All Obituaries

Wade Arthur Kleppe, 80, passed away on Friday, September 24, 2021. Born in Radisson, WI on June 13, 1941 he was a son of the late Christian B. Kleppe and Blanche (Knudsen) Kleppe.   Wade grew up in Strongsville on the Hinchcliff farm where his parents worked, now the site of the Strongsville Mall. He learned to drive by operating a tractor on the farm and was proud that he received a driver’s license without taking an exam.  After graduating from Strongsville High School in...

Minister Richard Stokes, 81 was born August 23, 1940 in Detroit , MI. He was ordained a minister by Bishop Starks of the Church of God In Christ in Detroit MI.  He owned his own carpet installation business in Detroit, MI and California.  Richard was a multi-talented and multi-gifted man enjoying varied interest, such as, working on car, boxing and music and promotion. This lead him to become a certified mechanic and boxer in his younger years...

Sam Schneider, a Pastor and successful realtor of Columbia, SC went to rest at the feet of his Savior unexpectedly on September 13, 2021 at the age of 61.  Pastor Sam is survived by his loving wife of 37 years, Lisa Schneider; his children, Samuel Schneider (Courtney), Seth Schneider (Tori), and Hanna Schneider; grandchildren, Liam, Judah, Caden, Sophia, Mia, and Micah; siblings, Theresa Schneider, Katherine Green (Dr. Edward), David Schneider (Susan), Joseph Schneider (Susan), Todd...

Rosa “Olinda” Arteaga Contreras was born on March 13, 1939 in Casapalca, Peru to Juana Rosa Contreras Torres and Sabino Arteaga Valenzuela. Olinda spent the first years of her life in Casapalca and later on her and her family moved to Lima, Peru, where she graduated from high school. She married Felix Bravo Escuvilca and they had 2 children Dante and Beatriz. Olinda worked for her brother’s company as a custom agent for 37 years. She was independent, a hard worker, strong...

Mary C. Smith, 89, of Columbia, SC, passed peacefully from this life into the loving arms of our Lord on Sept. 8, 2021. Maryloved her Savior, the Lord Jesus, with all her heart, and she showed God’s love to the world through her faithful volunteer service, her powerful intercessory prayers, and the fellowship she cultivated around her table.    Born on January 27, 1932, in Woodstock, Virginia, Mary lived most of her life in...

Sandra Pabon was born on August 11th, 1954 to Enio Pabon, and Diana Borges in the Bronx. She was the only child, but lived close to her aunts, uncles, and cousins. At the age of 15, she endured a spinal operation in which a metal rod was integrated within her spine. She was bedridden for two consecutive years, and found it difficult to resume her “normal” life. She lived her whole life with pain as a result, and was declared disabled. In 1977, she gave birth to her only child,...

Hope Raynell Smith Matthews died August 26, at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, SC. The daughter of the late Dr. Donald Ray Smith (USAF, ret.) and Mrs. ZoDell Austin Smith, Hope was born March 5, 1956 in Wichita Falls, TX and grew up as the daughter of an Air Force Chaplain living all over the world. She was married to the love of her life, MSgt Ricky Walter Matthews (USAF, ret.) and they raised two children,...

Mary Lou Graham Dabbs, 79, of Columbia, SC, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 22, 2021 while surrounded by her family.  Born November 3, 1941 in Charlotte, NC, she was the daughter to the late Donald Emmett Graham and Mary Louise Arnett Graham. Mary Lou retired from Richland School District 2 in 2004 after a career dedicated to helping many students.  Her passion for her career was evident by the numerous children’s lives in which she had such a...

John Coleman Cork, Jr. John passed away on August 19, 2021. Born in Ware Shoals, SC, on August 1,1934, John was the son of the late John Coleman Cork and the late Margaret Massey Cork. He was a graduate of Ware Shoals High School and attended the University of South Carolina where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. After a long career with T & T Sporting Goods in Columbia, S.C., he joined Wayne Watson Company. He retired from his career as a sales representative for the southeast...