MARION COUNTY OBITUARIES: Published June 11

CONTRIBUTED
Published: June 11, 2008

Clayton L. Sellers Sr.
Clayton L. Sellers Sr., 81, of Marion, died in his home Monday June 2, 2008. He was the founder of Swamp Fox Signs, a business his son joined him in before his retirement. He had retired, but still assisted his son until he became ill. Mr. Sellers was the youngest son of his siblings and at 12, dropped out of school to help support his mother, following his father’s death. He was employed as a night maintenance worker for the Marion Hotel; sold bags of peanuts on the streets and started his own shoe shine business when he purchased a shoe shine box. He later worked for the Coca Cola Bottling Company, where he was employed as a sign painter. At 21, after working two years for the company, he left and started his own business, with his biggest contract being with the Coca Cola Company.
Mr. Sellers was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church where he was a trustee member and a choir member. He enjoyed doing solos. His biggest enjoyment was making others happy by keeping them laughing. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Gladys Sellers; two daughters, Doris E. Isreal (Robert) and Emily L. Berry; and a son, Clayton L. Sellers Jr.; 11 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends. Services were at Bethel United Methodist Church in Marion on June 8. Pastor Shawn V. Bell officiated. Arrangements were handled by the Jackson-McGill Funeral Services. 

Robert Carlisle ‘Bobby’ Hood
Robert Carlisle “Bobby” Hood, 70, widower of Betty Jean Jackson Hood, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 after an illness. Services were at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 7 in the Chapel of Smith-Collins Funeral Home, with the Rev. James Smith officiating. Burial followed in Rose Hill Cemetery. Mr. Hood was born April 25, 1938, in Marlboro County, a son of the late John Franklin Hood and the late Cynthia Lane Hood. He was the owner and operator of Hood’s Used Cars and Parts and was a member of Marion Baptist Church. Surviving Mr. Hood are his children, Robert C. “Bobby” (Connie) Hood Jr. of Marion, David Wayne (Mitzi) Hood of Marion and a Michael Ralph Hood of Florence; a sister, Cynthia H. Lane of Dillon; grandchildren, Carla Renee Hood, Brandon Hood, Chad Hood and Kaylen Hood, all of Marion; and his caregiver and friend Metro Goodyear. Mr. Hood was predeceased by a son, John David Hood and three brothers, Johnny Hood, Charles Hood and Ralph Hood. Memorials may be made to Pee Dee Regional Center, 714 National Cemetery Road, Florence, 29506.

Shirley Siegal
Shirley Siegal, 91, died Sunday, June 08, 2008, in her home surrounded by her family. Mrs. Siegal was born Jan. 21, 1917, in New York City, N.Y. a daughter of the late Samuel and Bessie Oshinky Klemons. After Bessie’s death, Samuel married Mamie Lesser, who cared for Shirley and her brother from the time she was 11 years old. She grew up on the lower East Side of Manhattan, where she attended public schools. She graduated from Eastern District High School and began a business career at Lerner Shops as a window dresser. She married Arthur Siegal on Oct. 22, 1938, in New York City. He died in 1994. Mr. and Mrs. Siegal moved to New Jersey in 1940, where they raised their three children. She was always very involved in civic community religious and volunteered in New Jersey and later in South Carolina. She came to Marion in 1963 when her husband, Arthur, relocated the Marvel Lamp Company. She was an active member of her community, including Temple Beth Israel in Florence and Temple Emanu-El in Myrtle Beach. An avid artist, she produced many works which hang in the homes of her children and grandchildren. She was involved in the Red Hat Society and was known as Lady Shirley. Survivors include three children, Bruce (Connie) Siegal of North Myrtle Beach, Gerald (Barbara) Siegal of New York City, N.Y., and Rita Siegal (Lewis) Levine of Myrtle Beach; a brother, Harold Klemons of Charlotte; six grandchildren, Adam Siegal (Robin), Chris Siegal (Pat), Courtney Davidson (Adam), Lisa Shrem (Barry), Dana Siegal and Max Siegal and seven great-grandchildren, Zach, Elyse, Arthur Rabon, Jason, Holland, Mae Margaret and Eli. She also had a friend and caregiver, Annie Jean Bellamy.  A funeral was on Wednesday, June 11 in the McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, with Rabbi Avi Perets officiating. Burial was at Jewish Cemetery in Florence, with Rabbi Jeffrey Ronald officiating. Memorials may be made to Temple Emanu-El 405-65th Ave. N. Myrtle Beach 29572, Temple Beth Israel, 316 Park Avenue, Florence, 29501, or the Grand Strand Senior Center, 1268 21st Avenue N., Myrtle Beach, 29577.

