Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel

04/04/2026

04/03/2026

Jesus Christ Son of God

Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary, also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by the apostle Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans by order of the ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.

Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the house of David. He was the son of the late Joseph, a carpenter of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother. Jesus was born in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived by his mother Mary, His faithful apostles, numerous disciples, and many other followers.

Jesus was self-educated and spent most of His adult life working as a teacher. Jesus also occasionally worked as a Medical Doctor and it is reported that He healed many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick, touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.

Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father’s Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and healing a man who was born blind. On the day before His death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast, at which He foretold His death.

The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family. By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.

At Dunbar Funeral Home, we walk with families through loss every single day. We see grief. We see final goodbyes. And we understand how real death is.

But this story… is different.

Three days later—

the tomb was empty.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you love deeper, serve others, and give to those in need.

And this Easter… we invite you to hear the rest of the story.

He is risen.

03/30/2026

03/29/2026

Hester “Jane” Kelly, 83, passed away peacefully on March 23, 2026. Born on December 15, 1942, in Mocksville, North Carolina, Jane was the daughter of the late George Wilder Rowland and Virginia Hagan Rowland. She grew up in Davie County, where her early years included involvement in the Girl Scouts—an experience that helped shape her lifelong independence and spirit. Jane was a proud graduate of Davie County High School and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from Lenoir Rhyne University. She enjoyed a successful career with BellSouth, where her sharp mind and dedication were well respected.

A master seamstress, Jane possessed remarkable creativity and skill, bringing beauty and care into everything she made. Known for her larger than life personality and eclectic lifestyle, she delighted in the color yellow and had a well known fondness for frog statues. Her vibrant character and joyful presence left a lasting impression on all who knew her.

Jane was preceded in death by her brothers, Ed Rowland, Phil Rowland, and Robert Rowland. She is survived by her son, Thad Stratford, and her adored granddaughters, Brooke Stratford, Emilie Stratford, and Teagan Stratford. She also leaves behind cherished friends and companions who were dear to her heart, including Ruth Pritchard, Judy Evanoo, Van Haygood, and Deborah Scott. Jane was married to Blair Stratford and later to Paul Kelly, both relationships marking important chapters in her life.

A visitation honoring Jane’s life will be held on April 4, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, located at 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, South Carolina.

Jane will be remembered for her intelligence, creativity, warmth, and unmistakable sense of individuality. Her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.

03/14/2026

Born on May 24, 1948, in Hartsville, South Carolina, Ed was the son of the late George Edward Flowers and Dora Helen Wallace Flowers. He grew up on the family farm in Hartsville, where he developed a lifelong appreciation for the outdoors and the simple joys of hard work and nature. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, John Edward Flowers and Ecie Moody Flowers, all of Hartsville.

Ed graduated from Hartsville High School in 1966 and later graduated from the University of South Carolina. He dedicated much of his life to public service and his community. He served as a State Arson Investigator with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), as an auditor for the State Gasoline Division, and later as Chief of the Irmo Fire Department. After retiring from the fire department, Ed became a small business owner, operating Anglers South, a bait and tackle shop in Ballentine, South Carolina.

Ed is survived by his devoted wife, Karen Hudson Flowers; his son, Carl Edward Flowers (Jami); and his beloved grandchildren, Callen Edward and Casen David. He is also survived by his siblings, Elaine (Gene) Hubbard and Kent Wallace (Suzanne) Flowers.

In addition to his public service, Ed was an avid outdoorsman throughout his life and pursued his passion for aviation as a licensed pilot. In his younger years he would often fly to high elevations, turn off the engine, and quietly glide while taking in the bird’s-eye view of the landscape he loved.

A devoted and loving family man, Ed enjoyed traveling but always found his greatest joy in life’s simple moments—spending time at home tending to his garden, admiring the fruits of his labor, and sharing his harvest with family, friends and neighbors. He loved listening to the peaceful sounds of birds with his beloved wife Karen, cheering on his Gamecocks, and enjoying golf and NASCAR races.

