We Don't Want Dead Cops!

Just one week ago protestors at a march in New York City were chanting, "What do we want? Dead cops! When do what them? Now!"  Al Sharpton who represents himself to be a Christian Reverend was leading this march. 

In our country, we've taken our right to free speech to an unbelievable level. I believe in free speech, but when free speech is connected with criminal intent, it ceases to be free speech.

Here is a Video of the chanting protesters.

NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos

We all have the same obligation to obey our government, but we Christians have an even higher obligation as God expects us to respond to these agents of authority as though they were the supreme human authority whom they represent. God expects you to respect him and his choices.

Two uniformed NYPD officers were shot dead Saturday afternoon (12/20/2014) as they sat in their marked police car on a Brooklyn street corner — in what investigators believe was a crazed gunman’s ­assassination-style mission to avenge Eric Garner and Michael Brown.

The people marching and chanting "What do we want? Dead cops! When do what them? Now!"  have blood on their hands as does Al Sharpton.

Proverbs 18:21 says:"Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof."

Our country has turned its back on the principles of Christianity. Our children are not being taught these principles. Remember the old saying, "Do what I say, not what I do?" Well, the very best teacher is a living example before your children's eyes. We all want respect. We all expect respect. Yet, we want others to earn it from us. All of the answers to the difficult issues in our society can be found in GOD's WORD.  Please Christians, READ the Word of God and then LIVE it!

The Scripture has a great deal to say about being in submission to the "higher powers." God has ordained the government and the leaders in our world, in whatever capacity.  God has placed them in authority over us. Here are just a few scriptures:

Romans 13: 1-3  (KJV)

13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:


1 Peter 2:13-17  (KJV)

13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

14 Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well.

15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

16 As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.

17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.



I still believe, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV)

The Perfect Christmas Bow

Need help getting  those bows tied,  just right?

I know you are all out there buying those Christmas gifts that will need wrapping.

My answer is the wonderful gift bag, but for those who just have to wrap, here is a little help I found on YouTube for getting the bows just right.

How To Tie The Perfect Christmas Bow



and the ever popular:

Deco Mesh Wreath

Troy Leverne Watford, Jr., January 30, 1946 - December 15, 2014, Florence, SC

Troy L. Watford, Jr., 68, of Florence, SC, died on Monday, December 15, 2014. He was born in Florence, SC, a son of the late Annie Mae Sports Watford and Troy L. Watford, Sr.

He is predeceased by, in addition to his parents, two brothers, Gene Watford and William Cox, and a sister, Frances Kimrey.

Troy was a proud veteran of the US Army. He had owned and operated  Eastern Carolina Truck Service in Florence for 26 years, until his retirement. Troy loved his community and their children. He coached baseball for 24 years and was lovingly known as "Coach Troy". He was an avid NASCAR fan with a special love for the Darlington Raceway. Troy loved fishing and spending time at Santee.

Troy is survived by his wife of 44 years, Linda Graham Watford; sons, Kevin Watford of Atlanta, GA, J.T. (Colleen) Watford and Brandon Watford, both of Florence; daughter, Shannon Watford (Harry) Elmore of Bishopville; granddaughter, BrynWatford of Florence; brothers, Ira (Suzanne) Watford of Summerville, Richard Watford and Don (Margaret) Watford, both of Florence; and special brothers in law, Wayne Graham and Ronnie (Barbara) Graham, both of Florence; a number of nieces and nephews; and his canine companion, Bud.

The family will receive friends at a visitation from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Wednesday at Cain Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Thursday, December 18, 2014, in the chapel of the funeral home, with burial following at Florence National Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Florence Area Humane Society.

• Florence Area Humane Society
  P.O. Box 4808
  Florence, SC 29502

Troy,Bryn and Linda 

Bryn and Troy Watford

Troy Watford and grandbaby Bryn

Faye B. Fletcher 1919-2014

Faye Buddin Fletcher

Faye Buddin Fletcher was 95 when she died in a Florence hospital on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2014. 

Mrs Fletcher was born in Timmonsville, SC., the daughter of the late Dr. Jesse Martin and Marie Turbeville Buddin. She was married to the late William Clay Fletcher, Sr.

Faye attended Lander College. Before her retirement, she was a secretary at St.Paul United Methodist Church in Florence. Faye was a member of Timmonsville United Methodist Church.

