RUTH MERRITT JEFFEAUX

DACUSVILLE — Ruth Merritt Jeffeaux, 80, wife of the late Billy Jeffeaux, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.

Born in Powdersville, she was the daughter of the late John Clinton and Sarah Lou “Sallie” Trotter Merritt.

Ruth was a member of Woodside Baptist Church. She loved the Lord, her family and her church. Her life was a reflection of her love and dedication to Him, and she honored Him in her actions of always doing and helping others however she could. She was the true meaning of a Godly woman.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Davis (Robert) of Williamston; son, Jimmy Jeffeaux (Theresa) of Greenville; sisters, Lou Ellen Pruitt (Joe) of Easley and Annette Freeman of Greenville; and grandsons, Clint Davis and Al and Matt Jeffeaux.

In addition to her parents and loving husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Ivory Orr, Sarah Lowery Lewellyn and Joyce Merritt Williams; and a brother, Robert “Bobby” Merritt.

A visitation was held Monday, Aug. 30, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes Northwest, with the funeral service following in the Northwest Chapel. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery West.

The family appreciated those who attended for following the CDC guidelines on social distancing and wearing a mask.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice especially Bridget and Cindy for their love and care of Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodside Baptist Church, 301 Woodside Ave., Greenville, SC 29611, or to Amedisys Hospice, 250 Commonwealth Drive, Suite 105, Greenville, SC 29615.

FRANK TOWERS RICE SR.

EASLEY — Frank Towers Rice Sr., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.

He was born on July 2, 1931, to Gladys Hollingsworth Smith Rice and Ibzan Rex Rice.

Towers was a lifelong resident of Greenville, with a few short stints in other places. He attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Georgia Tech. He was on the wrestling team and a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He developed lifelong friendships there, and they continued to gather as often as they could through the years.

While at Georgia Tech, Towers attended Marine Officer Basic School. He spent summers at Parris Island, Quantico, Va., and Fort Sill, Okla. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1952. When he graduated in 1953, Towers began active duty, serving in the Mediterranean and at Camp Lejeune. In 1965, he took command of the 57th Rifle Co., serving reserve duty. With 130 men under his command, he continued through the Vietnam era. He was a holder of the National Defense, Organized Reserve and European Occupation Ribbons. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. One of his favorite sayings was “Not as mean, not as lean, but always a Marine! Semper Fi.”

Towers met the love of his life, Betty Claire Fontaine, on a blind date set up by her great-aunt and his mother. After a long-distance courtship while she was at Mary Baldwin, they married on June 25, 1955, in Houston, Texas. They spent the next 63 years together. They lived in Surf City, N.C., Carlisle, S.C., and Pensacola, Fla., before returning to Greenville. For Towers, his family was most important. He attended every sporting event and school/church activity that he could, and he was always willing to help and mentor. In his later years, family dinner on Sunday nights was what he looked forward to all week. He loved his lima beans, Duke’s mayonnaise and a cold Guinness. He always had a good story or a joke, and his smile was contagious. After Claire’s funeral, he was sitting, watching his children and grandchildren as they talked, laughed and played Monopoly together. When asked what he was thinking, he quickly said, “Just how lucky I am.”