Obituaries

Feb 5, 2025

John May Tatum III

John May Tatum III, 70, of Beaufort, SC, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on June 21, 1954, in Ft. Bragg, NC, he was the son of Col. John M. Tatum Jr. and Mary Risher Tatum of Bamberg, SC.

John's life was marked by...

Feb 3, 2025

Mary Helen Smith, 83, of Orangeburg, SC passed away peacefully on February 3, 2025. Helen was born in Charleston, SC and raised in Bamberg, SC to the late Miles Carter and Mary Lee Kirkland of Bamberg, SC. She enjoyed cross-stitching and reminiscing about the good old days. She didn't need a reason to get dressed up for a day ...

Jan 28, 2025

Ruth Clayton Frye, 96, transitioned from this life into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on, January 28, 2025, at Addington Place, Titusville, FL after a long struggle with AlzheimersDisease.

The family will receive friends Friday, February 7th beginning at 10 AM at First Baptist Church, Bamberg, SC.  A memorial service will follow at ...

Jan 3, 2025

Thomas LeRoy "Lee" Frye of Leesville, SC died on January 3rd, 2025 at age 87. He was born in Bamberg, SC on February 18, 1937 to the late Roy Lee Frye and Maybelle Thomas Frye.

Lee joined the U.S. Navy right out of high school and continued his military service retiring from the Army Reserves. Lee spent...

Dec 13, 2024

Michael Cunningham Watson, Jr. Obituary

Dr. Michael Cunningham Watson, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, went to be with his Lord and Savior on December 13, 2024, at the age of 65.

The son of Dr. Michael Cunningham Watson and Mary Carolyn Tatum Watson, Mike was the oldest son and second of six children. He was born...

Dec 7, 2024

Clayton Thomas Zeigler 98, husband of the late Leila Zeigler died Saturday, December 7, 2024

Mr. Zeigler was a member of Bamberg First Baptist Church and the Owner of Zeigler Chevrolet for 65 years.

He is survived by his two sons, Larry Zeigler (Peggy) and Marvin Zeigler.  Additional survivors are his grandchildren, Thomas Zeigler (Ashley),...

Nov 30, 2024

Myrtice Jones Webb of Barnwell, SC entered into eternal rest onDecember 26, 2025. Myrtice was born June 19th, 1957 to the late Calvin and Eva Boyd Jones in Bamberg, SC.

She leaves behind two daughters Rachell (Reese) (Nathaniel) Wingard of Columbia and Dylan Rae Pound of Lexington; four grandsons Rhys Wingard, Ayden Switzer, Perrin and Arkin Pound;...

Nov 30, 2024

Shirley Marie Scott Gross (90) of Bamberg, SC, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2025. She was born on July 10, 1935, in Batavia, NY, daughter of the late Donald and Alice Hackett Scott. She was preceded in death by her husband Edgar Gross, son in law John Flint, parents, sisters, Peggy Scott, Linda Scott, and Donna Hollister, and...

Nov 30, 2024

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we share the devastating news of our son, Austin Wade Grant's, passing. The pain of his loss is immeasurable, a wound that cuts deep into the fabric of our lives. Words seem inadequate to express the emptiness we feel, a void that will forever remain in our hearts.

Austin ...

Nov 13, 2024

Mr. Robert A. Ayer, 91, of Bamberg, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at his home.  Mr. Ayer was born in Ehrhardt, the son of the late Charlie and Myrtle Ayer.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Doris Russell Ayer.

Mr. Ayer had a passion for working with his hands and was a...

Oct 31, 2024

Nancy T. Beard, 81, of Bamberg, SC, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2024. Nancy was born and raised in Bamberg, SC to Berley and Ethel Taylor. Known for her feisty personality balanced with a kind and giving spirit, Nancy brought joy and warmth to those around her. She had a spark that made her unforgettable; she was never...

Oct 27, 2024

Kevin Thomas Gray, 39, entered Heavenly rest on October 27,2024, at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, South Carolina.  Kevin was born October 26, 1985, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Kevin loved watching his favorite college football team, Florida State. He was known for his patience, quietness, and loved being with family.

Kevin was a son of Hughie Gray...

Oct 11, 2024

Betty Faye Priester, 88, of Bamberg passed peacefully on October 11, 2024. Betty was born to the late James Wyatt and Thelma Still Priester on February 2, 1936. She spent her childhood in Ehrhardt and Olar but called Bamberg her home. Betty was a dedicated employee, along with her mother, Thelma, for the Allied Department store in Denmark. She...

Oct 6, 2024

Wayne Ansel Hughes, 87, passed away on October 6, 2024 after a period of declining health.  Mr. Hughes was a son of the late Ansel Hughes and Ruby Morrell Hughes.

Mr. Hughes was a member of Bamberg First Baptist Church served in the U.S. Navy and was the retired owner of Wayne's Auto Clinic in Bamberg.

Sep 2, 2024

Bamberg, SC – Ronnie F. Dempsey of Bamberg, SC, passed away at home on September 2nd, 2024, at the age of 79.

Ronnie was born in Spartanburg, SC on October 28th, 1944, to Willie "Bill" Dempsey and Myrtle Erlene Green.  He was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Dempsey Bates and brothers, Oliver Campbell, Buford Campbell,...

Aug 17, 2024

On August 17, 2024, Mrs. Bonnie Thomas Kearse died peacefully in her sleep and went to be with the Lord.

Bonnie Kearse was born in Cleveland, Georgia on March 12, 1944 to Walter Earl Thomas and Willie York Thomas and was the youngest of their three children.  To her closest family members, Bonnie was known as "Bonnie...

Aug 1, 2024

Mendell Proveaux Bunch, 86, died August 1, 2024.  Mrs. Bunch was a daughter of the late Harmon Proveaux and Edna Barrs Proveaux.

She was a member of Bamberg First Baptist Church and was retired from the Bamberg County Health Department.  She enjoyed playing the Piano, riding Bikes and traveling to the Mountains.

Mrs. Bunch is...

Jul 15, 2024

Michael Connor Rhoad, 63, died July 15. 2024 at the Trident Medical Center.  Mr. Connor was a son of the late Joe Henry and Emma Delle Rhoad.

Mr. Rhoad was a member of Zion United Methodist Church and was a former employee of Phoenix in Bamberg. He served as  Medic with the SC National Guard 251 Medical...

Jul 14, 2024

Bamberg, SC - Mary Elizabeth Ott Crawford of Bamberg, SC, passed away after an extended illness at her daughter's home in Matthews, NC on July 14, 2024 at the age of 87.

The daughter of John Luther and Susie Euzile Ott, Mary was the middle of three children, born on June 24, 1937 in their Bamberg family...

Jul 1, 2024

Miriam Ponds Kinard, 98, passed away on July 1st,2024, at her home in Bamberg, S. C.

She was the daughter of the late Henry Benjamin and Viola Breland Ponds. She was born September 28, 1925 in Ashton, S. C.

She was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Bamberg since 1948. She served...