JOSEPHINE REECE

PICKENS —  Ms. Josephine Reece, 81, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 25, 2021.

Ms. Reece was born in Pumpkintown and was the daughter of the late LemuelMaderson Reece and Georgia Mae Bradshaw Reece.

Survivors include a brother, Paul B. Reece of Greenville, and a sister, Jeane Reece Keane (Jim) of Houston, Texas. Also surviving are a number of loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ms. Reece was predeceased by brothers Emery, Lewis, Garvin and infant Billy Joe Reece and a sister, Betty Rose Watson.

Ms. Reece had many physical limitations in life, but she loved to laugh, loved her family, loved music and loved to dance from her wheelchair.

A chapel service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 2,  at 2 p.m. at Dillard Funeral Home, located at 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens. A visitation will precede the service from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow the service at Oolenoy Baptist Church cemetery, 201 Miracle Hill Road, Pickens.

The family would like to take this time to thank Melissa for her wonderful care, kindness shown and the extra compassion she shared. Also, the family wants to thank all the many other caregivers who made sure Ms. Reece was shown care and kindness daily.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Ms. Reece may be made to Whitten Center, 28373 U.S. 76, Clinton. SC 29325 or by calling (864) 833-2733.

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

 

DOROTHY JEAN BROWN SEXTON

DACUSVILLE — Dorothy Jean Brown Sexton, 86, passed away peacefully on Nov. 22, 2021.

Loving wife of the late Winfred Kenneth (Buck) Sexton and daughter of the late Lora H. and Cortez Brown, she was born on her family’s farm.

Following her graduation from Dacusville High School, Jean married Buck in 1953. The morning of their wedding, Buck received his draft papers for the Korean War, but that did not deter Jean from marrying the love of her life. Soon after Buck returned from Korea, they started a life in Chesapeake, Va., where Buck worked at Ford Motor Company. Buck and Jean soon greeted their child, Vicki, into the world, and Jean decided to become a full-time homemaker. When Buck retired, they returned to South Carolina. Buck and Jean built a home on her family’s farmland, where they raised Santa Gertrudis cattle, had an assortment of farm animals and fruit trees and treasured their time together with friends and family. Buck and Jean enjoyed 64 years of marriage.

Jean was employed at Virginia Electric and Power Company, but loved being a homemaker for most of her life. She was very dedicated to her family and cherished the opportunity to be a mother and grandmother. Jean’s greatest joy in life was taking care of her husband, her home and her family. She was an avid reader who was very dedicated to her Christian faith.

Mrs. Sexton was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Dacusville.

Mrs. Sexton is survived by a sister, Betty Dounelis (Charles); daughter, Vicki Sexton (David); grandchildren, Casey Jo Cooperman (Eric) and William Clark (Brittany); and great-grandchildren, Brantson, Copeland and Braylen.

She was predeceased by a brother, Wayne Brown, and sister, Ellen Looper.

A graveside funeral service was held on Nov. 26 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spring Park Assisted Living, 925 N. Main St., Travelers Rest, SC 29690, for their annual Employee Christmas Fund.

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

 

 

CHARLES ‘WALLACE’ ALEXANDER

PICKENS — Charles “Wallace” Alexander, 88, passed away peacefully on Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, at his home.

Born on Aug. 24, 1933, in Pickens, he was the son of the late Tolvin and Cora Simmons Alexander. Wallace was a member of Pickens View Wesleyan Church for 40 years, as well as a member of Maude Youngblood’s Sunday School Class. In addition to his active participation in church, Wallace was a veteran of the United States Army and worked for Ryobi for 34 years as a machinist.

Wallace is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, Lizzie “Cookie” Alexander of the home; two daughters, Kay Bolding (Glenn) and Rhonda Hester (Larry), both of Pickens; three grandchildren, Regina Harned (David), Tracey Brock (JJ) and Steven Hester (Kelly); as well as five great-grandchildren, Madelyn Hester, Brysie Brock, Josiah Hester, Mackynzie Hester and Montgomery Hester; and one sister, Winniefred Robinson.

In addition to his parents, Wallace was preceded in death by five brothers and five sisters.

The family received friends on Saturday, Nov. 27, with funeral services afterward and burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials in Wallace’s honor may be made to Pickens View Wesleyan Church by contacting (864) 878-2324. The family wished to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the men and women of Upstate Hospice. The family members are at their respective homes.

Mountain View Funeral Home is assisting the family of Wallace Alexander.

 

FLORENCE M. HUGHES

LIBERTY — Florence M. Hughes, 89, passed away on Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, at St. Francis Downtown Hospital.

Born on Oct. 22, 1932, in Pickens, she was the daughter of the late Paul Adger Duckworth and Ruth Ann (Stephens) Duckworth.

Mrs. Hughes was a graduate of Six Mile High School and a member of Praters Creek Baptist Church.

She is survived by her loving husband of five years, Samuel Clyde Hughes. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Greg and June Stansell of Greenville; granddaughter, Kelli Stansell Hijar (Isaac); two great-grandsons, German and Rowan Hijar; and her sister, Florene Pilgrim.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her two previous husbands, Joe Wallace Stansell and Charles Wesley McDonald.

A graveside service was held on Nov. 27 at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.

The family are at their respective homes.

Mountain View Funeral Home is assisting the Hughes family.

