Lever of Newberry; two sisters, Ann Slice of Chapin and Fay Bouknight of Irmo; two brothers, John Leopard of Newberry and Billy Leopard of Aiken; four grandchildren, Michelle Cook, Joy Stamey, Dell Lever, and Cal Lever. She was predeceased by a sister, Catherine Humphries and a brother, D.P. Leopard.

Funeral services for Evelyn Leopard Lever will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Glenn Street Baptist Church by the Rev. Todd Kirkland. Interment will be in Rosemont Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:30-8 p.m. Tuesday at Whitaker Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence of a brother, Mr. and Mrs. John Leopard, 31 Sidney Drive, Newberry, SC. Memorials may be made to Glenn Street Baptist Church, 208 Glenn Street, Newberry, SC 29108, RSVP Singers, 1300 Hunt Street, Newberry, SC 29108, or the American Cancer 47 Society, c/o Helen Beebe, 18 Tailers Trail, Leesville, SC 29070. Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com. Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, SC, is assisting the family.

Robert Lindler
PROSPERITY - Services for Robert Earl Lindler, 42, will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Olive AME Church, with burial in the church cemetery. F.B. Pratt and Son Funeral Home is in charge.

Mr. Lindler died Monday. Born in Newberry Co., he was a son of the late James Edward Lindler Sr. and Annie Kibler Lindler.

Surviving are his step-mother, Ruby Lindler; daughter, Lynette Gallman; sisters, Dianne Rauch, Earline Gray, Sharon Davis, Virginia Marshall; brothers, James Jr., Roscoe, Ollie, James Earl, Kenny, and Sherman Lindler; step-brothers, Eugene and Robert Johnson.

Reba Leitzsey
ROCK HILL - Mrs. Reba Kelsey Leitzsey, 98, of 210 Echo Lane died Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2005, at Magnolia Manor.

A graveside service will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Rosemont Cemetery in Newberry, with the Rev. Jack Norris officiating.

A native of Columbia, Mrs. Leitzsey was a daughter of the late Frederick Kelsey and Suzanna Summer Kelsey. She was retired from Rock Hill Printing & Finishing Co. and was a member of Mount Herman Lutheran Church of Peak. She was the widow of Horace Lee Leitzsey.

Surviving are her grandson, Horace Leitzsey of Six Mile; her granddaughter, Sarah L. Wallace of Rock Hill; four great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and her great-great-great-grandchild.

The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 tonight at Whitesell Funeral Home and other times at home.  Memorials may be made to Faith Family Christian Center, building fund, 3483 Homestead Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

Bobbie Jean Long
PROSPERITY - Services for Bobbie Jean Long, widow of David Long, will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday at Lower Mt. Olive AME Church with burial in the church cemetery. F.B. Pratt & Son Funeral Home, Newberry, is in charge. Born in Newberry Co. to Fredrick and Dottie Davenport Brown, she died Nov. 26, 2003. Surviving are children, Karen, Latisha, David, Clifton Long; siblings, Mary Cannon, Willie Fant, Mary Jackson, Brenda Swittenburg, Freddie, Irvan Brown; others.

Elizabeth Long
NEWBERRY - Elizabeth Ballentine Long, 94, of 22858 U.S. Highway 76, Newberry, widow of Harold F. Long, died Tuesday, September 13, 2005, in Newberry County Memorial Hospital.

Mrs. Long was born January 24, 1911, in Lexington County, a daughter of the late John A. and Carrie Corley Ballentine. She was a graduate of Winthrop College Class of 1933 and taught fourth grade in Newberry County Schools for 24 years, having taught at Park Street Elementary School in Whitmire, Bush River School in Newberry, O'Neal School in Prosperity, Little Mountain School in Little Mountain, and Hartford School in Newberry. Mrs. Long married Harold F. Long in 1939 and they were married for 52 years. She was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and received a plaque for the care of the communion set at St. James for 48 years. She was an active participant in the operation of the family farm in the Jalapa community of Newberry, SC, and was recognized for her contributions to agriculture by the Clemson University Extension Service.

Mrs. Long is survived by a daughter, Suzanne E. Long of Columbia; a son, John F. Long of Irmo; a sister, Emma Julia Sease of Newberry; a brother, J. William Ballentine of Newberry; two grandchildren, John Christopher Long of Washington, DC, and Emily Maureen Long of Charleston. She was predeceased by three sisters; Mary Lou B. Reeves, Virginia B. Crosson and Gladys B. Long.

