JEANNE B. GARNER

CHESTER — Mrs. Jeanne Brown Garner, 88, passed away on Sunday, June 28, 2020, at MUSC Chester Nursing Center in Chester.

She was born on July 4, 1931, in Youngstown, Ohio, and was the daughter of the late Clarence Edward Brown and Janie Frances Dukes McHenry. She frequently attended St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Chester and was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Pickens, where she was a member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society.

She was a graduate of Ursuline High School in Youngstown and was an LPN at Self Memorial Hospital in Greenwood before she retired to administer the home with her two children and husband.

She enjoyed reading, travel, time spent with family and friends and watching her beloved Georgia Bulldogs football team.

Mrs. Garner was predeceased by one brother, Robert C. Brown of Greenville, and her husband, Ray Garner of Pickens.

She is survived by sons, Brian (Jennifer) Garner of Chester and Brad (Brenda) Garner of Oxford, Pa.; three grandchildren, Andrew Garner, Madelynne Garner and Brianna (Nathan) Arnolds; and nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff at MUSC Chester Nursing Center, Lowrys Family Medicine, MUSC Chester Center and Carolina Heart for their outstanding love and care of our Mother.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Jeanne’s name to the American Diabetes Association, 107 Westpark Blvd. #220, Columbia, SC 29210.

PARKER WAYMON PACE

BREVARD — Parker Waymon Pace, 83, husband of Anne R. Pace of Brevard, N.C., went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, June 19, 2020. He was at home surrounded by his family.

Born in Rocky Bottom, he was the son of the late Milton C. Pace and Esther A. Pace.

Parker was a member of Pisgah Forest Baptist Church for more than 50 years, where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and on many committees. He retired from Ecusta (P.H. Glatfelter) after 42 years of service. Parker was a graduate of Pickens High School and had lived in Brevard since 1957. He was a member of the Dunn’s Rock Masonic Lodge and Oasis Shriners. In addition to his love of golf and Clemson football, he was a loving father and grandfather.

Parker loved his wife, loved his family and loved his church. He seldom missed a chance to watch Brevard football and basketball, especially when his grandson was playing or coaching. Parker was proud of his growing family and lit up when he got to hold his grandchildren. As they grew older, he was always interested in exchanging good stories.

In addition to his loving wife of 63 years, he is survived by daughters, Christi Pace Hinkle (Steve) and Cynthia “Cindy” Pace Owen (Randy); four grandchildren, Jenny Elliott (Chris) of Nashville, Tenn., David Hinkle (Kara) of Charlotte, N.C., Jonathan Owen (Ashley) of Brevard, N.C., and Brad Hinkle of Durham, N.C.; seven great-grandchildren, Kennedy and Titus Owen, Maddie, Maya and Michael Elliott, and Ryan and Drew Hinkle; one special adopted daughter, Tabitha Dobbins; one sister, Linda Reeves of Charleston; and one brother, Bill Pace of Brevard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pisgah Forest Baptist Church or to Shriners Children’s Hospital, Greenville, SC.

 

KENNETH FOLGER RACKLEY

NINETY SIX — Kenneth Folger Rackley, 65, resident of Golf Course Road, husband of Geraldine Collier Rackley, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at Emory Hospital in Dacatur, Ga.
Born Jan. 19, 1955, in Liberty, he was a son of Mary Pettit Rackley and the late Charles Rackley. He was a 1974 graduate of Liberty High School and attended Piedmont Technical College. Kenneth retired from the Harris Plant of Greenwood Mills.

He attended the First Baptist Church of Ninety Six.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 45 years and mother of Liberty, are a daughter, Regina Williams and husband Travis of Ninety Six; a son, Brian Rackley and wife Carmen of Greenwood; four sisters, Becky Hamby, Shirley (Pete) Alexander, Ester (Rondald) Smith and Sarah Turner, all of Liberty; two brothers, Eddie Rackley and Freddie (Joann) Rackley, all of Liberty; five grandchildren, Taylor Williams, Spencer Williams, Lexi Rackley, Kristina McCary and Ashley Williams; and four great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, at the Blyth Funeral Home chapel, with Rev. Chuck Sprouse, Rev. Brian Rackley and Rev. John Alexander officiating. Private burial will follow at Greenwood Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be his brothers and a grandson, Spencer Williams, along with Tyler Laughlin, Steve Norman and Byron Collier.

Please observe social distancing and refrain from hugging or shaking hands. Masks are welcomed, but not absolutely required.

 

DEANE WELLS

WEST COLUMBIA — Jessie Deane “Deane” Abbott Wells, 96, died on Thursday, June 18, 2020, at NHC Health Care in Lexington.

