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The county has had five complaints of dog bites in the past two months, officials said, the first since July 2007.

The new ordinance, approved unanimously on first reading Tuesday, is patterned after Richland County’s animal control ordinance, said Merri Seigler, animal control director.

Council could give final approval to the changes as early as June. Among them:

• Animal control complaints would go to magistrate’s court, much like in Richland County.

The state Department of Education this week issued its 29th annual compilation of students in public schools who achieved perfect attendance during their entire academic career.

Mauldin High in Greenville had the most with five, followed by Broome (Spartanburg 3), Stratford (Berkeley) and Irmo (Lexington-Richland 5) with three apiece.

The Irmo students are: Sabrina Renee Buster, Angelina Nicole Drumheller and Kyle Dru Tomczak. The other Midlands’ student to make the list is Danielle Patrice Rivers of Columbia High in Richland 1.

“This achievement never ceases to amaze me,” said state schools chief Jim Rex said. “Twelve years, 2,160 consecutive days and not a single absence. That’s really something.”

But cash-strapped people shouldn’t just hop on the old bike and head to work. Cycling advocates admit bike commuting in the Midlands is not for the faint of heart. It requires safe equipment, road skills and a certain bravado.

“If you commute, you’re having fun, and it puts a little adventure in your life,” said Brian Curran, owner of Outspokin Bicycles on Devine Street. “But it’s not for everyone.”

Few of the Midlands’ main traffic arteries have bike lanes. Drivers, especially during the frenzied morning and evening commutes, often aren’t patient as they pass bikes. And with few bikes on the roads, drivers aren’t accustomed to looking for bikes when they turn.

Then there are the problems of terrain (hills make the trip tougher), climate (summer heat, afternoon thunderstorms) and business infrastructure (bike racks, showers).

“Aggressive begging” has been illegal in the city since 1991, but the vague ordinance hasn’t been enforced that often, city officials said.

The new ordinance, approved 5-0, with Mayor Bob Coble and Councilman Kirkman Finlay absent, restricts when and where a person can beg for money, including:

• At night

• At an ATM or bank

But the group’s leaders actually invested less than $40,000 in the markets over three years.

And despite owing $1 billion in returns to investors, the Midlands trio went on a shopping spree — buying a $5 million jet, property in Panama and suites to pro football games.

These were just some of the new details revealed in court documents Wednesday after the FBI arrested the Midlands trio on one count each of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.

Until a preliminary hearing Tuesday, U.S. Magistrate Joseph McCrorey jailed the 3 Hebrew Boys leaders: Joseph Brunson, 46, of Hopkins; Timothy McQueen, 50, of Blythewood; and Tony Pough, 46, of Columbia.

Wednesday, anti-abortion groups gathered at the State House to unveil the new indigo blue and white plate, designed by graphic artist Ann Turner of Greenville.

“(The tag) reflects the colors and symbols of our state and endorses the positive message that our state supports the right to life of unborn children and the protection of the medically vulnerable members of our human family,” said Holly Gatling, executive director of the S.C. Citizens for Life.

The tags are available under a state law allowing nonprofits to apply directly to the DMV for revenue-producing specialty license plates.

Attorney General Henry McMaster said Wednesday he is “supremely confident” the new law will withstand any legal challenge because it gives all nonprofits the same process to secure their own specialty tag.

But with just one final hurdle — a House vote to overturn Gov. Mark Sanford’s veto — those efforts were about to fall apart Tuesday as the politics of race and class unexpectedly intruded.

Into the middle of the frantic vote-counting by supporters and opponents of the 50-cents-a-pack tax increase strode House Speaker Bobby Harrell, who infrequently speaks from the House floor.

Harrell, who opposes spending the $159 million the tax increase would raise on health care for the poor, railed against “entitlement” programs and raising a generation that would expect state-funded health care.

Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, was on the phone talking national Democratic Party politics when Harrell’s words caught her attention and left her stunned.

Sanford, for the second straight year, vetoed money to expand the SCHIP, or the State Children’s Health Insurance Program.

Sanford vetoes were down significantly from the 243 vetoes the governor issued last year. The Legislature upheld 15 of the items Sanford struck from last year’s budget.

The governor said this year’s budget was much leaner than last year’s, largely due to tighter state revenues. Yet Sanford said there were still budget items the state could do without, especially with the state Department of Corrections running a deficit and the state Education Department needing more money to pay for fuel to run its school bus fleet over the entire year.

