Joann Smith Christie

Homegoing services for Mrs. Joann Smith Christie are scheduled for 3:00 pm on Sunday, August 31, 2025 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 258 Line Street, Batesburg SC 29006.  Burial will be at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Joann (G.I. Joe) Smith Christie, 69, of Batesburg, SC entered into eternal rest on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the VA Hospital in Columbia SC. She was the daughter of the late Willie and Josephine Smith.

Joann was educated in the public schools of Lexington County and was a graduate of the Batesburg-Leesville High School Class of 1974. Upon graduation she joined the U.S. Army, where she served as a Nurse. Later in life Joann met the love of her life, Wesley Wayne Christie. This union was blessed with 36 years of marriage.

Joann was a member of the New Joy Deliverance Church where she served as an Usher, Choir Member and Missionary Ministry member.

Joann was a fun-loving free spirit. All who knew Joann loved her for her gregarious character. She did not meet strangers throughout her life. Joann loved music, DANCING, singing, cars and everyone that knew her smiled and anticipated her jovial qualities.

Joann was preceded in death by three siblings, Willie Smith Jr., Tequila Smith and Jeanette Thomas; one special niece, Simone Bowman; and one special nephew, Lamar Brannon.

Those left to cherish her precious memories are a husband, Wesley Wayne Christie of the home; one daughter, Nicole Hendrix of Batesburg-Leesville SC; one son, Henry Hendrix of Batesburg-Leesville, SC; two sisters, Betty Jean Johnson (Alexander) of Batesburg-Leesville, SC and Geraldine Christie of North Augusta, SC; nine grandchildren, Shaniah Hendrix, Darrian Hendrix, Quaishia Hendrix, Tyhem Quattlebaum, Jaden Hendrix, Makari Hendrix, Lyric Hendrix, Kaleah Hendrix, Alaiza Abney; two great grand, Zuri Grooms, Emersyn Taylor; nieces, Toshus Johnson, Naomi Smith, Jacqueline (Greg) Baker, Williemae (Thrence) Johnson; nephews, Taurus Thomas, Alexander Johnson Jr., Jacqueal Johnson; a host great nieces and nephews, Goddaughters, bonus daughters, bonus grands, cousins, other relatives and many sorrowing friends who will miss her dearly.

Mr. Theodis Hammond

Trenton, SC- Funeral Services for Mr. Theodis Hammond will be held 11:00AM Wednesday, 9/3/2025 at the Carey Hill Resource Center on 1591 Edgefield Road North Augusta, SC 29860. Interment will follow in the Mt. Canaan Baptist Church Cemetery. Viewing will be 11:00AM- 6:00PM Tuesday, 9/2/2025 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston.

Theodis Hammond, affectionately known as “Beaver,” beloved husband of Shirley Hammond, departed this life peacefully at home on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., following a long illness.  Theodis was born to the late Walter and Beatrice Hammond on January 14, 1946 in Clarks Hill, South Carolina. He met and later married his friend and only wife Shirley Harris on April 22, 1968.  He attended public schools in Edgefield, South Carolina and was a graduate of W. E. Parker High School.   

Theodis was a lifelong resident of Trenton, South Carolina and a beloved member of the community. He was a dedicated and hard-working man who retired after more than 30 years of service with Owens Corning Fiberglass. Known for his strong work ethic, kind heart, and love for his family, Theodis touched many lives with his generosity and quiet strength. 

Theodis loved the outdoors and found great joy in gardening flowers and vegetables, hunting, and fishing. He also served his community through his lawn service business, often working without pay for those in need—a true testament to his selfless nature. 

He shared 58 beautiful years of marriage with his devoted wife, Shirley Hammond. Together they raised two children: Victoria Darby and Kenneth (Anissa) Hammond. He was a proud grandfather to Ariel (Jordan) Smith, Jordyn Johnson, and Darius Darby, and a cherished great-grandfather to Kinsley and Karrington Smith. 

Theodis is also survived by his sister, Alberta Wimberly, and two brothers, Alex and Harvest Hammond. He leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends who will forever cherish his memory. 

He was preceded in death by three brothers—Charlie, Otis, and Doris Hammond—and two sisters, Mattie Hammond and Walter Lee Reese. 

