Obituaries September 15, 2021
Mildred Watts Graves
Mildred Watts Graves, 100, of Myrtle Beach, SC passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 2, 2021 at her home after an extended illness. Mrs. Graves was born on January 6, 1921 in Pageland, SC to the late Lex Blair Watts and Atha Brewer Watts. Mrs. Graves moved from Pageland, SC to Florence, SC in 1998 and years later to Myrtle Beach, SC. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Pageland. She graduated from Pageland High School and attended Coker College. At one point she was scheduled to transfer to Winthrop University but decided instead to become a bookkeeper for her father’s business. She developed a career in floral design, working at two shops in Pageland before being recruited by Roy White’s Flowers in Charlotte where she was the wedding consultant and floral planner. In time she was considered one of the best floral designers in Charlotte. In Pageland she was often asked by a friend or relative to make a loved one’s casket spray, using a local shop, because she did such beautiful work. She was a devoted daughter, mother, relative and friend. In her retirement she developed a passion for sketching and painting various subjects, especially flowers. At the age of 79 she learned how to operate a computer and use a greeting card program. This became her favorite hobby. She loved designing special cards for friends and family, inserting rare family pictures she had accumulated over the years. To her immediate family’s benefit, she was also known as an excellent cook. She is preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Lenson Charles Graves; sister, Billie Betts Watts; brothers, Lovell Blair Watts and Jack Brewer Watts (Margaret); niece, Cheryl Ann Watts; grandson, Thomas Henry Smith II and granddaughter, Amy Odell Reinecke (John). Mrs. Mildred is survived by her sons, Larry P. Graves (Dianne) of Florence, SC and Sherrill B. Graves (Melanie) of Marion, SC; daughter, Carol Smith (Thomas) of Florence, SC; nephews, David C. Watts and Joel B. Watts of Miami Springs, FL; niece, Nancy T. Watts of Miami Springs, FL, eight grandchildren, twenty-five great grandchildren and five great-great grandchildren. Friends could come by Baumgartner Funeral Home to sign the register book from 11:00 – 2:00 PM Sunday, September 5, 2021. A Celebration of Life Graveside Service was held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Pageland Cemetery with Dr. Joel Dale officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 126, Pageland, SC 29728. We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the Myrtle Beach Hospice organization’s nurses and CNAs that have cared for her the past two years as well as Tim Arthur’s Mobile Meal Service supported by nine local churches that delivered a hot lunch to her five days a week. Also, we want to thank her grandson, Scott Graves who lived with her and took care of her daily needs, as well as relatives, living two houses away, Donnie and Teresa Rossignol for providing emergency support, in addition to bringing her a nice lunch every Sunday. Baumgartner Funeral Home of Pageland, South Carolina (www.baumgartnerfh.com) is assisting the Graves family.
###
John Robert Landon
COLUMBIA – Mr. John Robert Landon, (USAF RET.) passed away on Thursday, September 9, 2021 with his family by his side. A Celebration of Life Service was held at 2:00 PM Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Chesterfield Baptist Church by Pastor Randy Bishop and Brent Taylor. The family greeted friends immediately following the service at the church.
Mr. Landon was born August 8, 1933 in Hartsville, SC to the late Rob and Maude Hicks Landon. John grew up in Chesterfield, SC and attended school there. After graduation he enlisted in the Army. Following his three years of service, he attended the University of South Carolina prior to enlisting in the Air Force. While in the Air Force, he continued his college education at Chapman College in California.
John was a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran, serving our great country twenty-one years. Mr. Landon was the recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal while in the Army. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, two Good Conduct Medals, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic Vietnam Campaign Medal while serving in the U.S. Air Force. Following his retirement, he opened the first coin shop in Columbia in 1974, Carolina Gold and Silver, along with his nephew as his partner.
John is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Barbara Burr Landon, who also grew up in Chesterfield, SC, his children, Pam Landon Kranchick (Van), Jon V. Landon (Gwynn), and Ronald E. Landon all of Columbia, SC, grandchildren, Amanda Huckabee of Columbia, Jennifer Sweeney of Columbia, Vic Landon (Carla) of Florence, SC, Ell Landon (Catherine), and Thomas Landon of Columbia, great-grandchildren, Destiny Langston of Aiken, SC, Blane Langston and Madison Langston of Lexington, SC, Wren Ellerbe Landon of Columbia, SC, and one sister, Julia Rae Griffin, of Chesterfield, SC.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Rebecca Ann Landon Sweeney and grandson, Michael Langston of Columbia, SC, and sister, Betty Joe Sellers.
John attended Chesterfield Baptist Church where he was a former Deacon and substitute Sunday School teacher.
John loved traveling, reading, and before his memory failed, he loved doing cross word puzzles. Most of all, he loved spending time with his family who he loved so much. His face would light up when his children and grandchildren came to see him.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the staff and administration of Wildewood Downs Assisted Living Community for the extraordinary love and care shown to Mr. Landon and his family.
Memorials may be made to the St Jude’s Children’s Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105 or to Chesterfield Baptist Church, 207 E. Main Street, Chesterfield, SC 29709.
Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Landon family.
###
Clifford Otto Smith Sr.
FLORENCE – Mr. Clifford Otto Smith, Sr., 81, died on Tuesday, September 7, 2021. Born, March 10, 1940, in Missouri, he was a son of the late Harry and Bernice Cobb Smith. Mr. Smith was a great man and enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing, camping, and watching NASCAR and Walker Texas Ranger on TV.
Along with his parents, listed above, he was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce O. Smith.
He is survived by his sons, Scott Smith, Eric Smith, Aaron Smith, and Clifford Smith, Jr.; a brother, Albert; grandchildren, Chris Smith and wife, Christy; Angelina Smith, Vennisa Velez, and Brandon Smith; and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A Private Service will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be made at www.kiserfuneralhome.com.
###
Alice Faye Cohoon Wicker
WALLACE – Alice Faye Cohoon Wicker, 73 born in Wallace, SC she was a daughter of the late Quinton Leroy and Annie Louise McLendon Cohoon. She was a member of Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Wallace, SC. She loved her grandkids and enjoyed cooking, camping and shopping.
Surviving is her husband, Reverend William Wicker of the home, daughters, Beth (Ronnie) Crowley of Cheraw, SC, Angela (Chris) Jackson of Rock Hill, SC, Pam (William) Hardy of Wallace, SC, grandchildren, Tiffany Crowley, Justin Crowley, Sara English, Hailey Jackson, Madelaine Jackson, Anna Jackson, Emma Jackson, great grandchildren, Aiden Crowley, Marley Baumgardner, a brother, Melvin (Alene) Cohoon of Wallace, SC, sisters, Jean Chalflinch of Wallace and Pat Thompson of Cordova, NC.
She was preceded in death by her parents listed above and a grandchild, Austin Baumgardner.
The family receive friends 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Monday, September 13, 2021at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Wallace, SC.
A funeral service was held 4:00 PM, Monday, September 13, 2021at Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church, Wallace, SC. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Visit kiserfuneralhome.com to send an e-condolence.