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Waters-Powell Funeral Home, 400 S. Dargan Street, Florence, SC (2025)

10/09/2025

Obituary for Eugene P. "Gene" Walsh, Jr.

On Tuesday morning, October 7, 2025, our beloved Eugene (Gene) Porter Walsh, Jr. passed away after a brief illness. He was 73 years old.
Gene was born in Florence, SC at the old McLeod Infirmary, the son of the late Bonnie Naomi Wise and Eugene Porter Walsh Sr. He graduated from McClenaghan High School and Florence Darlington Technical College with a degree in electrical engineering. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and retired from the Army Reserves. He began his 44-year career with Carolina Power and Light and retired from Duke Energy in 2013, a beloved colleague to so many.
He was a member of St. Paul Church for nearly 50 years and he loved his church family. His savior was Jesus Christ and the source of his strength. Gene devoted his life to others in his community. He loved being a Scout Leader for Troop 402. He travelled every year to the mountains of southeast Kentucky to build houses for the Red Bird Mission. Ask any kid who grew up in Florence playing ball at Maple Park about Mister Gene, they’d tell you he was their favorite and fairest umpire. If you needed chicken bog for a fundraiser, he was there. If a hurricane came through, he was there. If your lights went out, Gene was there.
He was devoted to God, his family, and his community; a most selfless man.
He met Ellen Gwendolyn Williams in 1974 and they were married 43 loving years. She predeceased him in 2019 and if you asked him, he would tell you she was the light of his life. The truth is, he was the love and light of hers too.
Gene is survived by his children, Mary Alice Faulkenberry (Michael), Quinton Eugene Walsh, and Harriett King Walsh (Hermon). He is also survived by his sister Audrey Mae Babb and his grandchildren, Mary Katherine, Will, Lilah and Porter. His devotion to his grandchildren was the focus of the last years of his life, attending games, birthdays and many trips to the Inlet.
Gene’s legacy will be remembered as an adoring husband, father, grandfather, a loyal friend, a master hunter, a mister fix it, a jack of all trades. If you wanted to feed Dolly the b***o, he’d show you how to love on her and not get bit and then you got a popsicle. But most of all, he was a servant: a servant to anyone who needed a helping hand. He showered God’s love on anyone who needed it.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Waters-Powell Funeral Home. The family will greet visitors at the funeral home Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. That way he and Ellen can watch the Clemson game afterwards. The funeral service will take place at 2:00 pm, Sunday, October 12, 2025, at St. Paul Church, 1629 West Palmetto Street with burial at Mt Hope Cemetery following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St Paul Church.

09/27/2025

It is with great sadness that we share the obituary of Wallace C. Haynes, who was one of our own for over 25 years.

Wallace Carl Haynes

DARLINGTON – Wallace Carl Haynes, 91, died Thursday, September 25, 2025, after an illness.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 28, 2025, at Trinity Methodist Church in Darlington with visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Welsh Neck Baptist Church Cemetery in Society Hill, SC, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home of Florence.
Wallace was born in Hurt, Virginia, a son of the late Frank Douglas and Irene Hancock Haynes. He was a proud veteran of the United States Army, where he was stationed in Germany. He was retired from Burlington Industries.
Following his retirement, Wallace enjoyed his work as a funeral assistant at Waters-Powell Funeral Home for close to 25 years. He loved working with people and will be forever missed.
Wallace was an active member of Trinity Methodist Church in Darlington.
He was predeceased by his loving wife, Eleanor Irby Haynes; his son, Scott Haynes, and daughter-in-law, Kim Haynes; a sister, Carolyn Farmer; a brother, Garland Haynes; and sister-in-law, Nora Haynes.
Wallace was devoted to his family and is survived by his daughter, Cindy Haynes Green (Will) of Florence; his granddaughter, Irby Haynes DuBose (Adam) of Hartsville; and his great-grandchildren, who brought so much joy to his life, Wallace, Law and Haynes DuBose, all of Hartsville; two brothers, Bob Haynes and Richard Haynes, both of Hurt, VA; a sister, Martha Brown (Bud), also of Hurt, VA; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Trinity Methodist Church, 126 Pearl Street, Darlington, SC 29532.

