Gordon “Gene” Eugene Seaborn

SIX MILE — Gordon “Gene” Eugene Seaborn 58, of Six Mile, passed away Monday, May 14, 2018.

He was born Thursday March 17, 1960, in Greenville, to his parents, the late Gordon Elmer and Ruby Lee Ledford Seaborn.

Gene will be sadly missed by his children, Justin Seaborn, Josh Seaborn and Jordon Seaborn; his grandchildren, Alisa Whitt Seaborn, Jacob Seaborn and Jaeleigh Weaver Seaborn; his brothers, Ric Seaborn (Paulette) and Doug (Tina) Seaborn; and many nieces and nephews.

Gene enjoyed outdoor activities such as horseshoes and riding his motorcycle. He worked in the construction industry for many years.

Mary C. Galloway

PICKENS — Mary C. Galloway, 80, passed from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Thursday, May 24, 2018, at Manna Health and Rehabilitation.

Born in Pickens County, Mary was a daughter of the late John Cope and the late Violet Powell Cope. She was a member of Open Praise Fellowship Church and enjoyed spending time at the Hagood Community Center and playing Bingo there.

Survivors include a son, Harold E. Galloway of Easley and his fiancé Linda Hutto; daughters, Janie Moody (Jeff) of Easley, Nancy Cobb of Pickens, Rachel Galloway of Pickens and Cindy McAlister of Iva and her fiancé Johnny Tollison; grandchildren, Buck Galloway, Jeremy Galloway, Jennifer Griffin, Shonna Cobb, Jodie Hawkins, Jessica Harris, Matthew McAlister, Zachery Galloway, Heather Sargent and Hannah Cobb; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mary was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was predeceased by her parents, her husband, Harold Galloway, and seven brothers and sisters.

Services were held May 29 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home, with Rev. Chad Payne and Rev. Travis Harris officiating, followed by burial at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens, officiated by Rev. Roland Bearden.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Galloway family.

Benny F. Smith

EASLEY — Benny Frank Smith, 76, of Easley, passed away Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Emory St. Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta, Ga.

Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late Joe and Genevive Owen Smith.

Mr. Smith was retired from Alice Manufacturing, Ellison Plant, and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.

Surviving are seven nieces and nephews, Kelly Smith (Laurie), Jacqueline Melton (Chris), Cheryl Camacho (Luis), Kathy Laurio (Mike), David Smith (Leslie), Jeffrey Owen Smith (Dawn) and Grant Randall Rostad; and numerous great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Jack Smith, and a sister, Sallie Rostad.

Memorial services will be held at a later date in Atlanta.

Benny will be dearly missed by his longtime caregivers, Cheryl and Luis Camacho, his many nieces and nephews and everyone who knew him.

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

Paula Marie Marcus

NORRIS — Paula M. Marcus, 47, wife of Sammy Marcus, passed from this life into the arms of Jesus, Friday, May 25, 2018, at her home.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of Willis Pilgrim and Martha Merck Pilgrim of Norris. Paula was a homemaker and enjoyed serving in her church at Camp Creek Baptist Church, where she and Sammy spent time working with the children in the Awana Club.

Survivors include her husband Sammy of the home; her parents; a son, Ethan Marcus of Norris; a brother, Nathan Pilgrim of Norris; an aunt, Diane Sloan of Six Mile; a cousin, Miranda Potter of Six Mile; and her father-in-law, Willie Marcus and Tea Marcus of Central.

Paula was predeceased by her mother-in-law, Ovaline Marcus.

Services were held May 29 at Camp Creek Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Steve Stone and Rev. Tom Patterson, with burial following at Welcome Baptist Church cemetery.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Marcus family

Robert I. Merck Sr.

PICKENS — Robert I. Merck Sr., 84, husband of Hazel Gilstrap Merck, passed from this life into his eternal reward Friday, May 25, 2018, at his home surrounded by his family.

Born in Pickens County, he was a son of the late William Frank Merck and Eula Jane Willimon Merck. Mr. Merck was an active member of Secona Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, choir director and deacon. He was also a service manager with Roper Motor Company in Easley and Tinsley-Crane Chevrolet. He then taught auto mechanics at the Pickens County career center until his retirement.