Jessie Schoolfield
Jessie Teague Schoolfield, 91, widow of William Bethell Schoolfield, died Saturday, June 7, 2008 in Mullins Nursing Center after an illness. A graveside service was at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 9 in Cedardale Cemetery. Services were directed by Cox-Collins Funeral Home. Mrs. Schoolfield was born on July 8, 1916, in Laurens, a daughter of the late Herbert Fuller Teague and the late Clementina Golding Fuller Teague. She was a graduate of Winthrop College and was active in her community and church, Macedonia United Methodist Church. Surviving Mrs. Schoolfield are three daughters, Jean S. Tower of Mullins, Sue S. (Dan) Guy of Lake City and Ann S. (Tommy) Simpson of Mullins; four grandchildren, Mary Sue Morrison, Daniel Guy Jr., Rex Simpson and Hughes Simpson; and eight great-grandchildren. Mrs. Schoolfield was predeceased by a son-in-law, Hugh Tower; two brothers, Martin Teague and Calvin Teague; and a sister, Clemigene T. Baiden. Memorials may be made to Macedonia United Methodist Church, 402 N. Main St., Mullins, 29574; to Mullins Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 671, Mullins, 29574; to McLeod Hospice, P.O. Box 100551, Florence, 29501; or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, 6931 Arlington Rd., Bethesda, Md. 20814.

Joseph W. Stroud
Joseph W. Stroud, 56, died Thursday June 5, 2008. He was born on June 4, 1952 in Marion County and was the son of the late James Paul and Addie Johnson Stroud. He was predeceased by one brother, Paul Stroud. Surviving are a son, Justin Eric Stroud of Columbia, a step son, Jamie Hammond of Fair Bluff, N.C., and a grandson, Samuel Lucas Stroud. A memorial service was at 2 p.m., Monday, June 9, in Nichols Baptist Church. Meares Funeral Home of Mullins served the family.

Joseph O. ‘Joe’ Johnson
Joseph O. “Joe” Johnson, 60, died Wednesday, June 4, 2008 in his home. A funeral was at 11 a.m., Saturday, June 7 in the Chapel of Cox-Collins Funeral Home, with the Rev. Michael McCrackin officiating. Burial followed in Red Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Mr. Johnson was born Aug. 9, 1947, in Columbus County, N.C., a son of the late William Wright Johnson and the late Lizzie Owens Johnson. He retired from AVM and was an avid fisherman. He was a member of North Mullins Baptist Church. Surviving Mr. Johnson are a daughter, Angela Jo Johnson of Myrtle Beach; his Significant Other, Ruth Ann Benton and her children, Alan Benton and Amanda Benton of Conway; his wife of 24 years, Sandy Johnson of Mullins; a special nephew, Aubrey Young of Mullins; and several other nieces and nephews.

Christallee Anne George
Christallee Annie George, 20, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008, after an illness. Services were at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 5, at Richardson Funeral Homes. Miss George was born in Catskill, N.Y., a daughter of Raymond Carr George Jr. and Pallyann T. Clark Erwin. She was a graduate of Marion High School. Surviving, in addition to her parents are her daughter Kirstin Melissa Edwards, brother, Raymond David George, and sister, Amber Marie George. 

