Johnston

Terrence Detron Culbreath

Terrance D. Culbreath

Funeral Services for Terrence D. Culbreath will be Saturday, December 10, 2022 at the Rosa Spring Baptist Church where the Reverend Winston Oliphant is Pastor. Reverend Lorenzo Williams will officiate the services. Interment will be in the church cemetery.

Terrence Culbreath, was born in Richmond County, Georgia, on January 7, 1983. He was the son of Luke Jones and Jackie Culbreath.

Terrrence “Tee” Culbreath departed this earthly life on December 4, 2022 at the age of 39.

He was a graduate of the Strom Thurmond High School.

He was a native of Johnston and left the small town after high school to chase his dreams. Terrance was granted a scholarship to the NASCAR school in Mooresville, N.C. After finishing the program, he decided to pursue music, which was his long-term passion.

Instead, he earned a degree in audio engineering from Full Sail University in Florida and began making connections in the Atlanta music industry scene. An internship at Stankonia Studios turned into a full-time job, where he started as an engineer and eventually began producing music. He helped record “Royal Flush” by OutKast and Raekwon, which was nominated for a Grammy, and later placed his first big record with Big Boi’s “Tangerine.”

Culbreath’s personal pursuit of happiness landed him in incredible places. He has done everything from working for NASCAR to producing Grammy nominated songs. During his travels he gained a unique worldview and eventually made his way back to Johnston with a passion to make an impact in his hometown.

Terrence D. Culbreath led the city of Johnston for 10 years, two as councilman and 8 as mayor. Mayor Terrence Culbreath served as the 13th Mayor of Johnston, South Carolina. Mayor Culbreath is the youngest mayor ever elected in the Town of Johnston at age 31 and is the youngest 2 term mayor in the state of South Carolina. Mayor Culbreath used his time in office with the mission of “Moving Johnston Forward”;, by focusing on economic development, investments in recreation and quality of life. Prior to his election as mayor in 2014, Culbreath served two years on Johnston Town Council where he focused on improving both the Public Works and Police Departments as well as community infrastructure to attract new businesses and residents. Terrence serves on a wide variety of boards and community organizations including, MASC (Municipal Association of South Carolina) Executive Board of Directors (Columbia, SC), and as an Executive Committee member SCCBM (South Carolina Conference of Black Mayors) to name a few. In addition to his work with the Town of Johnston, Mayor Culbreath sought to cultivate relationships with local churches, community organizations and stakeholders such as Edgefield County Schools, and Edgefield County Peach Growers to build his coalition of true Johnston believers.

Distance creates distortion” is a quote by Pastor Carl Lentz that Culbreath lived by. This specific quote hits home for him because he says that “It tells a lot about how we live and interact with the world today. So many people have opinions or points of view on people, issues and subjects but they are so far from that their point of view is distorted and sometimes even toxic.”

Outside of his day-to-day duties as mayor, Culbreath explored his other passions. A little-known fact, he actually owns a photography company (Culbreath.Photography) and a political consulting firm (Eighty3 Media & Consulting). He also recently founded “The Culbreath Group,” offering services in all 50 states that included public relations, nonprofit consulting, and project management. As you can see, Mayor Culbreath embodied the role of a renaissance man and a future statesman.

Culbreath also served as political director for the 2020 Presidential Campaign of U.S. Senator. Cory Booker, D-N.J. Booker said Monday his last memory of Culbreath will be the sweatshirt Culbreath wore when they met a couple of days before Culbreath died.

“ He helped lead my presidential campaign; and when I last saw him about 48 hours ago, he was wearing a sweatshirt that I had given him with the words of a poet I love on it, “ Booker said in a recorded video. “It will be my last memory of seeing him, and it was so fitting. What it said was simply: Real leaders lead with love.”;

Booker called Culbreath a heroic leader with a magnanimous heart. “ He was one of these leaders that didn’t tell you how great he was but made you feel great, that didn’t lift to elevate himself but was focused on elevating others, Booker said.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Betty Culbreath and James Langford.

