The Times and Democrat from Orangeburg, South Carolina • 4

THE TIMES AND DEMOCRAT I www.TheTandD.com 4A FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2005 IOCALSTATE OBITUARIES POLICE REPORTS Man assaulted in convenience store SOUTH CAROLINA Wire Reports Suspect dies in Anderson County jail ANDERSON A man arrested on burglary and assault charges has died at the Anderson County Detention Center. ArHorcrn ru intv Pnrnrw f.iwi Staff Report An Orangeburg County man told deputies he was assaulted Wednesday by three men at a local convenience store. The man said that at around 11:45 p.m., he was inside Li'l Cricket on Binnicker's Bridge Road talking with an employee. At that point, three males entered the business and began assaulting the 41-year-old victim. The employee in the business told deputies about the same story.

Deputies noted that the victim had a bloody lip, but the man declined treatment. In other reports: It's a white Ford Taurus, but deputies already know that they also have the license plate number. It's nothing new lately, but it's the latest gas drive-off that Suspect denied bond in St. George murder SUMMERVILLE The suspect in the shooting death of a North Charleston man was denied bond in Summerville magistrate's court Thursday, according to the Dorchester County Sheriff's Office. James Brown, 29, of North Charleston has been charged with murder in the shooting death of Maurice Stafford.

Stafford was found dead with several gunshot wounds on the night of May 27 near a Quaker Road home in St. George. happened at a St. Matthews Road convenience store on Wednesday. An E-Z Shop employee told deputies that a man pumped $5.05 worth of gas but came in to pay for only $2.65.

The man told the clerk he had prepaid $3. The clerk didn't buy it when the man went into a rage about how he'd earlier given her the $3. She took down his license plate and vehicle description as he left. A Pecan Grove woman called deputies early Thursday after hearing someone outside her home. The woman said that at about 12:10 a.m., she heard someone attempting to pull on her screen door.

Deputies but could not locate anyone. Brown paying more other states creased in recent days, spokesman Trey Walker said. "We still have investigators following up on complaints and in many cases visiting retailers and wholesalers," he said. Refinery officials have inspected facilities and found problems with pipelines and refineries "that were perhaps worse than they thought before," said Gregory L. Miller, vice president and chief economist for Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks Inc.

"We're going to have to go through a process of reconstructing not just the crude oil wells, but refineries that were beneath effective demand already and the transmission mechanisms for both crude and refined product," he said. Pipelines going to the West and Midwest were not damaged, said Larry Golan, director of the South Carolina Institute of Energy Studies at Clemson University. He said the current gas prices make sense. Although the storms have amplified the need for more refining capacity, Golan said he doesn't think that is going to happen any time soon. Companies that build refineries and the stockholders behind them have to "be assured of supply of product and I don't know we have that now," he said.

"Our supply has been outstripped by our demand." gunshots, Lott said. Sanders' car was found two years later in an apartment complex' parking lot a dozen miles away and records indicate Richardson was using his cell phone in the area where the car was found not long after Sanders was killed, according to an arrest warrant. Sanders body has not been found and Lott said it may never be located. Deputies don't have a motive. "--ihi iu Ervin Nelson Jr.

Ervin Nelson 62, of 1483 Tennessee Road, Alcolu, died Thursday, October 6, 2005, at The Regional Medical Center, Orangeburg. Mr. Nelson was bom May 15, 1943, in Alcolu, a son of the late Ervin Nelson Sr. and Mary Jane Francis Nelson. He was married to the late Edna Taylor Nelson.

Friends may call at the home of his sister and brother-in-law, Mary Ann and Tommy Brown, 105 Knollwood Court, Orangeburg, beginning Saturday, Oct. 8, or at the residence, 1483 Tennessee Road off Hwy. 301, Alcolu. Samuels Funeral Home of Manning is in charge of arrangements. Valarie Denise 'Dee' Tyler-Peko Funeral services for Valarie Denise "Dee" Tyler-Peko, 40, of Los Banos, formerly of Denmark, will be held at 1 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 8, 2005, in Honey Ford Baptist Church, Denmark. Burial will be in Bamberg Memory Gardens. Mrs. Peko died Sunday, Oct.