“Deane” was born in Walhalla on Aug. 4, 1923, to Glenn Davis and Nan Farmer Abbott. She was married to the late Henry Burton Wells III, formerly of Newberry.

She was a graduate of the Newberry College business program. She and her husband lived in Coral Gables, Fla., and in Newberry prior to moving to Pickens in 1956. She was an active member of Pickens Presbyterian Church, where she enjoyed playing the piano for Sunday School, typing the Sunday bulletin and at one time serving as church historian. She was a member and past president of the Hospital Auxiliary at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Pickens. She was a volunteer for many years with Meals on Wheels.

Music, sports and the great outdoors were all part of her favorite interests. She had a deep love of family and took immense pride in knowing names, birthdays and birth order of her 19 nieces and nephews. Her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were recipients of her devoted love and attention. She was present for the music and dance recitals, the band performances, and any sporting activity, from youth tee-ball to college lacrosse. Additionally, she very much enjoyed Pickens High School girls’ basketball and volleyball, was an avid Clemson fan who also pulled for the Gamecocks when not playing Clemson, and had a liking for watching ACC football and basketball.

A gifted and talented lady in many ways, she enjoyed playing piano and organ, making birthday and wedding cakes for family and friends, using her excellent seamstress skills to make many outfits for herself and her daughters; and using her Kubota tractor for mowing and mulching leaves.
She knew how to enjoy life. Some of her other life enjoyments included swimming, water skiing, ridding on jet skis and boating on the pontoon boat on Lake Murray.

Survivors include her daughters, Mary Trotter (Richard) of Franklin, N.C., Marsha Wells (Tom Robinson) of Lexington and Nanci Wells (Joe Alderdice) of Cumming, Ga.; seven grandchildren, Kimberly Shealy (Boyd), Russell Trotter (Daysy), Justin Lingle (Robin), James Lingle (Stephanie) and Tres, Jessi and John Alderdice; seven great-grandchildren, Will, Amy and Zach Shealy, Katelyn and Tyler Lingle and Kensley and James Lingle; a sister-in-law, Dot Abbott; and 18 nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a grandson, Burton Lingle; five brothers, Julian, Ben, Frank, Dick and Jack Abbott; sister, Lucille Harper; and nephew, Randy Abbott.

A private graveside service was held on June 22 at Rosemont Cemetery in Newberry.
Memorials are suggested to The Newberry Opera House.

Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at whitakerfuneralhome.com.
Whitaker Funeral Home of Newberry is assisting the family.

 

TOMMIE ANN HANNAH KELLEY

CENTRAL — Mrs. Tommie Ann Hannah Kelley, 87, beloved mother, grandmother and sister, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 21, 2020.

Born on Feb. 1, 1933, she was the daughter of the late George Thomas Hannah and Annie Laura Murphree Hannah.

Mrs. Kelley was a member of Welcome Baptist Church in Central. In her younger years, she enjoyed sewing clothing for her daughters, growing beautiful flowers in her yard, and cooking for others.
Surviving are two daughters, Marsha (Joseph) Corbett of Greer and Marvene Kelley of Rock Hill; two grandchildren, Chad (Ginger) Corbett of Belton and Holly (Cody) Slice of Goose Creek; and her brother, George (Elfreda) Hannah of Pickens. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Marshall Ben Kelley.

A graveside service was held on June 26 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.
The family requests that flowers be omitted. Memorial gifts may be sent to Welcome Baptist Church, 1432 Maw Bridge Road, Central, SC 29630.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Kelley Family.
Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

BILL WELBORN

EASLEY — William “Bill” Jackson Welborn Jr. died on Sunday, June 21, 2020, at home.
Born on March 27, 1938, in Greenville, he was the son of the late William Jackson Welborn and his wife, Graham Arrington Welborn. Bill was married almost 60 years to Elizabeth “Beth” Poe Henderson Welborn.

Bill graduated with Honors from Sewanee Military Academy and later graduated from Davidson College. He took great joy in his family and in serving his church for many years.

His family includes his wife; sons, Jack Welborn III (Lesa) and Graham Welborn (Cheryl); daughter, Elizabeth Gould (Michael); grandchildren, Alison White (Jason), Katie Hagan (Will), Jessica Wellington (Geoff), Arrington Watson (Ben), Christopher Mura (Erin), Gray Welborn, Jackson Welborn, Benjamin Gould, Nicholas Gould and Anna Beth Gould; great-grandchildren, Wilkins, Rollins and Kip White, Wells and Page Watson; and a sister, Anne W. Greene.
He was preceded in death by his second son, Tom Welborn, and a sister, Mary Page Sims.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Covenant Presbyterian Church, 4500 S.C. Highway 86, Easley, SC 29642.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.

