Mrs. Donna Hodgens Spearman
Feb 27, 2025
Donna Hodgens Spearman, 72, of Columbia, died on Thursday, February 27, 2025. Born in Greenville, SC, on March 15, 1952, she was a daughter of the late Marion E. Hodgens and Virginia R. Brown. Affectionately known as GrandDonna to her grandchildren, she doted over her family and loved spending time with them. She was the Secretary for many years at...
Mr. Vincent Joseph Goulette
Feb 27, 2025
CW4 Vincent Joseph Goulette (U.S. Army Ret.), 66, of Elgin, SC, passed away on February 27, 2025. Born on June 17, 1958, in Oneida, New York, he was a son of the late Mary LaChanse Goulette and late Joseph Raymond Goulette. When Vincent was 17 years old he enlisted in the U.S. Army and spent 25 years as an Army...
Mr. Dewight E. Thomas
Feb 25, 2025
Dewight E. Thomas died peacefully on February 25, 2025 after living an active and fulfilling life for more than 94 years. Born in Darke County, Ohio on April 21, 1930 during the Great Depression and into a relatively poor sharecropper family, he was the good but often independent thinking son of Chester and Euturpy Thomas. He had five siblings who...
Mrs. Ella Averyt Dubose
Feb 23, 2025
Ella Averyt DuBose, who embodied a passion for the arts, education, and community service, died peacefully on Sunday, February 23, 2025, a day after being surrounded by her loving family. Born on April 21, 1932, the first child of Edwin Franklin and Asenath Murfee Averyt, her early life in Columbia, SC, shaped her love for learning, leading her to earn...
Mrs. Brenda Bogan Painter
Feb 21, 2025
Brenda Bogan Painter (77) of Blythewood, SC, formerly of Staunton, VA, died on February 21, 2025 after a brave two year battle with cancer. Brenda was born in Staunton, VA on August 13, 1947, the daughter of Merle and Irene Bogan. She was a 1965 graduate of Robert E. Lee High School. She continued her education at Ferrum College and...
Sfc Felix G. Colon-Santiago, Us Army (Ret.)
Feb 20, 2025
SFC Felix G. Colon-Santiago, US Army (Ret.), 94, of Columbia, died on Thursday, February 20, 2025. Born February 10, 1931, in Cayey, Puerto Rico, he was a son of the late Felix Colon-Torres and Maria Santiago Maldonado. SFC Colon bravely served his country for over 27 years in the United States Army as an Infantry Soldier, Drill Sergeant, Chief of...
Mrs. Helen Ellison Lail
Feb 19, 2025
Helen Ellison Lail, 92, of Columbia, SC passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Mattie Ellison. Survivors include her daughters, Debbie Erskine (David), Donna Sugarman, Denise Young and Susan Miller; grandchildren Ray Caywood, Tony Caywood, David Caywood (predeceased) Matthew Sugarman and Lindsey Sloop; as well as numerous great-grandchildren. In addition to...
Ms. Brenda Ann Medlin Reynolds
Feb 19, 2025
Brenda Ann Reynolds, age 67, passed away on February 19, 2025. She was an angel on this earth, always going out of her way to help others. Her greatest joy in life was her family – nothing made her happier than seeing them succeed and thrive. Brenda was known for her deep compassion and selflessness, always putting the needs of...
Mr. Charles Edward Johnson
Feb 19, 2025
Charles Johnson, 85, of West Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025, with his beloved wife by his side. Born in Cedartown, Georgia in 1938, Charles lived a life full of kindness, hard work, and love for his family. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He is survived by his wife, Yvonne...
Mr. Michael Douglas Houtchings
Feb 18, 2025
Mr. Michael Douglas Houtchings, 78, of Lexington, died on February 18, 2025. Born in Asheville, NC, he was the son of the late Annie Belle Allred Houtchings and the late Leon Brooks Houtchings. He was a member of the East Columbia Pentecostal Holiness Church and had a deep love for God, his family, and his friends. He retired from Schneider...
