North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years

A lot of positive media attention has landed on North Myrtle Beach recently, from Cherry Grove being the only Horry County beach in TripAdvisor’s top 25 United States beaches, coming in at 11th, to a number seven “safest city’’ ranking out of nearly 7,600 in the state analyzed by Alarms.com. The news did not come as a surprise to locals, former residents or tourists who have visited the North Strand and who mentioned the wide beaches and the small-town, family-oriented, safe feeling while visiting. “Our nine miles of beach is our lifeblood in more ways than one,” said Mayor Marilyn …

The North Myrtle Beach varsity boys lacrosse team topped Carolina Forest 11-10 Monday evening in a thrilling overtime victory. Leading the scoring was Michael Swogger with four goals and an assist. Justin Broder had three goals and an assist. Austin Hite scored twice and had an assist. George Baldwin had a goal and an assist and defenseman Brady LaPrade scored a goal. Holden Rue and Cameron Goldner each had an assist as well. The Chiefs are now 4-7 on the season.

The North Myrtle Beach Chiefs varsity baseball team ran their region record to 7-0 with an exciting 12-7 win over visiting Myrtle Beach at the Chiefs field Monday evening. The Chiefs had beaten the Seahawks 4-2 earlier in the season but Myrtle Beach stayed in the game until the Chiefs scored five runs in the sixth inning to put the game away. The Seahawks got a first inning run on a double by the pitcher Burgess leading off. Burgess later scored on a sacrifice fly by Keck for a 1-0 MB lead. The Chiefs quickly got three runs in the …

My column this week is from the book of John, chapter 19, about Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate handed Jesus over to the Jews to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Verse 17 – Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Jesus carried His own cross. A cross might be shaped like a T, an X or an I, as well as like the traditional form. A condemned man would normally carry a beam of it to the place of execution. Somewhere along the way Simon of …

Ricky Dale Suggs, 57, of Loris passed away on Friday, March 29, 2019, at McLeod Loris Hospital following a sudden illness. He was born on March 24, 1962, in Loris. Ricky worked as a heavy equipment operator with Horry County Public Works and was a humble soul who was loved by everyone. He was a Baptist and enjoyed spending time with his wife, son and grandson. He loved pulling tractors with his “Little Man Kegan” and working in his garden. Survivors include his wife, Teresa Suggs of the home; son, Jeffery Suggs and wife Brittany and grandson Kegan Suggs, all …

Elnita Cribb Pridgen, 86, of Loris passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2019, at her home following an illness. Born on May 5, 1932, in Clarendon, N.C., she was the daughter of the late William Warren Cribb and the late Bertha Ida Cribb. Survivors include her sons, Johnny Pridgen of Loris and Edward McDonald of Mullins, SC; four daughters, Barbara McDowell of Loris, SC, Melinda Allen and her husband Russell of Loris and Louise Bullard and Juanita Bullard Pridgen, both of Nichols; and lots of loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Pridgen was predeceasd by her husband, Craven Pridgen; her son, …

Randy Edwin Kirkley, 67, of Little River passed away on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at his residence after a brief illness. Randy was born on March 14, 1952 in Charlotte, N.C., a son of the late Freddie E. Kirkley Sr. and Martha Ann Rice Kirkley. He was a proud member of the Derita Masonic Lodge in Charlotte. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Freddie E. “Skip” Kirkley. Surviving are a sister, Mitzi K. Smith and her husband Barry; nephew, Brian Smith; special friends, Tony and Chelle DiGennaro and their dog, Baby Girl; and …

Wayne Anthony Graci, 70, of Loris passed away on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at his home. He was born on Sept. 20, 1948, in New Brunswick, N.J, to the late Samuel Graci and the late Patricia Rizzo Graci Spampinato. Mr. Graci served his country with courage, honor and dignity in the United States Marine Corps. during the Vietnam War where he was a point man. He earned both the Vietnam Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal for his valor. Wayne was the anchor of his community and honorary social director for all fun activities and engagements. He was …

Raymond A. Boseman of North Myrtle Beach passed away on Thursday, March 21, 2019. He graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia and retired from Exide Electronics in Raleigh, N.C., in 1989. The family moved to their home on Sept. 22, 1989, the day of Hurricane Hugo. He enjoyed golfing in the area for almost thirty years. Ray served in the U.S. Air Force for four years and was stationed in Alaska during a greater part of this time. He was recently awarded the Cloak of Valor for his service in the Air Force. He was a …

Mother, grandmother, aunt and friend, Katherine “Kitty” Loretta Wilson, 91, born on June 8, 1927, passed away on March 27, 2019, surrounded by her adoring family. Born in Silver Springs, Maryland, she lived in northern Virginia where she raised her three sons, Wendell, Craig and Russell Poulsen. She married her second husband, John Leslie Wilson, with whom she enjoyed boating, fishing, camping and riding on the back of John’s motorcycle. Following his death, she moved to North Myrtle Beach where she and John had loved to vacation and made her home for the next 30 years. She worked at Fat …