09/18/2025

Obituary for Ryan L. Powell

Ryan Lockwood Powell, 85, of Columbia, SC, passed away peacefully on August 29, 2025. Born September 29, 1939, in Florence County, he was a son of the late Carl Taft Powell and Annie Poston Powell and grew up in Hannah. Ryan graduated from McClenaghan High School in 1958, and attended and played football at Wofford College.
He lived most of his adult life in Columbia, SC and spent his career working in various capacities for the state, from Educational Television to the State Board of Technical Education in Economic Development.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Anne Armfield Purvis Powell; his daughter, Kimberly Powell Fretz; his son, Ryan Bradley Powell; and three grandchildren, Ryon Walker Powell, Ella Louise Powell, and Andrew Myers Powell.
Graveside services will be held at Evergreen Baptist Church, Effingham, at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 19, 2025.

09/11/2025

Pray for America

09/11/2025

Obituary for Robert E. Crosswell

FLORENCE – Robert Edward Crosswell, age 74, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025. He was born in Anderson, South Carolina, a son of the late Dr. William Marion and Essie Virginia Blick Crosswell.
A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 12, 2025, at Highland Park Methodist Church in Florence. The family will greet friends following the service.
He was an engineer with CSX and SC Central Railroads until his retirement. He was a member of Highland Park Methodist Church.
Robert was a wonderful coach, teammate, friend and leader. He was an avid golfer and a loyal golfing buddy. He was fiercely loyal to his family; as a stellar dad and the ultimate friend, he mentored and guided his children with kindness, humor and love. He and Cindy met in 1969 in school and their love grew deeper and more committed through their 55 years of marriage.
Robert is survived by his wife Cindy, his three children (his pride and joy): Laurie Crosswell, Will Crosswell (Lindsay), and Jenna Wallace. He said the "feather in his cap" are his three precious grandchildren: Kash Wallace, Geneva Crosswell and Thaddeus Crosswell.

09/04/2025

Obituary for John Charles Anderson

FLORENCE – John Charles Anderson, age 36, died Monday, September 1, 2025, after a brief illness.
He was born in Burlington, North Carolina, and was the son of James Lloyd “Jim” Anderson and Elizabeth Chase “Diddy” Anderson. He was also the grandson of the late Bert Lloyd Anderson and Mavis Lawrence Anderson, and John Paul Busch and Mary Alice Ingram Busch.
John graduated from Bachman Academy and was valedictorian of his graduating class. He served as the manager of the P*e Dee Gun Club, where he was happiest with the dogs or on a tractor. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, country music, Cajun food and all things L.S.U.
John’s favorite time of year was Thanksgiving – he treasured the time with his “Turkey” cousins at the Feast and the s***t shoot. The family would like to extend special thanks to the Charles Ingram Lumber family and especially the men in the Forestry Department, who were so supportive of John’s efforts.
John had a kind spirit and he wanted to reach out to others. He will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 5, 2025, at St. John’s Church in Florence with a reception following in the church fellowship hall. Burial in Lawrence Memorial Cemetery, Effingham, will be private.
Memorials may be made to St. John’s Church, 252 S. Dargan St., Florence, SC 29506.

