Obituaries August 11, 2021
Esther Mae Chavis Furr
CHERAW – Esther Mae Chavis Furr, 91, died Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Born in Bennettsville, SC she was a daughter of the late Alexander Chavis and the late Rosa Wright Chavis. She was the widow of P.L. Furr. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Cheraw, SC.
Surviving are her sons, Jackie (Susan) Furr, Richard Furr, Perry England, Scott Furr, Brothers, Jesse (Wanda) Chavis, Alexander Chavis, several Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents and husband listed above, also, a son, P.L. Furr, Jr., a grandson, Christopher Furr, a daughter, Doris Mae England and a stepfather, James H. Chavis.
A graveside service were held 11:00 AM, Friday, August 6, 2021 in Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens. The family received friends following the service.
Memorials to: Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011. Agape Care of South Carolina, 311 B. North Main Street, Lancaster, SC 29720
Visit kiserfuneralhome.com to send an e-condolence.
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Francis Ray Garris
WALLACE – Mr. Francis Ray Garris, 80, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021. Born, August 11, 1940 in Hartsville, SC, he was a son of the late William Frank Garris and the late Eva Mae Tice Garris. Ray served his country proudly in the SC National Guard. Mr. Garris was a member of Bruton’s Fork Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, a member of the Men’s Sunday School Class and enjoyed praising the Lord with his beautiful bass voice as the choir director. He also was a member of the Civitan’s. Ray never met a stranger and was always willing to help someone. He also loved serving people, which is why his career of 36 years as a car salesman for Bud Motor Company, Griffin-Flythe Honda, and Bennett Motor Company was so successful. After his retirement from car sales, he worked for Lowe’s. He enjoyed listening to southern gospel music, singing, roller skating, fishing, and was an avid golfer earning the name of “Fairway Ray.”
Along with his parents, listed above he was preceded in death by his wife, Sharon T. Garris; a son, Christopher Ray Garris; a sister, Ruby Brigman; and brothers, Frank Garris, Jr., Bennett Garris, Jimmy Garris, and Ed Garris.
Ray leaves behind to cherish his memory, his sons, Raymond Todd Garris (Sandy) of Wallace, SC and Nelson Fayette Bailey; his daughter, Elizabeth Garris (Andy Little) of Fort Mill, SC; a sister, Shirley Chapman (Terry) of Cheraw, SC; and two grandchildren, Victoria Garris of Fort Mill, SC and Katlyn Garris of Clemson, SC.
A funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 9, 2021 at Kiser Funeral Home in Cheraw, SC. Burial followed at St. John’s Church Cemetery in Patrick, SC.
The family received friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Kiser Funeral Home in Cheraw, SC
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, C/O Kathy Treadaway, 275 Forest Drive, Cheraw, SC 29520.
Online condolences may be made at www.kiserfuneralhome.com.
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Robert Lee Gillespie Sr.
CHERAW – Robert Lee Gillespie, Sr., 69, died Tuesday, July 20, 2021. A graveside service was held Sunday, July 25, 2021 at 2PM from the Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens, Cheraw, SC. He was born March 24, 1952 in Cheraw, SC to the late Willie Gillespie, Sr. and Gertrude Little Gillespie. Survivors: his wife, Dorothy Ann Gillespie, Cheraw, SC; daughters, Catina (LeGranthony) Bridges, and Serena (Clyde) Campbell, Cheraw, SC; seven grandchildren, Sharekka Bridges, Cheraw, SC, Jeffrey Strong, Wallace, SC, Lakeya Bullock, Cheraw, SC, LeGranthony Bridges, II, Cheraw, SC, Alexus Gillespie, Florence, SC, Robert “Quan” Gillespie, III, Cheraw, SC, and Amare Bridges, Cheraw, SC; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Stacey Robinson, Chesterfield, SC; brother, Bruce Byrd, Augusta, GA. Services were rendered by Flemming Funerals-Cheraw. E-condolences may be sent to the family at www.flemmingfunerals.com.
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Margaret P. Kinney
BENNETTSVILLE – Former Bennettsville newspaper journalist and copy editor, Mrs. Margaret René Pegues (Peggy) Kinney, 81, of Bennettsville died peacefully at her family antebellum home, Magnolia, in the loving arms of her husband of over 57 years, and daughter, Saturday night, July 31, 2021.
For the past 21 months she valiantly struggled with various stages of lung cancer and its associated treatments and complications, all the while demonstrating her true spirit, strength, and grit to family and friends.
She was born a daughter of Victor René Pegues and Elisabeth Hamer Pegues on May 27, 1940, in McColl, in the home of her maternal grandparents, Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Hamer. She spent her childhood at Spring Hill (Pegues Place), the ancestral Colonial land grant Pegues family plantation home in upper Marlboro County.
After matriculating at public schools in Cheraw, she attended and was a graduate of Saint Mary’s High School in 1958 and Saint Mary’s Junior College in 1960, both in Raleigh, NC. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Women’s College of the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, NC, in 1962. While in college she served as a summer intern, reporter, and feature writer with The Charlotte Observer. After graduation and moving to Atlanta, GA, with college friends, she was an Associate Editor of “Southern Power and Energy Magazine” of W.R.C. Smith Publishing Co.
While in Atlanta she was introduced to her future husband, William Light (Bill) Kinney Jr. of Bennettsville on his 29th birthday, October 26, 1962, by a longstanding mutual family friend, Florie McLeod Ervin of Florence. After an 18-month courtship, they married at Central United Methodist Church in Monroe, NC, where her mother then lived.