Jacqueline ‘Jackie’ S. Gift
Jacqueline “Jackie” Sinclair Gift, 76, wife of Robert F. Gift, died Tuesday, June 3, 2008 in Myrtle Beach Manor after an illness. Graveside services were at 11 a.m. Friday, June 6, in Millers United Methodist Church Cemetery, with the Rev. Thomas Clymer Officiating. The service was directed by Cox-Collins Funeral Home. Mrs. Gift was born on December 16, 1931, in Marion County, a daughter of the late Ephraim Clark Sinclair and the late Temperence Glasgow Sinclair. She retired as a Home Demonstration Agent for Kershaw County. Mrs. Gift attended Nichols High School and graduated from Winthrop College. She received her Masters Degree from Penn State University and taught at Bucks County Community College in Doylestown, Penn. She was a member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. Surviving her, in addition to her husband, are a son, Robert D. Gift of Little River; a sister, Barbara Ann S. Miller of Florence; a brother, Ephraim Clark Sinclair Jr. of Florence; a sister-in-law, Ann Carol B. Sinclair of Mullins; and a number of nieces and nephews. Mrs. Gift was predeceased by a brother, Robert Wilson Sinclair. Memorials may be made to Regency Hospice, 11943 Grandhaven Dr., Murrells Inlet, 29576.

Sally Janie Stroud Gerrald
Sally Janie Stroud Gerrald, 71, died, Tuesday, June 3, 2008 in her home surrounded by her family. Services were at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7, 2008, in the Chapel of Cox-Collins Funeral Home. The Rev. Ricky Donaldson, the Rev. Paul Alford and the Rev. Willie Gillard officiated. Burial followed in Cedardale Cemetery. Mrs. Gerrald was born Feb. 13, 1937, in Marion County, a daughter of the late Marcus and Edith Godbold Stroud. She was a retired farmer, a homemaker and an avid fisherman. Mrs. Gerrald was the widow of Kenneth G. Gerrald and Robert Lee Hill and the mother of the late Robert Levon Hill. Surviving her are a daughter, Alice Faye Rowell of Nichols; a son-in-law, Ronnie Rowell of Nichols; a grandson, Robert Andrew Atkinson of Nichols; a sister, Agnes Collins of Nichols; and two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Hill Holden and Laura Mae Martin, both of Conway. Mrs. Gerrald was predeceased by a brother, Marcus Stroud.

Mildred Wilson Abram
Mildred Wilson Abram died on Sunday, June 1, 2008, in her second residence in Allendale. Funeral services were at noon Thursday, on June 5, 2008, in Simpson United Methodist Church in Allendale.
She was the seventh daughter, and the 11th child of the late Col. and Addie Moses Wilson of Marion. She was born and raised in Marion County and attended public schools. She completed her education in Ocean City, N.J., and attended the Atlantic Academy and the Mainland Academy and Pleasantville, respectively, where she became a registered cosmetologist.
Mrs. Abram was employed by Russell Stover’s Candies and later was owner and opperator of Addies Full Service Salon. She joined St. Phillips United Methodist Chuch with her husband after returning from New Jersey and served faithfully in the following roles: lay leader, PPRC, choir, noon-day prayer group, vacation bible school instructor, and annual conferneces of minister’s spouses.
She is survived by her husband, the Rev. Joseph Abram Jr.; three sons, Josph (Bobbie Jean) Abram III, Michael (Leisha) Abram, both of Marion, and Milton (Anna Marie) Keith of Allendale; a daughter, Maillicia Jo and her husband Wendell of Allendale; five sisters Doris Williamson, Betty J. Williamson, Charlotte Wialliams and Janye Legette, all of Marion, and Josephine Miller of Baltimore; one brother, Frank C. Wilson of Marion; 10 grandchildren; a host of nephews; nieces; friends; and a roomate, Donna Hemingway.