A celebration of Ed’s life will be held at McGregor Presbyterian Church on March 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., with a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Irmo Fire Foundation.

03/14/2026

Octavia Epting Harmon, 86, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026. She was born on July 30, 1939, in Lilesville, North Carolina, and later made her home in Irmo, South Carolina.
Octavia cherished her family and the time they spent together. She found great joy in the outdoors, especially relaxing and making memories on Lake Wateree and Lake Murray. Time on the water with family and friends was among her favorite pastimes.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward T. Epting and a sister, Julia Robinson Langford.

Octavia is survived by her husband, Claybourne Harmon; her daughter, Candy Epting-Powell; her grandchildren, Cole Powell (Alex) and Sarah Grace Price (Aaron); and her beloved great-grandchildren, CJ Powell, Kinley James Powell, and Julia Grace Price. She is also survived by a sister, Miriam Sherman and 2 nieces. She leaves behind a family who will remember her with love and gratitude for the warmth and kindness she shared throughout her life.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel, 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, South Carolina.

A graveside service will follow at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.

Octavia will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew and loved her. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made to Epworth Childrens Home.

03/14/2026

Donna Elizabeth Blake Hicks, 77, of Columbia, South Carolina, passed away peacefully at Lexington Medical Center on March 9, 2026. Donna was born in Montgomery, Alabama, to the late Maude and Tom Blake. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Thomas Blake, Jr.

A proud graduate of Sidney Lanier High School, Donna completed her studies in 1966. She continued her education at Auburn University, graduating in 1970. During her time at Auburn, Donna was a devoted member of Kappa Delta Sorority and was honored to serve as the Sweetheart of Sigma Chi. Donna was beloved by all who had the joy of knowing her. Her radiant smile could light up any room, and her warmth made others feel instantly at home. She adored beautiful clothes and sparkling jewelry, always expressing her vibrant spirit through her signature style. Even in the smallest details, Donna’s sense of refinement shone through — in selecting her urn, it simply had to be classic and elegant, perfectly fitting her timeless grace. Her final wish was so wonderfully “Donna” — to have her hair perfectly fixed, her makeup just right, slip into something fabulous, and head out to lunch. Instead, her family and friends brought the celebration to her, filling the room with laughter, stories, and a little sparkle — just the way she would have planned it herself. As she often reminded us, “Chardonnay before five… and red after five!” And lovingly, we fulfilled her wish. She was a proud past president of P.E.O., Chapter M of Columbia, and a dedicated member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her commitment to faith, friendship, and service was evident in every season of her life.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, April 3, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home - Dutch Fork Chapel from 2:30 – 3:30pm, followed by a Celebration of Life at The Jasmine House on River Road from 4pm – 6pm in Columbia, SC. A graveside service will take place at Leak-Memory Chapel in Montgomery, AL. Date and time to follow. Donna requested that family and friends wear colorful clothing in celebration of her life.

She is survived by her son, Jack (Jason) Haigler Hicks III (Melissa); her daughter, Kelly Elizabeth Hicks; her cherished grandsons, Jack and Jeffrey; her brother, Robert McGowan Blake (Dana); her dear family friend, Flossie Gamble -Stephens; and her “sister from another mother,” Susan Powell (Hank).

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Contribution notices sent to Kelly Hicks at devotedgopi@gmail.com.

Donna’s legacy of love, friendship, style, laughter, and that unforgettable smile will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.

03/14/2026

COLUMBIA - A memorial service for Eric Thomas Smith, 42, affectionately known by his friends as “Big E,” will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at Riverland Hills Baptist Church, with burial following in Bush River Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the church. In honor of his easygoing nature, guests are invited to attend in casual attire. Friends are invited to join the family at Woodmen of the World (2000 Johnson Marina Road in Chapin) following the service to be together and share memories.

Eric passed away on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Born in Charleston, SC, he was the son of Thomas Edwin Smith and Vicki Amick Smith. A 2001 graduate of Irmo High School, Eric also played football during his time there. He worked for Ascex as a Sales and Logistics Manager.

