Pee Dee Homegoing Services This Week...

*Obituary for Julie Bell Shird*

Julie Bell Shird was born on May 15, 1936 in Florence, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late Corine Shird and the late Joseph (Jack) Fleming. On Saturday October 23, 2021, she departed this life at King Manor Nursing Home in New Jersey.

Julie attended the Public Schools in Florence County. She worked on the farm in her early life, and later relocated to Paterson, New Jersey where she worked as a live in House Keeper. She also was employed at Toy Factory, until her health declined.

To know Julie was to love her. She was one of the most genuine persons you would ever want to meet. She had a heart of gold and loved everyone and would give you the shirt off of her back. She always had a smile on her face.

At an early age, Julie joined Aimwell Missionary Baptist Church in Pamplico, South Carolina. After relocating to Paterson, New Jersey she became a member of United Presbyterian Church.

In addition to her parents, Julie was preceded in death by her parents, Corine Shird and Joseph “Jack” Fleming; her two sons, Ray Allen Shird, and Frankie Shird; five brothers, Charlie Shird, Sonny Shird, Moses L. Fleming, Joe Fleming, and Vincent C. Fleming; and seven sisters, Mary Lee Shird, Alma Lee Fleming, Wilma Mae Stuckey, Letha Fleming, Lealer Anderson, Ella Mae Fleming, and Betty Fleming.

She leaves to cherish many precious memories: a loving daughter, Jean (John) Shird of Neptune, New Jersey; a son, Samuel (Sandra) Shird of Wilmington, Delaware; three grandchildren, Jalal Ali, Jalen Willis, and Joli Willis; one great grandson, Jalal Ali, Jr.; one sister, Dorothy Belin; five special nieces, Diana Merrill, Barbara Merrill, Jeanette Shird, Felicia (Alonza) Jones, and Donna Shird; two special nephews, Tommy Shird and Gary Merrill; a special cousin, Mazie Parker; and a host of nieces, nephews, other loving family members, and friends.

Please keep the family of Julie Bell Shird in your thoughts and prayers.

*Obituary for Ashia Jackson*

Ashia was born in Florence, SC on September 5, 1986, to Kenneth Jackson and Leila Mae Rhodes. She departed this earthly life into eternal peace on October 26, 2021.

She attended West Florence High School. Anyone that knew her knew she was a kind-hearted person.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Alonzo Rhodes and Mary Rhodes.

Left to cherish her memories is a son, Jakiyza Franks; two daughters, Takhiya Jackson, Gessiah Bostick; two brothers, Tray Lawson, Steadman Brown all of Florence, SC; two sisters; two best friends Meka Burgess, Maria Stukes; Special cousins, Kesha Thomas of Columbia, SC, Taka Rhodes of Charlotte, NC; and a host of family and friends.

To My Loving Family

Miss Me- But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road

And the sun has set me free

I want no rites in a gloom-filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little but not too long.

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared.

Miss Me But Let Me Go.

For this is a journey that we all must take.

And each must go alone.

It's all part of the Master’s Plan.

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart

Go to the friend we know

And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds.

Miss Me But Let Me Go.

Arrangements are entrusted to Ideal Funeral Parlor, Inc

Memorials and Condolences may be mailed to Ideal Funeral Parlor, 106 E. Darlington Street, Florence, SC 29506 or you may visit www.idealfuneral.com to leave a message for the family.

*Obituary for Rebecca Bacote*

Mrs. Rebecca Salter Bacote was born on February 2, 1927 in Darlington, South Carolina to the late Robert Slater and the late Hattie Muldrow Slater. She departed this earthly life to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, October 25, 2021.

Mrs. Slater received her formal education in Darlington County.

She was joined in holy matrimony to the late Ben Bacote, Sr.

Mrs. Slater was employed with Darlington County School District at Butler High School and North Hartsville Elementary School as a Cook, where she loved to take care of the children.

She a faithful member of New Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church served in many capacities of the Church, such as: on the Senior Choir, Gospel Choir, and on the Homebound Committee.

In her leisure time, Mrs. Slater loved to work in her garden, cook for her family, hang with her Golden Girls, and relax as she watch television.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben Bacote, Sr.; three children, Adelle Calderon, Cora Belle, and Willie Bacote; and nine siblings, Helen, Evelyn, Ethel, Rose, Martha, Harvey, Murray, Henry, and Tommy.

