The Index-Journal from Greenwood, South Carolina • Page 4

Sunday. June 22. 1997 4A The Index-Journal. Greenwood, S.C. Lakelands! State DEATHS ANS FUNERALS Presbyterian Church votes Jo Ann Snelling to soften anti-gay stance L'khael D.

Arrington, Stanley Annua, Greenwood Lowell Jackson, 918 Miller Road, Hodjsa Jo Ann Snelling, 311 Uilford Spring Road, Greenwood Crystal Stevenson, 709 Taggmrt Street, Greenwood Dorothy Underwood, 225 Overbrook. Road, Greenwood i ttaawgfeBBro i. Grace Sutherland, 105 Wardlaw Street. Abbeville GREENWOOD Jo Ann Underwood Snelling, 67. of 311 Milford Springs wife of Raymond W.

-Ray" Snelling died June 20, 1997. Born in Greenwood County, she was a' daughter of Ethel Gunnells Underwood and the Lite P. Ramie I Underwood. She was a graduate of Greenwood High I School. Greenwood College of Commerce and al-.

(ended Lander. She aiia-d from United Savings Loan as internal. auditor and assistant lo the president alter 31 vears of service. She was a member of Mathews United Church where she was a member of the Willing Worker's Sunday schixil class and the UMW. She was a member and past president of the Greenwood Pilot Club, a member of the Professional Secretaries' Association and had formerly served on the board of directors of die Salvation Army.

Surviving, in addition to her SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) Presbyterian Church (USA) leaders agreed Friday to amend their constitution to support "fidelity in all relationships of life" in an attempt to temper a rule that bars gay Christians from the pulpit. "This is a way into the future. It's an interim step," said the Rev. John Lohr of Palisades, N.J.

"It doesn't resolve the issue but it gives us space for grace." The measure does not lift a 1978 policy that bans ordaining "self-af-firming; practiting homosexuals." But gay and lesbian rights supporters say easing the "fidelity and chastity" rule broadens the definition of acceptable relationships. After two hours of debate and two foiled attempts to derail the compromise, delegates to the annual General Assembly took five minutes for prayer, then approved the compromise by a vote of 328-217. It still needs approval by a majority of the denomination's 172 presbyteries before it would go into effect. After the vote, many delegates hugged and shook hands. Others walked out of the convention hall obviously displeased.

"We don't need another amendment. We need to trust the majority voice of our church," said the Rev. Dale DePue of the Presbytery of Indian Nations. The "fidelity and chastity" rule, passed last year to affirm the ban on gay ministers, includes a provision that the only acceptable sexual expression for ordained persons is between a man and a woman within the context of marriage, or ''chastity in singleness." The compromise approved Friday expands the rule to include "fidelity in all relationships of Clifford W. Brown, Anderson Jacob Burrlss, Columbia Henry James, Easley rr- husband of the home and her mother of Greenwood, are two daughters," Mclinda Snelling of Charleston and Janet Pale of Spartanburg: two sons, Chip Snelling and David Snelling, both.

of Greenwood: a sister, Bobbie U. Hall of Greenville; two brothers. Donnie Underwixxl of Spartanburg and Jerry Underwixxl of Rock Hill; and five grandchildren. Services will be conducted 11 a.m. Monday at Blyth Funeral Home with the Rev.

John G. Hipp and the Rev. Nellie Clo-iintiK'i' Burial will ANN SNELLING IoIIdvv in (iicenwoixl Memorial (iiirdens. J'allbeaivrs will be nephews. The family will receive friends 4 to 6 p.m.

lixlay al Blyth Funeral Home. -'The 'family is at the home of a sister-in-law, Lu-J ween S. Harrison, 103 Woodcresl. Memorials may be made to I lospiceCaVe of the Piedmont, co Greenwood Medical Center, Green-' S.C. 29646, or to Mathews United Methodist Church.

804 Wright Greenwixxl, S.C. 29646. life." Supporters say that could open the door to the church's sanctioning same-sex marriage and gay ministers. Although more than 20 congregations across the country have voted to disregard it, last yearns amendment was narrowly approved with only 50.6 percent of the popular vote. Because the compromise amends the denomination's constitution, it is stronger than the 1978 ban, which is only a policy statement.

Supporters pointed to biblical passages regarding love and tolet-ance and said the original rule, which took effect Thursday, had driven church members away and fueled discord throughout the 2.7-million member church. Opponents countered that the compromise would cause further divisions. Income-based Medicare draws opposition WASHINGTON (AP) Proposals to charge wealthy senior citizens more for Medicare or raise the age of eligibility for benefits are likely to face strong opposition when they come up for a vote in the Senate next week. Nonetheless, "it's time we alert people out there that there are going to be changes or we need to let their children know there are going to be tax increases," Sen. Bob Kerrey, said Friday.

