HAMPTON, S.C. - Mr. Lewis Benjamin Sam Gooding, of Pocataligo Road, Hampton, went home to be with his Lord Friday, December 21, 2012 at his residence. Funeral services will be held 3 pm, Sunday, December 23, 2012 at Sandy Run Baptist Church.

AUGUSTAFuneral set today for wreck victim Services will be today for an Augusta man killed in a one-car wreck in south Augusta late Monday night. Dietrich W. "Dee" Oellerich III, 20, died after being ejected from his truck when it hit a tree in the 2900 block of Mims Road, said Richmond County Sheriff's Department Capt. P.A. Williams.

BRUNSON, S.C. - Chief Instructor Edgardo Rodriguez, Unites States Army Ranger Airborne (Ret), affectionately known by many as "Ed", age 59, of 300 Railroad Avenue, Brunson, entered into eternal rest Saturday, December 19, 2009 at his residence, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Funeral services will be held 2 pm, Tuesday, December 22, 2009 at the Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home, Varnville-Hampton Chapel. Interment with full military honors will follow in Hampton Cemetery. Mr. Rodriguez was born May 9, 1950 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico and was a son of Lydia Velez Rodriguez and the late Gregory Rodriguez. He served his country faithfully in the Unites States Army Special Forces, having served in Vietnam, Granada, Panama and the Old Guard. During his enlistment he was a Purple Heart and Bronze Star recipient; and received numerous other medal and commendations. At the time of his retirement, he was a Drill Instructor and had achieved the distinguished rank of Chief Instructor Basic Rifle Marksmanship. He attended Brunson Baptist Church. Ed was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing and especially golfing. He was also a member of the APA (American Pool Players Association). He will be remembered as someone who was very generous and enjoyed life to the fullest; but more importantly as someone who loved his family dearly. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Ed also enjoyed translating for the courts and doctor's offices whenever they needed him. He also taught the English language to anyone wanting to learn. Surviving are: his wife, Patricia Ann Sheffield Rodriguez of Brunson; mother, Lydia Velez Rodriguez of Brunson; children, Donna Mixon and her husband Chip of Varnville, Derryl Godbee of Varnville, Nick Rodriguez of Columbia, Crystal Rivers and her husband Kevin of Brunson, Ily Benick and her husband Brad of Columbia, Joshua Rodriguez of Pensacola, FL and Jonothan Rodriguez of Frederick, Maryland; grandchildren, Casey and Dylan Mixon of Varnville, Ansleigh Godbee of Varnville, and John and Wiley Rivers of Brunson; and sister, Carmen A. Davilla of Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Although words are not enough, the family would like to express their sincerest thanks to Agape Hospice, his caregivers- Mary, Haley, Deloris, Don and Dr. Vega; members of Brunson Baptist Church, their friends and the community for the love and support they have given them during this time. For those that wish, memorial messages and thoughts may be sent to the family at: www.briceherndonfuneralhome.com . Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to: Agape Hospice, 433 First Avenue, Ridgeland, SC 29936. Visitation will be held Monday evening from 6 until 8 pm at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Home, Varnville-Hampton Chapel, 1074 Yemassee Highway, Varnville. 803.943.5016. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

GALIVANTS FERRY, S.C. - Mr. Dargon M. Smith, Jr., affectionately known by all as "Buck", age 69, of Sand Field Court in Galivants Ferry, South Carolina, entered into his eternal rest Saturday evening, September 12, 2009, at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston following a long and courageously fought battle. Funeral services will be conducted 11 o'clock Tuesday morning, September 15, 2009, from The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro with The Reverend Jerome Hodge and The Reverend Marty Cox officiating. Interment will follow in Little Swamp United Methodist Church Cemetery, Smoaks. Mr. Smith was born July 11, 1940, in Walterboro and was a son of the late Dargon M. Smith, Sr. and the late Mattie Taylor Smith. He was a retired Iron Worker from the Savannah River Site at Aiken where he devoted many years of hard labor and service. He was a true Christian and servant of God. He was a member of Mount Trolley Freewill Baptist Church in Galivants Ferry and his true legacy of serving and his love for the Lord will always be fondly recalled. Surviving are: his beloved wife of forty-nine years, Mrs. Sue Frasier Smith; seven children, Eddie Smith of Aynor, Dargon Smith and his wife Wendy of Aynor, Matthew Smith and his wife Lillie of Waynesville, Missouri, Wayne James of Summerville, Rose Ann Webster and her husband Daniel of Walterboro, Patricia James of Aynor and David Smith of Walterboro; and three sisters, Patricia Smoak of Smoaks, Betty Fischer of Parotsville, Tennessee, and Keith Black of Smoaks. There are fourteen grandchildren and three great grandchildren that also survive. Memorial messages and thoughts may be left for the family as a condolence by visiting: www.brice herndonfuneralhome.com. Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 this Monday evening at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Homes, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538. 5408. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