“These vetoes are aimed at both paying for that shortfall and beginning this process of setting better priorities,” Sanford said. “And to that end I’d ask that the House and Senate give them close consideration.”

The 15-year-old boys, who are not identified because they are minors, are in custody at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center’s juvenile facility, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said.

One, who Lott said had a shotgun, is charged with assault with intent to kill. The other, who fired a .38-caliber pistol, is charged with murder.

Whether the teens will be charged as adults is up to the solicitor.

Jerome L. Hart was shot once in the head and died at Hillendale Apartments off Fairfield Road, Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said.

Support has been emerging since Walker announced in a letter that he would step down at the end of the 2008-09 school year because a gay-straight club being formed on campus was against his religious and professional beliefs.

Since then, there have been prayer meetings, groups launched on social networking Web sites and — in a strong showing earlier this week — a rally before the Lexington-Richland 5 school board, which included rounds of applause for the man who has led Irmo High since 2005.

Walker has declined repeatedly to talk with The State about his resignation, saying in an e-mail as recently as Wednesday: “I feel my initial e-mail, when read in its entirety, says everything I intended to say.”

His supporters say his refusals for media interviews aren’t surprising. The man they know isn’t swayed from his morals, and he doesn’t apologize for them.

Main Street, 1100 block: A man called police at 12:30 a.m. Monday after he said another man he knew tied to rob him and beat assault him. The 48-year-old man told deputies a man he knew only by his first name had come to his trailer and demanded money. When the resident told the other man that he didn’t have any money, the man hit, punched and kicked the resident. The resident said he grabbed a knife to try and defend himself, but his attacker grabbed the weapon out of his hands and continued beating him and demanding money. He refused any medical attention, but he was bruised all over his face and upper body, a report said.

Peaceful Lane, 100 block: A woman called police at 9:30 a.m. Monday after she said another woman had threatened her over the phone. The 41-year-old woman told deputies that the 29-year-old caller was angry because she was seeing the caller’s boyfriend. She said the caller told her to leave the man alone or she would physically harm her.

Richland County Sheriff

Ashley Street, 900 block: A man was arrested at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday after police received a complaint about suspicious behavior in an apartment complex. When officers arrived, they watched as two men made repeated contact with several people, and it appeared that money and drugs were being passed back and forth. The deputies asked for their identification. One of the men gave the two deputies two different sets of information. When they compared notes and told him they knew he had lied, he offered to take one of them to his apartment where he said his license was. Once there, however, the man led the deputy to a closet that was filled with bags of marijuana. He was charged with possession, a report said.

That expense will cost a typical taxpayer about $19.40 more on a home with a taxable value of $100,000, the county finance office said.

Council also supports raising fees for county ambulances as well as for a range of permits, including building, zoning, storm water and others.

“The same cost-of-living increases that are affecting them (taxpayers) are affecting county government,” council Chairman Billy Derrick said after the body held a second vote on a $163.8 million overall budget for 2008-09.

A final vote is set for June 12.

“It’s just hardhearted and mean.”

— Senate Minority Leader John Land, D-Manning, on Gov. Mark Sanford’s veto of $21 million devoted to a program that provides health insurance for poor children. It’s the second year in a row Sanford has vetoed some of the program’s funding.

S.C. PRIMARY

Days left until the June 10 primary: 12

The warrants charge Jarvaris Praylow, 20, of Chestnut Street, with assault and battery with intent to kill.

A man told police he was lured to a School House Road location about 12:45 a.m. where he was robbed and shot, said Brick Lewis, police spokesman.

The man suffered injuries to his right leg and arm as well as the right side of his head and neck, according to an incident report.

The man who robbed and shot the victim had an accomplice.

Sentenced were: Emilio Bautista-Teran, 28, 22 years; Jose Jimenez-Villaseca, 28, 5 years, 10 months; Hector Jimenez-Villaseca, 26, 12 years, seven months; and Javier Colemenares-Meneses, 26, 5 years, said acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald.

The defendants pleaded guilty to various drug, weapons and money laundering charges. None will be eligible for parole, and they will be surrendered to immigration officials for deportation after completing their sentences.

The investigation is ongoing, and more charges are likely, McDonald said.

The committee took factors such as the number of cases cleared in 2007 and the amount of drugs seized into account as it came to a decision, said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott.

Crime Stoppers of the Midlands covers Aiken, Fairfield, Newberry, Lexington, Richland, Kershaw, Saluda and Orangeburg counties.

The rally, held in the parking lot of Dutch Fork Elementary, drew students, religious leaders and members of statewide equality and gay rights groups. Those advocates believe the club’s formation would foster tolerance of all students.

