North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years

The Loris City Council met on Monday, Jan. 14, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room at the McLeod Loris Seacoast Center for Health and Fitness Center. The delay of January’s council meeting was due to conflicting schedules at the fitness center. Todd Harrelson, council member and mayor-pro tem, called the meeting to order asking T. Hardee to provide the invocation, and the pledge of allegiance was recited by all. The council members present were Joan Gause, Lewis Hardee, Terrence Hardee, Mike Suggs and Jan Vescovi. Department heads present were Damon Kempski, Brandon Harrelson, Chief Gary Buley, Thomas Cocke and …

Cary Lee Thompson II, 37, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 3, 2019. Cary was born in Myrtle Beach on May 6, 1981. Cary was a father, son and friend. It is impossible to capture a person in an obituary, and especially someone whose life was largely defined by alcohol. He was hilarious and unusually sharp witted, warm, fearless, authentic and ingenious and lived life to the beat of his own drum. Like alcohol, he didn’t discriminate. He saw people at face value and was known for his big “Care Bear” heart, lifting up those often suffering a battle darker than …

Lawrence “Larry” Cornelious Long Jr., of Little River, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2019, due to an extended illness. Larry was born on Sept. 22, 1939, to Lawrence C. Long and Sarah Henry Long of Little River. He was a native of Little River and the first of nine children. He is survived by his wife and best friend of 53 years, Joyce Long, and their beloved children: Amy, her husband Jimmy Vlahos and their four children, Nickolas, Alexi, Mikhail and Christianna; Lawrence, better known as Jamie, and his wife Victoria …

William M. Wingate Sr., 75, of Little River died on Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at his home. Born on Nov. 17, 1943, in Tulsa, Okla., he was the son of the late Robert Wingate Sr. and Virginia O’Byrne Wingate. Mr. Wingate served his country proudly in the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Sandra L. Anderson Wingate; two sons, William M. Wingate Jr. and Gary L. Wingate (Andreau); brother, James M. Wingate; sister, Janice M. Watkins; and two granddaughters, Emily Wingate and Madison Wingate. Services were private with the family. In lieu of …

Scurry Hazel, 78, of North Myrtle Beach passed away peacefully at his residence on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019.bScurry was born in Greenwood, a son of the late Arno and Sara Matthews Hazel. He was a member of the O.D. Church of the Lost and Found, the O.D. Shag Club and O.D. Social. He was inducted into the Living Legends in 2011 and also the “Boys In The Band” in 2014. Surviving are his wife, Shirley Baggett Hazel; sisters, Carolyn Padgett and husband Bernard Padgett and Judy Rodes, all of North Myrtle Beach; niece, Karen Moore of Columbia and nephew Mark …

Michael F. Thomas, 58, passed away at home, in the Cane Branch community of Loris, following an illness. He was born on March 20, 1960, in Darlington to Bobbie Suggs Stevens and the late Franklin Thomas. He served his country with courage and honor in the U.S. Navy after which he worked as a carpenter. Mr. Thomas was a member of Cane Branch Baptist Church. In addition to his mother, survivors include his sister, Robin Causey and husband William of Loris; niece, Kristie Causey and her children, Jaylah and Avery of Spruce Pine, N.C.; and nephew, Jason Causey and wife …

Annie Ruth Sapp, 71, of Panama City, Fla., went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. She passed away peacefully at home after an illness. Ms. Sapp was born on August 13, 1947 in Horry County, to the late Tommie R. Ward and the late Clara Hawks Ward Guyton. Survivors include her three sisters, Doris Marilyn Ward Hayes of Louisiana, Janice Ward Anderson of Panama City, and Sarah Ward Smith and husband Paul of Little River, along with lots of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Ms. Sapp was predeceased by her husband, Joseph …

Nancy L. Lutrus, 71, of Little River passed away on Friday, Jan. 4, 2019. Mrs. Lutrus was the loving wife of Darrell F. Lutrus for 45 years. Mrs. Lutrus was born on Aug. 25, 1947, in Bethel, Conn., a daughter of the late Fredrick and Gunhild Timms. She loved spending time with friends and family and listening to live music played by her husband and friends in local bands. She was an enthusiast of mystery novels and puzzles and volunteered at the ASPCA. Mrs. Lutrus is survived by her husband, Darrell F. Lutrus, and her children, Rachel Masterson and her …

Robert Scott Covington Jr. of Little River passed peacefully on Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, at McLeod Seacoast Hospital in Little River. Scott was born on Aug. 1, 1934, in Evergreen, N.C., the son of Robert Scott Covington Sr. and Grace Burns Covington (Jolley). He was predeceased by his beloved wife of 43 years, Carolyn Webb Covington. Scott leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Joy Covington O’Nale (Bryan) and Sherrie Hauer (Joe); grandchildren, Ashley O’Nale and Travis Hauer (Alex); his brother, Harold G. Covington (Julia); sisters, Sylvia Scott (Alan), Faye Myers (Larry) and Carol Ellington (David); and sister-in-law, Helen Merritt …

Mrs. Hattie Lee Vereen Stanley, 76, of Little River passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2018. “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness which the Lord, shall give me on that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also, that love His appearing.” II Timothy 4:7-8. Mrs. Hattie Lee Vereen Stanley, the daughter of the late Oneita Stanley Wilson and Douglas Wilson Sr., was born in North Myrtle Beach on Feb. 27, 1942. Hattie Lee was raised …