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

Clara L. Slusarick, 101, died on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at Summit Place of North Myrtle Beach in Little River. Born on Aug. 9, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Louise Swinsky Stoker.Clara is survived by her sons, John Slusarick (Robbi); Vincent Slusarick (Mary); a daughter, Patricia DeCarlo (Charles); and a sister, Genovieve Backus. She has seven grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by a son, David Slusarick (Amy).Services were held at 11 a.m. at Lee Funeral Home and Crematory on Tuesday, July 21. Burial will be at the Holy Rosary …

John Stephens left this earth on Wednesday, July 1, 2020, in North Myrtle Beach. He was born in Lumberton, N.C., living also in Fayetteville, N.C. for many years before settling in the Ocean Drive section of North Myrtle Beach in the early 90’s. He was part of the wave of original shag dancers at Ocean Drive’s popular dance spots. He was inducted into the Fayetteville Area Hall of Fame and the OD (Ocean Drive) Living Legends for shag dancing. Many will fondly recall seeing Barbara and John at every shag club gathering for many decades. They attended SOS, Society of …

Harry Pavilack, 79, of Myrtle Beach died on Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at his home. Born Sept. 14, 1940, in Pittsburgh, Pa., he was the son of the late Louis and Bertha Baker Pavilack. Harry was a member of the Chabad in Myrtle Beach with Rabbi Doron.He is survived by his wife, Mary Jane, and two daughters, Carolyn Cibelli of New York and Deborah Hidy of Darien, Conn., both college graduates; six grandchildren; Uncle Paul Pavilack and Aunt Shirley Pavilack Knecht. He is also survived by nephew Robert Mullins, niece Tunde Halmai Mullins and their two sons, nephew Jacob Mullins …

James Curtis Bellamy Sr. of Little River, son of Alvin and Addie Bellamy, was born on Dec. 29, 1962, in Horry County.James was known to many as “Curt”. He accepted Christ at an early age and joined Macedonia AME Church. Curt was a loving father, son, grandfather, brother, uncle and a friend.Curt was a graduate of the Class of 1981 of North Myrtle Beach High School.He leaves to cherish his loving memories, one son, James Curtis Bellamy Jr., (QuWaynie) of Dallas, Texas; one daughter, Whitney (Chris) Hodge of Manning, S.C., two grandchildren, Rylee Cox and Connor Bellamy; three sisters, Vickie …

Joseph Dewayne Hewitt, 53, of Loris passed away on Friday, July 17, 2020, at McLeod Loris Hospital in Loris. He was born on Jan. 10, 1967, in Osteen, Fla., to Daniel Joseph Hewitt and Hazel Pearl Cribb Hewitt. He worked with Snappy Car Rentals and took wonderful care of his parents.Survivors, including his parents, are his aunt, Lenelle Black of Loris.Mr. Hewitt was predeceased by his brother, Michael Steven Hewitt.Sign his online guest book at hardwickfuneralhome.com. Hardwick Funeral Home served the family.

Melanie Jones Kirchner, 48, of Loris passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2020, at McLeod Loris Hospital in Loris. She was born on June 28, 1972, in Oyster Bay, Long Island, N.Y., to the late David Jones and the late Hilda Turner Jones.Survivors include her boyfriend, Wayne Tyler of Loris; two sisters, Sherry Dee and husband Michael of New Fairfield, Conn., and Valerie Chivinski of Torrington, Conn.; step-mother, Georgianna Jones; and step-sister, Krissy Louderback of Port St. Lucie, Fla.Sign her online guest book at hardwickfuneralhome.com. Hardwick Funeral Home served the family.

Alice Cox Harrelson, 84, widow of Roy Bell Harrelson Jr., passed away on Friday, July 17, 2020, at a local hospital.Born on March 4, 1936, in Georgetown to Mary Alice (Reardon) and Truman Neal Cox, Alice was raised on Arcadia Plantation in Georgetown where her father was the horticulturist and property superintendent. She loved taking long walks in the picturesque gardens and helping with the tours every spring. She took pride in the camellias that her father variegated that won many awards within the South Carolina Camellia Society. In 1968, her father registered a beautiful deep red camellia in her …

By Ruben Lowman Coast RTA has partnered with North Myrtle Beach to bring a new public bus route into the city, one of the few remaining municipalities in Horry County without public transportation. The new route is expected to start October 1 and will connect North Myrtle Beach to Myrtle Beach by way of International Drive in the Carolina Forest area, according to Coast RTA spokesperson Lauren Morris. “We have not finalized the exact route, but the route will originate at the Ivory Wilson Transit Center, next to Myrtle Beach City Hall,” said Coast RTA’s CEO and GM Brian Piascik. …

By Ruben Lowman Horry County officials have announced major alterations to the county’s hurricane emergency management plans and protocol that have already been heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Horry County Council discussed hurricane planning, mitigation and recovery logistics during a council meeting last Tuesday, July 14, amidst an increasing level of nervousness among county officials about the potential mix of COVID-19 and major storms as the hurricane season moves into its most active months. August, September and October have the highest frequencies of tropical storms and hurricanes along the east coast every year. Randy Webster, the county’s assistant administrator …

By Annie Rigby Loris Fire Department (LFD) Chief Jerry Hardee addressed the city council on Monday, July 20, in a special council meeting of the department’s need for the a new fire apparatus light rescue truck. Hardee said the vehicle that is used to respond to a fire call is 24 years old. He said, “If you have 20 years with a fire apparatus you’ve done good.” He continued, “We need something more dependable and reliable to respond to a call.” Questions were raised regarding the bidding process versus state approved agencies to purchase the light rescue truck. Hardee explained …