Tree Service in James Island, SC

Henry "Hank" Singleton, Jr. Obituary

"To everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted." Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2

Henry “Hank” Singleton, Jr. November 23, 1954 – August 5, 2025

Henry Singleton, Jr. was born to Evelyna Brown and Henry Singleton, Sr. on November 23, 1954, in James Island, South Carolina. He attended Charleston County Public Schools and graduated from Fort Johnson High School.

After high school, he worked at The Medical University of South Carolina in the materials management and radiology departments for over 30 years. He began his Christian journey and joined St. James Presbyterian Church on James Island.

In 1987, he met and married Gwendolyn Connor on July 20, 1991, and they built a wonderful life together. Henry was a kind, loving, and easy-going man with deep and unwavering love for his wife and family. Affectionately known as “Hank”, “Hen”, and Henry, Jr., Everyone who knew him loved him very much. He would do anything he could for anyone in need without a second thought.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Evelyna & Henry Singleton, Sr.; his mothers-in-law: Bernice Connor and Gladys Jackson; his fathers-in-law: Timothy Connor, Sr. and Arthur Lee Jackson, Sr.; two sisters: Lucille Gilliard and Gloria Corbin; one sister-in-law: Audrey Patricia Williams; two brothers-in-law: Willie James Connor, Sr. and William Mundle.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted wife: Gwendolyn Singleton; his God daughter: Tranalda Singleton; his sisters: Betty Ann Hamilton, Mary Louise Singleton, Jeanette Singleton, Marcella Singleton all of Charleston, South Carolina, and Angela Britt (Michael) St. George, SC; brother: Remus Brown of Jacksonville, FL.; sister-in-laws: Marlene Connor, and Angel Ragland (Irvin) both of James Island, SC, Shirley Connor, Bamberg SC, Sylvia Boatwright (Sampson) Goose Creek SC, Cynthia Jackson, Sandra Hicks (John), and Marsha Boyd (Raymond) all of Jacksonville, FL. brother-in-laws: Clyde Corbin, Sr., and Louis Connor, both of Charleston SC, George Gilliard, Sr., and Marvin Watson (Wanda) both of James Island SC, Timothy Connor, Jr. (Eliza) Ladson SC, Arthur Lee Jackson, Jr. (Marilyn) and Erick Jackson, both of Jacksonville, FL.; one aunt: Janie Singleton, New York NY; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry "Hank" Singleton, Jr., please visit our floral store.

A Celebration of Life Cookout for Hank! Family and Friends are invited to gather at the home Friday, August 15, 2025 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM!

James Island Trojans practice at their home field as they prepare for the season. Aug. 5, 2025. (WCIV)

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCIV) — The James Island Trojans have solidified their status as a powerhouse under the leadership of Jamar McKoy.

After successfully transforming the program in the 4A classification, McKoy has proven his capabilities in 5A as well. In their first campaign back in the state's top classification last year, the Trojans achieved an impressive 10-3 record, ultimately falling to Sumter in the playoffs.

Returning for another year is two-year starter Connor Dantzler, who is also a state champion in baseball. His experience at quarterback is expected to be a significant asset for the team. Malachi Washington will also return at running back, adding to the team's strength.

The Trojans are set to open their season against Gray Collegiate, with expectations of showcasing a refreshed and dynamic squad.

"The biggest concern of the captains is teaching our new scheme," McKoy said. "We are going to be doing things a little differently this year than we have in the past. We are curious to see how that works out with the kids."

WHAT ABOUT WEST ASHLEY?

In West Ashley, it's the start of something new.

Donnie Kieffer is out. Youtful optimism with Rashard Graham is in. Hiring a 29-year-old head coach was a step outside of the box. But West Ashley's Doug O'Donald, the athletic director, loved what he saw in Boiling Springs.

At his old job, Graham was a defensive coordinator, and he arrived at West Ashley ready to shake everything up. Every position is up for grabs, quarterback being the main one.

Currently, there is a competition between sophomore Gibbs Isom and junior Chase Town.

"We have grown a lot," Graham said. "Trying to get our offensive and defensive scheme in, and seeing what our guys can do, and tailor what we do to best fit their abilities."

JOHNS ISLAND, S.C. (WCBD) – Some Johns Island residents are experiencing delivery issues with FedEx despite providing specific delivery instructions.

As online deliveries and package thieves are on the rise, customers are hoping their orders are delivered correctly and to the right place. However, for those living near Chisolm Road, that is not the case, particularly in the past couple of years.

“When they scan the package, drivers have told me and management has told me. They see the delivery instructions, like at my house, it gives a gate code and says all packages go to the front door. It’s just intentional and I think lazy,” said Allen Hall, a Johns Island resident.

Residents told News 2, packages are being left out near the gate, which leave them vulnerable to being damaged or stolen.