Mrs. Dorothy Fulmer Kerscher
Feb 17, 2025
Mrs. Dorothy Fulmer Kerscher, age 93, passed away peacefully on Monday afternoon, February 17, 2025, under the loving care of her daughter, Elaine, in Pelion. She was born December 2, 1931, in Richland County. Her journey on this earth was one marked by love and laughter, and her passing has left a void in the hearts of her family, friends,...
Ms. Jessica L. Swindler
Feb 17, 2025
Jessica Lyn Swindler, 36, of Columbia, died on Monday, February 17, 2025. Born in Columbia, SC, on July 11, 1988, she was the daughter of Joseph M Swindler (Carmen) and the late Jackie R. Swindler. Jessica, known as Jessy to her family and friends, graduated from Ridge View High School and went on to graduate from the University of Phoenix...
Ms. Jane Dreher Emerson
Feb 16, 2025
Jane Emerson, a fierce and fearless advocate for women's rights, whose passion for justice and access to reproductive healthcare left an indelible mark on the state of South Carolina, died in Columbia on February 16. She suffered a massive intracranial hemorrhage and died peacefully at Prisma Richland Memorial Hospital. A celebration of life will be held this spring. She was...
Mr. Robert "Bob" Eugene Wagaman
Feb 16, 2025
It is with profound sadness that the family of Robert E. Wagaman of Winnsboro, SC announces his sudden and unexpected passing from a heart attack on February 16th, 2025. Bob was born to Lester and Ruth (Parks) Wagaman on March 21st, 1953 in Elkton, MD. He was 71 years old. Bob grew up on a farm in Elkton along with...
Mr. Timothy Daniel Johnson
Feb 15, 2025
Timothy (Tim) Daniel Johnson, 68, of Gaston, died at home on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Born in Columbia, SC, on November 28, 1956, he was a son of the late Cecil Lee and Sara Elizabeth Daniels Johnson. Mr. Johnson enjoyed athletics growing up, often playing basketball and football. He loved his family and friends and was a member of Pineview...
Ms. Marian M. Derrick
Feb 15, 2025
Ms. Marian McDonald Derrick, 47, of Columbia, SC passed away on Saturday, February 15, 2025. She was the daughter to Coy L. "Jack" Derrick and Sarah McDonald Derrick. A memorial service to celebrate Marian's life will be held Friday, April 4, 2025, at 2 o'clock in the afternoon at the Midland's Center Gymnasium, 8301 Farrow Road, Columbia, SC 29203. Ms....
Ms. Vikki Mureddu
Feb 14, 2025
Vikki E. Black Mureddu, 68, of Columbia, died on Friday, February 14, 2025. Born in Columbia, SC, on February 13, 1957, she was a daughter of the late Rowe Dean Black and Betty Sessions Black. Survivors include her beloved Danny Jones; sister, Iris Vargas; brothers, Rowe Dean Black, Jr. and Joel Black (Stephanie); as well as numerous nieces and nephews....
Mrs. Diana Lynn Smith
Feb 11, 2025
Mrs. Diana Lynn Smith, 70, of Columbia, died on February 11, 2025. Born in Columbus, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Virginia Faye Thompson Thomen and the late William Robert Thomen. Diana was one of the sweetest, kindest people you'd every meet. She loved her family and everyone knew it. She was also a very tough woman in...
Mrs. Jane Calvert Hopkins Helms
Feb 11, 2025
A memorial service for Jane Calvert Hopkins Helms, who passed away on February 11th at the age of 90, will be held at noon on Saturday, February 15th at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, following a private burial at the Hopkins family cemetery. A reception will be held at Trinity following the service. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is...
Mr. Aaron Small
Feb 10, 2025
Aaron Small passed away on Monday, February 10, 2025, at the age of 85. He was the son of the late Harry Smolowsky and Sara Berry Smolowsky. Aaron was a native of Columbia, SC, and a graduate of Dreher High School. He completed his bachelor's degree in mortuary science from Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Aaron owned Small Funeral Home...
