In Memory

Josephine B. Abney, age 101, died July 23 in McCormick. A philanthropist, she was a founder of Charleston Southern University.

Ronald S. Banks Sr., age 83, died Aug. 9 in in Summerville. He worked for the family business, Banks Construction Company. He was a lifetime member of the CSU President’s Club and contributed funds in memory of his father, Gary Clark Banks Sr., to the tennis courts at CSU.

Jay Rodney Beasley ‘70, age 72, died Sept. 14. He was a retired media specialist for Allendale School District and had served as organist for many churches, including Barnwell First Baptist Church.

Harold Thomas “Tony” Beauford Jr. ’69, age 73, died June 12. He was the pastor of Mission Baptist Church and was a youth coach and umpire. He was a member of the baseball team while at CSU.

Thomas H. Boyd III ’72, age 76, died Sept. 24. He was a former director of Short Stay recreational facility and was a U.S. Marine veteran.

Dennis Edward “Ed” Causey ’68, age 75, died Sept. 5 in Summerville. He owned Mr. Corvette Parts and Sales.

Rex McKinnley Divine ’85, age 57, died July 20 in Savannah. He was a former member of the CSU Alumni Board and had served as president of the board.

Janna Grooms ’75, age 73, died Sept. 7 in Charleston.

Bobbie Littlefield Hennet ’80, age 91, died June 26 in Summerville. She was retired from the Naval Weapons Station as the head of communications. She also held the Certified Master Gardener designation. Dr. Ronald Bryan Jackson Sr. ’70, age 77, died June 4 in Spartanburg. He was pastor emeritus of East Gaffney Baptist Church and the founder of Parson’s Pantry Ministry, which raised money for pastors, widows of pastors and married ministerial students.

Judy Cromer Kirkland, age 74, died Aug. 8 in Inman. She owned Sandbox Daycare Center and previously worked in the CSU business office for 20 years.

Lona C. Lacour ‘79, age 90, died Oct. 2 in Mount Pleasant. She was retired and had several jobs throughout her career including serving as a supervisor with Southern Bell Telephone Company.

Lecius Laverne Moorer ’00, age 56, died July 4 in Goose Creek. She was a former member of the CSU Alumni Board and served as president of the board. She was a member of the CSU Board of Visitors and the CSU Legacy Society. She received the Alumnus Service Award from the Alumni Association in 2019.

Susan Browning Nichols ’84, age 57, died July 18, 2019, in Orlando, Florida. She was a music therapist and worked at Community Health Centers.

Caleb Robert Perkins ’17, age 26, died July 15 in Norwich, Connecticut. He was working on a second degree in electrical engineering from Arizona State University.

Hazel M. Stewart, age 93, died summer 2020. She was a CSU professor emerita of mathematics.

Harold Walter Syfrett, age 96, died April 13 in Walterboro. He was a former campus minister for the colleges in Charleston, including Charleston Southern University.

Robert “Micky” Strickland ’69, age 72, died July 27 in Walterboro. He worked for the South Carolina Department of Vocational Rehabilitation for 30 years. Ann S. Taylor, age 93, died Aug. 18 in Heath Springs. She was the retired mayor of Heath Springs. She was a longtime member of CSU’s Board of Visitors, contributed to endowed scholarships, was a life member of the President’s Club and received a Distinguished Service Award from CSU in 2005 and an honorary doctor of public service from CSU in 2014.

John William Waddell ’71, age 73, died Sept. 7 in Atlanta.

Pamela Watson ’72, age 71, died August 17 in Monetta. She was a teacher for more than 30 years in Berkeley County and was the office manager for family businesses, Watsonia and Peaches N’ Such. She was a former member of the CSU Alumni Board.

Jeff C. Whittington, age 92, died August 4 in Myrtle Beach. He was the owner of Coastal Crane Service and a longtime CSU supporter. He and his late wife, Bernice, established the Jeff C. Whittington Family Endowed Scholarship in 1977, donated significant funds to capital campaigns for Lightsey Chapel Auditorium, Rivers Library, the Science Building and Whitfield Center for Christian Leadership. Whittington Hall is named in Jeff and Bernice’s honor. He was a frequent contributor to the Annual Student Scholarship Fund and was a founding member of the CSU Board of Visitors. CSU awarded him the honorary doctor of business administration degree in 2003.

Wallie Stovall Witte Jr., age 71, died Oct. 5. He was a former vice president of advancement and marketing for CSU. Most recently, he was the chief executive officer of the Coastal Educational Foundation at Coastal Carolina University. He was a retired Lt. Colonel with the U.S Army and served as chief of staff to Congressman Henry Brown before arriving at CSU. Witte served on multiple community boards and organizations and was a member of CSU’s Board of Visitors Scholarship Program.