Daily Archives: 12/08/2015
Robinson hosts 21st ‘Lights of Love’ event
EASLEY — Beautiful, clear skies set the stage as a large crowd attended the 21st annual “Lights of Love” ceremony held Saturday at Robinson Memorial Gardens and hosted by Robinson Funeral Homes.
Luminaries placed on the graves were lit by family members at 5:45 p.m., followed by a Christmas memorial service at 6:15 p.m. in the Chapel of Reflection Mausoleum at Robinson Memorial Gardens, located at 1425 Powdersville Road in Easley.
Chris Robinson
Robinson Memorial Gardens and Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road were beautifully decorated with luminaries along the walkways. Beautiful Christmas hymns were heard from the Carillon system in the Bell Tower Mausoleum prior to and following the program.
The service included the lighting of a Christmas tree decorated with special ornaments inscribed with the names of the people served by Robinson Funeral Homes as well as those laid to rest in Robinson Memorial Gardens during 2015.
Loved ones light a candle of remembrance during the Christmas memorial service held at the Chapel of Reflection Mausoleum at Robinson Memorial Gardens.
Participating in the program were Margie Beckett, Chris Robinson and Alfred Robinson Jr. of Robinson Funeral Homes and Robinson Memorial Gardens. The Rev. Dr. Rodney Powell of Easley First United Methodist Church delivered a meaningful message about coping with the holidays.
In addition, Powell led the Remembrance Candle Lighting Ceremony with several family members participating in lighting the four special candles, representing grief, courage, memories, and love.
Rev. Dr.Rodney Powell
Savannah Duncan provided beautiful harp music before the service, and she played two beautiful, traditional Christmas Hymns during the service. Moving Forward Group, a support group for widowed persons in Pickens County and sponsored by Robinson Funeral Homes, provided the refreshments.
The “Lights of Love” Christmas tree is now on display for the Christmas season at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, where the public is invited to come by and enjoy its beauty and significance. Representatives of each family served this year may come by anytime during the holidays to pick up their respective complimentary Christmas ornament.
How important is appearance?
We were watching the news yesterday and saw a head shot of a well-groomed woman who is considered armed and dangerous and is wanted for attempted murder.
I was surprised because her mug shot was so flattering.
Apparently this lady was already facing attempted murder charges from a previous incident.
On the bright side, it isn’t believed that she has assault weapons with her; just regular hand guns and rifles. So if you do run into her there’s no need to worry, as eventually she’ll have to stop and reload, giving you a chance to escape.
In addition to attempted murder, she is also a person of interest in the possible kidnapping of a man she offered a ride to. He hasn’t been seen since.
First we wondered why she was wandering around loose to begin with. If a person is charged with attempted murder, it seems to me it shouldn’t be a big surprise if they try again.
After all, if at first you don’t succeed. She is now on the lam. Perhaps next time she will be able to actually murder someone. They say the third time’s the charm.
Sad to say the most surprising thing to me was how attractive she was in her mug shot. Her hair was nicely done, she had on makeup — but not too much — and was pretty. She apparently had all her teeth and didn’t look like a meth addict.
Grandmama taught us it’s important to never leave the house unless you look your best. Of course, she observed this maxim even if she wasn’t planning to leave the house.
Does this explain why this person was free as a bird after her first attempted murder charge? Because she looked very much like Alice in Wonderland. Did this influence the court?
This leads me to conclude that you should maintain your grooming at all times. Especially if you are going to be arrested.
It would be appalling to appear on the news or in the paper in an unflattering mug shot. You would be an embarrassment to your entire family. If you do plan a crime, please make a fashion statement.
Robbing the convenience store? Don’t go inside wearing a gray hoodie and dark glasses. Dress up. Look your best. You will avoid suspicion and lessen the chance of being shot yourself. And if you are arrested, chances are you will receive better treatment in jail and in court.
It’s important to put first things first. So, prior to undertaking a criminal act, I’d suggest a trip to the beauty salon followed by a makeover session at a cosmetic counter. Then get a manicure and pedicure before counting and loading your weapons.
Make sure your handbag is coordinated to your outfit and is large enough to hold a hand gun. This will take you far. And never forget to check your hair and makeup before holding up a place or taking a hostage.
We all want a mug shot that could also be used on our Christmas cards. There would be lots of time to address them and include a personal message to friends while waiting in jail for your trial to come up.
Letters to the Editor 12-9-15
Praise and thanksgiving
Dear Editor,
All too often we just hear the bad things happening around us. We live in a fallen world, where bad things seem to be the norm. However, this letter is one of praise and thanksgiving for a God who loves each of us and cares about the little things in our life. And then to the good people of Pickens.
