Singleton and Related Genealogy Pages
A history of many families.
1948 - 1983 (35 years)| Name | Billy Wayne “Bill” McKELLAR [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] | |
| Birth | 1948 | |
| Gender | Male | |
| HIST | Sumter Daily Item - May 10, 1983 (Tuesday) Baby Girl Dies After Accident That Killed Father And Sister By Bob Redding - ITEM Staff Writer A 14-month-old girl died yesterday from injuries she received in an accident Saturday that killed her father and sister and critically injured her mother. The family’s subcompact was struck about 4 p.m. Saturday by a 1970 Chevrolet that had been seen traveling as fast as 100 mph on a winding stretch of U.S. 521 between Sumter and Dalzell, officials say. Kristen Renee McKellar died shortly after 1 p.m. Monday while on life-support equipment at Richland Memorial Hospital, according to Sumter County Coroner D.C. “Bill” Gamble. Her father, Billy Wayne McKellar, 35, and her sister, Karen Rebecca, 9, of Dalzell were killed instantly when their car and a 1970 Chevrolt driven by Thomas Lee Mack, 39, of Sumter, collided. The mother and only survivor of the accident, Joan Atkinson McKellar, was admitted to Tuomey Hospital Saturday with fractures and lacerations. She was listed in critical condition yesterday, but a hospital spokeswoman said she has regained consciousness and is not listed in serious condition. Officials had not expected the baby to survive. “We knew her chances weren’t good but we had hoped for a miracle and she would come out of it,” Gamble said, adding that the baby never regained consciousness. Gamble said he should have the results of blood and urine test on Mack by this weekend to see if alcohol or drugs played a role in the accident. Highway Patrolman W. R. Davis said Mack’s northbound car was seen by a Sumter police officer who said Mack’s car passed his unmarked car at a speed approaching 100 mph. The accident occurred on a curve on U.S. 521 near Hinson’s Stable after Mack’s car went out of control and skidded sideways into the path of McKellar’s southbound car, Davis said. Signs warn motorists to reduce their speed to 45 mph on the curve and warn that the road can be slippery when wet. The weather was clear when the accident occurred Saturday. The spelling of McKellar used in a news story yesterday, which came from the state Highway Department, was in error. My Cousins The McKellar Family Created by Joye Atkinson Enter Your Story Details Here On May 7, 1983 my cousin Joan McKellar, her husband Bill, their daughter Karen who was 9 and the 14 month old baby, Kristen were on their way into town. They lived about 12 miles from Sumter SC. It was the day before Mother's Day. They were going to buy Joan a gift for Mother's Day. When they reached the half way point there was a sharp curve heading into town. As they rounded the curve they were hit head on by an extremely drunk driver. He was going 110 mph when he plowed into my cousin's car. Bill was going about 40 mph and he never knew what hit him. It killed him and my cousin Karen instantly. Joan and Kristen were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Later on that night they were able to get Kristen stable enough and flew her to the nearest trauma hospital. They did a brain scan on her the next morning and there were no signs of life. So she was taken off life support and died on Sunday morning. In the meantime Joan was still unconscious. So while my aunt and uncle made funeral arrangements for 3, Joan didn't wake up until 2 hours before the funeral and asked where her kids were. Needless to say she begged to go but she was just too critical. So she never got to say goodbye. About 20 years after this happened I was finally able to write about it. I'm a poet and have been writing for many years. God always puts me in character when I write. In this case I wrote this as my 9 year old cousin Karen's character. This is their story - PLEASE DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE The day before Mother's Day in 1983 - my daddy, my mama, my sister and me were on our way into town to buy a gift for mom. Little did we know this day the Lord for us would come. One minute I was in the car as happy as could be; then soon I woke up with Jesus holding me. My mama was the only one He allowed to live. He didn't take her home then as she had so much to give. It was a senseless accident we didn't have to die. The family we left behind just wanted to know why. But God had a purpose though we don't understand, everything will be made clear when we reach the promised land. This is Karen speaking - please don't drink and drive. If that man had used good judgement we would still be alive. God has given each of us a special job to do. Daddy, me and Kristen are watching over you. As difficult as it may be please don't hold a grudge. Remember this my loved ones, God alone will judge. Please don't be sad and mourn for us we are doing great. We will be waiting for you as you enter heaven's gate. Soon we will be together never more to part. Until then just remember we live within your heart. In Loving Memory Of Bill, Karen and Kristen McKellar In Honor Of Joan M. Bonner [3, 6] | |
| _UID | 068515C1B8D044E0A6E14E73070B75FAD6C1 | |
| Death | 7 May 1983 | car accident on U.S. 521, between Sumter and Dalzell, South Carolina  |
| Person ID | I112778 | Singleton and Related Families |
| Last Modified | 23 Dec 2019 | |
| Father | McKELLAR | |
| Mother | DEW | |
| _UID | F911DB84FE794DBEA70E455C40E515DB56C0 | |
| _UID | F911DB84FE794DBEA70E455C40E515DB56C0 | |
| Family ID | F215866 | Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family | Joan C. ATKINSON | |||||
| Marriage | 26 Nov 1970 | Sumter County, South Carolina [5] |
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| _UID | F4FB3B2B127F4D01B69BA865B1FFEDD302FA | |||||
| _UID | F4FB3B2B127F4D01B69BA865B1FFEDD302FA | |||||
| Children |
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| Family ID | F77883 | Group Sheet | Family Chart | ||||
| Last Modified | 23 Dec 2019 | |||||
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