Area Obituaries

1938 – 2022      Ben Leigh Hickman of Myrtle Beach passed away on Monday, Jan. 31. He was 83.      He was born in Tabor City to Ernest Herbert Hickman and Zulu (Floyd) Hickman.      Ben and his partner owned and operated Hickman’s Florist for many years before relocating to Daytona Beach, Florida where they opened Daytona Beach Florist…

1933 – 2022      Vera Ward Waddell of Tabor City, widow of Eldred (Sappy) Waddell, passed away peacefully at Shoreland Healthcare and Retirement Center of Whiteville on Feb. 5. She was 88.      She was born in Tabor City on Dec. 8, 1933, the daughter of Barney and Maude Ward.      In addition to her husband and parents,…

1956 – 2022      Ashley Lamar Soles of Loris passed away Monday, Feb. 7, at McLeod Loris hospital. He was 65.      He was born in Horry County, a son of Manley Junior Soles and Mezella “Zell” (Watts) Soles.      Survivors include his wife, Wynona (Hardee) Soles of the home; two sons, Ryan Ashley Soles and Robert Kyle…

1944 – 2022      Jimmy Ray McDowell of Loris passed away on Saturday, Feb. 5, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center. He was 77.      Born Oct. 24, 1944 in Loris, he was the son of the late William Jerry McDowell and the late Brookie Wade McDowell. Mr. McDowell was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church.      Survivors…

1944 – 2022      Roberta Willis of Tabor City died Friday, Feb. 4, in Columbus Regional Healthcare, Whiteville, after a brief illness. She was 77.      She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Dalton and Delta Willis. She was also predeceased by two sisters, Cynthia Rowe and Alberta Tritt.      Roberta is survived by…

1956 – 2022      Cynthia W. Rowe of Tabor City died Monday, Jan. 31, in New Hanover Regional Medical Center, Wilmington, after a brief illness. She was 65.      She was born in Columbus County, the daughter of the late Dalton and Delta Willis. She was also predeceased by her husband Joe Rowe; daughter Crystal Rowe; and a…

1950 – 2022      Ollen Edward “Rusty” Lewis of Nichols passed away on Thursday, Feb. 3, at McLeod Loris hospital. He was 71.      He was born in Mullins, a son of the late Ollen Henry Lewis and Imogene (Brown) Lewis Watts.      Rusty was a veteran of the US Navy and National Guard, and worked for Marvel…

1977 – 2022      Dennis Purcha II of Fair Bluff passed away on Sunday, Jan. 30, at his residence. He was 44.      Dennis was born March 5, 1977, to Dennis Purchas Sr. and the late Elder Barbara Purcha. He was also preceded in death by his wife, LaTrisha Purcha.      Dennis is survived by his son, Allen…

1946 – 2022      Linda Gail Grainger Rhodes of Tabor City passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 2, at McLeod Loris hospital. She was 75.      Born June 27, 1946 in Loris, she was the daughter of the late Ernest Hubert Grainger and the late Flossie Perritt Grainger.      Mrs. Grainger was a loving homemaker and a member of…

1936 – 2022      Marlene Joann Hoaglan Soles passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 1, at her home in Loris. She was 85.      Born Nov. 27, 1936 in Ashland, Wisconsin, she was the daughter of the late Elzo Byron Hoaglan and the late Edna Mae Hyde Hoaglan. Mrs. Soles was well known in the community for her…