Funeral services for Elizabeth Ballentine Long will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Friday at St. James Lutheran Church by the Rev Rodney Gunter. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

The family will at the residence, 22858 U.S. Highway 76 and will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Whitaker Funeral Home

Memorial may be made to St. James Lutheran Church, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, SC 29108.

Active pallbearers will be Leroy Davis, Paul B. Long, Charles Irons, William Irons, George Reeves, Clyde Reeves, Tom Plumbee and Billy Swittenberg.

Messages to the family may be sent via email at notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.  Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, is assisting the family.

David Franklin Lindler
Peak David Franklin Lindler, 43, died Monday, June 18, 2001. Born in Cabarrus County, N.C., he was a son of Gwendolyn Chapman Lindler of Lewisville, N.C., and the late Rev. John David Lindler. Formerly: Lutheran minister. Graduate: Lenior Rhyne College, Hickory, N.C., and Lutheran Theological Seminary, Columbia.

Survivors: A daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Lindler, of King, N.C. a son, Michael Andrew Lindler, of King, N.C. a sister, Ruth Ann Lindler, of Lewisville a brother, John Paul Lindler, of Lewisville. Visitation: 6:30 to 8 p.m. today at Whitaker Funeral Home. Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Mount Hermon Lutheran Church. Burial: Peak Cemetery.

Heyward Long
NEWBERRY - Services for Heyward Lionel Long, 62, will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday at St. James Lutheran Church with the Rev. Rodney Gunter officiating. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 6:30-8 this evening at Whitaker Funeral Home. The family will be at the residence. Memorials may be made to St. James Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 228 Jalapa Road, Newberry, SC 29108, or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Myra Addy, 2230 Glenn St., Newberry, SC 29108.

Mr. Long, of 1137 Circle Road, Newberry, died Friday, April 28, 2000, at the Newberry County Memorial Hospital. Born in Newberry Co., he was a son of Cleo Epting Long Wise and the late F. Buford Long. He was the owner of Hickory Hills Bar-B-Q in Clinton and Ka Mar Farm in the Bush River section of Newberry Co. He was a member of St. James Lutheran Church and the Bush River Young Farmers. He was a former member of the congregational council and the Bush River Fire Department.

Surviving are his mother; wife, Sandra Eargle Long of the home; daughter, Karen D. Long of Newberry; son, Mark L. Long of Newberry; sisters, Carolyn L. Wicker, Margaret L. Neel both of Newberry; brother, Richard E. Long of Newberry. He was predeceased by a brother, William B. Long.

Gwendolyn C. Lindler
LEWISVILLE, N.C. - Mrs. Gwendolyn Chapman Lindler, 82, of Lewisville, passed away Friday, Aug. 17, 2007, in Yadkin Nursing Center in Yadkinville, N.C. She was born Jan. 3, 1925, in Newberry County to Franklin Talmage and Zula Stockman Chapman.

Myrtle Shealy Lominick
NEWBERRY — Services for Myrtle Shealy Lominick will be Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Philip’s Lutheran Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday from 6 - 7 p.m. at McSwain-Evans Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Philip’s Lutheran Church, 2461 St. Philip’s Church Road, Newberry, SC or the American Leukemia Society.

Mrs. Lominick, 100, widow of Bennie Lominick, died February 13, 2007. Born in Newberry, she was a daughter of the late John Adam and Mary Elizabeth Mayer Shealy. She was a member of St. Philip’s Lutheran Church where she was a member of the Adult B Sunday School Class.

Surviving are a daughter, Gladys Urick of McKeesport, PA; a son-in-law, Heyward Glymph of Irmo; a daughter-in-law, Billie Lominick of Newberry; a brother, Johnny H. Shealy of Newberry; nine grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren and a number of great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a son, Bennie Walter Lominick and a daughter, Joan Glymph.

William H. Long - contribued by Dean Long

William H. Long Rites Are Held

William C. (typo) Long, 84, died Thursday afternoon at his residence in the O?Neal section of Newberry county after a short illness. Born and reared in Newberry County, he was the son of the late W.H. and Sallie (Sarah) Dickert Long. He was a lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church where he served as superintendent of the Sunday school for over 40 years. He was a prominent farmer of the county. Funeral services were held Friday afternoon from Bethel Baptist Church by his pastor, the Rev. Alvin F. Boone, assisted by the Rev. J.W. Spillers of Clinton. Interment was in the church cemetery. He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Ida Baker Long; eight children, Mrs. L. L. Bowers, Mrs. Clarence Counts, Hance I. Long, and Curtis D. Long all of Prosperity; Mrs. Ronald Amick of Clinton, Mrs., George W. Boland of Newberry, Mrs. Carrie Williamson of Washington, D.C., and Furman B. Long of Columbia; one brother, B.L. Long of Prosperity; 13 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Nephews served as pallbearers and granddaughters and nieces served as flower attendants. McSwain Funeral Home in charge.

