JOHN J. HALLUM JR.

KENTUCKY — John J. Hallum Jr., 76, husband of Mable D. Hallum, passed away Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015.

[cointent_lockedcontent]He was the son of the late John J. Hallum Sr., and Margaret Martin Hallum. He was also preceded in death by his step-mother, Edith H. Hallum.

Jake is survived by his wife Mable; two sons, Todd Hallum of Cincinnati and Bart (Lisa) Hallum; a stepson, Ryan Redmond of Odenton, Md.; a sister, Dona (Joel) Wyman and nephews, Jay (Barbara) and Chad (Jessica) Wyman, all of Huntington, N.Y.

He began his high school coaching career at Pickens High School in South Carolina from 1960-62 and played four years of college football at Newberry College. Following his collegiate career at Newberry, he earned a Master’s Degree at Murray State University. He coached high school football at Hopkinsville and Ashland Paul Blazer High School, a run that included two Kentucky state titles. He guided the Ashland Tomcats to a state title in 1967 and was named the Kentucky High School Coach of the Year by the Lexington Herald. He was head football coach at Morehead State University from 1968-71. He joined Jerry Claiborne at the University of Maryland from 1972-81, where the Terps won three consecutive ACC titles. In 1982, he then followed Claiborne to the University of Kentucky. For eight years, he coached the offensive line for the Wildcats. He then finished out his college coaching career at Arizona State University. After completing a 24-year coaching career, he served as a senior scout for three NFL teams: the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and the Cleveland Browns.

A gathering of friends and players was held on Aug. 11 at the K-House, 1398 Sportscenter Drive, Lexington, Ky.

Visitation will be held Monday, Aug. 17, from 3-6 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home, 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC 29671.
A private burial will be on Tuesday, Aug. 18, in Norris.

Donations can be made to Team Focus, PO Box 91626, Mobile, AL 36691.

ROBERT EDREW “ROBBY” PORTER

SIX MILE — Robert Edrew “Robby” Porter, 23, husband of Kalyn Ann Meaders Porter, went to be with Lord Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, at Anmed Hospital in Anderson.

Robert was born in Easley, a son of Edrew and Theresa Porter of Six Mile.

Robby loved music and playing his guitar. He also loved football and teaching his son how to dribble a soccer ball.

Survivors include his wife; one son, Robert Clark Porter, of the home; two sisters, Megan Porter and Andrea Porter of Six Mile; his mother and father in-law, Susan and Jeff Meaders of Six Mile; grandmothers, Margaret Black of Six Mile, Evelyn Porter of Central and great-grandmother Mildred Porter of Central.

A celebration service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, 2015, at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Porter family.

LARRY GRAY

EASLEY — Mr. Larry Gray, 71, husband of Betty Farmer Gray, passed away Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Greenville County, a son of the late John Wesley and Lucille Patterson Gray, Mr. Gray retired from the South Carolina DOT and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 53 years, are three sons, Larry M. Gray (Robin) of Easley, Scottie L. Gray (Jan) and C. Jamie Gray (Denise), all of Pickens; a brother, Bobby Gray (Diane) of Easley; a sister, Ann Gravely (Steve) of Easley; nine grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Aug. 6, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown with burial following in Robinson Memorial Gardens, 1425 Powdersville Road, Easley, SC 29642.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

REBECCA JEAN SEARCY

PICKENS — Rebecca Jean Searcy, 29, passed away on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015.

She was the daughter of Charles and Betty Nicholson Searcy. She was preceded in death her grandparents, Marie and Bud Searcy and Willie Mae and Harry Nicholson, and one uncle, Jerry Searcy.

Rebecca attended Pickens High School. She enjoyed sports and fishing. She loved animals. She was a caring and devoted mother.

In addition to her parents, she is survived by two sons, Steven and C. J. Dunn, and one brother, Jamie Searcy of Pickens.

Funeral services were held Aug. 6 at Moody-Connolly Funeral Home. Interment followed in Gillespie Evergreen Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left at www.moodyconnollyfuneralhome.com.

Moody-Connolly Funeral Home and Crematory are caring for the family.

SUSAN NEELY ACKER

PICKENS — Susan Neely Acker, 64, died on Aug. 4, 2015, surrounded by her family.

Susan is survived by her husband, George Acker of Pickens, her three children, Trent Acker (Erica) of Greenville; Katherine Brooks (Tripp) of Greenville, and Davis Acker (Allison), of Richmond, Va.; and her two grandchildren, Neely Brooks and Brady Acker. Susan is also survived by her father, Henry Neely of Charlotte, N.C., and her brother, Todd Neely (Kathe), of Raleigh, N.C.

Susan was born on Aug. 11, 1950, in Charlotte, N.C., to Henry and Joyce Neely, along with two younger brothers, Henry Jr. (Hank) and Todd. Susan attended Peace College in Raleigh, N.C. While at school, Susan met her future husband, George, and earned her Bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill). Susan also earned her Master’s degree at the University of North Carolina (Charlotte). Shortly after, the family relocated to Pickens.

Much of Susan’s life was dedicated to teaching, and she spent a majority of those years teaching at Pickens Elementary school. She and George were also active members of Pickens Presbyterian Church.

A memorial service was held at Pickens Presbyterian church on Aug. 8, with The Reverends Nath Briley and Beverley Kelly officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Family Promise of Pickens County. Their website is familypromisepickens.org

TERRY WAYNE VAUGHN

PICKENS — Terry Wayne Vaughn, 58, husband of Tammy Jean Bagwell Vaughn, went to be with the Lord Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, in Charleston.

Mr. Vaughn was born in Greenville, a son of Elizabeth Ann Nations Vaughn of Easley and the late Joseph Furman Vaughn.

Mr. Vaughn was a member of Morning Star Independent Baptist Church. He enjoyed flying remote-control airplanes and helicopters. His hobbies included camping, fishing and hunting. Mr. Vaughn had a love for his wife that was neverending. He also loved his dog, Ellie Mae.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years; one daughter, Jennifer Vaughn of Anderson; one brother, Joseph Furman Vaughn, Jr. and wife Phyllis of Easley; and five grandchildren. Mr. Vaughn was predeceased by his father.

Services were held Aug. 9 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Morning Star Independent Baptist Church, 111 North Cedar Rock Road, Easley SC 29640.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Vaughn family.

Juergen “Jay” Arthur Hermanns

Pickens — Juergen Arthur Hermanns, 54, passed away Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, at his home.

Mr. Hermanns was born in New Jersey, the son of Diana C. Hitzler Profeta of Pickens and Juergen Hermanns of New Jersey.

Survivors include two sons, Kyle Hermanns of Pickens and Ben Hermanns of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two brothers, Erich Hermanns of Atlanta and Patrick Profeta and wife Angi of Keokuk, Iowa; two sisters, Joy King and husband JR of Easley and Melli Hermanns of Texas; and three grandchildren, Sydni Ann, Natalie Grace and Kolt Arthur.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Faith Lutheran Church in Pickens.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Hermanns family.

Gary Lynn Jones

PICKENS — Gary Lynn Jones passed away July 24, 2015.

A Pickens native, he was the son of the late Gary Jones and Julia Hayes Watson.

He was formerly employed by Crane Chevrolet and more recently owned and operated LJK Services.

He is survived by one son, Matthew Jones, three sisters, Terri Breazeale, Renee Golden, and Kenna Allen, and his stepmother, Nancy Jones.

No services will be held.[/cointent_lockedcontent]