Category: 1990s

Thomas “JT” Thomas, born on October 16, 1968, in Kumbanad, Kerala, India, departed this life on December 21, 2024, in Allegan County, Michigan. 

JT is survived by his mother, Mary Chacko Thomas; his ex-wife, Anne Marie “Annie” Thomas, and their five children: Hudson, Marykate, Ava, Bennett, and Maxwell. He is also remembered fondly by his sister, Jessica Elizabeth (Ryan) Oliver, along with their four children: Isabelle, Madden, Kate, and Grace. JT leaves behind numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins situated around the world. JT was preceded in death by his father, Vavelikuzhyle (Victor) Thomas.

 JT, known by some as Joe Thomas, attended high school at Ben Lippen School in Asheville, North Carolina and graduated from Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ. He furthered his education at Davidson College in North Carolina before enrolling in medical school at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He completed his residency at William Beaumont Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. Throughout his life, he developed a reputation for his generous nature, charismatic personality, and extroverted spirit. He enjoyed reading and memorizing scripture verses and volunteered with various Christian organizations such as Young Life. 

He cherished the time spent with his family, and enjoyed travel and vacations. An enthusiastic sports fan, JT loved playing various sports with his children, especially basketball, and was a faithful supporter of his children’s sports on the sidelines.

In addition to his medical career, JT enjoyed music and spent as much time as he could playing the guitar. He also found pleasure in playing and watching tennis and had a fondness for sports cars.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, January 3rd, 2025 at 2:00pm at Centerpoint Church, 2345 10th St N Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Visitation will be held at the church from 12:30pm to 2:00pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the family to go towards establishing an education fund for JT’s children. 

Susannah Cole Simpson, 49, passed away on November 26, 2024. Susannah was born in Nashville, TN on December 8, 1974, but spent most of her childhood in Columbia and Lexington. She attended Davidson College in Davidson, N.C. before earning her J.D. degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, where she was admitted in the Wig and Robe Society and selected for Law Review. She spent many of her professional years as an Assistant Attorney General in various divisions of the S.C. Office of the Attorney General and then as Assistant General Counsel for the Public Health Team at DHEC, before spending her final years as Assistant General Counsel for the Office of Technology and Information Services at the South Carolina Department of Administration.

For those who knew her, they knew she was a force of nature. People gravitated to her honesty and intellect and humor and smile, and she was a genuine and inspiring person to be around.

Susannah enjoyed horror movies and mystery novels, snacks and naps, and she enjoyed traveling: to Tennessee, Chicago, New Orleans, and, most recently, Spain and France. But mostly, she loved quiet evenings at home, spending time with her loving son Henry, adoring husband George, and her skittish pit bull Conrad.

Susannah is survived by her husband, George Bull Simpson, and her son, Henry James Cole. She is also survived by her parents, Dr. and Mrs. John Callison Rawl (John and Lynn); her sister and brother-in-law, Amy Rawl Epps (Elliott); her nephews John Elliott Epps, Thomas Rawl Epps, and Sullivan Lawrence Epps; and her aunts and uncles Thomas (Patricia) Rawl, Richard (Janice) Rawl, and Susan (Horace) Daniel, and many loving cousins. She is preceded in death by her grandparents John and Nadine Tate and T.H. and Helen Rawl.

There will be a private memorial service for immediate family on Sunday, December 1, followed by a celebration of Susannah’s life from 4-6 at the home of Amy and Elliott Epps, 5233 Lakeshore Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29206.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial to Donate Life SC, 4200 East North Street, Ste. 22 Greenville, SC 29615 or to Pets Inc., P.O. Box 6394, West Columbia, S.C. 29169.

“Fled is that music” —John Keats

LaCrystal Jeanne’ Jackson was born on June 21, 1976, to Jo Ellen Jackson and the late Eric Jackson in Chester, South Carolina. Our dearly departed, affectionately known as “Crystal,” ascended to Heaven on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.

LaCrystal was educated in the Fairfield County School System, graduating from Fairfield Central High School in 1994. She then pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Davidson College in North Carolina. LaCrystal was extremely bright, driven and had a passion for learning. Her thirst for knowledge and dedication to personal and professional growth led her to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of South Carolina and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke University, all while maintaining a full-time job and raising her boys. Further demonstrating her commitment to excellence, LaCrystal completed the Project Management Fundamentals course at Midlands Technical College and achieved her Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. She was also a proud graduate of the esteemed Riley Institute Diversity Leaders Initiative at Furman University.

LaCrystal was a hardworking woman who devoted countless hours to every role she held. Her dedication and brilliance allowed her to excel as a project manager, proposal/grant writer, consultant, and strategist. Her passion for learning and her drive to make a difference in every endeavor she undertook will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege to work alongside her.

LaCrystal’s legacy of hard work, dedication, and love will continue to inspire those who knew her. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and colleagues.

The Joy of the Journey

LaCrystal was a benevolent, charismatic, and loving person whose wardrobe was as colorful as she was. A social butterfly with an infectious laugh, she had an amazing ability to make everyone feel comfortable in her presence. Gifted in building meaningful relationships, her friends and social network included people from all different walks of life. She mastered making connections, whether for jobs, resources, or people, touching lives worldwide. To her family, friends, and communities, LaCrystal was every woman—a superwoman.