Mrs. W. H. Long Dies Wednesday; Rites Friday - contributed by Dean Long
Mrs. Ida Baker Long, 85, widow of the late Willie H. Long, of Route One, Prosperity, died Wednesday afternoon at the Mills Clinic in Prosperity. She had been in ill health for the past year.

Mrs. Long was born and reared in Newberry Count, a daughter of the late John Ada and Mrs. Emma Connelly Baker. She had spent most of her life in the Bethel Section of Newberry County, where she was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, and was former Sunday school teacher, former church organist. She was a member of the Women?s Missionary Society. Her husband died in 1949.

She is survived by three sons, Curtis D. Long and Hance I. Long, both of Prosperity, and Furman B. Long of Rock Hill; five daughters, Mrs. Ruth Bowers and Mrs. Nell Counts, both of Prosperity, Mrs. Carrie Williamson of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Grace Amick of Clinton and Mrs. Nan Boland of Newberry; 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Friday at Bethel Baptist Church by Rev. Carroll J. Calvert. Interment will be in the church cemetery. Grandsons will serve as active pallbearers. The body will remain at McSwain Funeral Home in Newberry and will be carried to the residence Thursday afternoon. McSwain Funeral Home is in charge.

Death of Mr. J.W.B. Lever, a Good Citizen - contributed by Dean Long
White Rock, Feb 10- Yesterday Mr. J.W.B. Lever died near Peak. He lacked only a little being 82 years old. During his lifetime he had accumulated quite a competency, and was liberal?altogether one of our very best and most substantial citizens. He is to be buried tomorrow in the cemetery of Capers? Chapel church, a church erected almost entirely by him as a memorial to his son Capers, who died quite a while ago.

Christine Havird Long - contributed by Dean Long
Christine Havird Long, 86, of Prosperity, wife of Hance I. Long, died Monday, November 10, 2003 at the Newberry Memorial Hospital.
Mrs. Long was born on May 21, 1917 in Saluda County, a daughter of the late E.A. and Effie Quattlebaum Havird. She was a retired employee of Damon International. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, where she prepared communion for the church for more than 50 years. She was the secretary for the Senior Ladies Sunday School Class and of the WMU.
Mrs. Long is survived by her husband and a number of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by four sisters, Ethel A. Havird, Lucille H. Werts, Eva Mae McDowell, and Cora H. Gregory and six brothers, Wilbur Havird, Jasper Havird, Garish Havird, J.L. Havird, Otis Havird, and Eugene Havird.

Funeral services for Christine H. Long will be conducted at 2:00 P. M. Thursday at Bethel Baptist Church by the Rev. W. Lynn Peters. Interment will be in the church cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Wednesday at the Whitaker Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church Parking Lot Fund, 2503 Bethel Church Road, Prosperity SC 29127.
Messages to the family may be sent via email to notes@whitakerfuneralhome.com.  Whitaker Funeral Home, 1704 College Street, Newberry, SC is assisting the family.

Haru Shamto "Frenchie" Leopard
Mrs. Haru Shamto Leopard, 60, died Tuesday night at the U.S. Army Hospital, Fort Jackson after two weeks illness. She was a native of Japan but had made her home in the U.S.A. for a number of years. Surviving are her husband, Earl Leopard, Newberry. Funeral was held Thursday at 1 p.m. from McSwain Funeral Home with Chaplain Daniel K. Hall conducting the service. Burial was held in Rosemont Cemetery.

Frank P. Lipscomb
We are sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Frank P. Lipscomb, son of Senator Jas. N. Lipscomb, which occurred in Atlanta, Ga., the 7th instant. Mr. Lipscomb was twenty seven years old, and was spoken of by those who knew him well as a young man of fine character and noble qualities. He had been in bad health several months, and his death, though not unexpected, was a sad afliction to his family, in which we extend our sincere sympathy.