Last week, Dec. 3, after a long, busy day, I made a quick trip to Wal-Mart here in Pickens. Once I returned home, it was several hours before I realized my phone had not rang — and this is most unusual for me. To my surprise, the phone or my purse was not in my house nor my car. I knew that I had it when I left Wal-Mart, because I unlocked the car and drove home.
Long story short, I do not know where I left it. I do not make a habit of putting it in a buggy. Once I realized it was gone, I really panicked.
Looking back, I questioned how my faith disappeared in fear. But the fear was real.
My daughter was a big help — she called my phone, and immediately it rang her back. Seeing my number, she thought I had found it. The lady on the other end said she heard the phone ring in a purse in an off-limits room at Wal-Mart. She said I would have to come in person to identify it.
Needless to say, first I offered a prayer of thanks to God above for His protection and His intervention of what could have been a disaster.
And last, but certainly not least, I want to thank the unknown person or persons who found my purse and returned it to the service desk, who in turn placed it in another safe place.
I know it went through at least three different hands, and each one had the opportunity to do harm. However, nothing was out of place or missing. I find this amazing.
My faith in the people of Pickens is tremendous. It blesses my heart to see God at work through His people, and to God be the glory. Sometimes I think He allows things to happen to teach us to trust and praise Him through our fear. His love and goodness was magnified through the actions of unknown people, and I am truly grateful.
I know of no other way to say thank you except in the hope you see this letter.
Sylvia Dover
Pickens
What’s the real reason?
Dear Editor,
I have a question. How come no one is demanding to see Ted Cruz’s birth certificate?
Cruz was born in Canada, and his father was a Cuban refugee who helped to put Castro into power. His mother is rumored to have renounced her U.S. citizenship and become a citizen of Canada.
So how come no one is questioning his birth certificate? Is he an American citizen or a Canadian?
Or is the real reason no one on the right is questioning his birth certificate but questioned President Obama because of skin tone?
Larry Allen
Easley
Courier Obituaries 12-9-15
ALLEN MAHAFFEY
EASLEY — Cecil Allen Mahaffey, 66, of 107 S. 4th St., passed away on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital.
Born in Liberty, he was a son of the late Heyward and Helen Gilstrap Mahaffey.
He was a member of First Baptist Church, Liberty.
Surviving are one sister, Becky Stokes of the home, and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many special friends.
Funeral services to honor Allen’s life were held Dec. 6 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel, with burial following at Liberty Memorial Gardens.
Flowers will be accepted, or memorials are requested to PCBDSN, P.O. Box 1308, Easley, SC 29641. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.
WAYNE DODGENS
LIBERTY — Wayne B. Dodgens, 81, of 185 Hamlin Road, passed away peacefully Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015, at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville.
Born in Pickens, he was the widower of Virnell Virginia Leslie Dodgens and a son of the late Furman Alfred “Baldy” and Dolly Beatrice Lesley Dodgens. He was a retired self-employed contractor and previously owned Wayne Dodgens Builders. He loved hunting and fishing and was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are two daughters, Wanda Crotts (Rev. Willie Crotts) of Greenville and Lynn McCall (James) of Liberty; a brother, Van Dodgens (Shirley) of Six Mile; six grandchildren; and numerous great- and great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his wife and parents, he was predeceased by four sisters and seven brothers.
Funeral services to honor the life of Mr. Dodgens will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Graceland West Cemetery in Greenville.
The family will be at the home. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements. www.libertymortuary.com
HANSEL J. “HANK” SIMMONS
EASLEY — Mr. Hansel John “Hank” Simmons, 89, husband of the late Frances Youngblood Simmons, passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at his home.
Born in Pickens County, a son of the late John McDaniel and Clovie Jane Lesley Simmons, Mr. Simmons retired from Singer Manufacturing of Pickens with 40 years of service, and was a member of Cross Roads Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served in World War II.
Surviving are two sons, Gerald Dale Simmons (Sherril) of Easley and Wendell Jerry Simmons (Melinda) of Liberty; two daughters, Vickie G. Gonzalez and Tabitha F. Wohlever (Jimmy), all of Easley; two brothers, Charles and Fulton Simmons, both of Easley; eight grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Simmons was predeceased by a son, John Terrell Simmons, and three brothers, Robert, Elzie and Ilar Simmons.
Graveside services were held Dec. 3 at Hillcrest Memorial Park, with military honors.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
MARK ANDREW HOLCOMB
SIX MILE — Mark Andrew Holcomb, 23, of Six Mile, and Cortland, N.Y., passed away Thursday, Nov. 26, 2015, at home.
