All Obituaries

          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...

          Robert "Bob" William Gunn, 73, of Florence, South Carolina, passed away on March 4, 2024. He was born on November 19, 1950, in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and was the son of Robert and Frances Gunn.           Bob served in the Navy from 1970 to 1974, and enjoyed seeing far-flung places during his service on the USS Fulton. During his time in the Navy, he developed an interest in computers and technology, which led to his work...

          FLORENCE – Jean Williams Waters, 95, died on Saturday, March 9, 2024.  She was born in Ruffin, SC, on November 21, 1928, a daughter of the late Flora Kelly Williams and Jake Witsell Williams. She was the widow of Joseph Payne Waters, Jr.           Mrs. Waters graduated from Ruffin High School and Coker College.  She moved to Florence in 1949, where she taught school for 18 years in Florence District 1 as well as All...

          FLORENCE – Jimmy Ray Bozeman, age 55, died Thursday, February 29, 2024.  He was born in Florence, SC, a son of the late Travis Latimore Bozeman, Jr., and Mary Anderson Bozeman.          Jimmy graduated from Wilson High School and was last employed as a transport driver for the railroad.  His favorite pastime was playing “BINGO.”          In addition to his parents, he was...

          Dean Thomerson, 77, of Manning, SC, passed away peacefully on March 1, 2024. Born in Greensboro, NC, he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, who will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Dean was a dedicated employee at CSX Transportation for 44 years where he retired as the Director of General Claims for the Southern Region in Florence, SC. He was known for his kindness, sense of humor, and his unwavering faith in...

          FLORENCE – Phylis Jean Eckard Burgh, 90, widow of William “Billy” F. Burgh, Jr., died on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, after a brief illness. She was born in Syracuse, NY, on April 9, 1933, a daughter of the late Fowler L. and Mary Fowler Eckard.          She graduated from Pulaski High School in 1952, married and raised her family, and returned to college and graduated in 1976.        ...