All Obituaries

James B. Hiers, former Bamberg County Clerk of Court, entered eternal rest on Thursday, January 6, 2022, at his residence in Bamberg surrounded by his family. Bamberg County officials noted on their website that "He was elected Clerk of Court in November of 1988 and that '' Pedie " as he was commonly known, was the oldest serving clerk in South Carolina when he retired in 2021. Because of his dedication, professionalism, and business acumen, he became a friend and...

Martha Rebecca Padgett Curtis, 71, wife of the late, Walter J. Curtis, died Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at her home.  She was a daughter of the late Fairy L. Padgett. SR and Dorothy Frasier. Mrs. Curtis is survived by her two daughters, Velvet McIntosh (Gregg) and Dottie Brown (Todd).  Additional survivors are six grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, three brothers, Joe Hudson, Charlie Hudson, Fairy Padgett, two sisters, Ruby Condon, Faye McDonald.  She was preceded in...

Charles Walter Swindell, Jr. of Bamberg, South Carolina passed away on December 22, 2021.  He was born July 30, 1933, in Norfolk, Virginia, the son of the late Charles Walter Swindell, Sr. and Ruth Scott Swindell.  As a teenager, he attended Carlisle Military School in Bamberg, South Carolina where he began dating and later married the love of his life, Rebecca Keel Swindell (Becky). Upon graduation from Carlisle, he attended the University of South Carolina and graduated with a...

  Donald Arthur Vandervort, 61, died unexpectedly on Friday, December 17, 2021, at the Orangeburg Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, S.C. Mr. Vandervort, who was known by his friends and family as Don, was the son of the late Shirley Buck and Ronald Vandervort, and the stepson of the late Carl E. Buck. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Neil Holloway. He is survived by his son Arthur Hopkins. Additional survivors are three brothers, Eric Vandervort, Kevin Vandervort...

Billy Dean "Monkey" Haddock, 65, died Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Orangeburg Regional Medical Center.  He was a son of the late Margie and Marion Chavis. Mr Haddock is survived by two daughters; Deana (Tony) Hair of St.Mathews, Nicole Hoffman of Bamberg, six grandchildren, Daze, Dalton, Naci, Canden,Camren,Raelyn.  Additional survivors are two brothers, Steve (Delaine) Haddock of Bamberg, Al (Mary) Chavis of Cordova, one sister, Misty (Allen) Cook of Bamberg, SC and...

Ann McKenzie Clayton Stephens, age 83 daughter of the late Calvin Frederick and Bernice Woodward McKenzie, died Tuesday November 30, 2021. Mrs. Stephens was the beloved mother of Sonya Shumway (Jack), John Clayton (B.J.); sister of Sandra Hiers (Marion); grandmother of Ivy Silk (Brent), Clay Shumway (Robyn), Katie Shumway; great-grandmother of Nellie, Madeline, Will, Addison.  Mrs. Stephens was the former Treasurer of Bamberg County for 37 years.  Funeral Services will be...

Corey Frank Rizer, 73, died peacefully after an extended illness on October 25, 2021 at his home with his loving wife of 21 years, Williene, by his side. He was the Son of the late Maxwell Earle Rizer and Melle Elizabeth Kirkland Rizer of Denmark, SC. Mr. Rizer was born in Olar, SC on April 18, 1948 and was raised in Denmark. He developed an early passion for sports and the outdoors that followed him through life. He played college football at Gordon Military College where he graduated with...

Mae Jane Kirkland, 88, wife of the late James Robert Kirkland, died Sunday, October 10, 2021 after a period of declining health.  She was a daughter of the late Robert Allen Rigsby and Geneva Virginia Gaither Rigsby Mrs. Kirkland was a retired Lunchroom Supervisor for  the Bamberg County School System and a member of St. John's Baptist Church and a member of the American Legion. She is survived by two sons; James A Kirkland and Robert Kirkland, two daughters, Virginia Hammond...

James C. Kearse, Jr. of Olar died after an extended illness on October 3, 2021 at home surrounded by his loving family.  He was born in Olar, SC on September 4, 1932.  Mr. Kearse was a son of the late James C. Kearse, Sr and Clara Herlong Kearse. Survivors include his loving wife of 64 years Joyce Taylor Kearse and two daughters Debbie (Michael) Waltz of Goose Creek, SC and Lynne (Stephen) Harris of Barnwell, SC.   One grandson, James Chatham Harris of Twin Falls,...

Alton Eric Goolsby, 33, died Sunday, October 3, 2021 from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.   He was a son of  Alton Eddie Bunch and Lisa Jane Goolsby. Mr Goolsby is survived by his son, Connor Wisher, and three daughters, Khloe Goolsby ,Khenzlee Goolsby ,Anna Goolsby, his parents.  Additional survivors are his three sisters, Jill Goolsby, Jessica Glover and Tori Bunch, his grandmother, Julia Bryant, three nephews, Brady ,Braxxdon, Riley and two nieces,...