The family extends their heartfelt thanks to all who supported them during Theodis’s illness. Your kindness and care brought great comfort during a difficult time. 

At the family's request, no repass will be held following the funeral service. 

Mr. Freddie Lee West

Trenton, SC- Funeral Services for Mr. Freddie Lee West will be held 1:00PM Saturday, 8/30/2025 at the Walk of Faith Tabernacle, Johnston. Interment will follow at the Church On The Rock Cemetery, Johnston, SC. Viewing will be Friday, 8/29/2025 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston, SC.

Freddie Lee West was born December 13, 1955, in Edgefield County. He was the son of the late Sammie Lee West and Adell West. He departed this earthly life on August 24, 2025, at MCG WELLSTAR, in Augusta, Georgia. He was surrounded by his loving family and the Medical Staff who took such loving care of him.  Freddie received his education in the Edgefield County School System. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Doris West on December 24, 1974. They’ve been married for 50 years. To this union they have two sons, Fredrick West and Patrick West.

He worked and served along with his wife at Church On The Rock F.B.H. Church.

He worked in Maintenance for 52 years until his health failed.

He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and a great grandfather. He had the privilege of seeing his four months old great granddaughter, J’adore.

He leaves behind his loving wife, Doris A. West, sons, Fredrick West and Patrick West; grandchildren, Zyiah West, Zykeya West, Nolen Chandler, and J’adora Butler, great grand; siblings, Dora (Johnnie Frazier, deceased), Trenton, SC, Annie Louise West, Hyattsville, MD, Barbara West, Deloris Davis, both of Trenton, SC, Melvin West, Capital Heights, MD, Betty (Nelson) Andrews, Johnston, SC, Willie (Annie) West, Johnston, SC, Larry (Kim) West, Greenwood, SC, a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Mr. LD "Duke Walker

Ridge Spring, SC- Eulogistic Services for Mr. LD “Duke” Walker will be held 12Noon Friday, at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. Alfred Bates Pastor and the Rev. Stephen Henry, Officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery. Viewing will be 11:00am -6:00pm 8/28/2025 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston.

L D. “Duke” Walker was born on December 5, 1941. He was the son of Willie “Blue”  Walker and Georgiana Richardson Walker. Both parents preceded him in death.

He had general education from the Edgefield County Schools. He joined the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church at an early age.

LD was an entrepreneur. He started with L & W Trucking for many years and then transitioned to delivering peaches to North Carolina IGA Stores where he became known as “The Peach Man”. He delivered peaches until his health declined.

He met and married Yvonne Whatley Simpkins. This union was blessed with 42 amazing years.

On Monday, August 25, 2025, God called one of his angels home to rest. Four siblings, Lillie Cook, Eugene Walker, Sylvester Roper, and Willie Paul Walker, Sr., one son, Eric Walker, all are there to welcome him home.

He leaves to cherish his passing, his wife, Yvonne Walker; seven daughters, Dr. Summer Walker, Johnston, SC, Angela Wiliams, Ninety-Six, SC, Jennifer Williams, Aiken, SC, Wanda Rolland, Shirley Smith, both of Johnston, SC, Sharon Walker, Stephanie Walker Brown, both of Atlanta, GA; one son, Meltris Walker (Talib Rashed), New York; six sisters, Alice Norman, Georgia, (Rev. Henderson) Gibbs, Shirley (William) Spencer, Margaret (Clarence) Guidry, Christine (Chester) Jennings, Dorothy (Horace) Walker; one brother, John Henry Walker, a host of grandchildren, 1 great grandchild, three sisters-in-law Ellen Cunningham, Fonda Walker, and  Mary Walker,  and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

J. C. Clark

Edgefield, SC - Funeral Services for Mr. J. C. Clark will be held 11:00 AM Wednesday August 13, 2025, at the United Church of God, Edisto St., Johnston, SC with the Elder George Gore, Jr, Pastor/Officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, on Archie Ware Road. Viewing will be 11:00AM - 6:00 PM Tuesday at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston.

J. C. Clark was born on February 8, 1970, the son of Josh Clark and Alberta Anderson Clark. He entered into eternal rest on August 7, 2025.

