A Doctorial Celebration in honor of Dr. Willie Harrington III and Dr. Eddie Emanuel Nance, both from Lake View, South Carolina, was held at Nichols Special Events, Nichols, South Carolina.
The Harrington and Nance families celebrate and welcome two medical doctors who were raised and educated in the small sweet spirited town of Lake View, South Carolina. Great things can come from small places! This unprecedented occasion marked a day of jubilance for Willie, Eddie, their families, friends and the community. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13.
Willie is the husband of Cheri, father of Waverly and the son of Mr. Willie Jr. and Mrs. Eva Harrington of Lake View. His grandparents are the late Mr. William Henry and Mrs. Eva Bethea, Mr. Willie and Mrs. Bonnie Harrington.
Eddie is the husband of Cheryl, father of Eddison and Christopher and the son of Mr. Jasper Jr. and Mrs. Ruthabell Anderson Nance of Lake View. His grandparents are the late Mr. Jasper (Jack) and Mrs. Katie Nance and Reverend Eddie and Mrs. Catherine Anderson.
Jasper Lee Nance III presided for the festivities. The opening selection “Lift Every Voice and Sing” was sung by the audience. Presiding Elder Robert B. Cooper of the Florence-Dillon District and former pastor of Eddie led us to the throne of grace. We were welcomed by Mrs. Monica Abraham Lawton and the purpose of the hour was given by Mrs. Brenda Arnette. After the introduction of the Honorees and their parents reflections and tributes were given by Mr. James “Pop” Jones of Little Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Ms. Frances Baker of Union A.M.E. Church, Mrs. Dian Scott, former elementary school principal of the honorees, classmates, family and friends. Ms. Deborah Lewis of Cleveland, Ohio, a cousin of Eddie, was soloist of the evening.
After a sumptuous dinner was served, Dr. Harrington and Dr. Nance addressed the audience with praise, recollections, wit and humor. A historical day for the annals of the Harrington-Nance families and the town of Lake View, South Carolina!The banquet hall was eloquently decorated in white table linens, chair covers, crystal centerpieces with mixed flowers, corner portraits and accent colors of black, gold, and purple. Special acknowledgements to: Nichols Special Events, Mr. Ronnie Ford, Mr. Starlian Lee, and Mrs. Tamara Nance-Bethea.
DR. WILLIE
HARRINGTON, III
It is said, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Up until I was old enough to understand family dynamics, everyone I met was said to be an uncle or aunt, and their children were extended cousins…this is how my village began. Raised in this small town of Lake View, SC, surrounded by tobacco and cornfields, I was in a unique position having both grandparents being well known in their churches. This meant that I literally could do no wrong at school or away from home because someone knew my parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts no matter how far away I was. This dynamic, I am for certain, kept me more aware of my activities and quickly developed my attitude to achieve, as I was the representation of two families investing and ensuring I would elevate to another level and fulfilling a childhood dream – becoming a physician. Even early in childhood it seemed predestined for me to be a physician. Suffering from chronic asthma since birth, I would be forced to see the hospital setting more than a child should. From these experiences my spawning love for medicine began. I have always told anyone who asked, I knew the name of my medications before I knew multiplication. Adjacent to my hospital influence, having my three older siblings (Lorenzo, Monica, Christopher) helping mold me also persuaded me to strive for the highest academic achievements during grade school. But I simply did not just want to see my academics excel, I felt my body needed to be challenged and pushed as well, so I joined my grade school band program. As a result of my dedication to both components, I was honored with both academic and music scholarships to attend Morehouse College, helping me graduate cum laude with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology in 2003. After graduation, I chose to enter the workforce, where I served as the Research Assistant Level III and Laboratory Director, under my Principal Investigator, Harvey Bumpers, M.D. During those years, we focused on developing a defense and cure for breast and colon cancers using HIV as a source for attacking cancer cells. Knowing I wanted to expand my level of knowledge with our research, in 2008 I earned my Masters of Science with a focus in Microbiology. Understanding my true calling was still to pursue medicine, I continued my aspirations, attending Wright State School of Medicine in Dayton, OH, with my graduation ceremony set for May 28, 2016. My specialty of interest is Adult and Child Adolescent Psychiatry.