Andrew was the son of Donna McAlister Holcomb of Six Mile and Mark and Sherry Holcomb of Cortland, N.Y.
He was a 2011 graduate of Cortland Jr./Sr. High School in Cortland, N.Y. He was a kind, caring young man who loved fishing, hiking and spending time with his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Andrew is survived by two sisters, Jennifer Stewart of Six Mile and Ashley Lockard of Charleston; a stepbrother, Ryan O’Donnell; and stepsister, Julia Goddard of Cortland, N.Y; grandmother, Edith McAlister of Six Mile; grandparents, Horace and Betty Holcomb of Virgil, N.Y.; nieces, Lauren, Kayla and Emma of Six Mile and Kiley and Madalin Lockard of Charleston; aunts, Marlene Roach of Six Mile and Patricia O’Donnell of Homer, N.Y.; an uncle, James (Valerie) Holcomb of Homer, N.Y.; cousins, Cody Roach, Joshua McAlister, Austin, Kevin and Steven Clark, and Michael and Matthew Holder, all of Six Mile, Kandi Holder of Wilmington, Del., Jennifer Wyant and Joe O’Donnell of Cortland, N.Y., and Tyler and Nick Holcomb of Homer, N.Y.
Andrew was predeceased by his grandfather, Charles McAlister; aunts, Patricia Manley and Pamela Clark; and cousin, Justin Roach.
A memorial service for Andrew was held at New Beginnings Baptist Church in Six Mile on Nov. 30.
JOAN CORA ST. JOCK O’SHEAL
TAMASSEE — Joan Cora St. Jock O’Sheal, 81, wife of Bobby O’Sheal, of 465 O’Sheal Drive, Tamassee, passed away Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015, at Oconee Memorial Hospital.
Born in Hackensack, N.J., Mrs. O’Sheal was the daughter of the late Gordon Gibbs and Mildred Pearl Haggert St. Jock. She was a physical education teacher in the public school system for grades K-12 in Florida. Mrs. O’Sheal was a visiting teacher with the Oconee and Anderson County Head Start Program.
In addition to her husband, Mrs. O’Sheal is survived by her daughter, Jan Grieve; three grandchildren, Cassie, Shawn, and Christine; nine great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren, Bucky and Robin O’Sheal; a goddaughter, Sylvia Jean; four sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is at the residence.
ANNETTE MCCLURE PAYNE
PICKENS — Annette McClure Payne, 58, passed from this life Monday, Dec. 6, 2015, at McCall Hospice House.
Ms. Payne was born in Greenville County, daughter of the late Henry and Annie Mae Anders McClure.
She was a nurse assistant and a cook at nursing homes in the Pickens County area.
Survivors include a daughter, Brandi Payne of Pickens; two brothers, Lindsey (Khristy) McClure of Pickens and William McClure of Greenville; and her beloved dog, WeeWee.
In addition to her parents, Ms. Payne was predeceased by her son, Andrew Payne; a grandson, Raygen Miller; a brother, Frank McClure; and a sister, Frances Thompson.
The family will receive friends from 2:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, at Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens, with funeral service following at 3:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.
Memorials may be made to Eastatoe Baptist Church in Sunset.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com. The family members are at their respective homes.
Tri-County receives scholarship money for QuickJobs training
UPSTATE — Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate and Community Education Division is offering scholarships for QuickJobs training to help individuals who are unemployed, as well as underemployed, prepare for high-demand jobs that lead to a sustainable wage.
The S.C. General Assembly allotted the state’s 16 technical colleges funding to award scholarship money. Tri-County received $350,000 earmarked for in-demand, QuickJobs training in the areas of manufacturing, health care (both clinic and office related), transportation and logistics (i.e., truck driving), IT, computer, business and highway construction.
Scholarships of up to $2,000 per student will be granted to successful applicants.
“QuickJobs classes are high-quality education for in-demand, high-skills jobs,” said Rick Cothran, dean of Tri-County’s Corporate and Community Education (CCE) Division.
“We offer classes that help you obtain the skills that you need to enter the workforce. Individuals can obtain these basic skills in as little as one week or up to 30 weeks based on the technical skills needed in each career,” Cothran said.
He added that QuickJob classes are designed to upgrade one’s skills and can be completed in less than a year (before summer 2016). For a list of programs, visit tctc.edu/Learn.
