HETTIE T. GOOCH

SUMMERTON - Hettie Thompson Gooch, 80, widow of A. Gene Gooch, died May 30, 2010, at her home.

Born in Bethune, she was a daughter of the late Johnny J. and Lillie Mae Griffin Thompson. She retired from Sears Catalog Sales in Lancaster and was formerly employed at Springs Mills in Lancaster. She was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Lancaster and was a former member of the Clemson Extension Club.

Survivors include two daughters, Carol Starnes Hills and Wendy Watkins, both of Summerton; a brother, Neil Thompson of Liberty Hill; three grandchildren, Debbie Burch, Danya Eason and Robert Starnes, all of Summerton; and seven great-grandchildren, Melody MacDonald of New York, Lori Elliott of Orangeburg and Becky, Cody, Austin and Heather Eason and Willow Jones, all of Summerton.

Funeral services were held June 3 at Avinger Funeral Home Chapel in Holly Hill. Burial was in the Gooch family cemetery.

Avinger Funeral Home of Holly Hill handled arrangements.

MATTHEW HODGE Sr.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Retired Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Matthew Hodge Sr., 75, formerly of Sumter, died May 26, 2010, in an Alabama nursing home, after an extended illness.

Born Dec. 6, 1934, in Clarendon County, he was a son of the late Hampton and Annie Dell Bryant Hodge. He served in the Air Force for 33 years, and retired from Civil Service. He was of the Church of Christ faith.

Surviving are a son, Matthew Hodge Jr. of Houston; a daughter, Laquitta Smith and her husband, Tim, of Mississippi; a brother, Raymond Hodge of Sumter; a sister, Rosa Miles and her husband, D.D., of Manning; sister-in-law, Bobbie Hodge of Sumter; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Gerald and Edmund Hodge; and a sister, Viola Brewer.

A memorial service will be held at a later date at Home Branch Baptist Church.

Arrangements will be announced by Stephens Funeral Home.