The home-going celebration for Mother Pearl W. Brown, 99, of Denmark, was held Thursday, January 10, 2013, in Antioch Christian Church, Varnville. Mother Brown died Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg. Born September 12, 1912, in Varnville, she was the daughter of the late Mrs. Hattie Wright. She was a loyal and faithful servant of Antioch Christian Church of Varnville.

Martha “Nell” Westbury Busch, 91, of Rowesville, died Friday, January 11, 2013, at the home of her daughter, Lynell Busch Zissette. The funeral was held Sunday, January 13, 2013 in New Hope United Methodist Church Rowesville. Martha “Nell” Busch was the daughter of the late Charlie Westbury and the late Mattie Funchess Westbury. A graduate of Rowesville High School and Bowen Business College in Columbia, she was a member of New Hope United Methodist Church in Rowesville.

Stephanie Carroll, 34, of Bamberg, died Sunday, January 6, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. Memorial services were held Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Frank Conley, 73, of Denmark, died Thursday, January 10, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. Funeral services will be announced at a later date.

Lucile D. Freeman, 90, of Denmark, died Tuesday, January 8, 2013, at her residence. Services were held Saturday, January 12, 2013 at Mount Zion Baptist Church, Lees. Born August 27, 1922, to the late Lee James and Sarah Alston Dyches in Orangeburg, she attended the public schools of Bamberg County. At an early age, she joined Cedar Grove Baptist Church and later moved her membership to Mount Zion Baptist Church, where she served faithfully for more than 50 years.

Lewis Gadson, 41, of Branchville, died Saturday afternoon, January 12, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. Funeral plans will be announced later.

The funeral for Ruth Harris, 80, of Bamberg was held Friday, January 11, 2013, in the Light of the World Baptist Church. She died Saturday, January 5 2013, at her residence. Ruth Kirkland Harris was born March 20, 1932, to the late Deacon Teasel and Minnie McMillan Kirkland. At an early age, she accepted Christ and joined Gethsemane Baptist Church. She was educated in the public schools of Bamberg County. Ruth relocated to New York with her husband, Walter Harris, who preceded her in death. Ruth was employed by several companies in Bamberg and was a volunteer with the OCAB Senior Companion Program until her death.

Services for the Rev. Laura Peeples-Murdaugh, 59, of Denmark, Pastor of Savannah Creek Baptist Church, Ehrhardt, and Lemon Swamp Baptist Church, Bamberg, was held Thursday, January 10, 2013, in Macedonia Baptist Church, Blackville. Born January 13, 1953, to the late Jessie and Albertha Pernell in Allendale, she was a 1971 graduate of Macedonia High School in Blackville. The Rev. Murdaugh worked as a seamstress at Skyline Manufacturing Co. in Williston for 15 years. She was a devoted member of Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, Blackville, where she served as a choir member, missionary, Sunday school teacher and deaconess. In October 1995, she was ordained as a minister and later in May 1999, she was installed as pastor of both Savannah Creek Baptist Church and Lemon Swamp Baptist Church. She was married to the late Rev. Harold E. Peeples and later married James Murdaugh on Feb. 7, 2001.

Mrs. Beatrice (Bea) Wroten Sanders, 78, of Denmark, died Thursday, January 10, 2013, at her residence. The funeral was held Tuesday, January 15, 2013, in Rome Baptist Church, Denmark. Mrs. Sanders was born September 15, 1934, a daughter of the late Nerlyn and Rebecca Rice Wroten. She joined Rome Baptist Church, where she served on the Senior Choir. She was educated at Voorhees High School and received an associate degree in childhood development from Denmark Technical College. For several years, she worked at Sharon Incorporated in Barnwell.

Adam Moses Smith, 92, of St. George, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 12, 2013 in St. George United Methodist Church. Moses was born April 6, 1920, in Branchville, a son of the late Jacob Moses and Blanche Felder Smith. He was a graduate of Branchville High School, worked at the Charleston Naval Shipyard during World War II and retired after 35 years of service from Life of Georgia as an insurance agent. He was also a long-time farmer. He was a Past Master and member of Harmony Lodge #61, a Shriner, past president of the St. George Jaycees and a member of St. George United Methodist Church, where he belonged to the Christian Workers Sunday School class and served on the administrative board.

Mr. Michael Sheldon Smith, 44, of Denmark died Monday, January 7, 2013, at his home. Funeral services were held Saturday, January 12, 2013 in St. Matthew Church of Deliverance in Denmark. Mr. Smith, the son of the late Merlyn Roberta Smith, was born in New York on October 25, 1968.

Services for the late Deacon David Summers Jr., 81, were held at Branchville High School Gymnasium on Saturday, January 12, 2013. Deacon David “Bubba” Summers Jr. is the son of the late David and Razzie Summers Sr. He was born in Orangeburg County and educated in the public schools of Orangeburg County. At an early age, Summers accepted Christ as his personal savior and joined St. James Baptist Church. After the death of his father, he became the chairman of the deacon board. He also served as a board member and treasurer of the Free Gift Union. Deacon Summers was a lifelong farmer and owner of Summer’s Produce.

Mrs. Oretha Wright, 67, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Thursday, January 10, 2013, in Brooklyn, N.Y. Funeral plans will be announced at a later date.