BENNETTS POINT, S.C. - Mrs. Kimberly Anne Lowery Elam, 30, of 16 Baldwin Lane, Green Pond, SC 29446, died Monday afternoon, December 3, 2007, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Colleton County. Funeral services were held on Friday morning, December 7, 2007 at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. Interment in Peniel United Methodist Church Cemetery., Walterboro. Surviving are: her children Whitney Leigh Westbury and Cameron Austin Westbury; her mother Cynthia Craven and Emerson Baldwin of Bennett's Point; her father Eugene Lowery of Tennessee; her step-father, Dale Dover of Beech Island; a brother, Chris Lowery; his wife Kelly and their children Ariel and Zakk of Beech Island; a sister, Leslie Lowery of Beech Island; Memorials to the burial expenses are greatly appreciated. The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Homes, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 29488, 843,538.5408. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

EVANS, Ga. - Mr. Randall Moody Beach, 79, of 5123 Saddle Circle in Evans, Ga., died Sunday morning, June 10, 2007 at the Heartland Hospice Home in Augusta. Funeral service will be held 11 o'clock Tuesday morning, June 12, 2007 from the graveside in Live Oak Cemetery, Jefferies Blvd., Walterboro. Serving as casket bearers will be Joey Cone, Scott Beach, Dusty Beach, Michael Hatfield, Matt Rock, and John Schweitzer. Mr. Beach was born February 21, 1928 in Walterboro, S.C. and was a son of the late John Moody Beach and the late Inez Berry Beach. He was a retired surgical supply salesman and was also a retired charter boat captain. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Evans, Ga. and was a former member of Doctor's Creek Baptist Church in Walterboro for many years. He was a member of such civic organizations as the Augusta Lodge No. 205 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the James Creek Golf Club, and the Unity Masonic Lodge No. 55 A.F.M. in Walterboro. Surviving are his wife of sixty years, Mrs. Dorothy Brown Beach; and three children, Paula Cone and her husband Joe of Blackshear, Ga., John Beach and his wife Susette of Evans, Ga., and Jim Beach and his wife Terry of Mount Pleasant, S.C. There are six grandchildren, Joann Rock and her husband Matt, Tammy Schweitzer and her husband John, Joey Cone and his wife Katrina, Scott Beach and his wife Merideth, Dusty Beach, and Michael Hatfield, and six great- grandchildren, Justin Leabo, Kaylan Cone, Jay Beach, Anne Brodie Beach, Samantha Schweitzer, and Kimberly Cone, that also survive. Flowers will be accepted or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorial contributions be directed in his memory to Alzheimer's Association, South Carolina Chapter, 4124 Clemson Blvd. Suite L, Anderson, S.C. 29621. Family and friends are invited to call from 6 until 7:30 this Monday evening at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Homes, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, S.C. 843-538-5408. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