Eric had a passion for travel and was an avid fan of the Clemson Tigers. Those who knew Eric knew he was always willing to lend a helping hand and be there for others. He was the life of the party, never met a stranger, and loved his friends and family with all his heart.

Surviving are his parents, Tom and Vicki Smith; sister, Laura Metze (Josh); nephew, Trevor Metze; grandmother, Shirley H. Amick; aunt, Kathy Roberts (Marv); uncle, Barry Amick; cousins, Jessica Moore (John, and children, Ben & Josh), Rebekah Ellis (Mike, and children, Harper, Willa & Grady), Alexandra Patteson; extended family and so many friends.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, David B. Amick Sr., Edwin Francis Smith, Nadine Driggers Smith, his uncle Alvin “Al” Smith and his beloved dog, Maggie.

The family is deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support shown by friends and our extended family during this difficult time.

Memorials may be made to an animal rescue of your choice.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Dutch Fork Chapel, is assisting the family.

03/12/2026

Today we celebrated Funeral Professionals Appreciation Week at Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel.

We were grateful for the opportunity to host an employee luncheon to honor the dedicated team members and part-time associates who help serve families in our community every day. Their compassion, professionalism, and commitment make a difference in the lives of the families we care for.

We also recognized a couple of special milestones:
• Boyce Huggins – 10 years of service
• Randy Gore – 1 year of service

Thank you to our entire team for the meaningful work you do each day. It is truly appreciated.

03/05/2026

Romulus Armistead (Rom) Mason, age 85, of Irmo, SC, died February 26, 2026, in his home. Born August 29, 1940, in York, SC, he was the son of the late Arthur Kelly Mason and Chellie Jewel Ezzell.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brothers Hugh Archibald Mason of Springfield, MO, Homer Livingston Mason, and sister Margaret Chellie Mason both of Greensboro, NC, and sister Virginia Dare Mason Hixon, of Fayetteville, NC. He is survived by his sister Mary Ann Mason Henline, of Huntersville, NC; nieces Deborah Mason Wuthnow, Dawn Henline Moore, Laura Mason Altizer, Theresa Hess Afrank, Amy Mason Hunter, and Kristina Henline Bell; nephews David Mason, Matthew Mason, and Lee Nelson; numerous great nieces and nephews; and by his beloved first cousin Peggy Mason Shepard.

Shortly after his birth, his parents relocated back to the Fayetteville area of North Carolina which had been home to both sides of his family dating back to the mid-1700s. Rom was reared in Fayetteville and graduated from Fayetteville Senior High School in 1957, at the age of sixteen. Following an academically forgettable year at UNC-Chapel Hill and various dead-end jobs, he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959. He was stationed in West Germany for two years and used the opportunity to travel throughout Europe, including the divided city of Berlin and the site of the 1936 Olympic Games where Jesse Owens had enshrined himself in sports history.

Following completion of his three-year enlistment with an Honorable Discharge in 1962, he returned to Fayetteville and graduated from Methodist College in 1966.

He enjoyed a career of thirty-three years in casualty insurance claims, initially with Aetna Life & Casualty, which involved numerous promotional transfers across six states. After serving as the Claims Manager in Aetna’s Seattle, WA, office and their Sacramento, CA, office, he returned to Seattle in 1988 taking a position with a John Hancock subsidiary, from which he retired in 1999.

Having managed to achieve his early childhood goals of learning to read and write, he had a long-time aversion to setting other goals for fear of pressing fate. It was only after a Hawaiian vacation in 1986 realizing only one state remained, that he set a goal to visit all fifty states at least once. That last state, and only item on his bucket list, was achieved in February 1990, when he participated in the 1990 Winter Al-Can Road Rally, a driving odyssey which lasted thirteen days and covered 2600 miles from Seattle to north of the Arctic Circle and back to Harrison Hot Springs, BC, Canada. His later reflection on the experience was that it was an example of the gigantic lapse of sanity that everyone should allow themselves at least once in a lifetime.