Surviving are her children, a daughter, Patricia “Pat” Fletcher Joye and a son William Clay (Laura) Fletcher, Jr.. She leaves one sister, Jessie Marie “Reecee” Weatherly and her husband Bobby. She also leaves four grandchildren and eleven great- grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and a sister, Margaret Andrews.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Timmonsville United Methodist
Church, on Byrd Street in Timmonsville.  

Timmonsville United Methodist Church

Interment will follow at Byrd Cemetery on Layton Drive in Timmonsville.  Click the Google map:  https://www.google.com/maps/place/Byrd+Cemetery

After the interment, the family will receive visitors and guest in the fellowship hall of the Timmonsville United Methodist Church. 

Memorials may be made to Timmonsville United Methodist Church.  

Mail memorials to: Karen Keels,1516 Pine Hurst Rd, Timmonsville, SC 29161.

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto St. Florence is assisting the family. They can be reached by telephone at (843) 346-7322 

Wallie L. White died December 7, 2014

Wallie L. White, Sr. 85, died in a local health care facility Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014.

Mr. White was born in Florence County, the son of the late Frank D. and Thelma White.

He served in the US NAVY during the Korean Conflict and served honorably aboard the USS Randall APA 224. He was a  Carpenter by trade.

Surviving are two sons, Wallie L. “Walkie” White, Jr. and his wife Patti of Timmonsville, Terry White of  Florence; a daughter, Martha Coats and her husband Mike of Simpsonville; a brother, Willie White of Florence and three sisters, Sada Cochran, Felicia Cashwell, Catherine Garcia all of Florence.

He was blessed with six grandchildren, Dee (Mandi) White, Julia White, Jesse (Casey) White, Leslie (Dave) Glad, Brad (Brittany) Coats, Kelsey White and seven great-grandchildren, Dalton & Maylee White, Ellie White, Emma Morris, Connor, Austin and Brady Glad.

He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.Wallie is preceded in death by two brothers, Frank and John White and a sister, Jewell Redmond.

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Visitation will be Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home before the service.

A memorial service will be Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the National Cemetery, Florence.

4210 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC 

Louise R. Jordan, passes 12-06-14 at age 101

Louise Redick Jordan

Louise Redick Jordan of Timmonsville died in a local health care facility on 
Saturday, December. 6, 2014. Miss Louise was 101 years old. 

Mrs. Jordan was born in Darlington County, the daughter of the late John William
and Jessie Carter Redick. She was the widow of the late Laurie W. Jordan, Sr.

Miss Louise was a member of the First Baptist Church of Timmonsville. She was active in various organizations of the church. She faithfully served her church  teaching Sunday School for 47 years. Mrs.Jordan  worked  as the bookkeeper for Jordan Chevrolet for 15 years. She was a gifted seamstress, so after retiring from bookkeeping she worked from her home doing clothing alterations.

Left to mourn her passing are a son, Laurie W. (Frances) Jordan, Jr, of Warner Robins, GA and two daughters, Shirley J. Stuckey of Stuckey, SC and Linda Jordan Hill of Timmonsville.
.
 Mrs.Jordan also leaves a sister-in-law, Willie Mae “Billy” Redick of Timmonsville. 

Timmonsville Baptist Church

Miss Louise "Mema" was blessed with eleven grandchildren, twenty-nine great-grandchildren and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

Miss Louise is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, June J. Powell, and sisters, Pearl Copeland, Frances Reville, Edna Rae Jordan, Ruby Copeland and one brother, Alton Redick.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church, Timmonsville on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.
 
Interment will follow at Byrd Cemetery on Layton Drive in Timmonsville. Google map:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Byrd+Cemetery

Visitation: Monday, December 8, 2014 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home. 

Layton-Anderson is assisting the family with arrangements. They can be reached by telephone at (843) 346-7322 or click here: https://www.facebook.com/laytonandersonfuneralhome

Mayo-Cheddar Cheese Drop Biscuits

It's easy, start by preheating the oven to 450 degrees.
Makes 12 biscuits with my generously-sized scoop

(10) Ingredients:

1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Dukes Mayonnaise

2 cups self-rising flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon soda
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
3/4 cup grated sharp Cheddar
1/4 stick butter, melted.

1) In a quart mixing cup, combine buttermilk and mayonnaise. Stir until completely combined and smooth.

2) In a  mixing bowl, combine these dry ingredients together using a fork or whisk:

3) Cut cheese into flour mixture until it resembles coarse cornmeal.