Mary "Mamie" E. Evans Leavell
Newberry, Sept. 14 - Mrs. Mary Evans Leavell, wife of Robert Y. Leavell and daughter of Capt. John C. Evans of Cheraw, died at her home in this city last night at 11:15 o'clock, in the 65th year of her age. She is survived by two children, Robert E. Leavell of this city and Mrs. Harry O'Donnell. The funeral will take place at 4 o'clock, with religious services at the grave, to be conducted by the Rev. Robert W. Lide of Darlington. The interment will be in Rosemont cemetery.

G. Adam Long
On Saturday Mr. Jacob Hawkins, a man about seventy years old, who lived near here, fell a victim to the grip. An hour later Mr. G. Adam Long, was claimed also by the grim monster. Mr. Long was one of the old and tried veterans of Co. H. Third South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, and was about fifty-two years old. He leaves a wife and children in good circumstances.

Pauline Nichols Lester
NEWBERRY - Services for Pauline Nichols Lester, 94, of 1524 Caldwell St., will be held at 2 p.m. today at St. Luke's Lutheran Church with burial in the church cemetery. Whitaker Funeral Home is in charge. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 3990 St. Luke's Church Road, Prosperity 29127.
Mrs. Lester, widow of Allen H. Lester, died Saturday, June 13, 1998, at White Oak Manor. Born in Newberry County, she was a daughter of the late Luke M. and Viola Schumpert Nichols. She was the retired operator of the Zesto Drive-In and was the oldest member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church.
Surviving are daughters, Thelma Dominick and Bonnie Culclasure, both of Newberry and Joyce Johnson of La Grange, Ga.; a son, Fred V. Lester of Newberry; a sister, Erin Kunkle of Saluda; and a brother, Demp Nichols of Newberry; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by sons, Willie Frank Lester, Vernon Lester and Jimmie Lester.

Sammie Lindsay Sr.
NEWBERRY - Services for Sammie Lindsay Sr., widower of Pearlie Lindsay, are 3 p.m. Friday at Calvary Baptist Church; burial in Hannah AME Church Cemetery. Visitation is 6:30-7:30 tonight at Pratt Funeral Home. Born in Newberry Co. to Samie and Sallie Mills Lindsay, he died March 6, 2004. Surviving are daughter, Katie Patterson; sisters, Dorothy Sims, Helen Toland; three grands; two great-grands.

Jerry K. Lester
NEWBERRY -- Mr. Jerry K. Lester, 63, of Newberry, died April 29, 2007, in Palmetto Baptist Medical Center. Born in Newberry, he was the son of the late James R. and Kathleen Kunkle Lester. He was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church. He is survived by a son, Tom K. Lester of Newberry; a daughter, Jessica L. Cano of Newberry; two sisters, Kathy Peel and Beth Kiker, both of Newberry; and five grandchildren.
Graveside services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, 2007, in St. Luke's Lutheran Church Cemetery by the Rev. Arden Hallman. The family is at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Sims Peel, 4669 Stoney Hill Road, Newberry, and will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. The family suggests that those desiring may make memorials to St. Lukes Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall Fund, 4056 St. Luke's Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127. McSwain- Evans Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.mcswainevans.com

Grace Hare Lester
Newberry Grace Hare Lester, 95, widow of C. Eugene Lester, of 1165 Fred Kunkle Road, died Thursday, March 30, 2000, at J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home.
Survivors: a son, Carroll E. Lester, of Prosperity a sister, Vanessa H. Taylor a brother, E.H. Hare five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Predeceased: parents, Joe W. and Laura S. Hare and a son, Bobby G. Lester.
Visitation: 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. today at Whitaker Funeral Home. Service: 3 p.m. Sunday at St. Luke's Lutheran Church. Burial: Church cemetery. Memorials: St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 4056 St. Luke's Church Road, Prosperity, SC 29127. Family: 4197 Stoney Hill Road, Newberry.

Mary Blair Long
NEWBERRY - Services for Mary Blair Long, 93, widow of Bennie Long, 3 p.m. Thursday (visitation 1:30-2:30 p.m.) at Whitaker Funeral Home; burial in St. Luke's Lutheran Churchyard. Born in Newberry Co. to George and Fannie Blair, she died April 20, 2004. Surviving: children, Betty Kyzer, Linda Mayer, Sylvia Miller, Karen, Marsha, Gerald, Joel, Phillip Long; 5 siblings; 13 grands; 20 great and 1 great-great-grand.

