Mary Ellen Roberts Dennis

Mary Ellen Roberts Dennis, 93, widow of the late Felix Walker Dennis, died on Sunday, August 5, 2007 at Clarendon Memorial Hospital in Manning.

She was born Feb.13, 1914 at Tuomey Hospital in Sumter, the daughter of the late William Tillman Roberts (of Buffalo community in Kershaw County) and the late Mary Emma Ellen Phillips (of Bonneau in Berkley County).

Mrs. Dennis was a member of the Home Demonstrating Club of Dentsville, S.C., Santee Baptist Church and a lifetime member of DAV Manning Post. She was co-owner and operator of Dennis’s Grocery Store and Gas Stations; Dennis Auto Repairs, Auto Body and Upholstery Shop; Dennis Timber and Pulpwood Company; Mary’s Diner and vice president of KWD Enterprises. She enjoyed her flower garden and organic gardening.

Surviving are two daughters and their husbands, Helen Anginette (John Dexter, Jr.) Tabor of Blythewood and Edith “Edee’” Elinor Tabor Bryant (Capt. Randolph Jackson “Jack”) Matthews of Manning and one son, Kenneth William Dennis, of Cayce. Also surviving are nieces Vivian R. Johnson of West Columbia and Vada R. Arant of Lugoff, nephew William Maxie Roberts of West Columbia, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, two step-great grandchildren, numerous great-nieces and -nephews and great-great-nieces and -nephews and their families.

She was predeceased by her brothers, Shelley Lee Roberts and William Wilson Roberts; a nephew, Harold Edward Roberts I; her sons-in-law Melvin Julian Lee Tabor and Robert “Tony” Bryant; a step-great grandson, David Flowers; and her faithful dog, Lucy.

Funeral services were held on Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007, at Greenlawn Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Dr. R. Kevin Johnson and Rev. Otis Lee, officiating.

Interment followed in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers were Ronald “Ronny” Melvin Tabor, Donald “Donny” Lee Tabor, John Baxter Tabor III, Daniel “Danny” Walker Tabor Sr., Daniel Tabor Jr., Ryan Flowers, Ryan Matthews John Baxter Tabor IV.

Honorary pallbearers were Frank Allen, Bernard Arant, Charles “Charlie” Dennis, Michael J. Dennis, Joseph B. “Duck” Johnson, Randolph Jackson “Jack” Matthews, Jr. William Maxie Roberts, Donald Sapp, Benjamin “Ben” Walker Tabor, and Brandon Michael Tabor.

Flower bearers were Sharon T. Sapp, Melissa Sapp, Gail Ann T. Flowers, Ashley Tabor, Tonya Nicole Tabor, Terri Tabor and Kimberly “Kim” V. Matthews and Kayla S. Matthews.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Tuomey Hospice.

The family wishes to express its gratitude to Dr. George Harrison, the ER, ICU and Third Floor medical staff at Clarendon Memorial Hospital, Tuomey Hospice volunteer Mrs. Dorothy Richburg, Reverend Jimmy Eldreth, the pastor of Santee Baptist Church; Mrs. Dennis’ extended family (the residents) and some of the staff members who work at Lake Marion Nursing Facility who have given good care and have shown love, compassion and kindness the last 10-and-a-half years.

Greenlawn Funeral Home of Columbia was in charge of the arrangements.