HEBER “SAM” MIXSON lll

Heber Sam Mixson III entered eternal rest April 25, 2026, while surrounded by his family.

A Celebration of Life will be posted at a later date.

 

Heber Sam Mixson III was born on December 6, 1962,

to the late Heber Everrette Mixson II and Carolyn Jean Heape in Hampton, SC.

 

Sam found joy in the land and water he grew up with – working in the fields, shrimping the

back waters of the low country rivers, and tending to his honeybees with his loyal dog

Widget by his side.

 

He is preceded in death by his mother, Carolyn Jean Heape, and his father, Heber Everette Mixson II.

 

He leaves behind his loving sisters, Cathy Mixson of Barnwell and Hope Bishop of Nixville;

his niece, Casey Mixson of Barnwell; and his great-niece Nevaeh Mixson and

great-nephew Malachi Mixson, who were dear to his heart.

 

 

The family has entrusted the arrangements with Dyches Funeral home and crematory.

CYNTHIA DIANE JOHNSON BROWN

 

  In Loving Memory 

  Cynthia Diane Brown Johnson

       Cynthia Diane Brown Johnson, age 71, passed away on April 5, 2026. Cynthia was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. On January 10, 1955, Cynthia was born to the late Colie and Inez Brown. She is survived by her daughter, Ashli Johnson of North Augusta; her grandson, Logan Vaid of North Augusta; her sister, Beryl Barrett of North Augusta; and her three brothers, Ronnie and Carol Brown of Williston, SC, Randy and Sheryl Brown of Fripp Island, SC, and Rex and Candi Brown of Williston, SC.

       Cynthia cherished her golden retriever, Draco, and found joy in spending time at the beach and with her family and friends. She dedicated 25 years of service to SRS before her retirement, leaving a lasting impact on her colleagues.

    A memorial service will be held at Dyches Funeral Home and Crematory on Saturday, April 11, 2026, starting at 1:00 PM. Pastor Wendell Bruner will be officiating. The burial will be followed in the Williston Cemetery The family deeply appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time of remembrance and healing. The Memorial may be made to charity of one’s choice.

           The family has entrusted Dyches funeral home and crematory with the arrangements.

 

Nancy Jane Saxman

Nancy Jane Saxman, age 43, of Williston, passed away on March 9, 2026.

The family will be holding a celebration of life at a later date. Nancy was born to Christina Mary Walker and Wayne Saxman on November 1st of 1982.

Nancy was full of life and had an abundance of love for her family and friends. Above all her husband for whom she was most passionate. She was known for her loyalty, kind heart, and her free spirit. She felt most at home outdoors, where she could make anything an adventure. She loved animals, ice cream and especially her morning cup of coffee with Jesus.

Nancy will always be remembered by how she lived life and spread love through her unshakeable faith. She is survived by her father, Wayne Saxman, and husband, Timothy Seth Ligon. She was preceded in death by her mother, Christina Mary Walker.

The family entrusted Dyches Funeral Home with the arrangements.

 

FRANK ALAN SIMONETTI

Olar, SC-Frank A. Simonetti,66, passed away March 11,2026. A private service will be held at a later date. the family has entrusted Dyches Funeral Home with the arrangements.

KATHALYN ANNE GILLESPIE BAKER

Kathalyn Anne “Skeeter” Gillespie Baker, 81, of Blackville, SC entered eternal rest on Monday, January 12, 2026.

Born in Jersey City, NJ, and raised in Laurens and Blackville, SC, she was a graduate of Barnwell High School where she mastered the skills of shorthand, typing, and dictation. She worked as a receptionist for the Barnwell People-Sentinel, served many years as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician of Barnwell Rescue Squad, earning recognition as EMT of the year in 1987, was a full time dispatcher & administrative assistant at the Barnwell Sheriff’s Office, and a served as a home health aide and transportation coordinator for the Lower Savannah Council of Governments in Allendale, County.

A gathering to celebrate the life of Kathy will be held March 7,2026 at Dyches Funeral Home Chapel from 11 am to 1 pm.

Ms. Baker was the daughter of the late James Franklin Gillespie and Anna Margaret Albrecht Gillespie. She was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church of Barnwell and was a loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Survivors include daughter Bridgitte H. Gunnells (Perry) of Flagler Beach, FL; son, Thomas N. Baker (Anne) of Aiken, SC; brother James V. Gillespie (Mae Jo) of Olar SC; seven grandchildren: Ryan Gunnells of Kincardine, Ontario, Canada; Catherine Gunnells of Nashville, TN; Falcon Baker (Christina) of Pickens, SC; Zoe Baker of Columbia, SC; Skye Baker of Taylors, SC; Travis Edwards and Julia Harper, both of Aiken, SC; and four great grandchildren, Aidan Gunnells, Declan Gunnells, Rylan Gunnells, and Lily Baker. Nephew Danny Gillespie (Geri) of Olar, SC and Grandniece Carlee Creech of Aiken, Sc. Her dear friend and fellow quilter Clarice Dyches. Ms. Baker was predeceased by her parents, her brother, Charles Daniel Gillespie and her Niece Cynthia Gillespie Creech.

Her hobbies included genealogy, reading, collecting recipes, cooking, baking, and various crafts including – designing and decorating cakes, making wedding mints, sewing Afghans, blankets, and quilts, and creating ornaments of felt and yarn.

The family thanks the nurses and staff of Advent Health Hospice for their loving and kind care.

The family has entrusted Dyches Funeral Home & Crematory with the arrangements for the Celebration of Life Ceremony.