He leaves to cherish his memories to his mother, Jackie Culbreath Smith (Jonathan Henderson), Johnston, SC; his father, Luke Jones, Bettis Academy, four aunts, Vickie Culbreath, Augusta, GA, Sharon Rouse, Edgefield, SC, Elizabeth Jackson, Aiken, SC, Jozell Dobey (Adell), Trenton, SC; 5 uncles, Barry Culbreath (Pat), Tampa, FL, Glenn Culbreath, Johnston, SC, Virgil Culbreath, Johnston, SC, Robert Jones (Diane), Trenton, SC, Jack Jones, Aiken, SC; God Parents, Ann Williams (James Jones), Johnston, SC, special son, Isaiah Dennis, Savannah, GA; special friends, Ryan, Rashad, Kipp, Marcus, Zach, Vick, Willie Joe, Mr. Joe Fulmore; special cousins, Korey Williams, Tevin Culbreath, Carlos Culbreath, Darnell Culbreath, Shane Culbreath, Lavina Culbreath, Janay Morin, Mariah Culbreath, Keyonna Culbreath, Dalevon Culbreath, Allen Culbreath, Roger Culbreath, Travis Culbreath, LaNiydia Culbreath, Nicole Williams Mance, and a host of other family and friends.

Derrick Coleman

Lexington, SC - Funeral Services for Mr. Derrick Coleman will be held at 4:00pm Saturday, November 26, 2022 at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home Chapel. There will be no viewing.

Derrick Coleman was born May 25, 1981, in Greenwood, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Ora Mae Coleman. He departed this earthly life on November 1, 2022.

Derrick was educated in the schools of Edgefield County. He had a great sense of humor. He always had a big smile and was always ready to talk. He loved to laugh, joke, and aggravate people but it was all love. He was a good writer and an aspiring rapper. Most of all, Derrick had a big heart.

He leaves to cherish his memories: sisters, Charlene Coleman, Derricka (Charles) Coleman Booker, April Coleman, a brother, Charles Coleman, a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.



Alexander Jackson

Alexander Jackson was born to the late Albert H. Jackson on April 2, 1950, in Saluda County, South Carolina. At an early age, he accepted Christ and was baptized at Mine Creek Baptist Church. He departed this life on November 1, 2022.

He received his primary education at Ridge Hill Elementary and graduated from Ridge Hill High School, Ridge Spring, South Carolina. He continued his post-secondary education at Voorhees College in Denmark, South Carolina.

Alexander was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Jones. This union was blessed with a daughter, Tashia. He moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he worked in the service industry. Later in life, he moved to Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he engaged in his own business.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his daughter, Tashia Jackson of Johnston, SC; four brothers, William (Sarah) Jackson, Johnston, SC, Nathaniel Jackson, Johnston, SC, Calvin (Evergrace) Jackson, Edgefield, SC, and Clifford (Sheneque) Jackson, Aiken, SC; (3) sisters-in-laws: Wilburn Jackson, Majorie Jackson, both of Johnston, SC, and Bettie Jackson, Belvedere, SC; (1) brother-in-law, Vance Frazier, Roselle, NJ; (1) aunt, Jesse Williams, Upper Marlboro, MD, and (1) uncle, Willie Mack Williams, Washington, DC, also, an additional host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Brothers and sisters that preceded him in death: Maggie Jerry, Albert  Jackson, Jr., Ruth Andrews, Charlie N. Jackson, Isabelle Frazier, Patricia Jackson, John H. Jackson, and Jean Jackson.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, November 6, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Amos & Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Johnston, SC, where Reverend Glenn Harvey Andrews will officiate.

Marlene Dukes Kenner

Funeral Services for Mrs. Marlene Dukes Kenner will be held 1:00 pm Friday, September 23, 2022 at the United Church Of God (77 Edisto Street, Johnston, SC 29832) with the Elder George Gore, Pastor. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery (488 Archie Ware Road, Trenton, SC 29847.)

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes and there will be no more death.