Robert was known for his love of hunting, fishing and competitive archery. Because of his love of archery, he held numerous titles and was a member of the Keowee Bowmen Club. Another hobby of his was building and flying radio-controlled airplanes and being a member of the Raptors RC Aviation Club.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel, of 64 years of the home; a son, Robert I. Merck Jr. (Angela) of Pickens; a daughter, Pamela Merck Harris (Robert) of Pickens; four grandchildren, Edie Harris Young (Will), Robert Branyon Harris, Caleb Robert Merck and Seth Christopher Merck; and five great-grandchildren, Dayla Young, Lily Young, Morgan Young, Machen and Anthony Harris.

Mr. Merck was predeceased by his parents, four sisters and two brothers.

Services were held May 29 at Secona Baptist Church, with burial following in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Secona Baptist Church, 234 Secona Road, Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Merck family

Glenda Gail Shelton

CENTRAL — Glenda Gail Fowler Shelton, 72, of 107 Plaza Court, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 25, 2018, at Greenville Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.

Born in Waynesville, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Dewey A. and Ellen Marie Pressley Fowler.

Mrs. Shelton retired from One Hour Martinizing. Her hobbies included playing Yahtzee, arts and crafts, and doing puzzles.

Surviving are three daughters, Sandy Coleman of Liberty and Teresa Jenkins and Amy Jenkins, both of Central; a son, Mark Shelton of Liberty; a sister, Zelda Rice of Waynesville, N.C.; five grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Shelton were held May 29 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel, with burial following at Liberty Memorial Gardens.

Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Evelyn “Lyn” Garren

LIBERTY — Evelyn “Lyn” Josephine Garren, 62, passed away Friday, May 25, 2018, at her home.

She was a lifelong resident of Liberty.

She was the daughter of Norma Tripp Garren and the late Don M. Garren of Liberty. Lyn was a 1979 graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Science in animal science. She was supervisor of the Pickens County Department of Health and Environmental Control until her retirement in 1995. Lyn participated in a number of professional societies, including serving as president of the S.C. Environmental Health Association from 1988-1989.

Following her retirement, Lyn devoted herself to her family and friends, who all dearly loved her.

In addition to her mother, Lyn is survived by her sisters, Abbie Freeman (Steve) of Easley, Elizabeth Cox of Liberty and Donna Garren of Woodbridge, Va.; and “brother” Bill Singleton (Margaret) of Shelby, N.C.

She was affectionately known as “Bussey” to her niece and nephews, Daniel Cox (fiancée Kayla Stevens), Sarah Freeman, Logan Garren, Blaze Bauer, Will Singleton (Christy), Jackson Singleton and Maggie Singleton, and her goddaughter, Holly McCrary.

A memorial service was held May 29 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home–Downtown, Easley.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in her name to Camp Courage at 900 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

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

Ray Porter

EASLEY — Mr. Ray Robert Porter, 87, husband of Helen Dillard Porter, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Born in Easley, a son of the late John William and Essie Duncan Porter, Mr. Porter retired from Liberty Life Insurance Company with 28 years of service. He was an active member of Enon Baptist Church, serving as deacon and Sunday school teacher for many years. Ray loved the outdoors, where he spent his time fishing and gardening.

Surviving, in addition to his loving wife of 68 years, are two sons, Jimmy Porter (Kathy) and Randy Porter (Fallon), all of Easley; a daughter, Elaine Porter Benjamin (Randall) of Easley; six grandchildren, Trina Grimes, Jason Benjamin, Zach Porter, Josh Porter, Julie Lowe and Ashley Trent; and 14 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Mr. Porter was predeceased by three brothers, Lee, Grady and Troy Porter; and two sisters, Pauline Ragsdale and Ruth Kircus.

Funeral services were held May 29 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial following in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to the Enon Baptist Church Building Fund, 871 Enon Church Road, Easley, SC 29640.

The family would like to express their gratitude to the staff members of Homestead Hospice and Oakview Park Assisted Living for the love and care they provided for Mr. Porter.

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

Robert Lee Chastain

EASLEY — Mr. Robert Lee Chastain, 39, of 201 Barton St., Easley, husband of Daisy Ann Chastain, passed away on May 21, 2018, at his home.

Robert Lee Chastain was born Nov. 7, 1978, in Pickens County, son of Linda Faye Brissey and Wayne Clayton Chastain Sr. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and loved to collect eagle figurines.