Aside from medical school classes and rotations, I never stopped finding ways to enjoy my other passions. When I am not in school and studying all day, I continue to try and maintain many of my activities from the past and present. I still enjoy cooking as “Grandma Eva” and Mom taught, weight training, and shooting pool as I did every weekend at Four Points. And now I have added “mastering golf” along with my older brother. But nothing is as enjoyable as being with my wife, Cheri, of three years and watching Waverly, my 6-month-old angel growing up, laughing, cooing, and being amazing. In Dayton, OH, my extended church family at Dominion Ministries International has also kept me spiritually filled and involved with the men’s Tool Shed Ministry.
For me, my villages were extra special. Being born the youngest of four, I was fortunate that my older siblings provided a pretty steady path for me to walk. But moreover, my battle with asthma as a child continued to grow my village as well. God was paving inroads I never knew could exist, for those moments of need outside of my home region. During my grade school years and spending summers with my older brother, I was able to establish more beads on my family string in Atlanta. However, it would not stop there, as my village yet grew again while working after graduating from college. I can safely say this was the true transition of thought, drive, and will to become the best man/person I could become. But my move to Dayton was initially the toughest for me…my family was all in the south, classes were difficult, and dollars were tight. But constantly reminiscing my grandmother’s singing, “Just a little more faith, that’s all I need…” God provided me with another blessing, my church home in Dayton. Through these loving people, God provided me with every need for Cheri, Waverly, and me. People were placed in my life at the right time for every change and matriculation I needed – my village.
My family. My village. My dream. It was impossible for me to fail. God directed me and my roots strengthened me. Being rich extends beyond the monetary gain; it is through the lives that have influenced you and those you have influenced. I have been given a great foundation and it all started with the village surrounded by tobacco and cornfields of South Carolina.
DR. EDDIE EMANUEL NANCE
Eddie Nance was educated in the Lake View, South Carolina School System until the end of 10th grade. He completed his high school education at The South Carolina Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, South Carolina. Following high school, he attended the University of South Carolina earning a B.S. in Chemistry and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) program. He was selected for nuclear propulsion training aboard submarines.
Following his initial training at the Naval Nuclear Power School, Nuclear Power Training Unit at Naval Weapons Station-Charleston, South Carolina and Submarine Officer Basic Course at Naval Submarine Base-Groton, CT, Eddie reported onboard the USS HONOLULU (SSN 718) in January 2006 where he served in multiple division officer positions, completed one Western Pacific Deployment and earned the coveted “Dolphins” Submarine Warfare Insignia. After USS HONOLULU’s decommissioning in November 2007, he transferred to USS SEAWOLF (SSN-21) and completed his Department of Energy Nuclear Engineering Qualification in January 2008 while serving as the ship’s COMMUNICATIONS Division Officer and Ship’s Diving Officer. In December, 2008, Eddie transferred to USS SAN FRANCISCO (SSN-711) where he served as the Sea Trials Coordinator returning the 2.1 billion dollar ship to the sea after a 4 year in-port period. He also served as the ship’s Assistant Weapons Officer.
October, 2009, he reported as Assistant Professor of Naval Science and the Nuclear Propulsion Officer at Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Unit, University of Idaho and Washington State University. While performing his Naval duties, Eddie used his free time to earn a Master of Science Degree in Chemistry and completed all the necessary requirements to apply to Medical School.
Eddie chose to pursue his medical degree at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, a federally funded medical school that trains physicians to care for our country’s warfighters and their families. He is scheduled to graduate from medical school in May 2016 with a Doctorate of Medicine. He will pursue the specialty of Family Medicine training at The Naval Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida.
Eddie is authorized to wear the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corp Achievement Medal (3 awards), Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, National Defense Service Ribbon and Expert Rifle and Pistol Marksmanship Medal.
Eddie lives in Silver Spring, Maryland with his college sweetheart/wife, Cheryl, and their two children Eddison and Christopher.
Eddie is the son of Jasper Jr and Ruthabell Anderson Nance and two brothers, Jasper L. Nance III and Anthony Carmichael.