09/04/2025

Obituary for Kristi Leigh Anderson

FLORENCE – Kristi Leigh Anderson, 58, died Wednesday, September 3, 2025, after a brief illness.
Kristi was born in Florence, SC, a daughter of Mary Lee Griffin Anderson and the late John Monroe Anderson, Jr. She graduated from South Florence High School in 1985, where she was an outstanding athlete in softball, basketball and volleyball. While a student at Francis Marion University, she was a four-year All American in women’s softball from 1986 to 1989, and also served as a student assistant coach and graduated in 1990. She was inducted into the Francis Marion Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and also into the Florence Athletic Hall of Fame in 2010. She earned her Masters degree in Education Administration and Supervision from the University of South Carolina.
Kristi dedicated her life to education. She worked in schools in Florence District 3 as a teacher, coach, Athletic Director, Assistant Principal and Principal for 38 years. She was currently a vice-principal at J.C. Lynch Elementary School in Scranton.
She was a member of Greenwood Baptist Church. and was an avid fan of the USC Gamecocks.
In addition to her mother, Mary Lee Anderson, of Florence, she is survived by a brother, Brian D. Anderson (Heather) of Richmond, VA; a niece, Sarah Whitney Abernathy (Kameron) of Chattanooga, TN; a nephew, Douglas Anderson (Abby) of Dalton, GA; four aunts, Judy Boone of Myrtle Beach, SC, June Bremer of Baton Rouge, LA, Pawnee Kenimer, Diane Bramlett and Peggie Anderson, all of Florence; and numerous cousins in SC and LA.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Greenwood Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, at Waters-Powell Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Greenwood Baptist Church, 2401 Claussen Road, Florence, SC 29505; or to the Florence Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 4808, Florence, SC 29502.

08/21/2025

Obituary for Linda F. Barfield

FLORENCE – Linda Frazier Barfield, 77, died Wednesday, August 20, 2025, after an illness.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 23, 2025, in Waters-Powell Funeral Home Chapel with burial following in Mount Hope Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the funeral home.
She was born in Florence, SC, a daughter of the late Calvin Coolidge and Bessie Mae Christopher Frazier (White). She graduated from Southside High School in 1968.
Linda was a devoted wife and mother, and loving grandmother. She was also an avid reader.
She was a member of Indiantown Presbyterian Church.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Richard M. Barfield, of the home; a daughter, Geri Barfield Aun, and a son, Jefferson Calvin “Jeff” Barfield (Karen), both of Florence; two brothers, Calvin Wayne Frazier (Debbie) of Lexington, SC, and James Carl Frazier of Effingham, SC; three grandchildren, Anthony Aun, Alaina Barfield, and Grainger Barfield, all of Florence; and a number of extended family members.
Linda was predeceased by a brother, Christopher Allen Frazier.
The family would like to express gratitude for the compassionate care she received at Medford Nursing Center in Darlington and Honorage Nursing Center in Florence; and special appreciation to Dr. Vinay Jagadeesha and Dr. Hayley McCullough.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Florence Area Humane Society, P.O. Box 4808, Florence, SC 29502.

08/18/2025

Obituary for Reine S. Lantz

FLORENCE - Reine Sullivan Lantz was born to the late Edward James Sullivan and Carolyn Sullivan on March 30, 1952. She was the oldest of four daughters, the others being Mary, Patricia, and Jane. Ms. Lantz passed away on Saturday, August 16, 2025.
Ms. Lantz was the loving mother of three children, Brittany, Erin, and Rob.
Ms. Lantz was a staunch advocate for special needs children and worked for a private company she adored. She was widowed by her late husband of 20 years, James A. Lantz. She was a parishioner of St. Ann Catholic Church, where she taught Religious Education.
Ma, you will be dearly missed and prayed for every day. All that knew you and experienced your heart love you!
A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, August 28, 2025, at St. Ann Catholic Church, Ftr. JohnBosco Duraisamy, Celebrant. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to "Tunnel to Towers," or, The Knights of Columbus "Columbus H.O.P.E. Campaign" in her name.

