Charles Herman Breland, Sr., 86, of Denmark, died Wednesday, February 20, 2013, in the presence of his wife and children. He was a loving husband, father and “PaPa.” Born in Colleton County on January 29, 1927, Mr. Breland was the son of the late Rufus Breland and Susan Givens Breland. Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 23, 2013, at the Denmark First Baptist Church. Mr. Breland served his country during World War II in service with the U.S. Navy. Mr. Breland began working with Lower State Gas Company in 1952. He moved to Denmark in 1953 and later purchased the gas company, serving Denmark and the surrounding communities for nearly 60 years. He devoted many years to coaching the youth and little league baseball teams of Denmark. Mr. Breland was a charter member of the Denmark Volunteer Rescue Squad. Mr. Breland was a member of Denmark First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was a member of the Jim Tant Sunday School Class.

Mr. Leroy Carter, 77, of Olar, died Sunday, February 17, 2013, in the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. Funeral services were held Friday, February 22, 2013 at Greater Sweet Branch Baptist Church, Govan.

Services for William Dickerson, 75, of Jacksonville, Fla., formerly of Olar, were held Saturday, February 23, 2013, at Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, Olar. Mr. Dickerson passed away Saturday, February16, 2013 at Shands Hospital Pavilion, Jacksonville. Born June 16, 1937, in Olar to the late Cleo Ellis and Joe Byrd, he attended the public schools of Bamberg County.

Mrs. Inez Colley George, 96, of Bamberg, died Sunday, February 17, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 20, 2013 at McCune Branch Baptist Church, Lodge. She was born July 16, 1916, in Bamberg County to the late Rhett and Lucinda Sharp Colley. Eleven of her siblings and a son, Carlye Grant, preceded her in death. At an early age, Inez joined McCune Branch Baptist Church. She also attended the public schools of Bamberg County.

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 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. Georgia Bell Johnson, 78, of Bamberg, died Wednesday, February 20, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg. Funeral services were held Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Bamberg. Mrs. Georgia Bell Johnson, daughter of the late Leon and Adell Murdock, was born October 24, 1934, in Bamberg County. She entered eternal rest on Wednesday, February 20, 2013. At an early age, she joined Bethel United Methodist Church, Bamberg. She was a housewife and loved to baby sit children.

Henry Lewis Kearse, Jr., 85, of Orangeburg, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, February 23, 2013. Graveside services were held Tuesday, February 26, 2013, at South End Cemetery, South Carlisle Street, Bamberg. Henry was born May 14, 1927 in Bamberg, the son of the late Henry Lewis Kearse, Sr. and the late Rosa Fersner Kearse. Henry graduated from Bamberg High School and attended the University of South Carolina. He retired from Ethyl Corporation (Albemarle) after 39 ½ years of service. He was the founder of the Orangeburg Personnel Group in 1982. Henry was a charter member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church, where he served as Sunday School Treasurer for many years. He was a United States Army veteran.

Roy Bransford Ledford, 91, of St. George, widower of Frances McAlhany Ledford, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, February 17, 2013, at Trident Medical Center. Funeral services were held Thursday, February 21, 2013 at Memorial Baptist Church. Roy was born January 11, 1922, in Livingston, Tenn., a son of the late Foster “Nmi” and Pearl Ledbetter Ledford. He was an ordnance supervisor with the Naval Weapons Station and an U.S. Army Air Force veteran of World War II. He was a member of Memorial Baptist Church.

Clarence Morgan Norris, Jr., 85, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 15, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of 64 years to Bernell Griffin Norris, the love of his life whom he married in 1949. A service to celebrate his life was held on Monday, February 18, 2013 at Lowe Funeral Home Chapel. Clarence was born on February 23, 1927 in Branchville, South Carolina to the late Clarence Morgan Norris, Sr. and the late Pearl Berry Norris. He graduated from Branchville High School as valedictorian of his class in 1944. He was employed with Southern Bell Telephone Company until his health failed and he also was an active member of the Burlington Telephone Pioneers. Clarence was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in McLeansville and he enjoyed gardening and working in his yard. He loved college basketball, NASCAR and cooking. He enjoyed crocheting and made things to give to family and friends. Clarence was an inspiration to many during his lifetime and a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Mr. Benjamin Risher, 79, of Ehrhardt, died Monday, February 18, 2013, at the Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. Memorial services were held Saturday, February 23, 2013, at St. Luke United Methodist Church, Ehrhardt. Mr. Benjamin R. Risher was born November 6, 1933, to the late Annie Bell Risher Inabinet and the late Benjamin Rhodes. He was adopted by the late Benjamin Inabinet, who raised him. Benjamin was married to Frances L. Denson and to this union, three children were born. He was a member of Allen AME Church in Queens, N.Y. After working for more than 50 years for the knitting mills in New York, he returned to his hometown of Ehrhardt and joined St. Luke United Methodist Church.