Obituaries

Recent Obituaries

Enrique Alejandro Sorcia

Enrique Alejandro Sorcia

Jan 2, 2025

Enrique Alejandro Sorcia, 27, of Gilbert, passed away on January 2, 2025. Born in Greenwood, South Carolina, he was a son of Reynaldo Sorcia and Kristal Prince Castro. Enrique had a passion for riding motorcycles and cherished spending time with his family and friends. A devoted family man, he loved them deeply and was loved in return. Surviving are his...

Barbara Bailey Clary

Barbara Bailey Clary

Jan 1, 2025

Barbara Bailey Clary, 87, of Batesburg, passed away peacefully in her home on January 1, 2025. Born in Sumter, SC, she was a daughter of Woodrow W. and Gladys White Bailey of Charleston, SC. Mrs. Clary loved the Lord and her family unconditionally and always brought so much joy to their lives. Barbara grew up in Charleston, where she learned...

Chad E. Kneece

Chad E. Kneece

Jan 1, 2025

Chad E. Kneece, 51, of Batesburg, passed away on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Born in Aiken, SC, he was a son of the late Quitman David Kneece and Ora Lee "Tootsie" Senterfeit Kneece. Affectionately known as "Biskit," Chad was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He was deeply dedicated to his work as a foreman at Carolina Infrastructures. Chad...

Lucille Boatwright Ridgell

Lucille Boatwright Ridgell

Dec 30, 2024

Lucille Boatwright Ridgell, 90, passed away on Monday, December 30, 2024. Born in Aiken County, SC, she was the daughter of the late George Boatwright and Minnie Craps Boatwright. Lucille was a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Batesburg.

Lucille is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ruby Lynn Stevens (Scott) of Dundee, NY; grandchildren, Amy Stevens of Chicago, IL...

Tony O. Crady

Tony O. Crady

Dec 26, 2024

Tony O'Neal Crady, 85, of Leesville, passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2024. Born in Gillett, Arkansas, he was a son of the late Luther Crady and Najgy Loraine Adams. After graduating from Saratoga High School in Wilson, NC, he attended Barton College. His high school yearbook prophecy humorously predicted he would join the Air Force and never marry. Contrary...

Hoyt Mitchell Padgett

Hoyt Mitchell Padgett

Dec 25, 2024

Hoyt Mitchell Padgett, 75, of Batesburg, SC, passed away on December 25, 2024. Born on May 27, 1949, in Batesburg, SC, he was a son of the late Curtis Harmon and Rosa Leila Matthews Padgett. Hoyt was a proud graduate of Saluda High School and went on to serve his country with honor in the United States Army during the...

Kenneth "Joe" Marlowe

Kenneth "Joe" Marlowe

Dec 25, 2024

Kenneth "Joe" Marlowe, 74, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at his home on Christmas Day, December 25, 2024. Born on May 17, 1950, in York, South Carolina, Kenneth was a son of the late Dolphus and Annie Mae Marlowe. Kenneth spent his life honing the craft of carpentry, a skill that he not only mastered but also found...

Miriam Bouknight Martin

Miriam Bouknight Martin

Dec 21, 2024

Miriam Bouknight Martin, 93, of Saluda, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Born in Saluda, SC, she was the daughter of the late Rubie and Freeda Able Bouknight and the devoted wife of her late husband of 73 years, Ted Brown Martin.

Miriam was a member of Emory United Methodist Church and was recently attending Emmanuel Church. She had a...

Merna Teresa Hoffman

Merna Teresa Hoffman

Dec 20, 2024

Merna T. "Dink" Hoffman, 64, of Hartsville, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2024. Born on March 15, 1960, she was a daughter of the late Ervin G. "Buddy" Crowley and Marlene Singletary Crowley. Merna was a devoted mother and cherished friend, whose spirited presence and laughter could light up any room. She navigated life's joys and challenges with...

Nellie Jeanette Gantt

Nellie Jeanette Gantt

Dec 18, 2024

Nellie Jeanette Gantt, 93, of Leesville, passed away peacefully on December 18, 2024. Jeanette was a woman of unwavering faith whose life was a testament to God’s faithfulness and the strength of a heart that trusts in Him. Her faith was her foundation, and her steadfast belief in God sustained her through all of life’s trials.

