,
geboren in Gastonia [North Carolina, Vereinigte Staaten] am 26. September 1939,
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Pianist, horticulturalist, and church organist Elizabeth (Betsy) Fewell Thomas Johnson, 77, joined the church triumphant on Sunday, July 23, 2017, comforted by the loving embrace, music, and scripture readings of her family, at her home. Betsy was born on September 26, 1939, in Gastonia, N.C, and was baptized, confirmed, and a member of Clover Presbyterian Church.
The daughter of the late Thaddeus Martin (T.M.) and Elizabeth (Lib) Fewell Thomas, Betsy grew up on her family's York County farm and at an early age showed strong musical talent. After graduating from Clover High School, Betsy earned a B.S. degree in piano performance from Winthrop College, an M.A. in music theory from the University of South Florida, and studied conducting under Eleazar de Carvalho of the Sao Paolo Symphony, Brazil and piano performance under Adele Marcus of the Juilliard School.
After teaching in Florida, Betsy returned to Clover in 1976. Upon her return, she taught piano for almost forty years and served as a church organist and choir director for several decades. She most recently was Music Director at St. Matthew's United Church of Christ in Maiden, N.C. In her musical endeavors, Betsy felt blessed by her many talented students, congregants, and their supportive families. She was very proud that many of her students received full music scholarships to college.
In another expression of Betsy's quest for beauty, as a child she began collecting native azaleas in the woods around her family farm. Her passion eventually grew into an extensive knowledge of specie azaleas and horticulture generally. She hybridized and patented new varieties of azaleas, including Calvary's Love. Betsy enjoyed helping people plan and plant gardens that beautified their homes through her landscape nursery business, Oak Hill Farm.
While Betsy will be deeply mourned, her family finds comfort in the assurance of the resurrection and the sure knowledge that she precedes us to heaven.
Gestorben (77 jahre alt) in Bethany [South Carolina, Vereinigte Staaten] am 23. Juli 2017,
beerdigt in York [South Carolina, Vereinigte Staaten].
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T.M. was a native of York County, son of Caleb Thaddeus and Martha Ford Thomas, and grandson of Confederate veterans Joseph Alexander Thomas and Eli Martin Ford. His mother died when he was six years old.
Mr. Thomas was a graduate of Clover High School and attended the University of South Carolina. He was a lifelong member of Clover Presbyterian Church, a member of the Men's Bible Class, and a former Sunday School teacher and deacon. Mr. Thomas began raising turkeys at the age of 9 for a school project, eventually expanding to establish Thomas Turkey Farms, pioneering turkey farming in York and Chesterfield counties in S.C. and Union and Moore counties in N.C. He was also a proud grower of Angus cattle, receiving the Historic Angus Herd Award in 1983 for being a producer for 37 years.
T.M. was survived by his wife, Elizabeth Fewell Thomas (m. 6/30/1937); five children, Betsy Thomas Johnson, Thaddeus M. Thomas Jr, Joseph A. Thomas, Stephen E. Thomas, George G. Thomas, all of Clover; sister, Pauline T. Carroll, Charlotte, N.C. (Mrs. James Wesley Carroll); ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Gestorben (93 jahre alt) am 29. Dezember 2001,
beerdigt in Clover [South Carolina, Vereinigte Staaten],
heiratet (bzw. 29 und 24 Jahre alt) am 30. Juni 1937 mit
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Mrs. Thomas (Lib) was born on her father's farm at Beth Shiloh and her family moved to York in 1916. She was baptized, confirmed, and married at Beth Shiloh Presbyterian and attended homecoming at that church as long as she was able. A 1933 graduate of Winthrop College, Lib was a retired elementary school teacher (Bethany, Bowling Green), social worker (Gastonia, Kings Mountain), and farm wife (Thomas cattle and turkey farms). At the time of her death, she was the oldest member of Clover Presbyterian Church, where she had worshiped since her marriage on 6/30/1937 to T. M. Thomas. Active in her community's civic and religious life, Mrs. Thomas was twice president of the Women of the Church, president of the York County Council of Farm Women (1946), a Ladies Bible Class teacher, a Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year, a past director of the York County Nature Museum, and a PTA and band booster organizer. She had a lively sense of humor and a powerful sense of responsibility. Having been reared in a time of wood stoves for cooking and horses for transportation, as well as living through both World Wars and the Great Depression, she always seemed appreciative of modern conveniences. Lib loved to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, never forgetting those of her five children, eleven grandchildren, and nineteen great-grandchildren as long as she was able. She has entered into her rest.
Gestorben (97 jahre alt) in Clover [South Carolina, Vereinigte Staaten] am 16. August 2009,
beerdigt in Clover [South Carolina, Vereinigte Staaten].
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Fresh out of the U.S. Air Force, Bill Broughton moved to Florida in 1961 and graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in political science in 1965. Over the next 40 years he worked primarily in municipal planning and intergovernmental relations, most recently for Sarasota County as lobbyist, retiring in 2005. Bill spent many years working for the betterment of his fellow man through the processes of government, was a skilled negotiator able to help parties find common ground, and was respected by professional colleagues throughout the state.
Bill lived the majority of his adult life in St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach and Sarasota. He became an elder at Lakeside Presbyterian Church and was active in many civic and arts organizations in each city. He was instrumental in bringing the Salvador Dali Museum to St. Petersburg, served as Rotary president, and was an avid orchid hobbyist, sailor and outdoorsman.
Bill succumbed to Multiple Systems Atrophy June 15, 2010 following a protracted battle with the disease fought with dignity and courage. The family is deeply grateful to the staff of The Pines for their skillful nursing and compassionate care throughout his final illness.
A memorial service was held June 27, 2010 at Siesta Key Presbyterian Church, 4615 Gleason Avenue, Sarasota.
Gestorben (72 jahre alt) in Sarasota [Florida, Vereinigte Staaten] am 15. Juni 2010,
eingeäschert,
Ehe(Partner) (2) mit Marjorie. Aus diese Verbindung keine Kinder,
Ehe(Partner) (3) mit Barbara. Aus diese Verbindung keine Kinder,
Ehe(Partner) (4) mit 3rd Wife. Aus diese Verbindung ein Kind.