1, in Good Samaritan Hospital, San Jose, Calif. She was bom Dec. 30, 1964, in Bamberg, a daughter of Leon and Christine Tyler. She was a 1963 graduate of Denmark-Olar High School. She attended Benedict College and later the University of South Carolina.

Mrs. Peko was employed for more than 15 years with First Franklin Bank in San Jose. Survivors include her husband, Tony Peko of the home-one son, Tony C. Peko two daughters, Brittany Renae and Felicia Faimafili Peko, all of Los Banos, her parents, Leon and Christine Tyler of Denmark; one brother, Algernon Tyler of Atlanta, three sisters, Michelle Barber of Tampa, Anita DeSouza of Virginia Beach, Va. and Teri Acox of Columbia; and maternal grandpar ents, Lucille and Sam Washing ton of Denmark.

Friends may call at the resi dence of her parents, Leon and Christine Tyler, 1780 Honey Ford Rod, Denmark and at the fellowship hall of the church following the burial. Carroll Mortuary Denmark Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Donnie Ray Black Donnie Ray Black, 51, of 86 Antenna Court, Bamberg, died Tuesday, October 4, 2005, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 1 1 a.m. Saturday, October 8, in the Cooner Funeral Home Chapel.

Burial will follow in Southland Cemetery, Dunbar Road, West Columbia. Mr. Black was bom February 23, 1954, in Beaufort, a son of Ronald Anderson Black and Betty Joe Hutto Owens. He was a member of Open Door Baptist Church, Bamberg. He enjoyed fishing and working.

Mr. Black was predeceased by one granddaughter, Morgan Ranea Moore. Survivors include his wife, Shirley Jean Black of Pelion; two sons, Donnie Ray Black Jr. Brad-ham and Billy Jo Black Brad-ham; two daughters, Starleen B. Moore and Emily B.

Nelson, both of Nebraska; three brothers, Ronnie Black of Sum- merville, Mike Black and Jeff Black, both of Bamberg; one sister, Cheryl Bucklew of Walter-boro; mother-in-law, Mary Frances Jolly of Pelion; seven grandchildren; and 17 nieces and nephews. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Cooner Funeral Home. INSIDE Carol Barker's column, 2A f) In Loving Memory Of I Billy Fickling 7-31-42-10-7-02 's been 3 years today since God took you away. I know you needed to go but I just loved you so.

I will love miss you forever and wait for the day 3 when we 're in Heaven together. Inve. -7 jfv- YourWi ife Debbie Maury Kashawn Ross Funeral services for Maury Kashawn Ross, 28, of 2611 Bowman Branch Highway, Rowesville, will be held at 2 p.m. Satur day, Oct. 8, 2005, at Canaan Baptist Church, Highway 78, Branchville with the Rev.

Jason Cokely officiating. Burial will be in Sandy Run Cemetery, Mr. Ross Rowesville. Pallbearers will be Lamont Stevens, Jonah Gilyard, Gregory Morgan, Johnnie Gadson, Jasper Miller and Dalton Edwards. Mr.

Ross died suddenly Saturday, Oct. 1, in Orangeburg. He was born Sept. 1 1, 1977, a son of Willie and Willa Dean Miller Ross. At an early age, he joined Mt.

Olive Baptist Church and later moved his membership to McBranch Baptist Church where he was a member of the McBranch Gospel Choir. He was a 1995 graduate of Bowman High School and attended Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. He was employed by Allied Air. Survivors include his parents, Willie and Willa Dean Miller Ross of the home; one brother, Kindrick Shamel Ross of Orangeburg; a nephew, Jaquel Daquane Ross of Vance; grandparents, Rev. Blease and Mrs.