08/12/2025

Obituary for David John Searcy

David John Searcy, 79, died on August 11, 2025 at McLeod Regional Medical Center after a brief illness.
David was born March 11, 1946, in Bennettsville, SC, to Mabry and LaHentz Searcy. He was a 1968 graduate of Wofford College, where he participated in the Army ROTC program. After graduation, he entered the United States Army as a commissioned officer and graduated with honors from the US Army Primary Helicopter School. From 1970 to 1971, he served in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot, earning the rank of Captain. When his military service ended, David returned to Bennettsville. In 1978 he formed Palmetto Packaging Corporation in Florence, relocating his family there in 1980.
David was married to his devoted wife, Mary Elizabeth (“Betty”) Jennings Searcy, for 55 years until her passing in 2024. “Day Day” loved spoiling his grandchildren and imparting humorous life lessons to them through his hand-drawn “Stickman” comics (eg, “Always drink upstream from the cattle”).
Surviving are his children: Stephen D. Searcy (Gail) of Columbia and Mary S. Falcone (Brian) of Florence; brother Donald Searcy of Chapmansboro, Tennessee, and sister Marcia Searcy Cleveland of Cedar Mountain, North Carolina; grandchildren: Caroline Edens Falcone, Patrick Noble Searcy, Elizabeth Jennings Searcy, Mary Grace Falcone, Jones Taylor Searcy and Anna Frances Falcone; and 15 nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church or the Florence Humane Society.
A memorial service will be held at Central United Methodist Church, on August 15, 2025 at 2:00. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the Commons Area. Burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery will be private.

08/08/2025

Obituary for Maxie K. McMillan, III

Maxie Keith McMillan, III, 59, died Thursday, August 7, 2025, after an extended illness.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Sunday, August 10, 2025, at Elim Baptist Church with visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery, directed by Waters-Powell Funeral Home.
Maxie was born in Florence, SC, a son of Thomas L. and Gail McCall McMillan. He was the owner and operator of McMillan Pest Control for more than 26 years.
He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting and fishing. He was also a charter boat captain. He was a member of Elim Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Mary Lancaster McMillan; daughter, Lauren Haley McMillan; granddaughter, Addisyn Page McMillan; sister, Tammy McMillan Price (Brett), all of Effingham; brother-in-law, Mark Lancaster (Tiffany); and sister-in-law, Martha Van Houten (Matthew), both of Florence; and a number of nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family members.
The family would like to express sincere thanks to the physicians and staff at McLeod Cancer Center and to all other physicians and caregivers that participated in Maxie’s journey for their exceptional care and compassion.

05/11/2025

Obituary for James H. Summersett

James H. Summersett, 90, of Florence, passed away surrounded by his family on May 10, 2025.
Mr. Summersett was born a son of the late Lula Williamson Summersett and James Summersett in Whiteville, North Carolina. He was one of the last railway postal clerks until the service was discontinued in 1967. He was then assigned to the Florence Post Office, where he eventually became the superintendent of postal operations/mail processing until retirement. He then started S&S Pest Control. He was a member of John Calvin Presbyterian Church.
He was extremely proud of his two children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He loved and led his family with unwavering dedication, incredible generosity, quick wit, discerning wisdom, and steadiness, which provided a firm foundation for them to lean on.
Mr. Summersett is survived by his daughter, Gail Outlaw (Jimmy) of Lexington, SC, and his son, Jimmy Summersett (Carla) of Florence; granddaughters, Meagan Hostetler (Chris) of Johns Island, SC, Caroline Tate (Tommy) of Anderson, SC, and Carson Kleinknecht (Barrett) of Florence and his #1 grandson, Hunter (Katie) of Greenville, SC. He is also survived by the second generation to call him Pop-Pop; great-granddaughters, Emerson and Riley Hostetler, Ellie Tate, McCall and Oakley Kleinknecht, and Ada Summersett, and his four great-grandsons, Boone, Noah, and Dallas Tate, and Monty Summersett, and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased in death by his loving wife of 67 ¾ years, Margaret, and brother, Leo Summersett, of Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Waters Powell Funeral Home, Florence. The visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 2000 Marsh Avenue, Florence, SC 29505.

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