J. C. was educated in the Edgefield County School System.

As a young man, J. C. was baptized and served his membership at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church for most of his young life.  More than 10 years ago, he changed his membership to Holiness and joined the United Church of God in Johnston.

J. C. didn’t have any children, but he was once married to Lisa Coleman.

J. C. was very dedicated to all the church members and friends. He loved going to church and church was his second nature. J. C. loved fishing when he had time. Also, when he had time he would take care of his chickens and watch sports, especially Lakers basketball and Carolina Panthers football. On a daily basis, J. C. would spend a lot of time with the family watching movies and talking about the good 'ole days. He would crack jokes from time to time about the good ‘ole days. When the movies would go off and we were done talking and cracking jokes, he would go back home and listen to his scanner to see what was going on in the area. Afterwards, he would go to sleep listening to his gospel music.

On the seventh of August 2025, he did his same routine. Only this time he didn’t wake up while listening to his gospel music. God called J. C. home that afternoon. God saw that his body was tired and it was time for him to rest.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ricky Clark.

J.C. leaves to love, honor and cherish his memories, his parents, Josh and Alberta Clark of Edgefield, SC, a sister, Daisy Mae Broadwater, Batesburg, SC, a brother, Jermaine E. Clark, Saluda, SC, paternal grandparents, Ben and Viola Clark, maternal grandparents, Julian and Frances Anderson, McCormick, SC, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Mr. B. J. Jennings

In Loving Memory

Mr. B.J. Jennings was born January 24, 1947 in Saluda County, South Carolina to the late M.C. Jennings and the late Carrie Lee Etheredge Jennings.  He departed this earthly life on Monday, July 7, 2025.

He attended Twin City High School in Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina.  He later attended Midlands Technical College and earned a degree in welding.  In his later years, he moved to Columbia, South Carolina.

In addition to both his parents, B.J. was preceded in death by a son, Donald Jennings and a great-granddaughter, Tierra Jennings.

He leaves to cherish his memories:  his son, Dermon Jerome Jennings; three sisters, Cheryl Jennings Harris and Gwendolyn (Willie) Carroll, both of Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina and Donnette Jennings of Blackville, South Carolina and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends who will miss him dearly.

Mr. Albert "Boot" Bryant

Johnston, SC- Funeral Services for Mr. Albert “Boot” Bryant will be 1:00 pm Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Rosa Spring Baptist Church. with the Rev. Winston Oliphant, Pastor/ Eulogist. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be Friday,7/18/2025 1:00pm to 6:00 pm, at Amos & Sons Funeral Home, Johnston.

Mr. Albert Bryant, Jr., was born on December 10, 1937, in Edgefield County. He was the son ofn the late Albert Bryant, Sr., and Mamie Walker Bryant. He boarded the Heavenly Train bounded for his Heavenly Home, Monday, July 14, 2025, at his home.

He was educated in the Edgefield County School System. Albert worked at Graniteville Mills for over 14 years and he also worked at Carlisle Tire and Federal Paper. Albert also loved outside work and spent many years doing farm work. Albert loved his family and his church family.

At an early age, he joined Rosa Spring Baptist Church and continued to serve there until his health failed.

His daughter, Etta Bryant, preceded him in death.

He leaves to love and cherish his memories, his wife of 67 years, Pinkey Bryant, Johnston, SC, seven sons, Gerald Bryant (Joyce), Albert Bryant, III(Winnie), Eugene Bryant, Paul Bryant, Vernon (Cheryl), Greg Bryant  (Doretha) and Sheldon Weaver (Tierra), three daughters, Carolyn Habersham (Robert), Vivian Andrews (Walter), and Victoria Weaver, four sisters in-law, Clorie Holmes, Marie Washington (Floyd), Ernestine Hawkins, and Jestee Merriweather, 40 grandchildren, 67 great grandchildren, 21 great-great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Mr. Melvin Otto Pickens

Edgefield, SC- Funeral Services for Mr. Melvin Otto Pickens will be held 11:00am Friday, July 18, 2025 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Leroy Robinson, Officiating. Interment will follow in the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery, Edgefield, SC.