Willie Mae Owens Ross of Branchville; three adopted children, Lavincia Morgan, Keosha Morgan and Vincent Morgan; two special friends to the family, Tarneake Brown of Orangeburg and Lakeshia Morgan of Orangeburg; a godsister, Tasha Edwards of Bradenton, adopted sister, Tasha Cain of Alabama; godmother, Mrs. Betty Goodley of Orangeburg; 12 aunts and 12 uncles, Deloris Ross of Norwalk Jeanette (Woodard) Edwards of Bradenton, Helen Gilyard of Bowman, Shirley Backmon of Bradenton, Deloris Owens of Englewood, N.J., Paul (Catherine) Ross of Branchville, John Miller of East Stroudsburg, Jacob (Mamie) Miller of Palmetto, Jasper Miller of Palmetto Jethro (Mabel) Owens of Columbia, Robert (Donna) Owens of Englewood, N.J., Lynn Owens of Branchville, Anthony (Linda) Owens of Columbia, Isaiah (Lil-lie) Owens of Bronx, N.Y., Ronald Owens of Germany and Cliff (Geneva) Owens of Bronx, N.Y.; eight grand aunts; three grand uncles; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at Owens Funeral Home in Branchville. Friends may call at the residence of his parents, Willie and Willa D.

Ross, 2611 Bowman Branch Highway and at the funeral home. Ml II IS! Eli Wst (Himca anil Democrat (USPS 630-240) Published every morning by Lee Publications, a division of Lee Enterprises, 1010 Broughton St, Orangeburg, S.C. Periodical class postage paid at Orangeburg, S.C. Postmaster: Send address changes to The Times and Democrat, P.O. Drawer 1766, Orangeburg, S.C.

29116-1766. Leased wire dispatches: The Associated Press is entitled exdusivery to the use tor reproduction of aH the tocal news printed in the newspaper as weN as AP news dispatches. All rights to republication of other matters herein reserved-National advertising representative is Landon Media Group, Dallas, Texas. No responsibility is assumed by tfie pub-Isher tor omssens or errors occurring in advertisements, but correction will be made at no additional cost in the next issue following, when attention is directed to them. SUBSCRIPTION RATES 1 Mo.

13Wks. 26 Wks. 52 Wks. $12.96 $38 85 $75.25 $145.59 Daily Only $10.78 $32.34 $64 68 $129.36 Sunday Only $5.99 $17.97 $35 94 $7188 BY CARRIER AND MAIL For mal subscribers outside Orangeburg. Calhoun.

Bamberg and Dorchester counties, please write cal tor rates 803-536-1812. AH earners, dealers and distributors of The Times and Democrat are independent contractors. Advance payments for subscriptions may be made directly to The Times and Democrat as agent. No responsibility for advance payments is assumed by the newspaper until the money is received at the office The Times and Democrat is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations. Mrs.

Elease W. Abraham Mrs. Elease W. Abraham, 86, of 121 Gallery Lane, Vance, died Thursday, October 6, 2005, at her residence following an extended illness. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Shuler-Marshall Funeral Home of Holly Hill.

Friends may call at the residence and at the funeral home. Mrs. Cresy Chavis Brunson Funeral services for Mrs. Cresy Chavis Brunson, 83, who last resided in Lancaster Convalescent Home in Lancaster, 2726 Riverside Road, Lancaster, will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct.

7, at Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. in Orangeburg, with the Rev. Dale Roach officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Orangeburg. Mrs.

Brunson died Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2005, at Springs Memorial Hospital in Lancaster She was born June 7, 1922, in Orangeburg County, a daughter of the late Spurgeon Chavis and the late Mattie Sim-merman Chavis of Salley. She was the widow of Cornell Brunson and was preceded in death by two brothers, Eldridge Chavis and Charles Chavis; and one sister, Mrs. Eva Williamson. She retired from Greenwood Mills.

Survivors include one son and daughter-in-law, Eldridge C. and Lynn Brunson of Lancaster; three daughters, Mrs. Bobby (Conni) Garner of Statesville, N.C., Mrs. Randy (Sybil) Reynolds of Bluffton and Mrs. Edward (Minnie) Boys of Hilton Head Island; 1 1 grandchildren, Matthew Cornell Brunson and Rebecca Lynn Brunson, Mrs.

