Obituaries

Luther M. Rabon, 69, of Marion passed away on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Mr. Rabon was born in Conway, a son of the late Donnie A. and Estelle G. Rabon. He was a member of Marion Baptist Church and the Oak Tree Sunday School Class. Mr. Rabon was Past Distinguished Governor of Civitan International for the state of South Carolina, Past South Carolina Jurisdictional President of WoodmenLife and worked with the Horry County School District, Mullins School District 2 and retired from Florence School District 1 as assistant superintendent of finance. He was predeceased by one brother, Gordon Rabon, and …

Avery Leroy “Lee” Howard, 81, of Graham, N.C., formerly of Hillsborough, N.C., died peacefully at his home on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019. Mr. Howard was a native of Cleveland County and retired from Blythe Construction as a highway superintendent. He was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Jessie Howard. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Howard; daughters, Vone McDaniel and Phillis and Jerry Craig, all of Concord, N.C.; stepsons, Christopher and Alanna Smith from Graham, N.C., and Tom Smith from Raleigh, N.C.; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A visitation will be held at Walker’s Funeral Home and …

Cornelia Ussery Blackwell, 96, of Albemarle, N.C., passed away on Monday, Jan. 28, 2019, in CHS-Stanly. Born on Aug. 25, 1922, in Richmond County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late William Thomas Ussery and Cornia Smith Ussery and was a retired employee of the American Efird Mill Company. She attended Immanuel Baptist Church. Mrs. Blackwell enjoyed her flower garden and enjoyed walking on the beach but her favorite thing to do was spend time with her family, especially her grandchildren. Mrs. Blackwell was preceded in death by her husband, J. D. Blackwell; son, John Daniel Blackwell; and grandson, …

Major John Robert Shea, USMC (Ret.) 99 and one-half years old, has gone to join his Lord and his wife, Lorena Smith Shea, of 54 years. “The Major,” as he was respectfully known by all who knew him, passed on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019. He spent his last days being comforted by a caring staff at Embrace Hospice House in Myrtle Beach. “The Major” was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on June 16, 1919, to James A. Shea and Marie Agusta Masalsky. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, William, USAF; James and Francis, Army; and Joseph, Navy; …

Michael Floyd Campbell, 66, of North Myrtle Beach passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2019. He was a lifelong resident of Horry County. He was born in Loris on Aug. 4, 1952, to the late Donald Ray Campbell and Pauline Floyd Campbell. He was a graduate of Loris High School. He worked in the food service industry all of his life, most recently as the assistant deli manager of Boulineau’s in Cherry Grove. He worked there for many years until his retirement a few years ago. He was lovingly referred to as the “king of all breakfast cooks” by his …

Grace Bowers Spainhour, 87, of North Myrtle Beach died on Friday, Jan. 25, 2019, at home with her daughter at her side. Born on July 29, 1931, in Thomasville, N.C., she was the daughter of the late George D. and Alice Bowers Miller. She was a charter member of King of Glory Lutheran Church, a member of the CSRA Board of Realtors and a charter member of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Spainhour is survived by her daughter, Donna Spainhour Shealy; grandchildren, Erin Shealy Coleman and grandson-in-law, Ryan Coleman; the Rev. Trey Shealy and granddaughter-in-law, Allie Shealy; …

Shirley Strickland Rhodes, 74, of Loris passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2019. Mrs. Rhodes was born in Horry County, a daughter of the late J. D. and Mertie H. Strickland. She was a loving and devoted mother and Nana. She was a member of Liberty Baptist Church and loved roses and enjoyed nature. Mrs. Rhodes was predeceased by her husband, George W. “Bill” Rhodes; one brother, John D. “Jay” Strickland; and one sister, Hazel Strickland Duncan. Survivors include two sons, Wendell Wayne Rhodes and John W. Rhodes (Gail), all of Loris; one daughter, Nicole Renee Rhodes of Loris; six …

Barbara Ann Godfrey Nixon, 74, of Loris passed away on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at McLeod Loris Hospital in Loris following an illness. Mrs. Nixon was born on July 30, 1944, in Maxton, N.C., to the late Allen Godfrey and the late Gailya Barton Godfrey. She was a homemaker and a longtime member of New Home Baptist Church. Survivors include her two sons, Michael Nixon and wife Tami of Loris and Mark Nixon of Charlotte, N.C.; three grandchildren, Joshua William Nixon, Matthew Nixon and Michael Altman; two granddaughters-in-law, Jenna Nixon and Patty Vannoy; three great-grandchildren, Noah Nixon, Mikala Altman and …

Shirley Mae Stevens Causey, 76, of Loris passed away on Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at her home following an illness. Mrs. Causey was born on July 7, 1942, in Loris to the late Luther Evan Stevens and the late Sallie Edna Ward Stevens. Mrs. Causey retired from Horry Electric Cooperative and was a member of Bethany Baptist Church for over fifty years. Shirley is survived by her husband of over 60 years, D. Earl Causey of the home; her two sons, Dennis Causey and wife Wendy Carter Causey and Kenneth Causey and wife Krystal Ward Causey, all of Loris; four …

Henry Lawrence Jones, 67, passed away Saturday, Jan. 19, 2019, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Born on Feb. 27, 1951, in Laurens, he was a son of the late Henry Lawrence Kennedy Jr. and Mary Elizabeth Milam. He was predeceased by his step-father, Robert Fleming Jones Jr., his brother, Maxcy Jones and sister, Elizabeth Jones Earles. Although Lawrence was born in Laurens, he has been a native to Myrtle Beach since his early childhood and was proud to call Myrtle Beach his hometown. His love for sports was known throughout the entire community. He loved to play …