John ''Cat'' Lark

BELOVED NEWBERRY ICON, COLLEGE CHEF LARK DIES

John ''Cat'' Lark never ran out of people to love.  Just ask any of his 10 children, 32 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren or the hundreds of extended ''family members'' at Newberry College.

Lark, 86, died Saturday morning of heart failure. But the college's former head chef, who became a virtual institution in his 58-year tenure, is remembered as one who left a legacy of love.

''He had a great love for his children, all people in general, in all walks of life,'' Lark's daughter Margaret Lark Wells recalled of him Saturday.

Lark is fondly remembered by the hundreds of graduates, faculty members and coaches he befriended while serving as Newberry's head chef -- which stemmed from a dishwasher's job -- until his retirement in 1982.
He and his wife, Florence, a housekeeper at the college for 40 years until her retirement in 1977, were honored recently at the college's annual kickoff banquet. Lark also was named an honorary member of the Indian Club at that time, becoming the first person to receive such a distinction.

''Their friendship has meant so much to anyone who ever attended Newberry College,'' booster club board member Bill Dufford of Columbia, said during the banquet.

Margaret Lark Wells said her father developed a special relationship with the athletes when he would return to the school on game-day Saturdays to cook special meals for the football players.

''Mostly all the coaches and the players, those were really the people that he catered to, and he had many who remained friends with him throughout the years,'' Wells said.

But she said his friendships didn't end there, noting that many business leaders and others in the community often stopped by his home following his retirement with words of encouragement.

''He truly will be missed in this neighborhood. He had a lot of friends,'' Wells said.

Although Lark never received a college degree, he instilled in his children the importance of an education, something he gained from ''working around an institution of higher learning,'' Wells said.

Today, his legacy includes educators, business owners, a real estate agent, a master carpenter, a commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and a county supervisor of special needs and disabilities.

''He always wanted the best for his children, and he provided that for us,'' Wells said.

Lark is survived by his wife, of Newberry; and eight children, Bill Lark of Columbia; Charles Lark of Brooklyn, N.Y; James Lark of Stamford, Conn.; John Lark III of Fairfield, Conn; Michael Lark of Suitland, Mass.; Margaret Wells of Newberry; Juanita Chaplin of Suitland, Mass.; Malikah Ambolley of Los Angeles; and Ruby Workman of Washington, D.C. Another son, Paul Lark, is deceased.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Pratt Funeral Home.

Josephine Elvira Lane
Miss Josie Lane, aged 23, daughter of the late Thomas P. Lane, for years a citizen of Newberry, died of typhoid fever yesterday at her home at Hendersonville, N.C. The body will reach here this afternoon at 2:48 over the Southern and will be buried in Rosemont cemetery by the side of her father and mother.

Nancy Livingston
September 15th, Mrs. Nancy Livingston, wife of Mr. John Livingston, of Newberry, aged 39 years, 9 months and 14 days.

James M. Lindsay
September 13th, James M., infant son of Mr. C. W. and Virginia Lindsay, of Newberry, aged 2 years and nearly 6 months. (The Charleston Mercury October 4, 1859)

Sara Lathrop
POMARIA - Sara Wicker Lathrop, 88, formerly of 343 Lathrop Road, Pomaria, died Tuesday, July 8, 2003, in Lexington Medical Center. Mrs. Lathrop, widow of William K. Lathrop, was born October 15, 1914, a daughter of the late Daniel Colie and Mattie Mae Crumpton Wicker. She was a retired textile employee and homemaker. At the time of her death she was a resident of Lowman Home Nursing Center. She was a lifetime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church and a member of the Ladies' Bible Class, the WELCA and the Chat-n-Chew Club. She is survived by a son, William C. "Billie" Lathrop of Columbia; daughter, Mae L. Wicker of West Columbia; daughters and sons-in-law, Juanita and Herman Nalley and Shirley and James Lester, all of Prosperity; brother, J.P. Wicker and sister, Mary Lou Griffin, both of Newberry. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, David H. Lathrop, Sr. and son-in-law, Robert L. Wicker. Funeral services of Mrs. Lathrop will be conducted on Thursday, July 10, 2003, at 4 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church by Reverend D. Brent Nichols and Revered Gary Lyerly. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the McSwain-Evans Funeral Home on Wednesday, July 9 from 7-9 p.m. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church Bus Fund, 2496 S.C. Hwy. 773, Pomaria, SC 29126.

