Daily Archives: 12/10/2019
Easley mayor given state’s top honor at final meeting
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — Mayor Larry Bagwell was awarded South Carolina’s highest civilian honor during his final Easley 
City Council meeting Monday night.
Rep. Neal Collins, Rep. Gary Clary and Sen. Rex Rice presented Bagwell with the Order of the Palmetto during the meeting, on behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster and the state legislature.
Collins said Bagwell has impacted generations, both on the football field as a former Easley
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2 dead after moped wrecks
PICKENS — Two men died Sunday in connection with separate Pickens County moped wrecks 10 days apart.
Coroner Kandy Kelley said 59-year-old Timothy Wayne Stephens of Pickens died at the scene of a wreck on U.S. Highway 178 near Old Fox Squirrel Ridge Road around 12:50 p.m.
Stephens’ moped was slowing down to make a turn before being hit by a sedan, South Carolina Highway Patrol Master Trooper David Jones said.
The driver of the car, Faye Cassell, was wearing a seatbelt and was not injured. Cassell was charged with driving
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Easley, school district partner to ease traffic
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
EASLEY — The city of Easley will be providing funds to improve traffic flow around West End Elementary and 
Forest Acres Elementary.
City council voted on second reading Monday night to amend the city’s FY 2019-20 operating budget to provide for the funding request.
City administrator Stephen Steese said the first portion of the budget amendment concerned partnering with the School District of Pickens County
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Public urged to attend burial of local veteran
By Jason Evans
Staff Reporter
jevans@thepccourier.com
PICKENS — Area residents are asked to come out Friday to pay tribute to a man who served his country.
The Pickens County Coroner’s Office contacted Pickens County Veterans Affairs officer Sherry Harris on Nov. 18 after William D. Rowland was found dead.
“That was how I first learned about him,” Harris said Friday.
The coroner’s office said Rowland was a veteran.
Rowland was homeless at the time of his death, Harris said.
He was born in Pickens 64 years ago, she said. He enjoyed camping and hunting.
“In 1972, Rowland enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country
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County welcomes Finnish educators
By Greg Oliver
Courtesy The Journal
goliver@upstatetoday.com
EASLEY — A little more than a year after School District of Pickens County superintendent Danny Merck visited schools in Finland, 14 Finnish professors have been visiting Pickens County over the past week.
School district spokesman John Eby said the purpose of the visit is for professors from the Oulu University Teacher Training School to exchange knowledge about education.
“During the visit, our guests will tour schools to learn more about the U.S. education system and innovations here in Pickens County and they will lead professional development sessions for our faculty,” Eby said.
The Finnish educators presented “Finish Strong: Lessons from World Education Leaders” at a public forum in
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The week before Christmas at our house
Twas the week before Christmas, and I was alone
My wife, credit cards and money all gone.
Gwinnett, Lenox and Perimeter Mall;
She’d gassed up the car, and visited them all.
Her eyes, how they twinkled, her nose like a hound
Her laughter grew shrill, as the bargains she found.
As I sat, in the La-Z-Boy, watching TV;
Commercials and re-runs were all I could see.
The clock on the wall pointed to 10,
When I thought I heard my sweet wife come in.
As I shook the cobwebs from my sleepy head,
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Best advice comes from above
Generally speaking, people are not excited about being told what to do. This is probably one of the greatest reasons why the world rejects the Bible and the ways of God.
In fact, it’s rare to find anyone that is excited about taking advice, even good advice. Think about yourself for a moment. How often do you read God’s Word or hear a message and come away saying, “that’s a great idea, and I am going to incorporate and apply this truth into my life!”
When it comes to wise people trying to give us counsel, I suggest we at least listen, because when we consider the strengths and expertise of others, we are being given an excellent opportunity to glean wisdom. When is the last time you heard someone say they
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Courier Letters to the Editor
Saitta ‘spot on’ in letter
Dear Editor,
Re: Alex Saitta’s letter to the editor on Wednesday, Dec. 4. — spot on!
When are we going to fight back, stop worrying about getting some bad press, stop apologizing for promoting healthy lifestyles, etc.?
Conservatives had better stop “rolling over and playing dead” before it is too late!
Mayor Roy C. Stoddard
Six Mile
Remember to keep the Christ in Christmas
Dear Editor,
Hard to believe it’s Christmas again. My how time flies when you get older.