“Homophobia is indeed pervasive in all of our communities,” said the Rev. Bennie Colclough of Providence Christian Church. “And we got to do everything within our power as progressives to make a difference and let our voices be heard.

“In spite of what somebody might say to us, we got to take a stand for that which is right, and what is right is that we stand for the members of this gay-straight alliance.”

Before the rally, supporters stood along Broad River Road, holding signs and chanting.

It’s a growing reality, and one that has the food bank pleading with the community to step forward and help combat hunger.

“People simply can’t meet their food needs,” said Harvest Hope executive director Denise Holland. “In this land of plenty, no one should have to live like that.”

Holland took her message to a gathering of clergy Tuesday at St. Andrews Baptist Church as she announced the kickoff of the Extra Mile Campaign.

The effort, which targets the faith, corporate and private sectors, follows a sharp increase in requests for food assistance in the face of a challenging economy.

The vote came after hours of intense debate, with Democrats taking exception to House Speaker Bobby Harrell saying the new health care “entitlement” program would create children “from Day One telling them that the state was supposed to take care of you.”

Democrats said Harrell was evoking images of welfare queens torn from late S.C. GOP strategist Lee Atwater’s playbook, all while speaking — as Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter said — with “the privilege of white skin.”

The House was a “bunch of rich people up here deciding that because we got health care, don’t nobody else need it,” said Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland. “Be for it or be against it, but don’t blame the children.”

That led House Majority Leader Jim Merrill, R-Berkeley, to defend Harrell, and note GOP opposition to adding money to a “broken down” Medicaid system. Others noted that health care budgets have increased.

Instead, he volunteered to serve six more months with the New York National Guard.

On Sunday, Leimbach, 38, of Taylors was killed in Bala Baluk, Afghanistan, when his unit was attacked with small-arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades, the U.S. Defense Department said Tuesday.

He became the fourth soldier from the S.C. National Guard’s 218th Brigade Combat Team to be killed in Afghanistan. Funeral arrangements have not been made.

Sgt. 1st Class Douglas Moorer, who was Leimbach’s platoon sergeant during the first tour in Afghanistan, described Leimbach as the ideal soldier.

Beginning Friday the west side of the 1600 block of Main Street will be closed to southbound traffic for construction. The 1500 block of Main Street will remain closed to south-bound traffic.

Columbia-based South Carolina Electric & Gas and state-owned Santee Cooper signed a contract with Westinghouse Electric Co. and The Shaw Group to design and build two reactors at the V.C. Summer Nuclear Station in Jenkinsville, about 25 miles northwest of Columbia.

The deal means hundreds of jobs to one of the poorest counties in the Midlands.

SCE&G, a subsidiary of Columbia-based SCANA Corp., will pay $5.4 billion in construction costs for 55 percent of the power. Santee Cooper will pay $4.4 billion in construction costs for 45 percent of the power.

U.S. utilities are moving aggressively to construct a new generation of nuclear plants. Applications for 15 new ones in eight states are pending before the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

The rematch in the June 10 Republican primary contest resumes their conflict over who is better qualified to oversee a staff of three dozen that supports the work of judges and handles child support payments.

This time, Carrigg is the incumbent, after narrowly ousting Comerford in their first showdown in 2004.

Carrigg touts a list of changes she says significantly upgrade the performance of the office.

Comerford counters much of the improvement is due to better technology than her efforts.

In addition, primary voters will settle three races for countywide positions.

For County Council:

In District 3, Democrats will choose between one-term incumbent Damon Jeter and political newcomer Bruce A. Trezevant.

In District 7, five Democrats are running to succeed Joe McEachern, who is seeking higher office. They are: Kiba Anderson, Johnny Bland, Gwendolyn Davis Kennedy, Rodney Standiferd Mills and Napoleon Tolbert Jr.

The winner will be decided in the June primary, since no Republicans filed.

Is there more the clerk of court should be doing to clear the dockets or move more cases through the court system?

Corley: Modern technology can help. We should have the clerk’s office interfaced with the solicitor’s office, judges, public defenders, probate court, etc. Also upgrading our Web site and providing secure accounts so certain documents can be filed online and fees can be paid online. McBride: Better case management planning and new technology are greatly needed. New internal procedures are needed to match growing civil and criminal case loads and growing responsibilities of the clerk’s office (i.e. online payment of child support). These modernized procedures will maximize judicial time and resources, while improving how we use, treat and compensate jurors.