WALTERBORO, S.C. - Mrs. Louise Hitt Sumner, 79, of 501 Hilton Hall Lane, Walterboro, entered into eternal rest Saturday morning, June 9, 2007, at her residence surrounded by her loving family and under the care of Hospice of South Carolina. Funeral services will be held 4 o'clock Monday afternoon, June 11, 2007, at Grace Advent Christian Church, 398 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro with The Reverend Wayne Lucas and The Reverend Nelson Howe officiating. Interment will follow in Glendale Memorial Cemetery, 2210 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro. Mrs. Sumner was born April 12, 1928, in Aiken County, South Carolina and was a daughter of the late Thomas E. Hitt and the late Cornelia Floyd Hitt. She was a retired region and sales manager from Sarah Coventry Jewelry where she was employed for twenty-one years. She was a member of Grace Advent Christian Church where she was active with the ladies group; and was a former member of Evergreen Christian Church for many years. She will be remembered for the special love she had for her family; and will always be cherished as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Surviving are: her husband of fifty-two years, Mr. Benjamin J. "B.J." Sumner; a son, Thomas E. "Tim" Sumner and his wife Donna of Walterboro; two daughters, Joyce Sumner Traylor and her husband Thomas of Walterboro and Linda Sumner Butler and her husband Jerry of Walterboro; a brother, Ed Hitt of Grovetown, Georgia; and a sister, Lucy Rollins of North Augusta. There are six grandchildren; Karen Craven and her husband Wade, Jason Wise, Angella Warren and her husband Marc, Pam Brownlee and her husband Jimmy, Jarred Sumner and his wife Heather, and Eric Sumner and his wife Erin; eight great grandchildren, Josh and Ryan Craven, Brittany Brownlee, Mollie and Gus Warren, Thomas, Olivia and Andrew Sumner, as well as a special caregiver, Louise Boyd that also survives. She was preceded in death by brothers, Thomas Earl Hitt, W.M. Hitt, Buster Hitt, and Milton Hitt; and sisters, Georgia Ann Hitt, Lillie Mae Fagan, Sallie Smith, Lula Richardson, and Harriett Dunn. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be directed in her memory to the building fund of Grace Advent Christian Church, 398 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro, South Carolina 29488. Family and friends may call from 6:00 until 8:00 this Sunday evening at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Homes, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

LODGE, S.C. - Mrs. Lois Evelyn Fisk, 90, of Fisk Lane in Lodge, entered into her state of eternal rest Tuesday afternoon, August 31, 2010, at the Summerville Medical Center. She was the widow of Mr. Jacob Eddie Fisk. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 o'clock Friday morning, September 3,

WALTERBORO, S.C. - Mr. Walter Cruth Crosby, 82, of 114 Scenic Lane, Walterboro, died Wednesday afternoon, November 8, 2006, at his residence. Funeral services will be held 11 o'clock Saturday morning, November 11, 2006, in The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Chapel, Walterboro. Interment will follow in Grace Advent Christian Church Cemetery, 398 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro. Mr. Crosby was born October 10, 1924, in Colleton County and was a son of the late Oliver Perry Crosby and the late Geneva Craven Crosby. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army during World War II and was truly proud to be an American. He worked and retired after thirty-two years of service from the security division of the Savannah River Site, and was a member of Grace Advent Christian Church. He will be remembered by many for his love of family and people and always showing love for those in his life. Surviving are his wife of sixty years, Mrs. Edith All Crosby;a son, Leonard Walter Crosby of Columbia; and two daughters, Corrin Crosby Marinko and her husband Terry of Summerville and Melinda Crosby Wilson and her husband Wayne of Williston. There are two grandchildren, Jessica Wilson of Columbia and Dalton Wilson of Williston and a nephew, Jesse Williams of Walterboro, as well as a host of beloved nieces and nephews. Flowers will be accepted or for those that wish, the family has suggested that memorials be directed in his memory to: Grace Advent Christian Church Cemetery Fund, 398 Mount Carmel Road, Walterboro, SC 29488. Family and friends are invited to call from 6:00 until 8:00 this Friday evening at The Brice W. Herndon and Sons Funeral Homes, Walterboro Chapel, 1193 Bells Highway, Walterboro, 843.538.5408. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

LODGE, S.C. - Mrs. Lois Evelyn Fisk, 90, of Fisk Lane in Lodge, entered into her state of eternal rest Tuesday afternoon, August 31, 2010, at the Summerville Medical Center. She was the widow of Mr. Jacob Eddie Fisk. Funeral services will be