Obituaries

William Lawrence “W.L.” Collins Sr., 82, of Florence, died May 15, 2022, following a brief illness. A native of Culberson, N.C., he was a graduate of Truett McConnell College, West Georgia College, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He... Continue Reading »

Randy C. Gardner, 69, of Gaffney, died March 28, 2022. Born in Cowpens, he was a graduate of Gardner-Webb College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He served as pastor of churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina and... Continue Reading »

James Ray Allen, 87, of Pickens, died March 23, 2022. A native of Ellaville, Ga., he was a graduate of Furman University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and Drew University. He served Baptist churches in the Carolinas and Georgia for... Continue Reading »

John Daniel “Dan” Sipe, 77, of York, died Jan. 28, 2022. He was a graduate of Gardner-Webb University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He was a full-time pastor in South Carolina and North Carolina and later served as a... Continue Reading »

Wilford Clinton Manley Jr. “Will,” 87, of Beaufort, died Dec. 15, 2021. He grew up in Fort Meade, Fla., and went on to serve in the U.S. Marines and Navy. He was a graduate of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary,... Continue Reading »

Robert Edward “Bobby” Byrd, 70, of Florence, died Feb. 20, 2022, at McLeod Hospice House in Florence. A native of Mullins, he was a graduate of Charleston Southern University and Andersonville Seminary. He was a U.S. Army veteran who... Continue Reading »

Bobby R. Wallace, 87, of Bishopville, died Dec. 1, 2021. Born in Lancaster, he served as pastor of several Baptist churches in North and South Carolina, including Oakhill, Lancaster; Bennettsville Second; Center Grove, Kershaw; and Oakhurst, Heath Springs, before... Continue Reading »

Bruce Michael Schmidt, 66, of Landrum, died Dec. 19, 2021. A native of Portsmouth, Va., he was a graduate of Old Dominion University, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He served in the U.S. Army before... Continue Reading »

Florrie Anne Lawton, 91, passed away at her home in Franklin, Tenn., on Jan. 30, following a period of declining health. She was a graduate of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and worked for the Baptist Sunday School Board (now... Continue Reading »

John L. Melton III, 61, of Cheraw, died Dec. 21, 2021. Born in Cheraw, he volunteered with the Cheraw Fire Department and the Cheraw Rescue Squad, and later became an EMT and paramedic. He was instrumental in creating the... Continue Reading »

William G. Lewis, 79, of Hartsville, died Dec. 17, 2021. A native of Hartsville, he was a self-employed contractor who owned and operated William Lewis Builders for many years. Soon after accepting Christ as his Savior, he was ordained... Continue Reading »