EDWARD HAROLD BENTON

EASLEY — Mr. Edward Harold Benton, 71, beloved father, grandfather and brother, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, June 27, 2020.

Born on April 28, 1949, he was the son of the late Samuel Harold Benton and Eileen Jarvis Benton. He was the husband of Cherie Marielena Girard Benton.

Mr. Benton served in the United States Air Force and worked his career there as an aircraft mechanic. Mr. Benton was an avid mechanic who loved to fix anything that had an engine or battery. He spent a lot of time after the Air Force customizing vans. He was a longtime member of the Burlington Family Van Club. He was a self-taught welder and auto body man. He worked some as a small engine repair man. He was a member of McKissick Center in Liberty and loved playing pool and picking and grinning with friends on his guitar.

Surviving are a son, Timothy Edward Benton (Treesa) of Sanford, Fla.; daughters, Charity Mechelle Benton Walker (Adam) of Winter Springs, Fla., and Marielena Petruska (Brian) of Lyman; grandchildren, Talon, Cheyenne, Logan, Angel and Samantha; and a sister, Barbara Benton of Auburn, N.H.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 1, at 11 a.m. in the Dillard Funeral Home chapel, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park. A visitation will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the McKissick Center at 349 Edgemont Ave., Liberty, SC 29657.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Benton family.
Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

JOSEPH (JOE) FRANCIS JUDE KALLENBACH

CENTRAL — Joseph (Joe) Francis Jude Kallenbach, 60, went home to be with our Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, June 26, 2020. He fought a courageous two-week battle after a massive heart attack.

He was the son of the late Leonard Oscar and Simonne Coté Kallenbach, the loving husband of Sharon B. Kallenbach and loving stepfather of Brandi Moser of Central and Jammi Moss of Seneca.
He was the youngest of six children. He leaves behind four sisters, Joy K. Dickard (Keith) of Liberty, Bonnie K. Sherbert (Ed) of Mauldin, Tana Crumb (Roger) of Easley and Dale Rigdon of Greenville; sisters and brothers-in-laws, Joel and Beth Bagwell and Scott and Tammy McMannis; and a mother-in-law who he loved to call Mom, Ida Bagwell, all of Pickens.

He also leaves 15 nieces and nephews, along with 18 great-nieces and nephews. Joe deeply loved all of you very much.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard and Simonne Kallenbach; his older brother, Richard (Dikki) Charles Kallenbach; and nephew, Ryan Matthew Crumb.

Joe was a wonderful husband and dedicated family man. He wanted everyone that he met to get saved and give their lives to Jesus. He loved sharing his testimony, because he wanted people to see what God had done in his life and what God will do for others.

Joe loved the Lord, his wife, family, friends, church and his brothers and sisters in Christ. He loved to sing gospel music. He especially loved to sing in our church, Six Mile Baptist, led by Pastor Ray Longnecker. He loved to invite people to come and visit our church wherever we went.

One of Joe’s favorite things that he loved to share was this…“I love my Lord Jesus Christ and I love my wife. If I can please both of them, I have done my job well.”

Honey, you did an awesome job!

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Kallenbach family.

PEYTON ELIZABETH ATKINS

PICKENS — Peyton Elizabeth Atkins, 3-year-old daughter of Jamie Robert Atkins of Williamston and Anna Pearl Dorsey of Pickens, went to be with the Lord early on Saturday morning, June 20, 2020.

Peyton was born in Greenville on Sept. 28, 2016. She loved her family and loved her dog, Stella Grace.

Survivors include her parents and four brothers, Kameron Kimmell, Brayden Dorsey and Jayden and Kyland Atkins. Her grandparents include Elizabeth Horton, Anthony Horton, Cathie Atkins and James Atkins and great-grandparents, Margie and David Griffith.

A service to celebrate the life of Peyton was held on Friday, June 26, at East Pickens Baptist Church in Pickens. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com.

CYNTHIA LYNNE LOFTIS-EDWARDS

CHARLESTON — Cynthia Lynne Loftis-Edwards passed from this life after a lengthy illness on Thursday, June 4, 2020, in Charleston, a city she loved.
She was born on June 19, 1959, in Pickens County.

She graduated from Pickens High School and attended Carson Newman College with a BA double major in psychology. She worked in several industries before becoming ill.

She is survived by her mother, Mary Jo Rowland Loftis Watson of Pickens; a stepfather, W. Melvin Watson and his sonm Philip H. Watson; and cousins, Stacy Childs Gaines, James Barry Patterson and Patrick Rowland.

She was predeceased by her father, Claude B. Loftis Jr., and both her grandparents, Claude and Lily Loftis and Wilson and Geneva Rowland.
A simple family memorial service was observed in Charleston.