Robert is survived by two daughters, Brittany Lynn Chastain and Bethany LeeAnne Chastain; one son, Brandon Lee Chastain; one grandson, Bryson Javon Knight; one brother, Wayne Clayton Chastain Jr.; three sisters, Rebecca Aileen Chastain, Linda Diane Arteaga, and Sandra Faye Chastain Hernandez; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Chastain was predeceased by a nephew, Christopher Javier Hernandez Arteaga.

Funeral services were held May 25 at Dillard Funeral Home, with burial following at Abbott Cemetery in Liberty.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

James Leland “Jim” Wiggins

EASLEY — James Leland “Jim” Wiggins, 98, of Easley, passed away Monday May 21, 2018, at The Willows of Easley.

Jim was born Nov. 3, 1919, in Central to the late William Lee and Lillie Kennamore Wiggins. After graduation from Easley High School, he played semi-pro baseball. In 1940, he joined the U.S. Army to become a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne Division. Jim served heroically in World War II, jumping with the 505 PRI of the 82nd into Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. His unit jumped into Ste. Mere Eglise, which was the first town to be liberated on the Western Front. He went on to fight the invasion of Holland in Nijmegan, Trois-Ponts, Belgium and the Battle of the Bulge. His unit also liberated the Wobelein Concentration Camp in Lugwiglust, Germany, on the way to Berlin. Jim was the recipient of three purple hearts.

After the war, he returned to Easley to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Elizabeth Spearman. He began work for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. This career took the Wiggins family from Akron to Pt. Pleasant, W.Va., and Scottsboro, Ala.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary, and his son, Jim Jr., and was the last living member of his immediate family.

He is survived by his son, Don Wiggins (Shelia) of Richmond, Va.; his daughter, Kathleen Wiggins Hane of Six Mile; and his daughter-in-law, May Cheek Wiggins of Clarksville, Tenn.; his four grandchildren, Kelley Wiggins of Knoxville, Tenn., Chris Wiggins of Knoxville, Tenn., Rachelle Wiggins Blue of Bumpass, Va., and Matt Wiggins of Richmond, Va., as well as 11 great-grandchildren.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the entire staff of The Willows and special friend, Ross Crum, of Easley. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Arial United Methodist Church. The family will be at the home of Kathleen Hane.

A graveside service was held May 25 at Arial United Methodist Church cemetery, with the Rev. Roger Gwinn officiating and military honors present. Jim was laid to rest next to his beloved Mary.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Doris Bernice Pressley Owens

EASLEY — Mrs. Doris Bernice Pressley Owens, 93, of Easley, wife of the late Mr. Lester Leon Owens, went home to be with her Lord on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at Rainey Hospice House.

Mrs. Owens was born on Jan. 3, 1925, in Liberty to the late John Frank and Addie Inez Henderson Pressley. She was a member of St. Andrew United Methodist Church and enjoyed making a loving home for her family and friends.

Surviving are one son, Jimmy Owens (Joan); one daughter, Susan Dodgens (Tommy); one sister-in-law, Patsy Pressley; five grandchildren, Cindy Derrick (Mark), Travis Dodgens (Kara Jo), Wes Dodgens (Megan), Jennifer Johnson and Don Johnson (Marci); 11 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Brenda Garrett.

Mrs. Owens was also predeceased by one brother, Tommy Joe Pressley.

A memorial service was held May 26 at St. Andrew United Methodist Church, with Rev. Julian Ford officiating the services.

Memorials may be made to St. Andrew United Methodist Church at 309 Pelzer Highway, Easley, SC 29642, or to the Rainey Hospice House at 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Bertha Knox

EASLEY — Bertha Walker Knox, 95, wife to the late Morris Palmer Knox, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 26, 2018.

Born in Easley, a daughter to the late Alan Walker and the late Addy Hayes Walker, she was a loving mother and grandmother and was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church.

Surviving are sons, Jerry Glenn Knox of Vancouver, Wash., and John Morris Knox of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, James Knox, Jefferson Knox, Joseph Knox, Jane Knox, Christopher Knox and Aaron Knox; and one great-granddaughter.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by brothers, Arthur Walker, Thomas Walker, Raymond Walker and Lester Walker.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 2410 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC 29671.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30, at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

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