John (Charlene Suzanne Dukes) Cox, Mrs. Jef-fery (Shannon Victoria Dukes) Cox, Miss Anna-Kristina Dukes, James Bufort Dukes, Elizabeth Joy Reynolds, Loni Katherine Reynolds, Amber Boys, April Boys and Ally Boys; six wonderful great-grandchildren, Jeffery Dewayne Cox, Johnathan Cody Cox, Caitlin Elizabeth Cox, Jessica Faith Cox, Chase Dukes and Kristen Dukes; two brothers, Purman Chavis and Robert Chavis, both of Barnwell; three sisters, Mary Chavis Hallowell of Salley, Betty Chavis Smith of Martin and Pearl "Dillie" Bair-foot of Deltona, Fla. Friends may call at the funeral home. Visitation will be from 2 to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct.

7, at Thompson Funeral Home, Inc. before the service. Cornelius Williams Cornelius "C.B." Williams, 86, of 154 Rugby Road, Orangeburg, died Thursday, Oct. 6, 2005, at The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Simmons Funer al Home of Orangeburg.

Friends may call at the res! dence of his daughter, Mrs. In-eatha Williams, 154 Rugby Road, Orangeburg, and at the funeral home. Inquiries Inquiries for Cards of Thanks and In Memoriams should be made to the advertising department at 536-4607. Online Obituaries can be read online at www.TheTandD.com. In Loving Memory Of WILLIE ERNEST "Milkman" JOHNSON Happy 1st Birthday In Heaven Sunrise 10-7-52 Sunset 2-1-05 On Feb.

1st we didnl know that we would be placing this ad for your birthday party in heaven so we say to all the Angels, sing loud and clear to our 'Milkman" up there. We will always keep you in our prayers and thoughts. Ye love you always. Happy Birthday "Milky" Low, Mother Katie, Wife Sandra, Daughters Latoya (Desmond), Shawn (Chris), Your Siblings: Dan (AddeDe), Octavia (Ike), Kathy, Grands, Nieces, Nephews, Aunts, I'ncfe and The Johnson Family S.C, region for gas than The Jssociated Press GREENVILLE South Carolinians are paying more for gasoline than other states outside the Southeast because of damage to production in the Gulf after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, officials say. A year ago, South Carolina enjoyed some of the lowest gas prices in the country.

Now the state is enduring some of the highest. The Palmetto state had an average of $3.01 per gallon Thursday, up from $1.81 a year ago, according to Tom Crosby of the AAA Carolinas in Charlotte, N.C.. "It's no surprise," he said. "Everybody is flirting with $3 and above per gallon of gas" in the region. Officials blamed the high prices in the Southeast on the region's reliance on oil pumped from the Gulf of Mexico.

AAA estimated that the Carolinas receive as much as 90 percent of its oil from Gulf refineries. "It doesn't matter why it's high. It's just high," said Sally Ryder, filling up her Taurus on Wednesday at a Greenville convenience store. "I think somebody's making some real money on this. It just doesn't make sense to me, especially when you see such different prices all over town." State Attorney General Henry McMaster is investigating complaints, which have de 1141-1 JW I VUW tJ vV Ml V.

v. Shore says Henry Kevin Brown of Bel-ton was found dead in an isolation cell at the jail at around 1 1 p.m. Tuesday night. Jail records show guards checked Brown at 7 p.m. and that he appeared to be asleep.

They said he was unresponsive when they checked four hours later. "I think he could have already been dead when they checked on him at 7 p.m.," Shore said. Shore says Brown was dehydrated and suffered from alcohol withdrawal after his Sept. 30 arrest The State Law Enforcement Division is investigating Brown's death. Charges dropped against father of missing girl CONWAY Charges have been dropped against the father of a girl reported missing more than three years ago, Horry County prosecutors said.