He was an avid reader and, at his passing, left a home library of only some 800 books due to space restrictions. Over his lifetime he had read and given away several thousand more.

A private memorial will be held at a later date. Following cremation, his ashes will be scattered, as he wanted his carbon atoms back in circulation without delay. In lieu of flowers, or donations, his wish was that you spend your money on your friends, and his hope was that you have some of both. Memories and condolences to the family may be shared on the website of Dunbar Funeral Home – Dutch Fork Chapel, Irmo, South Carolina.

03/05/2026

Lindsay Richard Smith, 85, of Irmo, South Carolina, went to be with his Lord and Savior on March 2, 2026. Following a courageous battle after surgery for a brain tumor, Lindsay transitioned peacefully, free from pain, and reunited with those who went before him.

Service and Education

A proud Florida State Seminole, Lindsay graduated in 1962 and later volunteered for the U.S. Army, serving as a radio operator in Germany. In 1967, he married the love of his life, Judith A. Fowler. While building their family, he earned his CPA license in 1971.

A Life of Dedication

Lindsay’s career as a CPA spanned private practice and public service, eventually bringing the family to Irmo, SC, in 1983. He served the State of South Carolina until his retirement in 2004.

Beyond his professional life, Lindsay was a devoted member of Union United Methodist Church and the Joy Sunday School Class. A familiar face in Old Friargate, he walked three miles daily and was a passionate historian, meticulously researching his Hungarian heritage and contributing research to books on the history of Lake Murray and the local area.

Family and Legacy

Lindsay was preceded in death by his parents, Wilma and Herbert Smith, and his brother, Robert Smith. He also joins in eternal rest his nephew, Russell Smith, and his niece, Jennifer Smith.

He leaves to cherish his memory:

* His beloved wife: Judith Arlene Smith (Fowler)

* His daughter: Michelle Lynn Carpenter (Smith)

* His son: Michael Linwood Smith

* His granddaughter: Sydney Carpenter

* His niece and nephew: Karolyn (Smith) Gossett and Cliff Smith

A Note of Gratitude

The Smith family extends deepest thanks to the Kroger employees, Shantia and Matt, as well as the local EMTs for their quick actions. We are forever grateful to Dr. Richter and the neurosurgery team, the ICU nurses, the nurses and doctors at Encompass Rehabilitation, the Palliative Care Team, and Prisma Hospice for their expertise and compassion.

Our heartfelt thanks also go to Union United Methodist Church, the Joy Sunday School Class and also the Needlers for their prayers, love, and support during this time.

"Dad is no longer in pain and is with his Lord. We love you, Dad!"

Service Information:

The date and time for the memorial service at Union United Methodist Church is currently to be determined. Information will be shared with friends and family once finalized.

03/03/2026

Raymond was born on August 26, 1944, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to Hymon and Marion Ange. He proudly served in the United States Air Force, where his life took a meaningful turn when he met the love of his life, Ina, while stationed at Soesterberg Air Base. They shared 57 devoted years of marriage, building a life grounded in love, family, and commitment.

A hardworking man with a strong sense of integrity, Raymond spent much of his career in real estate, where he found great satisfaction in helping people find their dream homes. He took pride in his work and the relationships he built along the way.

Raymond truly loved life’s simple and meaningful pleasures—being on a boat out on the water, especially when surrounded by family; traveling and learning history; and unwinding with a good cigar and a fine scotch. These moments reflected his appreciation for both adventure and quiet reflection.

Above all else, Raymond cherished his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Ina Ange; his daughters Christel (David), Scarlet, and Ashley (Matt); his grandchildren David Jr., Heather, Matthew, Sarena, Stone, and Gavin; and seven great-grandchildren. His legacy lives on through each of them.

Raymond will be remembered for his dedication to his family, his strong work ethic, his love of learning, and the steady presence he provided to those who knew and loved him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

A celebration of life will be held on March 1st at 3:00 p.m. at Dunbar Funeral Home, 7600 Woodrow Street, Irmo, South Carolina.