JAMES EDWARD MICKENS

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James Edward Mickens was born on May 8, 1933, to the late Juda Bell Mary Mickens and Stuckey Henry Osborne. He departed this life on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2021, at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, Columbia.

Mr. Mickens (Ed) was initially a member of Good Hope United Methodist Church and was baptized by the Rev. Willie Dennis at Union Baptist Church. In 2017, Ed became a member of Rafting Creek Baptist Church. His joy was singing gospel songs and managing baseball teams. He was a consummate singer with the Good Hope Gospel Choir, The Golden Five and The Singing Crusades. He managed numerous rural community baseball teams and was a diehard fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He often shared how his sons took him to Dodger Stadium, where he was recognized as a fan from South Carolina. He was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He was employed by Boyle Construction Co. and retired from Becker Sand and Gravel.

On Oct. 25, 1953, he married the late Mary Osborne, and to this union 10 children were born.

He leaves to cherish his memory: eight children, Roger (Jennett) Mickens, Marilyn (Wesley) Gardner, Kathy (Curtis) Sanders, Ricky Mickens and Stacy Mickens of Rembert, Mizell (Karen) Mickens of Sumter and Quincy (Faye) Mickens and Jamie Mickens of Atlanta. He and his wife reared two grandchildren, Roger V. (Victoria) Mickens of Atlanta and Robert (Jackie) Williams of Cassatt. He will also be remembered by three brothers, Garfield Jones Mickens of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joseph Osborne of Rembert and Elijah Osborne of New Jersey; three sisters-in-law, Lena B. Williams of Washington, D.C., Bertha Daniels of Sumter and Maggie Osborne of Rembert; two brothers-in-law, Lloyd Daniels of Sumter and Theodore Portee of Rembert; 21 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and devoted friends, Chief Deputy Hampton Gardner, Leroy and Beulah Dennis, Tracey Grant, George Alexander, Sammie Sanders, Larry Davis, Charles Outing and Daniel Grant; a goddaughter, Ashley Ali-Osman; and godson, Sheriff Anthony Dennis.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Simon Mickens; and twin sons.

In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting no visitation at the home.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the John Wesley Williams Sr. Memorial Chapel of Williams Funeral Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter. The Rev. Melvin Mack, pastor of Rafting Creek Baptist Church, officiated. Burial was at Rafting Creek Baptist Churchyard Cemetery.

The procession left the home at 12:20 p.m.

Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter.

Online memorial messages may be sent to the family at williamsfuneralhome@sc.rr.com.

Visit us on the web at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.