Taningra Patriese Frierson-Caesar

Taningra Patriese Frierson-Caesar died at Tuomey Regional Medical Center on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008 after a long and agonizing illness.

She was born on May 23, 1974, in Houston, Texas. She was the younger twin (by seven minutes) and the second eldest of five children born to Revs. William James Sr. and Delaney Kay Walker Frierson. Taningra grew up in Manning, where she graduated from Manning High School in 1993. She was a qualified Certified Nurses Assistant, having received certification from Victoria Community College in Victoria, Texas on May 28, 2002.

Taningra’s professional career included Citizen’s Medical Center and Twin Pines Rehabilitation Center, both of Victoria, Texas and Clarendon Memorial Hospital. Prior to her illness, Taningra was employed by MAU at the Bosch facility in North Charleston.

A born-again believer in Jesus, the Christ, Taningra’s Christian education began at home. As a result, she accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. In 1986, during a Fall Revival, she joined Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church (Rev. James Brown Jr., pastor) in Alcolu. The Rev. A. C. Robinson was the revivalist. Taningra served faithfully as a member of the Junior Ushers and Young Adult Choir. She was also a faithful Sunday School student, and a member of the Young Women’s Association, under the leadership of Pastor James S. Hudley. Taningra’s love and support for her father’s ministry and appointment to Lovely Hill Baptist Church, in Holly Hill, was shown when she was the first child to join under his pastorship in 2006. She served faithfully in the choir until her health deteriorated. Taningra was a “people magnet,” thus adding more dedicated friends to her life.

Following the footsteps of her father, Taningra was a committed athlete. During high school, she had the privilege of representing Manning High School as a distance runner. A talented individual, she competed in several events: 200, 400, 800, 3200 meters, 4x800 meter relay, and the medley relay and hurdles. During her track and field career, Taningra was a region champion and advanced to the Lower State Championships on two occasions.

Taningra’s athleticism extended to all facets of her life. In her own right she was a hurdler, because she jumped over so many obstacles. When told by doctors that she would never have children, Taningra defied the odds and brought two precious beings into this world, a daughter, Delaney Kennae Frierson (2 years, 7 months) and a son, Peyton William Frierson (11 months); and she continued to faithfully fight and as a result she doubled her life’s expectancy. Taningra will be remembered for her smile, and her unconditional sense of humor. In addition, her pride, determination, patience and unshakable tenacity will serve as lifelong lessons for all.

Those who remain to cherish her memory, in addition to her tenaciously faithful and loving parents, and her two children, are her loving and attentive siblings: two sisters, Ingra LaTriese (Stephen) Talley of Portsmouth, Va. and Lula Josetta Frierson of Orangeburg; two brothers, William James (Hannah) Frierson Jr. of Orangeburg and Kelvin Linard Frierson of Manning; four nieces, Tia Pugh, Tierra Pugh, Jasmine Alethia Monique Frierson and Jaelyn Noelle Talley; a maternal grandfather Fred Walker of Houston; paternal aunts and uncles, Haskell Frierson Jr. of Bosier City, La., Mary (Eli) Smalls of Norwalk, Conn., Charles (Marie) Frierson of Sumter, Cynthia F. Lesaine of Alcolu and Joyce Frierson of San Jose, Calif.; maternal aunts and uncles, Namon (Nelgin) Walker, Dianne Walker, Freddie (James) Nickerson, Patsy Clements, Debra Walker, Kenneth (Marilyn) Walker all of Houston; godmother, Mrs. Della N. Miller of Alcolu; special great aunt and uncle Mr. and Mrs. I.G. (Mary) Smith Jr., and a multitude of great aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and friends ... and the legacy continues.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at Lovely Hill Baptist Church in Holly Hill.

Burial followed in Green Hill Missionary Baptist Church cemetery in Alcolu.

Samuels Funeral Home of Manning was in charge of the arrangements.