Montgomery: A number of years ago, the clerk’s office used arbitration and mediation to help move cases through the docket. The arbitration process should once again be frequently utilized.

The winner in next month’s primary will be unopposed in November’s general election.

What is the most important issue facing the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department?

Brazelle:

• Quality of service provided to the citizens and improving the response times to calls so that all citizens are receiving equal treatment. This can be accomplished by putting deputies on the street and not behind a desk.

Jimmy Brazelle

Age: 60

Education: Bachelor’s, human resource management; master’s, organizational management, Central Wesleyan College (now Southern Wesleyan University)

Occupation: Director, Community Auto Repository program of The Cooperative Ministry, a faith-based organization providing emergency assistance to residents in Richland and Lexington counties

Watts, 51, has experience over the last 38 years as an EMT, police officer, public defender investigator and deputy coroner.

He wants to continue raising public awareness of the office, archiving its records to help law enforcement agencies investigate crimes and work with the community to help prevent deaths.

The work is difficult and sad at times, but rewarding, Watts said.

“It’s a wonderful place to be when you’re able to answer questions for families,” Watts said.

The district comprises older urban neighborhoods and the fast-growing I-77 corridor, north of I-20 to Blythewood, between Monticello and Two Notch roads.

What is the single, most important issue you would address if elected to represent District 7?

Anderson: To continue working with others to ensure a high-quality education for all citizens. . The children are our future and it is my generation’s obligation to equip them with the tools necessary to become productive citizens in this county, as well as in the ever-growing global society. I will work to find/create means to facilitate more-than-adequate funding to our public school systems, increase teacher salaries, and work diligently to focus on culturally relevant instruction.

Bland: The people in District 7's main concern that has been addressed to me is a good quality life and services.

Age: 64

Education: Mars Hill College graduate

Elected political experience: Lexington County Council, 12 years; county auditor, seven years

Community organizations: Friends of the Irmo Library; director, Whitehall Homeowners Association director; board member, Lexington County Gamecock Club

The winner of the June 10 primary will face no formal opposition in the Nov. 4 general election, as no Republicans filed for the four-year seat.

Sheriff Leon Lott has led one of the state’s largest law enforcement agency since he was first elected in 1996. Before that, he was police chief in St. Matthews.

Challenger Jim Reed is a victim’s advocate and chairman of the Domestic Violence Task Force for the Columbia Police Department, according to his Web site. He is a former lieutenant with the Colleton County Sheriff’s Office.

Reed declined repeated requests for information.

The winner faces no opposition in November’s general election.

What more can be done by the clerk’s office to reduce the backlog of cases?

Carrigg: We must continue to concentrate on improving technology and developing programs specific to the office. Since taking office in 2005, the Civil Court docket has been reduced by an additional 34 percent. Seventy-four percent of all cases are placed on the docket in 365 days or less as required by law, as opposed to 38 percent in 2004. The Family Court backlog has been reduced; now 77 percent of all cases are pending within 365 days, as opposed to only 56 percent in 2004. I will continue to improve the system by implementing the Family Court state case management system which will track cases from start to finish, significantly reducing delays. Comerford: Working closely with the judiciary on such things as jury pool enhancements, I would like to see the current docket system modified to accommodate more cases per session. Encouraging mediation hearings would reduce the backlog. During my previous term, many mediated cases were settled by litigants, eliminating the need for judges and/or juries.

What further steps need to be taken by the clerk’s office to automate records and make them readily available and usable to the public?

The winner will be unopposed in November’s general election.

What makes you more qualified than your opponent to lead the Richland County Sheriff’s Department?

Lott:

• I have been in law enforcement for 33 years, the past 26 years in a supervisory position. For the past 12 years as Richland County sheriff, I have led the largest sheriff’s department in the state. Prior to being elected sheriff in 1996, I served as chief of police for the town of St. Matthews for 3½ years. I have the experience, education, and training to be the CEO of a large progressive law enforcement agency.

The winner will be unopposed in November’s general election.

Why are you running for coroner? What do you offer that your opponent doesn’t?

Portee:

• Because I’m more qualified than the incumbent. I have a college degree, a high school diploma and a mortuary education from an accredited mortuary college.

There is no Democratic Party candidate so the primary winner likely will become auditor.

Auditors are responsible for preparing and maintaining property tax rolls.

Professionalism has become a disputed issue between Harmon and Guerry, whom Harmon defeated in 2004.

Harmon said he has restored dignity and professionalism, “something sorely lacking before.” Guerry was sued by a female employee who accused him of sexual harassment.