With more than 70 million baby boomers set to retire starting irj 2010, "it becomes unavoidable to consider doing something about it," Kerrey told reporters Friday. But he said he was unsure how many senators ultimately would support a raflical overhaul of the system. "I think there'll be a lot of people frightened about doing it, mostly for political reasons," he said. The Senate Finance Committee approved both increasing Medicare deductibles for affluent elderly Americans and raising the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 67 as part of the balanced budget package. The American Association of Retired Persons said it will use mail, telephone calls and radio ads to urge its 33 million members to contact their lawmakers and ask them to vote against the proposals.

"The Senate committee bill, if enacted into law, could unravel the Medicare program as we know it," AARP's executive director, Horace Deets, said. Gingrich urges support for GOP tax proposal WASHINGTON (AP) Calling tax relief a "moral imperative," House Speaker Newt Gingrich urged Americans to support the Republican version of a tax cut bill that Congress is to vote on next week. Gingrich, in Saturday's Republican response to President Clinton's weekly radio address, also promised that next week's vote would not end the GOP's "tax-cutting mission." He said no American should pay more than 25 percent of income to federal, state and local taxes currently many Americans pay closer to 50 percent "We will come back next year and the year after that, and continue our fight for lower Gingrich said. Both the House and Senate vote next week on bills that would cut taxes by a net $85 billion over the next five years as part of the White House-Republican agreement on balancing the budget by 2002. The Republican bill includes a $500-per-child credit, education tax incentives and reductions in capital-gains and estate taxes.

While agreeing on broad outlines of the package, Democrats say the GOP bill benefits the rich more than the middle class and poor. Unlike the House GOP bill, a Democratic version provides benefits to people who don't earn enough to pay taxes. House Democratic leader Dick Gephardt of Missouri said Democrats will oppose the Republican bill "because well over half of the benefits go to the richest 5 percent of taxpayers." The Democratic bill, he said last week, "targets tax relief to the people who are raising children and agonizing over how they will be able to send them to college when they are ready." Gingrich rejected the Democratic idea of extending tax credits to those not paying income tax. "Their bill is not a tax cut bill. It is a welfare increase bilL When you take out billions of dollars in tax cuts for working people and put in billions of dollars for people who pay no taxes, that's increasing welfare spending." He said Republicans, and the American people, know "that cutting taxes is not just a financial issue.

It is a moral imperative. We believe that Americans should be allowed to keep more of their hard-earned money." Lowell Jackson HODGES Lowell Jackson, of 918 Miller husband' of Ruby M. Lomax Jackson, died June. 21, 1997, at Magnolia Manner. Born in Lincolnton, he was a.

son of the late William and Vinnie Leveret (e Jackson. He was a retired U.S. Mail truck driver and he also van driver for Piedmont Council on Aging. He was a member of Ml. Calvary Baptist Church in Abbeville County, where he served as deacon and was a member of the Son of Aide Society 55.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of the home, are three sons, Rufus L. Jackson of Hodges, John A. Jackson and Michael Jackson, both of Greenwood; four daughters. Verticil J. Klugh and Vera J.

Paul, both of Greenwood, and Eula J. Byrd and Dorothy J. Spencer, both of Hodges: a brother. Ellis Jackson of Lexington. N.C.: and six sisters, Annie Ruth Murphy, I.ouneil Nixon.

Beruice Barmore, Addie B. Jackson. Elizabeth Martin and Larni.ee Anderson, all of Lexington. N.C.. The family is at the home.

Arrangements are incomplete at this time and will he announced by Parks Funeral Home in Greenwixxl. Henry L. James Blackout shuts down parts of nation's capital for hour LA-Z-DOY Lectra-Lift Chair EASLEY Henry L. Jatnesl 79, of 2840 Powdersville husband of the late Margie Huff James, died June 19, St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Anderson County, he was a son of the late Johnny Martin and Mary Elizabeth Raines James. He was a retired cotton farmer and had owned and operated Moore Milling Co. and James Cash Wholesale Food Distributors, He was later associated with Smith-Drake retiring in 1991. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a member of Concrete Camp 299 WOW and Siloam Baptist Chinch.

Surviving are. a daughter, Sharon James McClellion of Powdersville; a son, Michael L. James of Powders- ville: a brother, Jessie Raymond James of Dacusville; and four grandchildren. Services will be held 4 p.m. Monday at Thomas Jr McAfee I "uncial Home, Downtown Chapel, with the Claude Brown, Augusta, Ga.