“These QuickJobs training programs are designed to build technical skills that can help move you to the front of the line when competing for employment in the areas of administration, healthcare, highway construction, manufacturing and truck driving,” Cothran added. “While most people think that technical skills are what employers seek, soft skills development is often just as important; therefore, soft skills are integrated into each of our training programs.”
For example, South Carolina Manufacturing Certification (SCMC) is a quick, yet comprehensive training route for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and to secure full-time employment as operators in manufacturing or other organizations.
“Our SCMC training provides individuals the opportunity to earn national credentials that manufacturing employers understand,” Cothran said. “It shows that you have the skills sets to fill those in-demand jobs.
“This training can put the unemployed to work, as well as the underemployed, who are in entry-level jobs but have the capabilities to handle a more sophisticated job or to move from part time to full time. We are working with the economic developers and employers in Anderson, Oconee and Pickens counties and all training programs are tied to open jobs in our service area.”
Interested persons should call (864) 646-1700 for information on scholarships. Applicants fill out a single-page application and Tri-County staff will help them through the application process and enrollment in classes. Interviews with candidates will be set up in coordination with the S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce.
For more information, call (864) 646-1700 or visit tctc.edu/Learn.
Cox inks to golf at JMU
Pickens High School golfer Morgan Cox signed recently to hit the links for James Madison University next season. Cox said she chose James Madison because when she visited the campus she instantly fell in love 
with the school and the team. While at Pickens, Cox helped lead the Blue Flame to the 2013 Class AAA State championship. She also played on the Can-Am and Mid-Atlantic challenge teams. Cox said she is sad to be leaving Pickens, but reflected on the last six years on the PHS team as “great ones.”
Nativity set for Pickens
PICKENS — Pickens First Baptist Church will host a live nativity event this Sunday, Dec. 13, from 5-7 p.m. in Legacy Square on Main Street.
The church invites everyone to come enjoy free food, drinks and games, including inflatables and a trackless train. Attendees will be able to join in the Christmas spirit with music by the adult and children’s choirs and concert band and take in the wonder of the live nativity scene in celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be held across the street in the Fellowship Hall of Pickens First Baptist Church at 406 E. Main St.
Christmas Parades Continue!
Photos by Pamela Dodson and Rocky Nimmons/Courier
The holiday season continued over the weekend as four local municipalities held their annual Christmas parades over the weekend. Easley, Six Mile, Central and Liberty each hosted events on Saturday to help local residents get in the Yule tide spirit. The fun will continue this week as Pickens will hold its annual parade at 7 p.m. on Friday, while Norris and Dacusville will round out the festivities with their annual parades on Saturday, with Norris’ event starting at 11 a.m. and Dacusville’s set for 2 p.m.
Troop 51 celebrates 75 years of scouting
During the 1950s, scouts from Troop 51 made their own canoes to use on a two-to-three-day trip down the Keowee River from the narrows of the “Horse Pasture” to the Pickens-Walhalla bridge. In this picture, troop members are seen on the Keowee River going under the old Chapman Bridge with nicely dressed “scout moms” observing from the banks of the river.
By Perry Gravely
Special to the Courier
news@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Even on a cold, drizzling Sunday afternoon, a crowd gathered at the Troop 51 Scout Hut in Pickens to celebrate the troop’s 75th anniversary and to reminisce about past camping trips, socialize with former scouts, review old photographs and enjoy a moment of scouting history. Troop 51 of Pickens was chartered on Nov. 30, 1940, after succeeding previous Pickens Scout troops going back to 1912.
During the anniversary’s formal program, the Pickens Lions Club was recognized for its 75 years as the chartered organization for the troop. “It’s an honor for me to represent Pickens Lions as the original sponsor of Troop 51 on its 75th anniversary,” longtime Lions Club member Doug Hinkle said. “I was a Troop 51 scout in the 1950s, when Troop 51 did so many exciting things such as building the scout hut.”
Hinkle also recalled a canoe trip in the ‘50s when the scouts built their own canoes to “make the challenging two- and three -day runs on the Keowee River from the narrows in the Horse Pasture to the Pickens-Walhalla bridge.” During the celebration, Hinkle was reviewing an old black-and-white photograph from one of these canoe trips and recognized himself as the young scout in the front of one of the canoes going down the Keowee River under the old Chapman Bridge.
During the ceremony, many current scouts received a commemorative “75” patch from assistant scoutmaster Justin Carlisle for meeting a rank advancement challenge. Also recognized during the ceremony were previous scouts, previous Eagle Scouts and former adult leaders. Records show that more than 1,500 youth and adults have come through Troop 51 during its 75 years and 105 scouts have earned the highest rank of Eagle.