4) Now add the flour/cheese mixture to the milk mixture.  Stir until just incorporated.
Dough will look quite wet.

5) Use a large spoon or cookie scoop to form biscuits, dropping scoops onto a sprayed or greased cookie sheet.

6) Brush dough with melted butter and bake (450) for 10 to 14 minutes in the center of the oven. Tops will lightly brown.


Note: If you don't have buttermilk on hand, you can make a substitute. Place a Tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice in a liquid measuring cup. Add enough whole milk to bring the liquid up to the one-cup line.  Let stand for five minute and use as buttermilk.

Ray David Strickland 1949-2014

Ray Strickland of Timmonsville died in a local hospital on Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014.

Mr. Strickland, 65,  was born in Florence County, the son of the late Maxie and Eleanor Lynch Strickland.  He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, near Olanta, South Carolina. Ray  retired from Davey Tree, a Professional Tree Service Company. He worked with them as a foreman for 35 years.

Ray leaves his wife Tracy Broach Strickland of the home and his children; two sons, Gene (Sherry) Strickland, Dale (Jessica) Strickland all of Timmonsville and a daughter, Katrina Strickland (Edwin “Skibo” Dutton) of Timmonsville also.

Ray also leaves two brothers, Ralph Strickland and Carlyle Strickland both of Timmonsville and three sisters, Valerie Lee of Florence, Mary Hunt Sellers and Janie ( Doug) Lovelace, of Timmonsville. 

Ray's family has been blessed with nine grandchildren who will be fondly remembering their Grandad in the years to come.They are Katie Humphries, Reid, Reagan and MacKenzie Strickland, Courtney and Sabrina Feagin, Parker Ray Strickland, Tessa Roark and Trevor Jones. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and five brothers, Lenward, Ronnie, Wayne, Don and Cecil Strickland.

Visitation will be today, Saturday, December 6, 2014, from 6 to 8:00 p.m. at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence.

Funeral services and a celebration of Ray's life will be Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church at 1534 Florence Hwy, near Olanta, SC.

Bethel Baptist Church,1534 Florence Hwy, north of Olanta, SC

Interment will follow at Byrd Cemetery, Layton Drive  in Timmonsville.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Byrd+Cemetery/@34.12755,-79.951796,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x88557d103da973f9:0x1333a16b75ca0870?hl=en


Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto Street, Florence is assisting the
family with the arrangements, they can be reached by telephone at (843) 346-7322.
https://www.facebook.com/laytonandersonfuneralhome

Edward “Eddie” Dorrell Cribb

Edward “Eddie” Dorrell Cribb, 72, died at his residence on Monday, Dec. 1, 2014 after a brief illness.

Funeral services will be Thursday, Dec. 4, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church, Timmonsville. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation will be today Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2014 from 5:30 to 7:30 at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home.

Mr. Cribb was born in Sumter County, the son of the late Carson Edward and Juanita Dorrell Cribb. Eddie was a member of Sparrow Swamp Baptist Church. He worked with DuPont as a supply clerk until he retirement.

Surviving are his wife of Timmonsville, Dean Tedder Cribb; a daughter, Margaret Lisa Cribb, Florence; three brothers, Randy (Debbie) Cribb, Timmonsville, Harry (Patsy) Cribb and Dan Cribb all of Florence; a sister, Karen Lowder, North Carolina and two grandchildren, Caroline and Kimberly Hardy. Surviving also are a son-in-law, Chip Hardy and a sister-in-law Anna Cribb. He is preceded in death by a daughter, Julie Cribb Hardy and a brother, Sammy Cribb.

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home, 4210 W. Palmetto St. Florence is assisting the Family with arrangements.

Map:

4210 W Palmetto St

Florence, South Carolina

www.facebook.com/laytonandersonfuneralhome

(843) 346-7322

Dorothy "Dot" McCown Blackwell ~ Gone, but her dedication to public service will long be remembered

Dorothy McCown Blackwell, 95, died November 30, 2014, at her Ebenezer home after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be on Wednesday, December 3, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church, directed by Layton-Anderson Funeral Home. The burial will follow the service in the church cemetery, followed by visitation in the Fellowship Hall.

“Miss Dot” was a lifelong Florentine. She was the daughter of the late William Jerome McCown and the late Stella Hudgins McCown.

She was pre-deceased by her son, Byrum James (Bee) Blackwell III and her brothers, William Jerome McCown, Jr., Wilmot Neville McCown and a sister, Stella Walker McCown.

