Mr. James Edward “Eddie” Bearden, 60, of Bamberg, entered into eternal rest Sunday, February 10, 2013 at his residence. Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 13, 2013 in the Bamberg Church of God of Prophecy. Mr. Bearden was born July 6, 1952 and was a son of Mary Elizabeth Hiott Collins and the late James Rayford Bearden. He was a retired gas technician and attended Bamberg Church of God of Prophecy. He enjoyed fishing, playing pool and riding motorcycles when he was able.

Mrs. Mary Lee Brown, 66, a native of Orangeburg County, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at MUSC Medical Center, Charleston. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Oak Grove Baptist Church, Cope. Mrs. Brown, the daughter of the late Willie and Lillie Mae Hair Rowe, was born August 15, 1946, in Orangeburg. She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, where she sang on the choir and served on the usher board. She graduated with honors from Norfield High School. Mrs. Brown was employed by Talley Corbit in Springfield.

Carrie Bell Carter, 83, of Orangeburg, died Saturday, February 9, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center after an extended illness. Funeral services were held Monday, February 18, 2013 at St. Paul Baptist Church, 2259 Rowesville Road, Orangeburg. She was born on March 27, 1929, in Springfield, to the late Asberry and Leola Thomas.

Funeral services for Sarah Carter, 77, of Denmark, were held Saturday, February 16, 2013, at Greater Sweet Branch Baptist Church, Govan. Sarah Furse Carter was born June 23, 1935, in Bamberg County to the late James Bellinger and the late Lissie F. Stroman. Sarah was educated in the public schools of Bamberg County. At an early age, she joined Sweet Branch Baptist Church, which is now Greater Sweet Branch Baptist Church. After moving to New York, she became a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where she served in many capacities. Sarah married the late Spencer Carter, and they moved to Baltimore. After the death of her husband, she moved back to her family home in Denmark.

Alexander J. Dibble Sr. died Saturday, February 16, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at Limestone United Methodist Church. Alexander J. Dibble Sr. was born in Orangeburg County, the second son of the late Andrew Comstock Dibble and Lucille Jackson Dibble. Alex was educated in Orangeburg County public schools. From 1942-1945, Alex served in the United States Army 9th Infantry Division in Europe and was present at the Normandy invasion. In 1948 he graduated from Clemson University as a distinguished military graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Horticulture. One year later in 1949, he graduated from Ohio State University with his Masters in Horticulture. He then began a career in commercial greenhouse management, with a specialty in cut flower roses. This career carried him from Halifax, Mass. to Salisbury, N.C., Charles City, Iowa, Westport, Conn. and then to Cross, S.C. In Orangeburg, he owned and operated Snappy Acres, producing cut Snap Dragons for wholesale florists. He taught school in Branchville and North, S.C. for 11 years. Later in life he also worked 11 years with Wal-Mart. Mr. Dibble served with numerous organizations throughout his lifetime. He was part of the Orangeburg Arts Council and served as president for 2 years and treasurer with the League of Arts and a member of 11 years with the Orangeburg County Fire Commission. He served with the Orangeburg County Improvement Council. At the time of his passing he was a member of Limestone United Methodist Church, where he served as a Sunday school teacher, chairman of the administrative board and a certified lay speaker.

William Dickerson, 75, of Jacksonville, Fla., and formerly of Olar, died Saturday, February 16, 2013, in the Shands Hospital Pavilion in Jacksonville, Fla. Services are incomplete at this time, but will be announced at a later date.

Elaine R. Hiers, 58, of Ehrhardt, entered the gates of heaven on Sunday, February 17, 2013 while hospitalized in Beaufort, S.C. after a courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at St. John’s Baptist Church, Ehrhardt. She was an avid baker with many requests for her popular strawberry cake, a lover of sour apple Blow Pops and cherry Pepsi, and demonstrated the prime example of strong faith and courage. Elaine was a true southern lady with continued poise, elegance, and beauty throughout her last days. She was known to many as a local “celebrity” in Ehrhardt as she served as the rural mail carrier for over 25 years. Elaine was born in Morganton, N.C. and later moved to Bamberg, S.C. where her dad owned and operated the Ehrhardt IGA. This very same grocery store where Elaine met her husband, Mr. Alvin Hiers of Ehrhardt, and where he delivered her very first box of Valentine’s candy over 35 years ago. She was the loving mother of two children and “Nana” to three grandchildren. She was known to her family and friends as a calm and steady rock to lean on in times of trouble or need and a trusted and loyal friend too many. To know Elaine was to love her.