LaCrystal’s love for servant leadership shined brightly through her numerous volunteer roles, including serving on the board of Goodwill Industries of the Upstate/Midlands South Carolina, the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, and Vice President of Administration of the South Carolina PMI Midlands Chapter. LaCrystal also developed a passion for politics, providing tireless support, volunteer management, and impeccable execution for successful local campaigns. She believed in getting involved in opportunities that uplifted people and bettered the community.

In the Spring of 2018, LaCrystal “the Decoder” Jackson joyfully became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Columbia Alumnae Chapter). Devoted to the organization’s principles of scholarship, public service, and sisterhood, she wore her crimson and cream with pride.

LaCrystal loved the Lord and was a prayer warrior, worshiper, and a woman of great faith. Grateful for God’s faithfulness and compassion, she walked out her faith by always giving to and helping others—being the hands and feet of Christ. She organized prayer calls and devotions to support friends and colleagues through various life challenges, including the weekly Workplace Wednesday Motivation for working professionals and Hannah’s Prayer Wall for those desiring children. Her special calling to minister to single mothers led her to provide guidance, resources, and babysitting. LaCrystal was a champion for women, supporting several women’s ministries throughout the state, helping others set bold life goals, and developing strategies to achieve them, all while fervently praying for their success.

Her Legacy

LaCrystal’s greatest joy was her two boys, Brandon and Nicholas. A devoted mother, LaCrystal was determined to ensure that her boys had strong mentors and role models. She connected with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition as a passionate advocate and supporter of these organizations. She faithfully loved her family and her close friends from every facet of her life.

In addition to her father, LaCrystal was preceded in death by her brother, Leroy Coad, Jr.

LaCrystal leaves to cherish and forever hold her timeless memories to her two beautiful children, Brandon A. Jackson and Nicholas D. Jackson; mother, Jo Ellen Jackson; two sisters, Patrice Darlene (John) Sanders and Octavia Pearson; one aunt, Hattie Mae Thompson; great aunt, Mattie Fae Johnson; six nephews, Johnathan Sanders, Leroy “Trey” Coad III, Raymonte Pearson, Katarious Pearson, Samal Pearson, and SaDavien Pearson; three nieces, Dollecia Brianna Coad, Shontavia Pearson, and Amirah Pearson; goddaughter, Tiyanna Woodard; special friend, Keithan McGowan; bonus brother, Dr. Shakeem Lane; bonus sister, Shonda Irby (Mark) Coe; special sister, Alana Odom (Derrick) Williams; special father figure, Heyward Bannister; and a host of close relatives and dear friends.

The family announces the passing of John Charles “Charlie” McNeill of Kansas City, Kansas, formerly of Lenoir, N.C. He is the son of Donald and Ann McNeill of Southern Pines, N.C., formerly long term residents of Lenoir. He is survived by sister, Susan Kight; and two nephews Cameron Kight and Alex Kight of Wilmington, N.C.

Memorial services will be Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at Lenoir Presbyterian Church at 12:00 noon with Rev. Rob Hinman officiating. Burial will be at 2:00 P.M. at Blue Ridge Memorial Park. They will receive friends one hour prior from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 A.M. at the church.

Online condolences can be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com

Graham Pollock Powell, 47, died on December 2, 2022 in Charleston, SC. He is survived by his parents, Clarine and Rob Powell of Greenville, NC, his grandmother, Catherine Gant Powell of Greenville, NC, brother Bert Powell and wife Peyton of Greenville, NC, brother John Powell and wife Davy of Charleston, SC, sister Catherine Powell Box and husband Jason of Swarthmore, PA, cousin Riddick Lynch of Charleston, SC, three nephews, Jackson, Gibbon and Bill Powell of Greenville and a niece, Caroline Powell of Charleston, SC. Graham had a large extended family and many friends who loved him and were loved by him.

Graham was a graduate of Rose High School in Greenville, NC, Davidson College, and the University of South Carolina School of Law. He was recognized by his peers early in his law career as a Rising Star and later as a Super Lawyer while practicing as a Partner in the law firm of Wall, Templeton and Haldrup specializing in construction litigation. Graham was the immediate Past President of the South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys Association and made significant contributions to his profession. His disdain for rules, exceptional argumentative skills and passion for helping those who needed it most made him the quintessential attorney.

Graham had an adventurous spirit and his love of travel took him to Scotland, Australia, Spain, the Czech Republic, and several other destinations around the globe. While he would typically recruit and encourage others to go wherever he was going, he never minded going out on his own. Graham loved skiing and boating with friends. He was quick-witted, very funny and a spirited storyteller. Graham was creative and enjoyed finding special ways to surprise his nephews. He loved music, whether that meant jamming on his fiddle, crafting the perfect playlist, or best of all, attending a live show. Widespread Panic, Phish, Jack White and U2 were among the highlights. Graham had a sharp intellect and a newfound passion for writing. He detested conformity. One of the most important relationships in his life was with his loyal canine companion – Airlie. They spent 18 wonderful years together and enjoyed regular swims at Folly Beach. Graham was kind. He used all of his gifts to show up in big ways with big gestures. Lovingly referred to as the Mighty Mighty GP, Graham was big. His love was big.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 2:30 PM, Sunday, December 18 followed by a reception. A gathering for a time of remembrance will be held in Charleston, SC on Wednesday, December 28 at a time and place to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Junior Appalachian Musicians (www.jamkids.org/GrahamPowell) or the charity of your choice.