Crystal Stevenson GREENWOOD Crystal LaShay Stevenson, 18, of 709 Taggart died June 21, 1997. at her home. Bom in Greenwixxl County, she was a daughter of Cynthia Williams Carter and the late Clark She was a graduate of Greenwixxl High School class of 1997. She was of (he Baptisl faith. Surviving, in addition (o her mother of (he home, are a daughter, Jalisa LaShay Stevenson of the home; three sisters, Wallisa Williams and Kenosha Stevenson, both of Greenwixxl, and Tina Carter of the home; and her paternal grandmother, Vinnie M.

Baker of Donalds. The family is al the home. Arrangements will be announced later by Percival-Tompkins Funeral Home. Grace Sutherland ABBEVILLE Grace lliolt Sutherland, 90, ol" 105 Wardlaw widow of W.O. Sutherland, died June 21, 1997, at Abbeville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Anderson County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Rosa Barkley Ilioll. She was a homemaker and a charter member of Southside Baptist Church (currently Abbeville Firsl Baptist Church) where she was active in missions work. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. John (Mada-line) Gillespie of Greenville and Mrs. Tommy (Robbie Anna) Payne of Abbeville; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Services will be conducted 2 p.m. tixlay al Abbeville Firsl Baptisl Church by the Rev. Wayne Wiggins. Burial will follow in Beaverdam Daplisi Church Cemetery in Pelzer. The family will receive friends 1 to 2 p.m.

today at Abbeville First Baplist Church: The family is at the home. Memorials may be made to Abbeville First Baptist Church. Harris Funeral Home is in charge. Jacob Burriss COLUMBIA Jacob Chad Burriss, infant son of William II. "Hank" and Sherri Craft Burriss, died June 14, 1997.

Surviving, in addition to his parents, are his paternal grandparents, Mickey and Joyce Burriss of Columbia; maternal grandparents, Hugh find Pat Craft of Abbeville; paternal great-grandmother, Jesse Crosby of Columbia; maternal great-grandmother, Mary Rhodes of Anderson; paternal great-grandmother, Sybil Burriss of Columbia; aunt and uncle, Tommy and Christi Burriss and their son Taylor of Lexington; and uncle, Michael Craft of Lexington. Graveside services will be held 4 p.m. Monday at Woodridge Memorial Park. Dunbar Funeral Home, Gervais St. Chapel, is in charge.

Claude Workman Brown AUGUSTA, Ga. Claude Workman Brown, 60, of 2609 Deans Bridge Lot 18A, died. June 20, 1997, at the V.A. Hospital. Born in McCormick County, he was a son of the late freight and Polly Singleton Brown, lie was a U.S.

Air Force veteran and of the Mclluxlist Formerly of McCormick, he was a resident of Au-gusta for. 27, ycaivv, Surviving are jhvo brothers, Otis Brown of Greenwood and Talmaclgc Brown of Spartanburg: and three sisters, Mary B. Dcloach of Greenwixxl, Lottie B. Dilleshaw and Frances B. Kelly, both of McCormick.

Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Monday at McCormick City Cemetery wiih the Rev. Don Alexander officiating. The family will receive friends 7 to 9 p.m. tonight at Strom Funeral Home in-McCormick.

Michael D. Arrington GREENWOOD Michael D. Arrington, 34, of Stanley died June 19, 1997, at his residence. He was the adopted son of John D. Arlington of Ninety Six and Ann Wheeler Arrington of Augusta, Gti.

Surviving also is a brother, Mark Arrington of Waynesville, NX. Graveside services will be conducted 3:30 p.m. Monday at Greenwixxl Memorial Gardens with Dr. J. William Harris officiating.

Blyth Funeral Home is in charge. Publishing chairman dies COFFEYVILLE, Kan. (AP) Richard M. Seaton, the head of a media group 'with holdings in Western states, died Friday at-age 84. Seaton died at Coffeyville Regional Medical Center, where he was admitted on Wednesilay alter sul-fering a stroke.

Seaton was chairman of Seaton Publishing Co. of Manhattan, the company that owns The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury, and was chairman of the parent company of Manhattan radio stations KMAN and KMKF. The Seaton Media Group expanded to include newspapers, radio and television stations in Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Al one lime, die holdings also included radio stations in Lubbock, Texas. Born in Washington, D.C., Seaton moved to Manhattan, Kansas, al age 2 when his father bought The Manhattan Mercury.

