All Obituaries

        FLORENCE – Roger Mervin Godwin, age 87, passed away Tuesday, April 30, 2024, after an illness.         A graveside service will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at Mount Hope Cemetery, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at Mount Hope Cemetery.         Mr. Godwin was born in Scranton, SC on October 10, 1936, a son...

          FLORENCE – Dorothy Brinkley Lassiter, age 96, died Monday, April 29, 2024, after an illness.           A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 3, 2024, at Florence Memorial Gardens.  The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Thursday, at Waters-Powell Funeral Home.           She was born in Suffolk, VA, a daughter of the late Floyd James Brinkley, Sr., and Susie...

          On April 25, 2024, Marian Jean Bradshaw Avent, 81, passed away in Florence, SC. She is predeceased by her husband, Mr. Fred C. Avent; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Bradshaw of Bennettsville, SC; and her brother, Mr. Jackie Bradshaw.           She is survived by her brother, Mr. Danny Bradshaw (Kathy Ingram Bradshaw); sister-in-law, Mary Hendrix Bradshaw, and children, Mr. & Dr. Fred C. Avent, Jr. (Michelle Stamp Avent), Ms....

          FLORENCE – Sadly we have had to say goodbye to Rachel.  She left this earth too soon on February 19, 2024.  She was kind, loving, caring, vigilant, selfless, feisty and strong-willed.  Her smile was radiant and infectious.  She loved people and rarely met a stranger, a trait that came from her Papa.           Rachel is loved and missed by many.  Though not here physically, she is in our hearts and we...

          Elizabeth Sexton Williams, 95, passed away peacefully on April 22, 2024 in her home surrounded by her family.           Elizabeth, lovingly known to all as “Betty”, was born on June 21, 1928 in Linden, NC at the home of her grandparents, the late Dr. and Mrs. Wayman Chalmers Melvin. She was the only child of the late Dr. Claude Lee and Kathryn Melvin Sexton of Florence, S.C.  She grew up in Florence, graduated from...

          FLORENCE – Paige Harris Williams, 57, died Saturday, April 6, 2024, after a long battle with breast cancer.  She was born in Florence, SC, on November 22, 1966, to the late Patricia Bailey Harris and Jerry Robert “Blackie” Harris.            Paige graduated from South Florence High School and Francis Marion University.  She earned her nursing degree from the Medical University of South Carolina, and...

          Mary Margaret Weaver died April 4, 2024 at 99 years. She was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her parents Leola and John A. Pineda died when she was very young. She was raised by her aunt Flora B. Welch in Florence, SC.  She was predeceased by her husband James T. McBratney, husband Thomas H. Weaver. Jr. and brothers John A. Pineda, Stuart H. Pineda and Jackson Roney.           She is survived by her son James T. McBratney, Jr....

          FLORENCE – Carolyn Campbell “Tootsie" Lessmeister, 86, died on the morning of April 1, 2024, after a long illness at home with her family.           She was born on February 14, 1938, in Williamsburg County, a daughter of the late Maggie Gamble and Furman Campbell.           She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Eugene Lessmeister; two brothers, Bernie Campbell and J.W....

          FLORENCE – Derick Glenn Nichols, 42, died Wednesday morning, March 27, 2024, after an illness.           Derick was born in Florence, SC, a son of Tamra Johnson Nichols and the late William Tobin Nichols, Sr.  He graduated from South Florence High School and was employed with IFA Food Distributors for many years.  He also worked for QVC for a time.           Derick loved being outdoors,...

          FLORENCE – Julian Edsel Newsome, 73, died Tuesday, March 26, 2024, after an illness.           Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, March 30, 2024, in Waters-Powell Funeral Home Chapel with visitation one hour prior to the service.  Burial will follow in Florence Memorial Gardens.           He was born in Timmonsville, SC, a son of the late Thomas C. Newsome, Sr., and Lou Ellen Weaver...