Lauren said she realized South Carolina needed a state color when thumbing through a book of state symbols earlier this year.

State beverage: milk. State snack: boiled peanuts. State fish: the striped bass.

“I thought we needed a color, too,” said Lauren, a third-grader at Lake Murray Elementary School in Lexington 1.

In trying to determine which color would be best, Lauren thought of her social studies class where she had recently learned about indigo, one of the state’s first major cash crops and the backdrop color of the state’s flag.

Chalmers Eugene Troutman III sued in January, alleging he was fired in retaliation for his accusations of fiscal mismanagement.

The defendants say Troutman can’t sue them “in their individual capacities.”

Troutman’s suit was filed against the trustees and school officials as individuals and as college representatives. He says he was improperly fired because he exercised his First Amendment right to speak out on matters of public concern.

Trustees and school officials deny that.

Ryan Schallenberger, 18, faces three explosives charges that carry a combined maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

Prosecutors dropped the most serious charge — attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction. Acting U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald would not say why.

“Having considered the circumstances of this matter, and having reviewed the evidence obtained to date, I believe the case is properly charged. The explosives charges that were issued by the grand jury today are very serious charges,” McDonald said.

Schallenberger’s attorney did not answer the phone at his office after hours Tuesday. A message could not be left because Michael Meetze’s voice mail was full.

It came after Keel said he would have handed down tougher penalties — including firings and longer suspensions —for state troopers caught on tape abusing suspects in recent incidents.

The S.C. Senate Judiciary Committee voted 19-0 after a three-hour hearing to confirm Keel, currently an assistant director at the State Law Enforcement Division, where he has worked for nearly 29 years.

The full Senate could make the confirmation final this week.

“We’ll probably take this up in the next several days,” a smiling Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, the Judiciary chairman and Senate president pro tempore, told Keel after the vote. “We appreciate your service to the people of South Carolina and wish you well.”

The county is deciding whether to put a penny-on-a-dollar sales tax on the November ballot, an issue set for debate June 17.

Tuesday, the council reviewed a 150-page proposal for spending $521.5 million over the next eight years.

Clearly, some on the 11-member council are unhappy with how the money is divided: 60 percent for roads, 25 percent for bus service and 15 percent for cyclists and pedestrians.

“I’m getting beat up about the dirt roads,” said Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson, who characterized a $15 million paving budget as “a big ol’ pill” for voters to swallow when compared to $22 million for bike lanes.

Surviving are daughters, Cynthia Deloris Mack, Sheila Renee Frye, Thalia Antionette Henderson; sisters, Nancy Raticliff, Anne Mae Butler and Lillie Mae Dillion; brothers, Joe and Albert Moore, grandchildren, Tamkia Shaunita Starks, Anastasia Elize Smith, Milton Harold Smith, Marcus O’Brien Starks, Ellen Inez Starks, William Thomas Starks and Darius Starks and many other relatives and friends.

www.leevy.com

«Obituary posted: May 29, 2008»

Mr. Brown died Sunday. Born in Columbia he was the son of Doris Y. Brown and the late Joseph Anderson.

He is survived by his son, John A. Howell; mother of Columbia; brother, Stanley M. Brown; sisters, Bernice Anderson, Cynthia Anderson, Daren T. Delancey Brown and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Final arrangements have been entrusted to J.P. Holley Funeral Home.

«Obituary posted: May 29, 2008»

Ms. Buchanan passed away Sunday. She was born in Flint, MI, to Donnie Wilford Henson and Veronica O’Shaughnessy. Karen was an extraordinary mother, daughter and sister and she will be missed dearly.

Surviving are her sons, Tristan Drew Henson and Ian Drew Buchanan; her parents; and her sisters, Donna Sharpe, Leia Hyder and Lana Katocs.

«Obituary posted: May 29, 2008»

J.P. Holley Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements.

Mrs. Satterwhite died Sunday. Born in Sumter County, she was the daughter of the late Rosa Mae Myers.

She is survived by her husband, Reginald Satterwhite; daughters, Chrystal M. Washington, Thea R. Satterwhite; stepsons, Ronald and Alex Satterwhite; stepdaughter, Tylene Khrumah; sister, Frankie Y. Crawford; three granddaughters; nieces, nephews and a host of loving relatives and dear friends.

«Obituary posted: May 29, 2008»

Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2008, at Clover Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Douglass Key officiating. Interment will be in Woodside Cemetery.