Miss Dot is survived by a daughter, Cherry Blackwell Bridges, and a granddaughter, McCown Bridges Griffin and her husband, Jeffrey.

She is a 1937 graduate of Florence High School and a 1941 graduate of Winthrop College, where she served as Student Body President during her senior year. She was the Personnel Director of the Florence Air Base and Personnel Director at the Florence Manufacturing Company.

She was a stay-at-home mother for many years before becoming the first Executive Director of the Florence County Council on Aging.

Mrs Blackwell was a faithful member of Ebenezer Baptist Church for more than eighty years and was very involved in church activities until her decline in health. She was a member of the Colonial Dames of XVII Century, First Families of South Carolina, Huguenot Society of South Carolina and the Florence Research Club. She served on the Winthrop University Board of Trustees and continued to serve as Trustee Emeritus until her death.

She was appointed by Governor Richard Riley to represent South Carolina at the White House Conference on Aging in 1980. She has been honored by the Senior Citizens Association with the Dorothy Blackwell Annual Luncheon for the past 10 years. She was presented with the Palmetto Patriot award in 2005 for her dedication to public service.

Her commitment to God and family, propensity for friendships, deep love for her large circle of friends and family and ability to embrace life fully and joyfully were her legacy to all who knew her.

Memorials may be made to Ebenezer Baptist Church (524 S. Ebenezer Rd., Florence, S.C., 29501) or to a charity of your choice.

For more information you may contact:

Layton-Anderson Funeral Home 

4210 W Palmetto St
Florence, South Carolina

(843) 346-7322
https://www.facebook.com/laytonandersonfuneralhome

Agnes Ann McKithen Carter 1969 - 2014

Agnes Ann McKithen Carter

Funeral service for Mrs. Agnes Ann McKithen Carter will be 2 PM Tuesday December 2, 2014 in the New Zion Baptist Church.

 Burial will be in Mt. Carmel Baptist Church Cemetery directed by Bacote-Eaddy Funeral Home of Timmonsville. 

She died Thanksgiving day, Thursday November 27, 2014. She was born April 2, 1969 in Florence County a daughter of James and Ruth McKithen, Sr. 

She was a 1988 graduate of Timmonsville High School and was a member of the New Zion Baptist Church in Sardis. She was employed at QVC in Florence as a Warehouse Assistant. 

She was preceded in death by a sister, Cheryl McKithen, grandparents, Wade and Lucille Hampton and Ralph and Agnes McKithen, Sr. 

Survivors include: husband, Louis Carter, Jr. of Charlotte, NC; children, Sierra Brabham of Timmonsville, Kiera Carter, Charles Carter and Aaron Cade of Florence; her parents, James and Ruth McKithen, Sr.; two grandchildren, Skylar Washington and Cayla Bines of Timmonsville and maternal grandmother, Pearl Friday of Richmond, VA

Mrs Carter left six sisters to mourn her loss; Tracy (Lenorris) McKnight, Brenda McKithen, Caroline McKithen, Jessica Taylor and Debra Hicks  of Timmonsville and Arlisa Ham of Florence. 

She also leaves five brothers; James (Felicia) McKithen of Savannah , GA, Glen (Elizabeth) McKithen and Craig Taylor of Florence, Chris (April) Taylor and Jamie (Robin) Taylor of Columbia and a goddaughter, Kershena Graham and a godson, Glen McKithen; and  a host  of other relatives and friends.

The family is receiving friends at 314 E. Market Street, Timmonsville.

Agnes and Charles Carter

"Great, do it again. . .FOLLOW ME!

• 
  
• I was thinking of the day my son was shooting a video for a web page advertisement. He would tell me what to say, I would practice the line and then do it wrong. He would say don't look at me, look at the camera, and don't  roll your eyes. Don't do this. Don't do that.  I would say it again.. and mess it all up again, to the point of full-blown giggling and laughter. We actually had a great time trying to shoot the video.
• 
  As he would point out the things I did wrong, I would say yeah, okay,  I know, I'm sorry and we would try again. It never really got any better. 
• We had no idea that his correcting words were leading me to perform worse. Kind of like saying don't think of a pink elephant!  And a pink elephant becomes all you can think of. 
• Well, he finally gave up, saying, "I'll do the best I can with it." He edited the video. He really is a miracle worker with technology, but I still hated that video.
  
