Local artist and World War II hero, Joe Jones passes

Mr. Joseph. S. “Joe” Jones, 85 of Bamberg, passed away Sunday, March 1st after valiantly battling increasingly debilitating physical and vascular heath conditions. Refusing to succumb to another of the many challenges he faced throughout his lifetime, he continued his schedule of regularly attending Sunday school, church, prayer meeting, and his joy of singing in the church choir. He also enjoyed his time with his family, an occasional round of golf in his earlier days, playing a tune on his harmonica, and his lifelong passion of the arts, completing many oil paintings, watercolors, and pen/pencil sketches that others will enjoy for many years to come.

Joe was born in Bamberg on November 9, 1923 to Carl and Juanita Sandifer Jones. He graduated from Bamberg schools with honors and served as the artist in Bamberg High School’s newsletter “The Dragon”. When World War II erupted, Joe joined the Army, and after training in the U.S. and England, like many of the thousands of other young men, landed the morning of June 6, 1944 on Omaha Beach on France’s Normandy coast. He served in France, Belgium, and Germany, in many of the same areas in which his father Carl had served in World War I, and was honorably discharged in 1946.

After the war, Joe was involved in the rural electrification projects before beginning a 32-year career with E. I. duPont (Savannah River Plant), retiring in 1985 from his position as a draftsman. Along life’s way he was always a faithful church member, Sunday school teacher, deacon, choir member at First Baptist Church in Bamberg, and a volunteer at the Bamberg Nursing Center for more than 20 years. He was also a scoutmaster with Boy Scouts of America, earning the Silver Beaver Award for his dedication and efforts in mentoring and training “his boys”. Joe was a member of the South Carolina Water Color Society where he won many awards for his work. He was very active as well throughout his life with the Bamberg and Barnwell Art Council, Orangeburg Art Center, O. C. Tech, and Hampton Arts Council, providing art classes for the young and old.

Mrs. Sherell Bosier-Donaldson, 28, of Blackville, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at Palmetto Richland Hospital, Columbia, as a result of injuries sustained from an automobile accident. Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 28, 2009, at Blackville-Hilda High School Auditorium. Sherell, the daughter of Charles Bosier and the late Tenissa Diana Bosier, was born on February 25, 1981, in Orangeburg.

Mrs. Gertrude "Gertie" Johnson of New York, formerly of South Carolina, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2009, at the Amsterdam House in New York. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 1, 2009, at Honey Ford Baptist Church in Denmark. Mrs. Johnson, daughter of the late Glover and Hattie Hightower, was born March 18, 1908, in Govan.

Mrs. Carrie Mell N. Linder, 98 years of age, died Monday March 2, 2009. Mrs. Linder was born in Colleton Co. a daughter of the late Joseph Nobles and Ella Lyons Nobles. Funeral services were held Wednesday March 4, 2009 at The Berea Advent Christian Church.

With deep sadness we announce the passing of Lester "Leck" Doshie Fogle, 82 of Orangeburg, who departed from this life and went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 27, 2009. Funeral services were held Sunday, March 1, 2009, at St. George Baptist Church in Orangeburg. Mr. Fogle was born August 28, 1926, in Orangeburg and was the son of the late Zachariah Alonzo Fogle and the late Rubie Stack Fogle.