Rev. 21:4

Marlene Dukes Kenner was called from her labor into her reward on Thursday morning, September 15th, 2022 in Anderson, SC surrounded by family. She was born in Edgefield County on June 15th, 1959 as a twin of the late Marvin Dukes (Brother) to her proud parents, the late James Dukes, Jr. and Rosa Mae Dukes. 

Marlene received her education from Edgefield County Public Schools. She began babysitting directly after high school. At the age of 29 she was united into holy matrimony to the late Allen Kenner on July 5th 1988. They were married for 33 years until his passing on September 29, 2021.

She began her membership with The United Church of God, where she was baptized and later filled with the Holy Ghost. She served on the kitchen committee for 19 years where she had a love for cooking .Her specialty was dressing and peach cobbler.

She was employed at Sandra’s Daycare in Aiken, SC for several years. In her spare time she loved decorating for events and doing crafts. 

She was a great wife, mother, and friend. Her love for people and laughter made everyone want to be around her. She made friends with everyone she came into contact with.  Her love for dresses, hats, dresses and perfume (Red Door) was undeniable. 

Marlene leaves to cherish her memory her daughters: Kimberly Cheatham (Lamont Cheatham) of Anderson, SC and Shera Kenner (Willie Hopkins, Jr.) of Johnston, SC; grandchildren Makayla Cheatham, McKenzie Cheatham, James Cheatham of Anderson, SC; Brothers: Tony Jackson (Wanda Jackson) and Toriona (Leandra) Payne, North Augusta, SC; sisters: Brenda Oakman (Otis Oakman) of Ridge Spring, SC, Janie Mae Dukes of Johnston, SC, Ann Milligan of Johnston, SC, a God-child, Sueann Campbell of Ridge Spring, SC; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles. cousins and friends. 


Willie Edwards

Willie Edwards was born June 8, 1942, in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was the son of the late Frank Edwards and Elizabeth Marshall Edwards. His usual occupation was a farmer for many years.

Willie was a hard worker. He loved his family and he was good to his family and to his friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, George Edwards, Johnny Edwards, Bessie Mae Edwards, and Helen Edwards, children, Sarah Marshall, Fitzgerald Morton, and a granddaughter, Shemeka Morton.

He leaves to love and cherish his memories, his wife, Elizabeth Edwards of the home, sons, Lawrence Edwards (Rosa Mae Watkins), Batesburg, SC, Leroy Edwards, (Zarie Brooks), Aiken, SC, Calvin James (Debra Allen), Aiken, SC, Teresa Wise, Aiken, SC, William Edwards (Teresa Nicholas, Aiken, SC, Josephine Byrd, Aiken, SC, Cheryl Edwards Wise (Bernard, Aiken, SC, Willie Deloris Marshall, Ward, SC, Johnnie Marshall, Batesburg, SC, James Leon Marshall, North Augusta, SC, Mary Morton, Trenton, SC, Henry Marshall, (Brenda Gilliam), Saluda, SC, Lou Ann Jones, (Joe James), Ridge Spring, SC, Robert Edwards, (Teresa Kirk), Monetta, SC, 40 grandchildren, 50 great-grandchildren, 8 great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Funeral Services were held Friday, July 1, 2022 : 2:00 pm at the Chinquapin Baptist Church, Batesburg, SC with the Overseer Apostle RC Ratliff, Pastor/ Officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Thelma Butler Key

Mrs. Thelma Butler Key, daughter of the late Grant and Carrie Williams Butler, was born on February 29, 1944, in Edgefield County, South Carolina. Sadly, on June 6, 2022, she was called home to rest in peace after a brief illness.

At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior and became a member of Mt. Canaan Baptist Church. Later in life, she moved her membership to Bethlehem Baptist Church.  She was an active member and she served on the Senior Choir.

She received her education at the Butler School System of Edgefield County. She graduated from W.E. Parker High School in 1963. She was a Homemaker.

