Laurie M. Weldon

Laurie Montgomery Weldon, age 87, widow of Blease Weldon Sr., died Sept. 2, 2007, at Tuomey Regional Medical Center, Sumter.

Born May 29, 1920, in Vance, she was the daughter of the late Yank Montgomery and Alice Butler Montgomery. She was educated in the public schools of Orangeburg County. At an early age, she joined Live Oak AME Church, later Trinity AME, and served as a member of the Missionary Society, Stewardess Board, gospel choir and Board No. 2. She was employed with GTE for 30 years upon retirement.

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Frances (Preston) Kinsler of Bronx, N.Y.; two sons, Leon Weldon of the home and Eddie Weldon of Manning; a grandson reared as her own, Eric Weldon of Manning; a sister, Mary Lee (Deacon Aaron) Lemon of Sumter; 15 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and 24 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two sons and a sister.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007, at Trinity AME Church in Manning, with the Rev. W.J. Harris, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Michael Aiken and the Rev. Dr. Cokley Richburg.

Burial was in the Live Oak AME Church cemetery in Vance.

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