  Then the day came when I had to do a real shoot for a TV ad. She (the TV ad gal) sat close to the camera. She said, let's take one sentence at a time. I said the sentence and I found myself doing all the things I had done with my son's video shoot. But she never mentioned any of it, she just said "GREAT, do it again. 
• She tapped on the camera lens and said "GREAT..do it again" and she said that over and over until she said good.."GOT IT"
  
  And you know, God is saying the same thing to his children.
• "Great my child, just follow me. Great do it again."
• ."Great! I love you, follow me! Do it again!"
• Every deed, every action, every day, is a new chance to follow Him, to do it again. 
• He says follow me and  I WILL MAKE YOU.  —Matthew 4:19.
  
  "And Jesus saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
• 
  It is not "Follow me, because of what you are already."
  
  It is not "Follow me, that you may make something of yourselves;" 
• But it's "Follow Me, because of what I  will make you."
  
  So it is with each one of us, as soon as we are converted,
• we do not know what we shall be, if we will only FOLLOW HIM.
  
  1 John 3:2 a
• Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be:
• Matthew 19:21b   "And come and follow me."

• 
  
• 
  

• 
  

Benjamin Watson, New Orleans Saint, HOW I FELT!

Benjamin Watson who plays for the New Orleans Saints posted the following on his Facebook page. I was so touched by it that I shared it with my friends on facebook too. It has since gone viral. I wanted it saved forever so I am posting it here:

"At some point while I was playing or preparing to play Monday Night Football, the news broke about the Ferguson Decision. After trying to figure out how I felt, I decided to write it down. Here are my thoughts:

I'M ANGRY because the stories of injustice that have been passed down for generations seem to be continuing before our very eyes.

I'M FRUSTRATED, because pop culture, music and movies glorify these types of police citizen altercations and promote an invincible attitude that continues to get young men killed in real life, away from safety of movie sets and music studios.

I'M FEARFUL because in the back of my mind I know that although I'm a law abiding citizen I could still be looked upon as a "threat" to those who don't know me. So I will continue to have to go the extra mile to earn the benefit of the doubt.

I'M EMBARRASSED because the looting, violent protests, and law breaking only confirm, and in the minds of many, validate, the stereotypes and thus the inferior treatment.

I'M SAD, because another young life was lost from his family, the racial divide has widened, a community is in shambles, accusations, insensitivity hurt and hatred are boiling over, and we may never know the truth about what happened that day.

I'M SYMPATHETIC, because I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened. Maybe Darren Wilson acted within his rights and duty as an officer of the law and killed Michael Brown in self defense like any of us would in the circumstance. Now he has to fear the backlash against himself and his loved ones when he was only doing his job. What a horrible thing to endure. OR maybe he provoked Michael and ignited the series of events that led to him eventually murdering the young man to prove a point.

I'M OFFENDED, because of the insulting comments I've seen that are not only insensitive but dismissive to the painful experiences of others.

I'M CONFUSED, because I don't know why it's so hard to obey a policeman. You will not win!!! And I don't know why some policeman abuse their power. Power is a responsibility, not a weapon to brandish and lord over the populace.

I'M INTROSPECTIVE, because sometimes I want to take "our" side without looking at the facts in situations like these. Sometimes I feel like it's us against them. Sometimes I'm just as prejudiced as people I point fingers at. And that's not right. How can I look at white skin and make assumptions but not want assumptions made about me? That's not right.

I'M HOPELESS, because I've lived long enough to expect things like this to continue to happen. I'm not surprised and at some point my little children are going to inherit the weight of being a minority and all that it entails.

I'M HOPEFUL, because I know that while we still have race issues in America, we enjoy a much different normal than those of our parents and grandparents. I see it in my personal relationships with teammates, friends and mentors. And it's a beautiful thing.

I'M ENCOURAGED, because ultimately the problem is not a SKIN problem, it is a SIN problem. SIN is the reason we rebel against authority. SIN is the reason we abuse our authority. SIN is the reason we are racist, prejudiced and lie to cover for our own. SIN is the reason we riot, loot and burn. BUT I'M ENCOURAGED because God has provided a solution for sin through the his son Jesus and with it, a transformed heart and mind. One that's capable of looking past the outward and seeing what's truly important in every human being. The cure for the Michael Brown, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Eric Garner tragedies is not education or exposure. It's the Gospel. So, finally, I'M ENCOURAGED because the Gospel gives mankind hope."

Here is the link to his Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/oo9szxv