Upon marriage she moved to Bill’s hometown of Bennettsville, and there she and he have since lived raising their two children, Elisabeth Mayer Kinney McNiel and William Light Kinney III, and doting on three grandchildren. She worked with her husband at Marlboro Publishing Co., Inc. dba Marlboro Herald-Advocate prior to their retirement in 2014. Since 1979 she relished hosting and pampering family and friends at the family summer cottage, -30-, in Pawleys Island.
In addition to her husband, survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Elisabeth Mayer Kinney McNiel (Daniel Edward McNiel) of Bennettsville; three grandchildren, Robert Leland McNiel III (Emma Johnson McNiel) of Chattanooga, TN, Margaret Jane McNiel of Knoxville, TN, and William Light Kinney McNiel of Wofford College, Spartanburg; 10 ½ month old great-grandson, Robert Leland McNiel IV of Chattanooga; sister, Frances Elisabeth Pegues Burroughs of Conway; nephew, Henry Buck Burroughs III (Julie) of Brandon, FL; niece, Victoria McNeill Burroughs of North Charleston; great-nephew, Henry Buck (Hank) Burroughs IV, also of Brandon, FL; and numerous Hamer and Pegues cousins and close friends.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her son, William Light Kinney III, on July 21, 1989.
Locally, she was involved in many activities throughout the years including willingly supporting her husband, children, and grandchildren in their numerous endeavors. She was an active member and leader of First United Methodist Church, member of the Rotary Club of Bennettsville, and former President of Marlborough Historical Society and Junior Charity League of Marlboro County. She was a former Chairperson of the historic Jennings-Brown House Committee, was an active member and former Chairperson of the Marlboro County Historic Preservation Commission and was a member of the Pee Dee Chapter of The Daughters of the American Revolution. She was also a founding member of the exclusive “Thursday Lunch & B Club” and “Bennettsville Lachromaniac Society”.
She held numerous statewide positions including being member and past Chairperson of the former South Carolina Mother of the Year Selection Committee, serving as Pee Dee Committee Chairperson of The National Society of The Colonial Dames in The State of South Carolina, being member of The Huguenot Society of South Carolina, and serving as former board member of the South Carolina Museum Foundation and South Carolina Governor’s Mansion Commission.
A brief burial service August 4, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. took place at Sunset Memorial Park, 1200 West Main Street, for family and close friends followed at 11:00 a.m. by a Celebration of Life service at First United Methodist Church, 311 East Main Street, Bennettsville. The family received friends at her home, Magnolia, 508 East Main Street.
Memorial donations may be given to the William Light Kinney III ’91 Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wofford College, Attention: Office of Advancement, 429 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303.
Online condolences may be offered at bfhbennettsville.com.
Burroughs Funeral Home in Bennettsville is honored to serve the Kinney family.
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Charles ‘Bird’ Marion Previtte
WALLACE – Mr. Charles “Bird” Marion Previtte, 63, passed away on Friday, August 6, 2021. Born, July 20, 1958 in Cheraw, SC, he was a son of Glenn Thomas Previtte and the late Marie Hatcher Previtte. Bird was a member of Faith Fellowship Church in Wallace, SC where he played with the band. He was also an active member of the Woodmen of the World, Chapter 966. Charles was a talented musician, playing the bass, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, and piano. He loved to sing and make gospel CD’s to give to people. He was also a great artist and loved to paint.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Previtte.
Mr. Previtte leaves behind to cherish his memory, his father, Glenn Previtte of Wallace, SC; brothers, Gerald Previtte (Sylvia) and Ronnie Previtte (Betty Newberry) all of Wallace, SC; a niece, Stephanie Previtte of Wallace, SC; a nephew, RJ Previtte; and great nieces, Angel Luetke (Alec), Hannah Previtte, and Victoria “Big Legs” Cohoon.
A funeral service was held at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 8, 2021 at Faith Fellowship Church in Wallace, SC. Burial followed at the Church Cemetery. The Family received friends from 3:00 until 4:00 p.m. just prior to the service at the Church.
Online condolences may be made at www.kiserfuneralhome.com.
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Joseph ‘Joe’ Frederick Reid Jr.
CHERAW – Mr. Joseph “Joe” Frederick Reid Jr. passed away on Sunday, August 1, 2021 at his home. Joe was born on November 25, 1932 in Cheraw, SC. He was the son of the late Joseph Frederick Reid Sr. and Aliene Barrington Reid. Joe attended Clemson Military College and served briefly in the US Army. He then returned to Cheraw and was the manager of Wallace Motor Court for several years. Joe then began his 40-year career with ARA Food Services where he served as the Regional Sales Vice President and National Director of Client Relations. Joe Jr. was a charter member of the Cheraw Rotary Club, a founding member of the Cheraw Rescue Squad, and an avid BBQ cook and connoisseur. Joe used his BBQ cooking ability and skills to help with fundraisers throughout the community. He loved bluegrass music, fishing, hunting, and anything involving cooking and eating with friends and family.
Along with his parents listed above, Joe was preceded in death by his loving wife, Joann Webb Reid. His two daughters, Penny Ann Reid and Gina Reid Merriman, grandson Joseph F. Reid IV, as well as his sister, Josephine Reid Baker.
Joe leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son, Jody Reid (Carla) of Cheraw, SC; his grandson, Jed Reid (Choles) of Cheraw, SC; special niece, Renie Baker Seel; devoted caregiver, Kimberly Curtis; and several great nieces and nephews.
Joe will be remembered for his infectious personality and laugh. A graveside service was held at 11:00 am Wednesday, August 4, 2021 at Chatham Hill Memorial Gardens, Cheraw, SC. The family received friends after the service.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials be sent to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105.