Wilma Kirkland Byrd Hinnant, 85, of Decatur, GA, passed away February 2, 2013. A native of Bamberg, Mrs. Hinnant was a longtime resident of Decatur. Funeral services were held in the chapel of A. S. Turner & Sons on Thursday, February 7, 2013. She retired after more than 20 years from Rich's Department Store in North DeKalb Mall. She was preceded in death by husbands, Alvin Byrd and Harold Hinnant and son, Stanley Alvin Byrd.

Mrs. Louise Bishop Kearse, 93, of Ehrhardt, entered into her eternal rest on Saturday, February 16, 2013 at UniHealth PAC Health Care in Barnwell. She was the widow of the late Francis M. Kearse. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 19, 2013. Mrs. Kearse was born August 24, 1919, in Ehrhardt and was a daughter of the late George Lawrence Bishop and Irene Beard Bishop. She was the retired owner of Kearse Nursery and Seed Store in Ehrhardt. Mrs. Louise had an avid love for working with her flowers.

Winnie J. Kennerly, 96, of Bamberg and formerly of Orangeburg, died Saturday, February 16, 2013, at UPAC of Bamberg. The funeral was held Wednesday, February 20, 2013. Mrs. Winnie J. Kennerly was born May 31, 1916, in Orangeburg County, a daughter of the late Jessie Jerome Judy and Christine Garrick Judy. She was a member of Garden City Baptist Church. She was a former employee of Southland Meat Company and retired from K-mart. She was the widow of the late Nolton A. Kennerly.

Mr. Adolph Sublett McAlhany, 87, of Branchville, entered into eternal rest on Monday, February 11, 2013, at his residence. Funeral services were conducted Thursday, February 14, 2013 at Beulah Baptist Church. Mr. McAlhany was born September 10, 1925, in Branchville, a son of the late Otis H. McAlhany and Bessie Hill McAlhany. He was a row crop farmer and a hog producer all of his life. He was a lifelong member of Beulah Baptist Church; he loved spending time with his family, having cookouts at the river, going to Edisto Beach, and hunting and fishing with his grandchildren.

Memorial services for Deloris Nelson, 69, of Ehrhardt, were held on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 in the Kingdom Hall in Orangeburg. Mrs. Nelson died Sunday, February 10, 2013 at her residence. Mrs. Nelson was born in Bamberg County to the late Rufus and Lottie Mae Murdaugh Grant Sr. on February 20, 1943. As a child she attended Rizer Chapel United Methodist Church, Ehrhardt, and McCune Branch Baptist, Lodge. She was a 1962 graduate of Richard Carroll High School, Bamberg. After relocating to New York City, she married Wash G. Nelson. While there she became a Jehovah’s Witness. Deloris and her loving husband moved back to South Carolina in 1999.

Oscar Benjamin (O. B.) New, 90, of Bamberg, died February 15, 2013. He died at the Cashiers Highland Hospital in Highland, N.C. after a brief illness. Funeral services were held Monday, February 18, 2013. He was the son of the late Annie Mae Thurmond and Oscar New. He was predeceased by a sister, Allie Mae Alstrum. O. B. was retired U.S. Navy, 20 years and served 10 years in the Navy Reserve. He was a Navy Aviation Machinist. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, farming and mechanics as well as the Edisto River where he resided for many years. He also loved his family and enjoyed friends.

Alice Tarrant, 84, of Brooklyn, N.Y., died Sunday, February 10, 2013. Funeral services were held Saturday, February 16, 2013 at Fairhaven Funeral Chapel of Brooklyn. Alice Tarrant was born on September. 29, 1928, to the late Gabrielar and Calvin Tarrant in Bamberg County. At an early age, she joined Goodland Baptist Church, where she remained until she moved to New York. Alice attended Sarah J. Hale High School. Alice worked for more than 50 years in New York City in many different capacities. Her religious affiliation was with Bethel Baptist Church.