SHERRY BLOCK BODIFORD

In Loving Memory
Sherry Lynn Block Bodiford
Gone but never forgotten.
1960-2026
May your journey to eternal rest be peaceful; your kindness and
memories will live on in the hearts of those who knew you.
Sherry Lynn Block Bodiford, born May 27, 1960, in Fort Benning, Georgia, to Betty Ruth Taylor Block and
William David Block, was proud to have been raised in a military family. Her early years were spent
traveling and living in various states across the United States, experiences that helped shape her
adventurous and resilient spirit. Sherry was the third of six children and the oldest daughter. From a
young age, she naturally stepped into the role of caregiver, helping care for and provide for her
younger siblings.
Sherry attended several schools throughout her childhood and graduated from Spencer High School in
Columbus, Georgia, at the age of 17.
In 1979, following high school, Sherry moved to Barnwell, South Carolina from Columbus, Georgia to live
with her grandmother, Margaret Block. In 1982, Sherry married Ricky Bodiford. In 1984, Sherry became a
devoted mother to daughter Heather Bodiford and in 1986, Sherry became the mother of son Ricky
“Bubba” Bodiford Jr.
Sherry dedicated her professional life to serving children through Barnwell School District. For over 28
years, she faithfully served as a Special Services Aide at Barnwell Primary School. She had a true
calling for working with children, especially those with special needs. The love, compassion, and
patience she showed her students were admirable and unforgettable. Sherry was known for her
incredible work ethic and her heart of gold. She was not just an employee or teacher — she was a
friend and confidant to all who knew her.
Sherry had many interests and hobbies. Her love of travel began at a young age and continued
throughout her life. In recent years, her favorite adventures were cruises shared with friends and
family. She also cherished camping at Lake Marion, shopping, visiting the beach, listening to music,
dancing, sitting outside her camper talking with close friends, and riding her golf cart. Above all, she
treasured time spent with her family and adored loving on her grandchildren.
On February 13, 2026, Sherry unexpectedly yet peacefully entered eternal rest at MUSC in Charleston,
South Carolina, following a long health battle.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Ruth Taylor Block of Columbus, Georgia, and her
brother, Thomas Moler Jr. of Gulfport, Mississippi.
She leaves to cherish her memory her father, William David Block of Columbus, Georgia; her brother,
Jerry Moler of Gulfport, Mississippi; her sisters, Donna Sue Block of Smithfield, North Carolina; Carol Ann
Block of Harris County, Georgia; and Kathy Marie McIntyre of Columbus, Georgia; her children, Heather
Bodiford (Chris) and Ricky “Bubba” Bodiford Jr., and her bonus children, Cody Nix (Heather) and
Barbara Herron, all of Barnwell, South Carolina.
Sherry was a proud grandmother to Zoe, Zane, Landon, Cage, Emme, Hayden, Brodie, and Tanner, as
well as a beloved aunt to numerous nieces and nephews.
She also leaves behind numerous special friends including, Brenda Carter, Eryn Outz, Kim Humphrey,
Brenda Creech, Jo Jo Grooms, Stephanie and Keith Knotts, Danny and Kelly Collins, Ann Way,
Margaret Crider, Peggy Sullivan and the rest of her Millcreek Family
Her legacy of love, strength, compassion, and dedication to family and community will live on in all
who knew and loved her.
The family will host a celebration of life which will be held Saturday February 21, 2026, at the El Bab
shrine club, 571 Patterson Mill Rd Barnwell, South Carolina at 5:00p.m. Flowers and condolences may

be sent to Dyches funeral home of Barnwell South Carolina.

SHERRY BLOCK BODIFORD

Sherry Block Bodiford passed away on February 13, 2026, arrangements will be posted at a later date.

ANNIE LOU OWENS

Annie Lou Owens, 79, of Barnwell, passed away on February 15, 2026, surrounded by family.

Born on April 27, 1946, in Barnwell County, she was the loving daughter of the late Luther Owens and Ruby Morris. Annie cherished her family and found joy in simple pleasures like fishing at the creek with her kids and grandkids and catching up on her favorite soap operas at home.

She leaves behind two sons, Jamie Owens of Barnwell and Daron Owens (Jessica) of Barnwell; seven grandchildren, Madison  Zissett (Kodee), Kodi Owens, Connor Owens, Allison Owens, Savannah Owens, Jordan Owens, Courtney Owens, and one great-grandchild, Colsen Owens. Also leaving behind her 3 sisters May Holder, the late Helen Dyches and Matlee Holder. Annie was widowed by the late Robert Holder.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 17, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Dyches Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 18, at 1:00 p.m. at Dyches Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Flanders officiating. Burial will follow at Reedy Branch Baptist Church Cemetery.

Pall Bearers: Ashton Holder, Michael Holder, Richard Holder, Kodee Zissett, Timmy Hooker, and Stan Zorn

The family has entrusted Dyches Funeral Home and Crematory with the arrangements.

VERNON OWENS

 

Vernon E. Owens, 50 of Barnwell, South Carolina, passed away on January 23rd surrounded by family.
He was born on October 18, 1975, in Columbia, South Carolina to Dina Jackson and the late Eddie Owens.
He is survived by his caregiver and friend, Sarah Williams and his faithful dog, Bullet. He was an avid Clemson football fan.
Funeral services will be announced at a later date .
The family has entrusted Dyches Funeral Home and Crematory with the arrangements.

VERNON EUGENE OWENS

   Vernon E. Owens of Barnwell, South Carolina,

passed away on January 23, 2026 at the age of 50.

He was born on October 18, 1975, in Columbia, South Carolina to Dina Jackson and late Eddie Owens.

He is survived by his caregiver and friend, Sarah Williams fan and his faithful dog, Bullet. He was an avid Clemson football fan.