Mr. Melvin Pickens was born September 10, 1944 in Edgefield, SC. He was the son of Jim Pickens and Ella Richardson Pickens. He answered the Master’s call July 15, 2025 at the Edgefield Post Acute Center , Edgefield.

Mr. Melvin was educated in the schools of Edgefield County and later joined the Mt. Olive Baptist Church where served until Life got in the way.

He is survived by a brother, Mack Pickens, Edgefield, SC, Nephews Antonio Pickens, Edgefield, SC and a niece, Patricia Picken Butler, Trenton, SC and a host of other family and friends.

Mr. Lester Williams

Charlotte, NC-Memorial Services for Mr. Lester Williams will be 4:00pm, Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home.

Lester Williams was born in Edgefield County South Carolina, the son of Lucious “Brown” Williams and Estelle Jones Williams on November 21, 1957. He passed away in Edgefield, SC on July 5, 2025.

Lester was raised and educated in the schools of Edgefield County. As life continued, Lester began to rely on and trust in himself first, then his family and friends.

Lester was a cook by profession, but he mastered all sorts of repair and maintenance. His family recounts precious memories of Lester: 1. Lester was nice to those who were nice to him and he loved to do things to

make you laugh. 2. Lester was one of a kind, one of his nickname was “Bob” and he was always there for his sisters. 3. The family says,” Lester was real” - he was always himself. He was who he was. Good, Bad, Funny or sad, Lester was Lester. 4. Lester had a good heart, he would make you laugh and at the same time make you cry. That’s who he was. And finally, Lester could and would tell you what he felt was right or wrong and stand by his feelings.

Lester was proceeded in death by his parents, Lucious Williams Brown and Estelle Jones Williams, Brothers, Charles Williams and Edward Lee Jones He leaves behind to love honor and cherish his memory; Siblings, Pearline Williams Rogers (Kenneth), Anette Williams Dobbs, (Willie), Estelle Williams Goodman, (Randy), Willie Williams, and Nickie Williams Brown (Herbert); a sister-inlaw, Annette Williams (Charles’ wife), eighteen nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends to remember him.

Ms. Shawanda Monique Robinson Ulin

Celebration of Life Services for Ms. Shawanda Monique Robinson Ulin will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025 at 12:00 pm at the Ridge Branch Baptist Church, located at 1111 Church Road, Ridge Spring, SC 29129, where Reverend William N. Yarber is Pastor.

 Shawanda Monique Robinson Ulin, was born August 14, 1985 to Meshelle Robinson and Ricky Lundley. She was a graduate of the Batesburg-Leesville High School Class of 2004.  Upon graduating, she later attended Virginia College, where she received her Certified Nursing Assistant Certificate and Bachelor Degree.

Shawanda loved everybody, had a beautiful attitude and a beautiful smile. She was a very talented young lady that loved to cook, eat cabbage, collards and spend time with family and friends. She loved to write poems and keep herself looking good. She was a good mother to her three beautiful children.

Shawanda is preceded in death by a brother, Rickey Jelani Robinson Sr.; maternal grandparents, Henrietta Smith Buckett and Joe Ben Robinson; paternal grandparents, Lila and Alton Ludley. Terri Ludley, James Lino, Dorothy (Phillips) Parks, Roger Sr., Roger Jr. and Kenneth Ludley.

She leaves to cherish her memories: a husband, Kenneth Ulin Sr.; mother, Meshelle Robinson Myers; father, Ricky (Yvette) Ludley; children, O’mari Wigfall, Tomaya Mack and Kenneth Ulin Jr.; five sisters, Francesa Fuller,  Larickia Ludley, Jalisa Kelly, Shyteria Lytes and Fierra Cottrell; mother-in-law, Mary Ulin; aunts, Patricia Dennison, Faye Ludley, Alnita Ludley, Carolyn Ludley, Teresa Robinson, Shirley Smith and Geraldine Williams; two uncles, Joe L. (Doris) Robinson, Ravern and Theodore Robinson; sisters-in-law, Helen Black, Gene Williams, Teresa Fishburn, Nadine Fishburn and Bernice Turvent; special friend of family, Sharon Ludley, and a host of sorrowful family and friends.