Those left to cherish her precious memories are: four daughters, Shirley Bacote of Baltimore Maryland, Mary (Alvin) Townsand of Trenton, New Jersey, Barbara Maxwell of Society Hill, South Carolina, and Teresa Bacote of Hartsville, South Carolina; three sons, Ben, Jr. (Velma) Bacote of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Dennis (Carletta) Bacote of Portland, Oregon, and Donald (Carla) Bacote of Indian Head, Maryland; and adopted son and daughter-in-law, John (Lucille) Graham of Society Hill, South Carolina; and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other close relatives, and friends.

The family will receive friends at 3329 E. Old Camden Rd., Hartsville, SC.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, mask are required.

*Obituary for Henry E. Simons*

Henry E. Simons was born on January 1, 1947, in Eastover, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Charlie and Genell Simons. He entered into eternal rest Wednesday, October 27, 2021. Henry was educated in the public schools of Richland County and graduated from Webber High School. He was a devoted husband and father. He served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Leaving the military, he worked as a carpenter for over 40 years. Henry was a quiet but strong man who always desired to help those in need. He was a provider, protector and hard worker. Throughout the years he taught many the trade of installing carpet which assisted them with providing for their families. His legacy will live on through all those he taught, touched and loved.
Henry was loved and will be greatly missed by everyone who came in contact with him.

He was predeceased by his wife, Deborah McKenzie Simons; his parents, Charlie and Genell Simons; three sisters, Ivry L. Simons, Bernell Singletary, JoAnn (Raymond) Weston; one brother, LeMack Simons, and sister-in-law, Barbara M. Simons

He leaves to cherish his loving memories, sons, Henry (Kim) Simons and Troy (Shambra) Simons; grand-children, Jordan and Jaylah Simons; brothers, Muldrew Simons, John (Barbara) Simons, Hosea (Henrietta) Simons, James Simons, Robert (Lucretia) Simons, all of Eastover, SC; sisters, Thelma Kelly, Holly (Charles) Brown, Linda Simons, all of Eastover S.C.; special friend Belva “Elaine” Huggins and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

*Obituary for Furman Walker*

Mr. Furman Walker, son of the late Deacon Louis and Naomi Lewis Walker was born in St. Matthews, SC.

He attended the public schools of Orangeburg, SC. He graduated from Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School. He held several associate degrees in Air Conditioning Refrigeration and Heating for commercial and residential properties. He worked for Westinghouse while in N.J.

After moving back to SC in 1978, Furman worked for W.B. Guimarin for 22 years. After retiring in 2004, Furman started his own business in refrigeration & heating. He also taught classes in this trade.

He joined Second Mt. Beulah Baptist Church at an early age, where he served on the usher board and where he paid his dues and tithes faithfully.

Furman was preceded in death by his sisters, Marion D. Jones and Corrie M. Heatley and his brothers, Horis Walker and James Lewis Walker.

Furman leaves behind his loving wife of 56 Years, Julia Ann Foster Walker of Columbia, SC. He also leaves behind five children, Jackie (Micah) Dozier of Columbia, SC; Darlette Walker of Swansea, SC; Russell Walker of San Fransico, CA, Darry Walker of Hanover, MD and Nichell Walker of Conyers, GA; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and a host of family & friends.

Furman was also a foster parent along with his wife Julia Ann Foster Walker of forty-nine children from the Department of Social Services in New Jersey.

*Obituary for Geneva McFadden*

Ms. Geneva McFadden was born on December 25, 1940, to the late Henry and Maude Rosa McFadden. She departed this earthly life on October 23, 2021.

Geneva was a member of Emwell Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her only child Willie Edward McFadden; a special friend Russell “Bum” Jackson; two sisters Maggie Rich and Isabel Salter; three brothers, James, Willie and John Edward McFadden.

She leaves to cherish her memories: two loving devoted sisters, Margaret Johnson of Paterson, New Jersey and Leola McFadden of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; two special nieces, Casey McFadden and Arlena Johnson Daniels; a special nephew whom she treated like a son, Jimmy Johnson; a host of other nieces and nephews.