A homicide by child abuse charge against Eddie Kevin Bennett r. of Loris was dropped Wednesday, prosecutor Greg Hembree said. The child's mother, Vartasha White McCullough, is scheduled for trial Feb. 6 on the same charge, he said. The couple reported 4-year-old Kynande Bennett was abducted Sept 29, 2002, from a store in Whiteville, N.C.

The girl has not been found. The parents were arrested in February 2003. There is insufficient evidence to proceed with a trial against Bennett, Hembree said. Charges could be filed against Bennett again if more evidence is found, Hembree said. Public Defender Orrie West said he was pleased with the decision involving Bennett Investigators collected DNA evidence matching Kynande from Mc-Cullough's home in Conway, where she lived alone with the child.

McCullough and Bennett have said they did not harm their child. Detention officer arrested after pointing gun at inmate SUMMERVILLE- A former detention officer at the Dorchester County jail has been arrested on charges that he pointed a handgun at inmates working outside the jail last month. Christopher Fralix, 28, resigned after an internal investigation into the Sept 21 incident began last week. The officer is accused of pointing a gun at trusty inmates nonviolent offenders whose good behavior has made them eligible to leave the jail to maintain and clean the grounds, the Dorchester County Sheriffs Office said. Fralix turned himself in Wednesday and was released on his own recognizance.

Officials would not say why Fralix said he pointed the weapon. Pointing a gun is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison. Authorities release little information on Sumter homicide SUMTER -Authorities have ruled an elderly Sumter County woman's death a homicide, but are releasing little other information Thursday. Investigators were called to 75-year-old Edith Hoemer's home Wednesday evening. She was pronounced dead at the home, Sumter County Vema Moore said.

The autopsy was completed Thursday but Moore would not release any other details. Sumter Police Chief Patty Patterson said investigators had a "person of interest" in custody and hoped to file formal charges Friday. Patterson also wouldn't release the suspect's identity or Hoemer's cause of death, though she did rule out gunshots or stabbing. Town of Santee, Santee, special. Harry Fanning, Orangeburg, single-wide mobile home.

Eugene Lawton, Estill, double-wide mobile home. Barbara R. Witherell, Santee, outbuilding. Betty Elliott, Bowman, double-wide mobile home. john M.

and Susan Ott, Orangeburg, electrical. Sam Gainey, Holly Hill, outbuilding. Enterprise Bonneau, double-wide mobile home. Paula Rye, Eastover, electrical. South Atlantic Conference SDA, Orangeburg, electrical.

Ricky Benjamin, Holly Hill, single-wide mobile home. John Farineau, Eutawville, residential addition. Columbia man charged with killing friend missing for 4 years FOR THE RECORD COLUMBIA A 30-year-old man has been charged with murder for killing a friend who has been missing for more than four years. Mark Anthony Richardson shot Shelton Sanders to death in June 2001, but it took deputies four years to build the case, Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said. Richardson has said he was at his home with Sanders at a time neighbors said they heard several The following permits are on file in the Orangeburg County Administrative Centre.

Oct 3-6 Sprint, Orangeburg, commercial renovation. Check into Cash, Orangeburg, commercial renovation. Mark D. and Richard D. Carson, Neeses, single-wide mobile home.

Harold Hutto, Swansea, outbuilding. Stan and Dana Fisher, Columbia, single family residence. Wendell and Carol Harrison, Spartanburg, electrical. David Fields, Orangeburg, electrical. H.B.

Pasley, Orangeburg, residential renovation. Union Chapel Baptist Church, Orangeburg, commercial building. James T. Robinson, Cordova, outbuilding. Linda Garrett, Cross, single family residence.

Selena Laurneti, Orangeburg, single family residence. jerry Hite, West Columbia, electrical. Annie L. Clinton, Eutawville, double-wide mobile home. Dora L.

Johnson, Orangeburg, electrical. Katina L. Snell, Orangeburg, single-wide mobile home. Telbus and Kelly McAlhaney, Branchville, single family residence. Kathy Peters and Glenn Gleaton, Cordova, double-wide mobile home.

Harry Lee Holman, Orangeburg, residential renovations. Sherry Kittrell, Cope, residential..