All Obituaries

Sumter, SC … Evelyn Mae Howe Behuniak, age 80, beloved wife of the late John Joseph Behuniak, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022, at her residence. Born August 21, 1941, in Lena, IL, she was the daughter of the late Chester Howe and Louise Mast Howe.  Evelyn married John Behuniak on September 27, 1975, at Langley AFB in Virginia.  She was a member of the Wives Club and did a lot of volunteer work for them in Delaware, Germany, and South Carolina.  Evelyn is...

Wedgefield, SC … Jane Elizabeth Baird Motes, age 57, beloved wife of 35 years to Calvin Motes, died on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at her residence. Born in Sumter, she was the daughter of the late Jerome Henry Baird and Dorothy Carolyn Mitchum Baird.  Jane was known for her beautiful and infectious smile.  She loved people and never met a stranger.  Jane was a terrific wife and mother and was always helping others.  She was a mother to everyone in her life. ...

Alcolu, SC …… Bates Coy McCutchen, age 20, son of Heather Collins and Joe McCutchen beloved grandchild, nephew, cousin, and friend died on Thursday, 06/16/22 in a motorcycle accident outside of Lake City, SC.  He finished Manning High School and became a certified welder.  He excelled in creative technical projects.  He was a budding chef who enjoyed spicey food and loved to grill for his family.  Modifying his truck, playing with his dog, and shooting on...

Sumter, SC …. Frances Lucile Chandler Beasley, age 80, beloved wife of the late Dalton Henry Beasley, died on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, at Blue Ridge of Sumter. Born in Sumter, she was the daughter of the late James Chandler and Alice Ardis.  Frances was a member of First Pentecostal Holiness Church.  She was known to be very fun loving and a free spirit.  She was very giving and always helping others.  She loved her job as a third shift waitress at Waffle House...

Dalzell, SC ….. Timothy Lessard, age 53, beloved life partner to Stephanie Boykin, passed away on Monday, June 13, 2022, at Prisma Health Tuomey. Born in Upper Heyford, England, he was the son of Judith K. Penke Lessard and the late Henry Thomas Lessard.  Tim enjoyed life and had many friends.  He was a hard worker and spent most of his working career as a plumbing supervisor as well as clearing trees around power lines and right of way.  He enjoyed watching Nascar and...

Sumter, SC …. Chad Patrick Touchberry, age 34, died on Friday, June 10, 2022, at his residence. Born in Oceanside, CA, he was the son of Manley Leroy Touchberry, III and his wife Tracy and Sheila Miles Christmas and her husband Sammy.  Chad was a simple man that had the biggest heart.  He was a very intelligent and hard-working man.  He loved fishing and hunting and loved his late great grandma Joycelyn Gibbons with all his heart.  His true joy in life came from...

Sumter, SC …. Allen Kenneth Lyles (Ken), 91, of Sumter passed away on June 6, 2022, at his home with family present.     Ken was born on August 4, 1930, to Agnes and Clifford Lyles. He was the 3rd of 9 children. He met and married his beloved wife, Barbara on April 10, 1950. Ken served in the United States Air Force for 22 years. He traveled around the world while serving his country, including Japan, Okinawa, Guam, England, Spain, Vietnam, Labrador, and Northern...

Chapel Hill, NC …. Gwyn Curtis Thorne Monroe died suddenly, yet peacefully, on June 5th, 2022, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. She was surrounded by family members who held her hands to her final breaths until she departed this world for her heavenly home. Gwyn was born on July 24th, 1954, in Jacksonville, FL. She was the third of four daughters born to William “Bill” and Olive “Lolly” Thorne (Evans). She grew up in Atlanta, GA in a loving family with her...

Sumter,.. Virginia Anna Taylor, age,96, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, June 4, 2022, at her residence. Born in Palmerton, PA, daughter of the late George Smith and Jennie (George) Smith. Virginia graduated from Palmerton High School. After graduating she joined the Army Air Corp in 1945. Virginia was a World War II US Army veteran serving as a surgical technician. She earned the Meritorious Unit Service Plaque, Good Conduct Medal, American...

Sumter, SC …. John Foster Pettenger Jr., age 78, beloved husband of the late Barbara Ann Pettenger, died on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at his residence.  Born in Patterson, NJ, he was the son of the late John Foster Pettenger Sr. and Muriel Elizabeth Shenise Pettenger. John graduated from UGA with a bachelor's degree, GO Dawgs!!!; John was a Pilot for Piedmont Airlines, US Air for 13 years. John was a retired US, Air Force Pilot for 21 years. He was a Vietnam Veteran and for...