She leaves to cherished her memory to her husband of 58 years, Mr. Otis Key, Sr., two daughters, Annette Key, Aiken, SC, (        ),   Katherine Key,  four sons, Otis (Sandra) Key, Johnston, SC, Alvin (Tara) Key, Aiken, SC, Johnny (Falisha) Key, Johnston, SC, Marvin (Tanika) Key, Aiken, SC, one brother-in-law, Sam (Janie) Key, Edgefield, SC,  four sisters-in-law, Ethel Butler, and Lillie Mae Jones, both of Trenton, SC, Katherine Butler, Edgefield, SC, and sixteen grandchildren.

Final services will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11:00 am at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Edgefield, SC. Interment will be in Keys Memorial Gardens.

Brent Lashae Johnson

Brent Lashae Johnson was born June 11, 1977. She was the daughter of Carrie B. Gray Johnson and the late Sylvester Johnson. She was the youngest of four children.

As a young  child she was baptized a member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church.

 Brent was a native of Edgefield County where she attended Edgefield County Schools. She was very active in school, playing the trumpet in band and many other activities in school. She was a 1994 graduate of Strom Thurmond. Following graduation, she attended Barder College.

Brent  worked for many years at Michelin Tire Company and Amick Farms. 

She was a loving and caring woman, she loved her children. They kept her going. She loved vacationing and traveling. To sum up her life , BRENT loved Life!!!  There was nothing she wouldn’t do for her family and those she loved. Her memory will forever be in our hearts.

Preceding her in death is her father, Sylvester Johnson.

She leaves to love honor and cherish her beautiful memories: two children, Octavia Ethridge, California, and Jayden Curtis, Johnston, SC; her mother, Carrie Johnson, Johnston, SC;  three siblings, Angie (Harold) Nash, Greenville, SC, Tenneyson Gray(Burnell), New York and Chandlor Martin (Bernard), Aiken, SC and a host of nieces , nephews,  other relatives and friends. 

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, June 2, 2022 at 11:00 am at Sunset Memorial Garden in Johnston, SC.

Janie Abney Dunbar

photo of middle aged black woman in green and white striped top with glasses on, and hand touching her left cheek.

Mrs Janie Abney Dunbar

Janie Abney Holland Thurmond Dunbar, affectionately known as “Nannie,” was born August 15, 1922 to Millie Abney in Saluda, South Carolina. Her siblings were the late Clara Doby, Whelen Jr. and Thomas (Duck) Abney. She departed this life on March 17, 2022.

Janie spent her early childhood years in Johnston, South Carolina. During her early teens, she began her new journey as a surrogate mother to the Halford Family and later became their housekeeper. Mrs. Annie Halford and Janie had a close loving relationship. So close that they adopted the name Halford as well.

Janie had two children, one of whom preceded her in death, Patricia Dandy, affectionately known as “Tricia.“

Janie was preceded in death by her three husbands, Albert Holland, Sr.,  Archie Thurmond, and John Henry Dunbar, Sr.

Janie accepted Christ as her savior at a young age and joined Pine Hill Baptist Church. She served on various committees and was an active member of the Sunday School, but her most prestigious role was being the oldest member of the church.

Janie was very famous for her cooking. She enjoyed cooking for her family, church, and the community. She was most famous for her pound cakes and Cha Cha.

Janie answered God’s calling on Friday, March 18, 2022, at her residence in Johnston, South Carolina.

Janie leaves to mourn her memories to her devoted son also known as her twin, Albert Holland, her special daughter-in-law, Geraldine Holland of Hempstead, New York, stepson, John Henry (Therma) Dunbar, Jr., Buffalo, New York, step-daughters, Mary Helen Howard, Betty Dunbar, and Martha Dunbar, New York, New York, her grandchildren, Felix Andrews, Johnston, South Carolina, Sandra (Anthony) Dandy, Springfield, Virginia, Wallace Dandy, Jr., Columbia, South Carolina, Sharon Parlor, Johnston, South Carolina, Nancy L. Holland, Jamaica, New York, and Richard (Gwendolyn) Holland, Sr., Rockville Centre, New York; great-grandchildren, Kenji Dandy (Tracee Ashton), Justin Cartledge, Tyler Cartledge, Jama Dandy, Teri Cartledge, Richard Holland, Jr., and Blake Holland, great-great-grandchildren, Kross Dandy and Ayanna Dandy-Williams, Janie had also developed a close loving special relationship with the Dunbar grandchildren. She also had a special relationship with Rev. Bernard (Daisy) Abney and she shared a close bond with Maude Grey and the Florida Family. Lastly, she leaves a host of sorrowful cousins and friends.