When I was a child, it seemed my birthday came once every two years and Christmas every five. There were two
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Courier Obituaries 12-11-19
Easley philanthropist and successful entrepreneur Ellenbug passes away
RALPH MCCLELLAN ELLENBURG SR.
EASLEY — Ralph McClellan Ellenburg Sr., 97, passed away surrounded by family on Nov. 29, 2019.
He was born Feb. 2, 1922, to Ernest McClellan Ellenburg and Lillie Stewart Ellenburg. Ralph was married to Helen Patterson of Pickens for 70 years.
Ralph was a philanthropist and successful entrepreneur having started and operated several businesses in the community. In his early 20s, he owned and operated Easley Ice Cream Parlor, Ellenburg Jewelry and Ellenburg Amusement Company. He owned and operated Tri-City Lanes Bowling Center, but his crowning achievement was Ellenburg Asphalt Company. His company resurfaced Charlotte Motor Speedway. Ralph developed a method still used today for paving the high banks of a racetrack. Ralph was paving the roadways and building the railroad spur for a manufacturing park development outside Selma, Ala., when Dr. King’s Freedom March passed his jobsite. Preceding the years before retirement, Ralph partnered in real estate development along the South Carolina coast and started the family rental business in Easley.
Ralph encouraged businesses to locate in Easley and supported new entrepreneurs with his advice and, more often than not, financially as well. He was dedicated to his community. He was a tireless supporter of and advocate for the Rocky Bottom Camp of the Blind, serving as president of their advisory board and not only leading their fundraising campaigns for many years, but also could be seen working there regularly with his front-end loader or backhoe or fixing an appliance. He co-founded and served on the board of trustees of Community Bank, was president of the Easley Jaycees and held numerous other leadership positions in the community. Ralph was a lifelong member of Easley First Baptist Church. He spearheaded the fundraising to build Easley Baptist Hospital. He donated the stadium sound system for Easley High School and did play-by-play announcements for their AA football team. He loved his hometown and assisted his brother, Mayor Charles Ellenburg, in revitalizing downtown Easley and building Old Market Square.
Ralph had an ability to fix almost anything and enjoyed working in his shop in the evenings and on the weekends. He was known to his family and friends as “the fix-it man” and lovingly and respectfully called “Mr. E.” He enjoyed many years of horsemanship on his Cedar Rail Ranch, and also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Helen, and his grandchildren in his motor home throughout the U.S. (including Alaska), Canada and Mexico.
Ralph was predeceased by brothers Will Earl, Roy, Charles, Jack, Jimmie, Lafoy and Sherwood; sister, Mary Lou; wife, Helen; and daughter, Hollace Kay Hamid.
Surviving are his children, Ralph McClellan Ellenburg Jr. of Easley and daughters Heller Gwen Ellenburg of Liberty and Heather Marie McConnell of Black Mountain, N.C.; and his grandchildren, Tariq Gibran Hamid, Tara (T.K.) Redick, Jennifer Welborn, Tyson McConnell and Regina Logan. Ralph also leaves behind nine great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren. A memorial service to celebrate his life was held on Dec. 7 at Easley First Baptist Church, with committal at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Rocky Bottom Retreat and Conference Center of the Blind at 119 S. Kilbourne Road, Columbia, SC 29205.
Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens is assisting the Ellenburg family in making arrangements.
REBA ESTES HILL
EASLEY — Reba Estes Hill, beloved widow of the late Benjamin Knight Hill, died on Nov. 16, 2019, in Manassas, 
Va., at the age of 100 years.
She was born in Haralson County, Ga., the daughter of the late James Edwin and Hettie Holland Estes.
Some of Mrs. Hill’s working history includes employment by Wachovia Bank and Trust Co. in Charlotte, N.C. and employment by South Carolina National Bank in Greenville.
Mrs. Hill and her family were members of Easley United Methodist Church in Easley, where she was a member of the Wesley Sunday School Class. Mrs. Hill gave freely of herself and taught in the childrens’ and youth departments. She sang in the Chancel Choir for many years. She also served on the Council of Ministries.
She graciously served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and worked in the Free Medical Clinic in Easley.
Left to honor and remember this loving woman are her three daughters, Ramona McLeland (Bruce), Susan Hill