Nettie Boland Lathan
Mrs. Nettie Boland Lathan, 87, widow of the late Claude F. Lathan, died early Monday morning at her home 2003 Main Street. She had been in declining health for several years. Mrs. Lathan was born and reared in the Little Mountain section of Newberry county and was the daughter of the late A. N. and Martha Miller Boland. For the past fifty-two years she had made her home in Newberry and was a devoted member of the Luthern church of the Redeemer, and a member of the U. L. C. W. Mrs. Lathan is survived by one son, Claude F. Lathan Jr., Sumter; two daughters, Mrs. T. L. Bridges, Rock Hill, Mrs. J. C. McLean, Marietta, Ga; four sisters, Mrs. Rhett Adair, Clinton, Mrs. Grover Page, Louisville, Mrs. D. E. Farr and Mrs. E. J. Locke both of Little Mountain; 12 grandchildren and one great-greatgrandchild. Funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock Wednesday morning from Mayer Memorial Lutheran Church with Dr. H. A. McCullough and Dr. C. K. Derrick conducting the service.

John B. Lathan
Mr. Lathan died at his home at 11:30 as the result of a heart attack.  For many years, the leading merchant in Little Mountain, he had been identified with the interests and growth of the town since its earliest days.  He was a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.  His pastor, Rev. J. A. McKeown, of Prosperity and Rev. John J. Long, of Little Mountain, along with Dr. J. W. Carson of Newberry and the Rev. H. A. McCullough of Columbia, will conduct the funeral services.  Interment will be in the Holy Trinity Lutheran Cemetery.
Mr. Lathan was survived by his wife, Lizzie Wise Lathan, Mrs. Lula Merchant of Columbia, South Carolina; Mrs. L. M. Calhoun of Barnwell, South Carolina; Mrs. S. C. Craig (Mary) of Lancaster, South Carolina; Mrs. C. G. Vandiver of Canton, Georgia; and Miss Toy Lathan of Columbia, South Carolina.  Also two brothers, S. B Lathan of Chester, S.C., and W. I. Lathan of Blackstock, S.C. survive. 

Vera Kinard Livingston
Pomaria Vera Kinard Livingston, 89, widow of Henry Livingston Sr., formerly of 124 Henry Livingston Road, died Wednesday, March 8, 2000. Born in Pomaria, she was a daughter of the late Julius and Nancy Oxner Kinard. Survivors: a son, Henry Livingston Jr. of Pomaria daughters, Pearl L. Pullen of Soperton, Ga., Ruth L. Ruff of Prosperity, and Dorothy L. Smith of Pomaria 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Service: 3 p.m. today at New Hope Baptist Church. Burial: Church cemetery. Memorials: J.F. Hawkins Nursing Home, 1330 Kinard St., Newberry, SC 29108. -- McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Palmetto Health Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 7275, Columbia, SC 29202-9649 or O'Neal Street United Methodist Church, 511 O'Neal St., Newberry, SC 29108.

Eunice Dickert Lefler - contributed by Cathy Schmidt
Lefler Funeral Is Held Sunday
Mrs. Eunice Dickert Lefler, wife of George G. Lefler, a native of Newberry, but a resident of Charlotte, N.C., for several years, died Friday at the Newberry County hospital, following an illness of several months.

Mrs. Lefler was the daughter of Jacob L. Dickert and the late Mrs. Effie Counts Dickert of Newberry.  She was a member of the First Baptist church of Newberry and a graduate of the Newberry high school.  She was employed there for several years with the Exchange Bank.  During the time she lived in Charlotte she was employed by the U.S. Casualty Insurance company.

In addition to her husband she is survived by one daughter, Miss Betty Jane Lefler; her father and step-mother; three brothers, Jesse L. Dickert of Ware Shoals and Coke S. and Forrest W. Dickert, both of Newberry; six sisters, Mrs. Jesse Frank Hawkins, Mrs. Bunyan Ringer and Mrs. Ruby Trice of Newberry, Mrs. Wyche Dickert and Mrs. Julia Ezell of Columbia and Mrs. William Folk of Moncks Corner.

Funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon from the Leavell Funeral Home by the Rev. Aubrey Estes and the Rev. R. L. Hall.  Interment was in Rosemont cemetery.  Nephews served as active pallbearers.  Serving as flower attendants were her nieces, members of the insurance company which she was formerly associated and Mrs. Jack Hove.
Leavell Funeral Home in charge.

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