Seaton eventually became the newspaper's business manager, helping it emerge as the city's only daily paper. He moved to Coffeyville in 1947, when the family bought the Coffeyville Journal and KGGF radio. The newspaper was sold (o Gannett Newspapers in 1978. and Sealon gave up day-lo-day management responsibilities' in the company. laxed dress code.

The addition of candles at every table along with a few extra drinks also helped cool off the situation, Weldon said. Not even the stalwart Washington Monument escaped. Several tourists finding themselves stuck at the top of the 550-foot obelisk when the power failed. "Fortunately, the elevator was not loaded at the time," said Charlie Thomas, a park ranger. WASHINGTON (AP) Tradition broke for the first time in 21 years at one of Washington's ritziest restaurants: Male patrons were permitted to take off their blazers and loosen their ties.

No, the nation's capital hadn't suddenly converted to the "Casual Friday" concept. An hour-long power outage Friday evening plunged about 10,000 electric customers into darkness and shut down air conditioning acrpssf the city on a balmy summer evening. "We bent the.rulefor the first time in 21 years," Jolly manager of the pricey Prime Rib restaurant in downtown Washington, explained of the re-. Rev. Gary Ward, the Rev.

Terry Fowler and the Rev. Mickey Gambrell officiating. Burial will follow in Siloam Baplist Church cemetery. The family will receive friends 4 to 6 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The is al the home of his daughter, Sharon McClellion, 2.X21 Powdersville Powdersville. he In Ihi" Kiilni'v I of South Carolina, P.O. Box 212634, Columhia. S.C. 2922 1-2634, or to Pickens County Free Medical Clinic, P.O.

Box 1452, Pickens, S.C. 29671. I Allows you to stand smoothly without strain I The ideal chair for a person with arthritis I Hand-held control to sit slowly and safely I Featuring the quality craftsmanship and comfort of La-Z-Boy" Performs as a full recliner when in regular sitting position I Includes 3-year warranty on motor DISCOUNT Bertha Elease "Little Sister" Williams Smith Thank you sincerely for sharing our sorrow. Your thoughtfulncss is appreciated and will always be remembered. Many thanks to our family, friends and relatives for the hospital and home visits, prayers, cards, food, monetary donations and your kindness during the illness and death of our loved one.

She is truly missed by all of us. Dorothy Underwood GREENWOOD Dorothy Simmons Undcr- woixl, 74, ol 225 Overbrook widow of Theron Belts Underwood, died June 21, 1997, al her home, BRONZE MARKERS GRANITE MARBLE MONUMENTS SINCE 1947 PUcutt aUt ta fit fttte (ejvte teuuue yam ETHRIDGE MONUMENT CO. Hwy.2S South I. 2X73114 115-7943 FURNITURE Born in Abbeville, a daughter of the late Robert Young and Annie Mullikin Simmons, she was retired from Jay's House of Fabric. She was a member of Street United Melliodist Church where she was 'a member of the Lawion Sunday School class and the United Melliodist Women.

She was also a member of The Smith Williams Family of Greenwood 601 S. Main 229-3012 Narcissus Garden Club. Surviving arc two daughters, Mary Anne Welch of Gastonia. N.C., and Barbara Sparrow of Greenville: and two grandchildren. Memorial services will be held 11 a.m.

Monday at Main Street United Melliodist Church wiih the Rev. Harry Mays officiating. The family will receive friends 7 lo 9 p.m. lonighl Hurley Home. The family is al the home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 201 N. Main One hundred and thirteen years ago, our funeral home started with one purpose to serve with dignity and fairness. Since then, times may have changed, but our commitment never has. We're people. you can rely on when you need us most.

1425 Montague Avenue Greenwood, S.C. 223-2223 Greenwixxl, S.C. 29646. Clifford W. Brown i ANDERSON Clifford Wyler Brown, 68, Of 1046 Monroe While died June 19, 1997, at An-Jfdcrson Area Medical Center.

He was retired from Dexter Grocery Co. and was a U.S. Army Air Corps woriu war it veteran. He was If member of Mat Kock Baptist Church. Surviving are his wile, Geneva Nichols Brown of the home, a son, Donnic Ray Brown ol Starr; a (brother, James F.

Brown of Anderson; four sisters. pMary Eou Whilaker, Sylvia Hughes and Nellie Jean Taylor, all ol Anderson, and Martha Giles ol Abbe Larry, Judy, Wayne Steve Gantt ville; and a grandson. Services were held Saturday at McDougald Funeral (Home wiih burial in Forest Lawn Memorial Park..