Services held on Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 12:00 Noon, at the Pine Hill Missionary Baptist Church, Post Office Box 517, Johnston, SC 29832, with Rev. Casey Duncan, Pastor officiating, and Rev. Jerome Coleman as Eulogist.

Betty Jean Felder

Graveside services for Mrs. Betty Jean Dobbs Felder, daughter of the late Ben Dobbs and the late Edith Cherry Dobbs was held Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the Rosa Spring Baptist Church where the Rev. Winston Oliphant is the Pastor. Rev. Lonnie Jones , officiated. The Eulogist was Minister Cynthia Howard.

Betty Jean Felder, also Known as “Ruthell” entered into eternal rest at her residence on February 28, 2022 following a brief illness. She was educated in the schools of Edgefield County. She was baptized at the Lotts Grove Baptist Church at an early age. She was a housekeeper for most of her life with her last years as a homemaker providing for her family.

She was preceded in death by her husband (James Felder, Jr.), her parents; two daughters, Macy Howard, Betty Ann Tompkins, two sons, Nathaniel Howard, Jr. and Anthony Felder; a granddaughter, Belanda Tompkins, two great-grandsons, Ty’Reius Wakefield and Edward McKenzie, Jr. Four brothers, James Walter, Willie and Bennie Joe Dobbs; and three sisters, Nancy Dobbs Oliphant, Edith Dobbs, and Tawanda Axen.

Those left to love honor and cherish her memory; four daughters, Sally Ann “Brenda” Howard, Lisa Howard both of Johnston, SC; Shirley Felder McKnight, Winter Haven FL, and Christine Felder, Ft. Peirce, FL; four sons, Jimmy Felder, Ft. Peirce, FL, Freddie Lee Howard, Johnston, SC, Donald (Lois Marshall) Howard, Ward, SC, and Robert Howard, Anderson, SC; two sisters, Susie Dobbs (Johnny) Herrin, Aiken, SC and Grace Dobbs Nicholson, Trenton, SC; four sisters-in-law, Bessie O. Dobbs, Johnston, SC, Annette Dobbs, Pelion, SC, Margaret Felder and Ruth Lee Felder both of Winter Haven , FL; two aunts, Nancy D. Miles, Johnston, SC and Ruth D Freeman, Virginia; a uncle, John Dobbs, Jr. Rockaway NY; forty-four grandchildren, Sixty-two great-grandchildren and a host of nieces , nephews, other relatives and friends.

Betty Jean Oliphant

Betty Jean Oliphant

Betty Jean Oliphant was born May 7, 1948, She was the daughter of the late Joe Lanham and Tempiu Simpkins.

She departed this earthly life bound for her Heavenly Home on February 16, 2022 at Aiken Regional Hospital in Aiken, SC.

Betty Jean, as she was affectionately known, was educated in the schools of Edgefield County.

She was united in holy matrimony to William Gilliam.

She was a member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church in Edgefield, South Carolina. She worked for many years as a cook at the Edgefield County Hospital.

Betty Jean loved her family and friends, and they will miss her dearly.

She leaves to love, honor and cherish her memory her children: Ricky Benjamin Miles of Edgefield, SC, Ernest Simpkins, Columbia, SC, Angie Regina Oliphant of North Augusta, SC, Robert Oliphant of Edgefield, SC, five grandchildren, Antjuan, Brianna, Biancia, and Antonio, great-grandchildren, Tyianna Miles, Jeremiah Forest, Mekhi Davis, Aubree Miles, and Antjuan Jr., a special friend, Curtis Hartley, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Services held on Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 11:00 am at Amos & Sons Funeral Home of Johnston, SC.