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Betty Lou Charles Thames, 78, wife of James A. “Pete” Thames, died Saturday, September 09, 2017 at Palmetto Health-Tuomey.

Born in Etowah, Tennessee, she was a daughter of the late James Robert Charles and the late Callie Mae Quarles Charles. Mrs. Thames was a member of Graham Baptist Church and served in the Women’s Missionary Union-Baptist Nursing Fellowship. She was a graduate of Edmunds High School and the Tuomey School of Nursing. She retired from Tuomey Regional Medical Center after nearly forty years of service.

Survivors include her husband of 28 years; four children, Amy Johnson of Indian Land, Susan Bishop (Dave) of Irmo, Tim Johnson (Robin) of Wedgefield, and Mark Johnson (Tricia) of Greer; two step-daughters, Rebecca Calcutt of Sumter, and Kelly Gibson (Jeff) of Mooresville, NC; eleven grandchildren, Drew Bishop, Carley Bishop, Miles Johnson, Dylan Johnson, Cecil Johnson, Lily Johnson, Grayden Johnson, Aaron Calcutt, Joshua Calcutt, Travis Gibson, and Argia Gibson; one great granddaughter, Emileigh Calcutt; three brothers, Boyd Charles (Yolande) of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Gene Charles of San Diego, California, and Tom Charles (Dallen) of Sumter; two sisters, Mildred Avin (Buddy) of Pinewood, and Mary Jane McLeod (Charlie) of Sumter; one sister-in-law, Leovia Charles of Sumter; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Kimsey Charles; and four sisters, Juanita Griffin, Argia Thames, Gladys Wright, and Frances Plemons.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Graham Baptist Church with the Rev. John Patrick officiating. Burial will be in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.

Memorials may be made to the Tuomey Foundation, 102 N. Main St., Sumter, SC 29150, or Women’s Missionary Union-Baptist Nursing Fellowship c/o Graham Baptist Church, 4000 Hwy 521 S., Sumter, SC 29153.

Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.

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