In Memory of

 1921 ~ 2018 (AGE 97) 

 Wilhemenia David of Richmond died Nov. 9, 2010 at St. Frances Medical Center. Born in Marlboro County, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Willie Jacobs and Charlotte Jacobs and was married to the late James Russell David Sr.

Mrs. David is survived by three daughters, Lillie D. Cardenof Halifax, Bettye D. Morris of Virgilina and Barbara D. Jones of Rice, three sons, Robert Lee Green of Bennettsville, S.C., Alexander David and Russell David Jr. both Bronx, N.Y., a brother, James Willie Jacobs of Bennettsville, S.C. and a sister, Nancy Williams of Bronx, N.Y.
A funeral for Mrs. David will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 at 12:30 p.m. at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church with burial in Ideal Cemetery in South Carolina. .  

Edith Pearson was the daughter of the late Sarah E. Ross Pearson and the late Willie Pearson. She was born April 13, 1931.

At an early age, she was baptized and joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. She obtained her education from Marlboro Training School in Bennettsville, SC and higher education from New York.

Edith became a healthcare worker and a seamstress and was employed for many many years. She was a member of the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church Group, Church Sunday School, Church Trustee Board Member, and her church family.

Her life's motto entailed: strive, learn. Succeed, reach for high goals, entail Christianity, and follow guided directions well!

She was preceded in death by brothers and sisters.

Left to cherish her memory are a daughter Virginia Douglas (Eddie Douglas, Sr.) of Bennettsville, SC; a grandson, Eddie Douglas Jr. (Cortina Douglas) of Charlotte, NC; two sisters, Elizabeth Williams (Thomas Williams) of Charlotte, NC and Daisy Davis (Luther Davis) of Bennettsville, SC; one sister-in-law, Rethea Pearson of Darlington, SC; many nieces, many special nephews; many special friends; great special neighbors; wonderful grand nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives; great cousins and friends and a great church family.

Ellease McLeod was born December 9, 1913 in Bennettsville, SC. She departed this life in North West Hospital in Baltimore, MD on May 9, 2005. Ellease was the eldest daughter of the late John Robert McLeod and Rosa Kirk McLeod of Bennettsville, SC. She accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized and became a member of Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Bennettsville, SC. Ellease was educated in the public schools of South Carolina prior to matriculating to Baltimore, Maryland in 1932. Shortly after her arrival in Baltimore, Ellease became a member of Union Temple Baptist Church. She was a faithful, willing and supportive member who attended regularly until her health began to fail. She worked with several organizations within the church including the adult ushering board and the kitchen committee. Ellease was a very warm and personable person who loved and enjoyed fellowship with her many relatives, church family, and friends. She also had a special bond with her nephew Leroy Lancaster. Leroy resided with her for many years and considered her to be his favorite Auntie. To cherish her memory are: two sisters, Willie Mae McElhaney of Baltimore, MD, Mary Lee Stubbs, of Bennettsville, SC; one brother, Eddie D. McLeod of Bennettsville, SC; a devoted nephew, Leroy Lancaster of Baltimore, MD; seven nieces, four other nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.

HAMLET, N.C. — The Rev. John Lee Daniels was born Aug. 10, 1949 to Nathaniel and Lena Daniels in Franklinton, North Carolina. He transitioned from Earth to Heaven on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 at the UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.

The Rev. Daniels was baptized and joined the First Baptist Church, Franklinton at the age of 7. When he was 17, he was licensed as a minister of the gospel and subsequently ordained as a Baptist minister. He attended the local public schools and after graduating from BF Person Albion High School in 1967, matriculated at Shaw University in Raleigh, where he earned a bachelor's degree in religion and philosophy.

In 1973, John married the love of his life, Carrie Ward of Hamlet. Just days after their wedding, they embarked on a journey to St. Marc, Haiti where John served as superintendent of the Lott Cary Mission. When they returned to the United States, John served as the superintendent of the JJ Johnson Baptist Assembly in Laurel Hill. He had the privilege to serve as pastor to White Rock Missionary Baptist Church, St. Marc, Haiti; St. John Missionary Baptist Church, Aberdeen; Galilee Missionary Baptist Church, Taylortown; Mount Tabor Missionary Baptist Church, Rowland; Spring Branch Missionary Baptist Church, Wagram; Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Bennettsville, South Carolina; Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Evergreen, North Carolina, and was currently serving as pastor to the First Baptist Church, Hamlet.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Carrie Ward Daniels; his sister, Nathelia Juliet Brown; brother-in-law, Patrick Ward; sister-in-laws, Dr. Janice Moss (Charles), Betty Ward, Sharon Ward; niece, Kimberly Ward Davis; nephews, Melvyn Harris Brown III (Danielle), George Daniel Brown (Amanda); the church family at First Baptist Church, Hamlet; numerous cousins; devoted classmates from the BF Person Albion class of 1967; many friends; and the extended families and friends of the churches that he served throughout his tenure.

 Mr. Eugene “Pete” Copeland, Jr, known to many as Chief or Pistol Pete. Mr. Copeland is recognized as being the first African-American Police Chief in the state of South Carolina. Mr. Eugene “Pete” Copeland, Jr., a native of Bennettsville, South Carolina, was the second born on January 29, 1928, to the late Eugene and Donella Copeland. His early education was earned at Marlboro County Training and High School in Bennettsville, South Carolina and he received his B.S. Degree in Business Administration from A&T State University, Greensboro, North Carolina. Mr. Copeland furthered his education at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy, Columbia, South Carolina.

Mr. Copeland joined the Bennettsville Police Department July 4, 1953, breaking the color barrier in Marlboro County. His promotions included the rank of Sergeant, Lieutenant, and Captain. He was appointed to the position as Chief of Police in 1973, and at that time was cited by the South Carolina House of Representatives by a Concurrent Resolution as being the FIRST BLACK CHIEF OF POLICE IN THE STATE. Mr. Copeland retired from the Bennettsville Police Department after 37 years of service with 17 years as Chief of Police.

Eugene was a member of numerous civil and social organizations. To name a few, he served as a Trustee and choir member at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, a 32degree mason, Worthy Patron of Queen of Sheba #5 Order of Eastern Star; Member of American Legion Post; eight year board member of Marlboro County Board of Education; Board Member of United Fund; Mental Health Association and the American Red Cross; the first black to become affiliated with Kiwanis Club of Bennettsville, SC in 1977; member of Cheraw Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; President of Council on Aging; mentor for Boys to Men; a committee member of the Old Marlboro County Training High School, Bennettsville, SC and a founder of Palmetto State Law Enforcement Association (PSLEOA).

He was the recipient of numerous awards from various professional and community organizations. He has been cited twice as “Lawman of the Year” by WBSC Radio Station, and has received other outstanding citizenship awards and service to the City of Bennettsville and the State of South Carolina. He was listed in the 1975 edition of Outstanding Americans in the South and appointed to the Governor’s Committee on Criminal Justice, Crime and Delinquency. In 2003, he was named Kappa Man of the Year. Mr. Copeland ran an unsuccessful race for Mayor of Bennettsville in 1990. For all his dedicated commitments to Bennettsville, they renamed his street from Bostic St. to Eugene Copeland St.

On June 27, 2008, Chief peacefully departed his physical life and left his fellow citizens, friends, and loved ones to cherish his memories. We salute our very own Black History!

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