Obituaries

Darin A. Uptagrafft, 58, of Little River passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020. Born in Sumter to Doyle C. and Thelma Clayton Uptagrafft, Darin enjoyed spending his time fishing and watching NASCAR.  He worked as the assistant produce manager at Kroger Grocery for 25 years. Darin is survived by his life partner of 18 years, Theresa Elliott; wife, Annette Coker Uptagrafft; son, Eric M. Uptagrafft; daughters, Ashley M. Uptagrafft, Katie Elliott and Julie Wyatt; his brothers, Greg Uptagrafft, Keven Uptagrafft and John Marcotte; sisters Dena Marcotte and Donna Uptagrafft; and his four grandchildren, Gracie M. Uptagrafft, Darin E. Rutter, …

Brenda “Sissie” Butner Clark, 79, of North Myrtle Beach passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2020, surrounded by her loving family. Born on Dec. 12, 1940, in Rowan County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Louise Bowling Butner. She was awarded the Wall Street Journal Business Student of the Year at Cal State in Fullerton, where she graduated. Mrs. Clark is survived by her husband of 57 years, James E. “Ed” Clark; nephews, Dennis C. Lloyd and H. Wayne Lloyd; nieces, Beverly Lloyd, Katie Kaiser and Sarah K. Brogden; great-nephews, Jacob Lloyd and …

Richard Lee Howell, 84, of Longs passed away quietly at home on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, with his wife Jill, at his side. Born in Meridian, Miss., he led a wonderful, full life and was a true Southern gentleman, the second son of L.M. and Minnie Brooks Howell. He was predeceased by his brother Lew. Dick lived a full life, tried everything he wanted to and never found any sport he didn’t excel in while playing.  He loved tennis (famous for his “bullet” serve), water skiing, downhill and cross-country skiing, scuba diving, and of course, golf.  He loved golfing and …

Jeptha Joseph “Jeppy” McDowell of North Myrtle Beach died on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020, at Seacoast Medical Center in Little River COVID-19 coronavirus.  He was 76 years old. A native of Burlington, N.C., he was the son of the late Charles Lamar and Golda Perry McDowell.  He is survived by his brothers, Perry McDowell of Germany and Tim McDowell of Burlington, N.C. and several nieces and nephews. Jeppy graduated from Walter Williams High School and soon moved to his beloved North Myrtle Beach, where he was an active member of the shag dance community.  He taught shagging for 40 years …

Marcus Young of Longs was born on Nov. 2, 1940, in Warren County, Kentucky.  He went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 19, 2020, while resting at home.  He was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in August.  He was an amazing, kind, thankful, loving and spiritual man and continued to be until his last breath.  He graduated from Valley High School in 1958 and served in the United States Air Force from 1958-1962.  He graduated from Draughon’s Business College, where he met Judy, in 1963.  He worked for C. Lee Cook from 1963-2005, where he retired as …

Monique Hensley, 82, of North Myrtle Beach died on Oct. 15, 2020 at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach. Born on May 31, 1938, in France, she was the daughter of the late Marcel and Simone Galopin Mollier. Mrs. Hensley is survived by her daughter, Catherine A. Hensley, and grandson, Derek Hensley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Our Lady Star of the Sea Catholic Church, 1100 8th Ave. N., North Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29582. A guest book is available at www.leefhandcrematory.com. Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the …

Vista Lanett Kinard-Hovde, 56, of Conway  passed away on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020, at her home following a sudden illness. Mrs. Kinard-Hovde was born on Sept. 26, 1964, in Charleston to Vista Wyvonia Mishoe Kinard and the late Edward Charles Kinard Sr. She worked in retail sales with Food Lion until her retirement and was a longtime member of Cherry Hill Baptist Church where she played the piano for many years. Lanette will be most remembered as a kind and loving wife and daughter who had a special place in her heart for her dogs and cats that she loved …

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elena M. Benitez. A loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother and confidant, Elena Benitez, aka Abuela, Nona, Mama, Mamita, Grams, Grammy and GG, passed away peacefully on Sept.  28, 2020. She was born in Argentina on Dec. 17, 1930, to Jose Mariani and Maria (Sarto) Mariani. In 1966 the Benitez family immigrated to the United States where they settled in Maryland. Elena and Luis retired from their government jobs in 1989 and relocated to North Myrtle Beach. Elena was predeceased by her husband, Luis Benitez, in 2013, her …

Fred P. Hamilton, 69, of Little River passed away unexpectedly on Friday, Oct. 2, 2020, following a brief illness. Born in Lexington to the Rev. Kenneth Littlejohn Hamilton and Sara Davis Hamilton, Fred spent the majority of his life in North Myrtle Beach. A much loved individual in the community, he was a life-long member of Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church in North Myrtle Beach. He was a graduate of Wampee-Little River High School and of the University of South Carolina with degrees in political science and accounting. In keeping with his kind hearted and charitable nature, Fred was a longtime …

John Wayne Pressley, Sr., 71, of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, Sept. 23 2020. Born in Charlotte, N.C., on Oct. 15 1948, John was a son of the late Clyde Shannon and Elva Watterson Pressley. In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas Shannon Pressley. John and his wife Karen moved to the Myrtle Beach area in 1983 and later moved to Ocean Isle Beach, NC. He worked in the construction aggregate industry. He was a member of the Seaside Masonic Lodge # 419 A,F.M., Myrtle Beach, SC. John was an …