Mr. Hinshaw was born January 25, 1920, in Battleboro, NC, to the late Clifford Reginald and Lucile Walton Hinshaw. Reg graduated from High Point High School in 1936 and from High Point University in 1940. He received his master’s degree in history from Duke University in 1941 and in 1951 graduated from Gupton Jones College of Mortuary Science. After college he became a pilot and flight instructor with the Civilian Pilot Training Program and continued flying and instructing in the U.S. Army Air Corps. As a flight instructor at Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC, he met his wife of 64 years, Beth Ford Hinshaw. After his service in the Army, he taught history at High Point College for two years. In 1949 they moved to Clover and joined M.L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home and the Ford Chevrolet Company where he worked until retirement. He was a licensed funeral director and embalmer at M.L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home and served as the executive secretary for the S.C. State Board of Funeral Service from 1960-1985. He was an elder at Clover Presbyterian Church and a member of the Clover Lions Club. He loved history and was an avid golfer.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Garnett Hinshaw May.

Survivors are his wife, Beth Ford Hinshaw of Clover, SC; daughter, Lucy Hinshaw Cathey and husband Robert of Anderson, SC; grandchildren, Mary Walton Cathey of Waltham, MA, Beth Paul and husband Andy of Greenville, SC, and Ellen Martin and husband Timmy of Anderson, SC; great-grandchildren, Evelyn Birdie Paul and Sarah Ford Martin; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Barbara and Jack Quinn of Clover, SC, and two nieces and one nephew.

Mrs. Hoover died Wednesday, May 28, 2008. Born in Lexington County, she was a daughter of the late Marion and Lilar Taylor Derrick. She was a member of First Calvary Baptist Church, the Senior Adult SS Class, and was a retired seamstress.

Surviving are a son, Jimmy (Sylvia) Hoover of Leesville; a daughter, Brenda (David) Zwart of Gilbert; brother, Floyd Derrick of West Columbia; sisters, Lizzie Mae Hall of Gilbert, Geraldine Price of Leesville, Lorene Clamp of Gilbert, Sadie Mae White and Annie Rose Asbill of Saluda; 5 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Herbert Hoover, brothers, J.C., M.L., Ray, and Edward Derrick, and a sister, Katherine Smith.

Online register at Barr-Price.com.

(803)532-4411

Memorials to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC, or the American Cancer Society.

Online condolences may be made at www.parkerwhitepruitt.com

«Obituary posted: May 29, 2008»

Ms. Light passed away Tuesday. She was born in Inman, SC, to the late Earl Filmore Ledford and Carrie Louella McJucjunkin.

Surviving are her daughters, Charlotte Denise Light and Daphne Haught; her sons, Richard Earl Light and Grover Dean Light; 8 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and 2 brothers, Olin Ledford and Clyde Ledford.

«Obituary posted: May 29, 2008»

Survivors include her mother of Greenwood; three sisters, Brenda J. Moore of Goose Creek, Lynn Robinson and Cassandra Wright, both of Greenwood; one brother, Terrence Robinson of Greenwood.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 30, 2008, at Parks Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dora Ann White officiating. Entombment will be in Evening Star Cemetery.

The family is at the home.

Services are entrusted to Parks Funeral Home.

Born May 25, 1925, in Hampton County, she was the daughter of the late Edward Allison Holbrook Crapse and Ione Murdaugh Crapse. She had retired from Westinghouse Corporation in Hampton. Miss Mazie was a lifelong member of Varnville First Baptist Church where she was a greeter for church members and visitors and was active in the Joy Club and the Senior Friends. She loved her family and friends and was a joy to all who knew her, lighting up the room when she was present.

She is survived by two sons: Gary Long and wife Suzanne of Fountain Inn, SC, and Mark Long and wife Claudia of Varnville; one daughter, Deborah Bumgarner and husband Mark of Brunson; one brother, Marvin Crapse of Beaufort; three sisters, Vernelle Gibson of Hampton, Clara Mae Mason of Varnville and Elaine “Sissy” Forrester of Summerville. There are 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by her son, Murdaugh L. “Buddy” Long, her brother, Murdaugh Crapse and her sister, Lillian McGraw.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 30, 2008, at 2 p.m. at Varnville First Baptist Church, conducted by Rev. Dr. Tommy Kelly and directed by Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home of Hampton. Burial will follow in Varnville Cemetery.

Friends may call Thursday evening from 7 until 9 at the funeral home, located at 300 Mulberry Street, Hampton, SC 29924 (803-943-3352) and prior to the service Friday. The casket will be placed in the church at 1 p.m.