“They’ll literally leave our packages by the trash cans, next to line on the road, or just at the gate in the rain. Doesn’t matter they just throw them up there and never bring them back to the house anymore, where they used to bring them back to the house all the time,” Bev Jenkins, a Johns Island resident, said.

The situation has been frustrating for residents such as Jenkins, who has a disability due to an crash several years ago.

“I used to be a very active person. I lost my leg in a motorcycle accident, and I can’t just go up to the gate and get my packages anymore,’ Jenkins said. “I can’t get out the car and get a package and load it into the car. It’s affected my mobility tremendously.”

News 2 reached out to FedEx and they provided a statement.

“At FedEx, we strive to safely and securely deliver millions of packages to our customers every day,” a FedEx spokesperson said. “Customers with questions about their shipments can visit fedex.com or call 1-800-GO-FEDEX for customer service assistance.”

Residents hope this issue can resolved soon.

JOHNS ISLAND — S.C. Department of Natural Resources agents arrested the owner of a derelict decommissioned Navy vessel that’s been stuck in a Johns Island creek for nearly four years.

The state’s environmental agency arrested Mohamad Haisam Kodaimati on July 22, Charleston County jail records show. Kodaimati is charged with two counts of abandoning a watercraft. The charges carry fines totaling $43,400.

Jail records showed bail was set at $20,000, and later reduced to $2,174. It wasn't immediately clear why it was lowered.

The arrest marks one of the first under the state’s new laws regarding abandoned and derelict vessels, said Cheyenne Twilley, a spokesperson for SCDNR.

In May, state legislators voted to enact higher fines and more jail time, up to 60 days, for people who abandon their boats, as well as decrease the time it takes for SCDNR to deem the watercraft abandoned or derelict.

“This arrest underscores our commitment to protecting South Carolina’s natural resources and holding accountable those who jeopardize them,” said Tom Mullikin, director of SCDNR. “Abandoning vessels in sensitive waterways not only violates the law but also puts our ecosystems, wildlife, and communities at risk.”

The investigation is ongoing, according to SCDNR.

The agency estimates there’s a backlog of roughly 100 abandoned and derelict boats currently in state waterways.

Kodaimati’s vessel, called HAZAR, has been in Bohicket Creek since 2021. He purchased the 120-foot decommissioned torpedo retriever at auction in 2020 for roughly $86,000.

The Coast Guard issued the owner a Captain of the Port order in 2021 for improper documentation. The order prohibited Kodaimati from operating the ship.

Last September, Coast Guard crews removed nearly 3,500 gallons of oil and oily water from the 200-ton vessel.

The state's Department of Environmental Services has a site where anyone can report sightings of potentially abandoned boats.

Users can submit photos of the boat, its location, tag number and other information to the MyCoast portal at mycoast.org/sc. The site also features a map where users can view previous reports, and data about the tides and weather when the report was made.

JAMES ISLAND, S.C. (WCSC) - City of Charleston leaders are requesting to apply for a grant to help lower flood impacts on Central Park Road.

City of Charleston leaders are hoping to use $1.5 million in grant funds from the South Carolina Infrastructure Authority. Leaders are requesting to apply for the grant dollars to begin construction for drainage improvements along Central Park Road on James Island.

A portion of the James Island Creek runs through neighborhoods along Central Park Road. City leaders say large storm events, as well as high tides, can lead to significant flooding in the area.

The area is currently from Charleston County. The city is working alongside county efforts with the construction of a flood storage property along Howle Avenue.

City leaders want to use the funds to begin another construction project that is focused on drainage improvement for portions of Central Park Road, Riley Road and the access road under the EME Apartment complex.

City Director of Stormwater Management Matthew Fountain says the area typically sees flooding multiple times per year.

“It floods into the roads; it does take a long time to drain because of the basin. If you go down into the flooding, like where the county is working on Central Park Road, you’ll see that road overtopping during those King Tide cycles,” Fountain said.

The idea is to add larger pipes to help stabilize the canal that runs towards Wimbledon Drive and Flint Street.

The dollars would replace the area’s existing two pipes that lay side by side with two box structures that manage water flow, called box culverts. The two box culverts would be nine feet wide and four feet tall.

Fountain says the work will have a significant effect on the area’s flooding issues.

“It would give more capacity for rainfall that occurs during those high tides,” Fountain says. “And then it should also reduce the duration of flooding because the much bigger pipes going into these box culverts will help that water drain out very quickly once that tide does start to come down.”

A muted tide gate is also in the plans for Riley Road. Fountain says the measure will shut the gate when the tide is at an extreme height to prevent flooding while protecting the water’s ecological health.

City leaders will be updated on the status of the funds at the end of 2025 or early 2026. Fountain says the dollars will be granted in the spring of 2026 if successful. Construction would begin by mid-2026. Fountain expects the improvements to be completed by mid-2027.