Jeanette loved the Lord, her...

Johnathon Blake Crumpton

Johnathon Blake Crumpton

Dec 16, 2024

Johnathon Blake Crumpton, 41, of Newberry, passed away on December 16, 2024. Born on July 12, 1983, in Newberry, he was a son of Melanie Diane and the late John Daniel Crumpton, Sr. Mr. Crumpton was a very loving and giving person with a free spirit who loved making others laugh. He had lots of friends and never met a...

Margaret Burkett Knight

Margaret Burkett Knight

Dec 13, 2024

Margaret “Maggie” Burkett Knight, 73, of Gaston, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024. Ms. Knight was born in West Columbia, SC, a daughter of the late Claude Stanmore Burkett and Vesta Louise Rikard Burkett Tucker.

Maggie was a graduate of Batesburg-Leesville High School and Aiken Beauty School. She retired as an office administrator from Reintjes Services. Additionally, she was the...

Dr. Norman Richard Smith Jr.

Dr. Norman Richard Smith Jr.

Dec 10, 2024

Dr. Norman Richard Smith, Jr., departed this life on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the age of 67. A long-time resident of Leesville, SC, Dr. Rick was born on November 29th, 1957, in Hyannis, Massachusetts. His life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his family, his passion for his profession ,his dedication to organic farming and and his deep...

Shirley Draffin Sanders

Shirley Draffin Sanders

Dec 10, 2024

Shirley Sanders, 89, of Gilbert, passed away on December 10, 2024, at her home. Born in Columbia, SC, Shirley was the daughter of the late Leonard and Sadie Free Draffin. She shared 36 cherished years of marriage with her late husband, James Keown Sanders, before his passing.

Shirley was a dedicated member of St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, where her warm spirit...

Tonya Elaine Smith

Tonya Elaine Smith

Dec 9, 2024

Tonya E. Smith, 53, of Lexington, passed away on December 9, 2024. Born on January 5, 1971, she was a daughter to the late Carl Nelson Smith and Elaine Olmstead. Mrs. Smith loved growing up in Florida, where she enjoyed spending time outdoors and exploring wildlife. During her time on earth, she always showed compassion to anyone in need. Mrs....

Rev. James Thomas Scott

Rev. James Thomas Scott

Dec 8, 2024

Rev. James Thomas "Rick" Scott, 68, of Leesville, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 8, 2024. Rick was born in Greenwood, SC, the son of the late Richard Scott and Janice Moore. He was a devoted husband who cherished traveling with his wife in their motorhome, affectionately named Tigger. Together, they created countless memories exploring the open road...

Debra Ann Bradwell

Debra Ann Bradwell

Dec 7, 2024

Debra Ann Bradwell, 62, of Gilbert passed away peacefully on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Born in Winnsboro, SC on April 15, 1962, she was a daughter of the late Odell and Barbara Ann Truesdale Proctor. Debra is survived by her children, Elisha Prescott, Jeremy Cook and Khloe Bradwell; 10 grandchildren, Jessica, Malay, Kali, Harmony, Logan, Isabelle, Madison, Christopher, Harper and...

Christopher Michael Gunter

Christopher Michael Gunter

Dec 5, 2024

Christopher "Chris" Michael Gunter, 53, of Leesville, passed away peacefully on Thursday, December 5, 2024, surrounded by his loving family following a lengthy battle of cancer. Born in Columbia, SC, he was a son of Iris Goss Gunter and the late Robert Michael "Mike" Gunter. Chris was known for his immense generosity and kind spirit, always willing to help anyone...

Paul Dayton Watson

Paul Dayton Watson

Dec 5, 2024

Paul Dayton Watson,72, of Leesville passed away on Thursday, December 5th, 2024 at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 29th, 1952, he was the son of the late Charles Dayton and Vonda Lee Sharrer Watson. A man of many talents and interests, Paul was a ‘jack of all trades’ whose passions included horses,...

Magdalene Steele

Magdalene Steele

Dec 3, 2024

Magdalene "Maggie" Steele, 67, passed away Monday, December 2, 2024. Born in Columbia, SC, she was the daughter of the late George and Earlene Risinger Steele. No formal services will be held.