One of the highlights of the afternoon was the arrival of Jack Black, who was a member of the first group of scouts when it was chartered. Black, who is now a “young” 87, joined the troop in November 1940 at the age of 12 when some of the other boys on his street talked him into joining.
At that time, Black recalled, the troop met in a building off of Ann Street, and R.A. “King” Cole was the scoutmaster.
“King Cole was a wonderful fellow,” Black said. “We met every Monday night and we learned a lot of things, although we did not do a lot of camping during that time because it was during (World War II).”
Black said he enjoyed his years in scouting and they “taught him how to get along with people, learn responsibility and try to do the right thing.”
Dr. E.W. Rabon delivered the keynote speech at the event and talked briefly about some of the scouting history in the Pickens area and shared some stories about the legendary Jack Gantt, who served as the troop’s scoutmaster from 1945-81. Rabon also discussed the importance of the scout oath and how scouting helps prepare young men for many of life’s challenges. Rabon has been very active in scouting as an adult leader for Troop 37 in Easley and served in many roles in the Pickens District and Blue Ridge Council.
Justin Hemphill, a current scout working on his Eagle badge and serving as the troop’s senior patrol leader, attended the celebration and said “it was a very interesting thing to see the past members of our amazing troop and its extensive history.
“Seeing both these things made me reflect on how I may someday be the person standing in front of new members of Troop 51 and telling the amazing experiences that I’ve had in the troop and in scouting as a whole,” Hemphill said.
To put the founding of the troop in historical perspective, other major events in November 1940 included Franklin D. Roosevelt’s election to his third term as president, the bombing of Coventry, England, by the Germans and the bombing of Hamburg, Germany, by Great Britain during World War II, the introduction of the Willys General Purpose vehicle called the Jeep and the introduction of classic cartoon character Woody Woodpecker.
Troop 51 meets every Monday night at the Troop 51 Scout Hut and has monthly outings of camping, hiking, biking, backpacking and community service projects. Most recent events included camping and cycling the entire Doodle Trail in Pickens and for December, the troop has planned what will most likely be a very chilly backpacking trip in Pisgah National Forest.
For more information about Troop 51 or scouting in the Pickens area, contact scoutmaster Perry Gravely at incourt2@aol.com.
Courier Community Calendar 12-9-15
[cointent_lockedcontent]• Pancake breakfast set to help PPCCDC
Christmas is for kids, which is why the Pickens Presbyterian Church Child Development Center is working to ensure it can continue meeting the needs of every child who walks through its doors.
The center will host a pancake breakfast with Santa as a holiday fundraiser on Saturday, Dec. 12, from 9-11 a.m. in the All Saints Hall at Pickens Presbyterian Church, located at at 311 W. Cedar Rock St.
Tickets for the pancake breakfast are $6, and children under 4 are free. The ticket includes breakfast, and all children can have their picture taken with Santa. To-go plates will also be available.
To order tickets, call (864) 878-9953 or visit the center at 338 W. Cedar Rock St.
• Dacusville church schedules bazaar
Dacusville United Methodist Church will host an arts and craft bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 12.
The event, set to run from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., will feature food, fun, fellowship and shopping for handcrafted items.
A bake sale will begin at 8 a.m., with hot dog plates also available from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. A blood mobile will be on site from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. as well.
Proceeds from the sale will benefit the missions and ministries of the church, which is located at 1339 Thomas Mill Road in Easley.
• PPCCDC adds private 5K progam
The Pickens Presbyterian Church Child Development Center has announced the addition of a private 5K program for the 2016-17 school year.
The program has been designed to meet and exceed all the state standards.
The program has also been developed to use an innovative hands-on learning approach that matches and enriches the learning styles and abilities of our individual students.
There will be a low student-to-teacher ratio, and the number of students will be limited to 10.
The teacher leading the program is highly qualified and has obtained a master’s degree in education. She graduated with honors and received an award of excellence on her state certification test.
The cost of the program will include before- and after-school care, daycare for school holidays/breaks and lunch, morning and afternoon snacks.
• Steppin’ It Up Coalition to meet
The December meeting of the Steppin’ It Up Coalition is planned for Monday, Dec. 14, from 5:30 p.m.-6:45 p.m. at Behavioral Health Services’ office at 303 E. Main St. in Pickens.
Meetings are open to anyone interested in educating local youth on the dangers and health implications of alcohol, tobacco and drug exposure and use. For more information about the Steppin’ It Up Coalition, contact Cathy Breazeale at (864) 898-5800 or visit steppinituppickens.org.
[/cointent_lockedcontent]
