Obituaries

May 30, 2025

Shelby Jean Myers, 82, of Bamberg, South Carolina passed away peacefully on May 30, 2025, surrounded by her family.  Born and raised in Bamberg, SC, she was the daughter of the late James S. (Jim) Gunnells and Frances W. Gunnells.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was married to the love of...

May 25, 2025

In Loving Memory of Dr. Gerald Eugene Sanders USAF Colonel (Retired)

August 29, 1938 – May 25, 2025

Dr. Gerald Eugene Sanders, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully on May 25, 2025, in Kennesaw, Georgia, surrounded by those who loved him.  A Celebration of Life service was held onTuesday, June 10,...

May 15, 2025

Duane David Blanchard Sr., 64, of Bamberg, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 15, 2025, after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Born on March 20, 1961, in Dansville, New York, Duane leaves behind a legacy of warmth, humor, and generosity which will forever remain in the hearts of all who knew him. Duane was raised by...

May 2, 2025

Martin Van Buren "Van" Sanders, 83 of Bamberg, SC , passed away peacefully at home on May 2, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.  Born May 9, 1941 in Olar.  Van spent a lifetime rooted in family and hard work.

A devoted father and proud grandfather and great-grandfather, Van's greatest joy came from the people he loved whether...

Apr 18, 2025

Betty Weatherly Maxwell, of Bamberg, passed peacefully from this life into paradise on the morning of April 18, 2025 after many years of declining health. She was supported by her loving family and devoted caregivers during her last days. Betty was born to Rufus and Rose Weatherly on January 29, 1931 in McColl, S.C. She attended the McColl public...

Apr 17, 2025

Margaret Ann Craven Poteat of Greenville and Pawleys Island, SC, passed away on April 17, 2025, in Alpharetta, GA. Mrs. Poteat was born April 3, 1936, in Bamberg, SC. She was the daughter of the late William Herbert and Marion Easterling Craven. She is survived by her daughter, Catherine Poteat Lang, and her husband, Brett Thomas Lang; her son,...

Mar 27, 2025

Heaven gained a precious Angel.  Ms. Johnnie Belle Jones, 96, of Hilda, South Carolina, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 27, 2025.  She was a former resident of Bamberg, South Carolina.  She was born on March 13, 1929, to the late Ellen Grooms Hill and Giffie Jones of Bamberg.

Ms. Johnnie Belle was kind...

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...