 

NORMA TRIPP GARREN

LIBERTY — Norma Tripp Garren, 89, wife of the late Don M. Garren, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at her home.

Mrs. Garren was retired from Liberty Elementary School after 20 years of dedicated service. She loved her family dearly, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed being a Girl Scout leader and was a follower of the Presbyterian faith.

Surviving are her children, Abbie Freeman (Steve) of Easley, Elizabeth Cox of Liberty, Donna Garren of Woodbridge, Va., and “son” Bill Singleton (Margaret) of Shelby, N.C.; grandchildren, Daniel Cox (Kayla), Sarah Freeman and Logan Garren; great-grandchildren, Blaze Bauer and Liam Cox; and great nephews and nieces, Will Singleton (Christy), Jackson Singleton and Maggie Singleton.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her oldest daughter, Evelyn “Lyn” Garren; and eight siblings.

According to Mrs. Garren’s wishes, no formal services will be held.

Donations in memory of Norma Garren may be made to Children’s Trust of SC, 1330 Lady Street #310, Columbia, SC 29201 or BILO Charities Children’s Cancer Center, 900 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

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

 

SHIRLEY MAE KAY

LIBERTY — Shirley Mae Kay, 81, of 129 Freedom Way, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, surrounded by her family.

A native of Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Ervin Rhodes and Enda Brooks. Mrs. Kay is survived by her husband of 47 years, Harold William Kay of the home.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her two daughters, Debra Kay White of Liberty and Katherine Willimon (Dale) of Six Mile; grandchildren, Dale White, Jessica McCoy (Zach), Keysha Kelly (Zach), Aurora McCoig, Danielle Love (Joe), Becky Gambrell (Waymon), Brittany Snipes, Travis Snipes and Brandon Snipes; as well as 19 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Joan Ray and Syvia Austin.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Robert Snipes; daughter, Patricia Bryant; six brothers, JT, Jerry, Floyd, Alvin, Paul and Danny Rhodes; three sisters, Carolyn Holbrooks, Brenda Yates and Kathy Willard; and a grandson, Daren Ervin.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 2 p.m. at Hillcrest Memorial Park, with burial to follow. The family will receive friends briefly following the service.

Flowers are accepted, and the family members are at their respective homes.

Mountain View Funeral Home is assisting the family of Shirley Mae Kay.

 

MARTHA CROOKS ‘MOT’ BROCK

PICKENS — Martha Crooks “Mot” Brock, 71, a native of Seneca, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Nov. 24, 2021, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

She is survived by her husband, the love of her life, Charles Calvin Brock of Pickens. They were married for 53 years. She is also survived by two children, the loves of her life, Charlie (Michelle) Brock of Pendleton and Tonya (Geoffrey) Dixon of Charleston; seven grandchildren, Amanda (Johnathan) Bailey, Ashton (Kelsey) Brock, Kevin Hendricks, Dalton Brock, Macy Brock, Molly Brock and Kennedy Brooke Hendricks; one great-grandson, Remington Hendricks; one great-granddaughter, Hattie Grace Brock; and three brothers, Johnny Crooks and James (Sherry) Crooks of Seneca and Larry Crooks of Rock Hill.

She was predeceased by her mother, Eula Alexander; her father, J.L. Crooks; and her four sisters, Mary, Betty, Nancy and Peggy.

The family will receive friends on Dec. 4 at Griffin Baptist Church from 2-3 p.m., with a celebration of life to follow in the church sanctuary. Burial will follow at the Griffin Baptist Church cemetery.

A warm thank you to all who showed kindness and love to her.

In lieu of flowers, make memorials to Griffin Baptist Church Children’s Department, 1629 Pumpkintown Highway, Pickens, SC 29671.

 

SYLVIA ELLEN ‘SUNSHINE’ CARTER

PICKENS — Sylvia Ellen “Sunshine” Carter, 63, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2021, at AnMed Health Medical Center.

Born Aug. 21, 1958, in Los Angeles, Calif., she was the daughter of the late Frankie Joseph Carter and Ruby Mildred (Jowers).

Sunshine is survived by her husband of 30 years, Mr. Bobby Riddle. She enjoyed arts and crafts, gardening and traveling and found herself to be most happy anywhere outdoors.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Ruby Carter of Pickens, Lenora Alord of Greenville, Dorothy Horwath of Stephens City, Va., Joshua Wiesner of Covington, Ga. and Autumn Perry of Andalusia, Ala.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and two nephews, Paul and Clifton DeLoach.

In addition to her parents, Sunshine was preceded in death by her brother, Clifton Bennett.

A celebration of life will be held on Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. at 2216 Table Rock Road, Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is assisting the family of Sylvia Ellen “Sunshine” Carter.

 

MALCOLM THOMAS WILSON

PICKENS — Malcolm Thomas Wilson, 84, husband of Elizabeth Whitmire Wilson, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at Baptist Easley.

Mr. Wilson was the son of the late Addy P. Finley Wilson and Guy Wilson.

Survivors include his wife of 62 years; two daughters, Debra Grant (Fonda) of Easley and Cindy Bagwell (Bobby) of Easley; two sons, George Wilson (Cathy) of Pickens and Malcolm S. Wilson (Regina) of Pickens; one sister, Faye Crowe of Pickens; one brother, Ray Wilson (Valley) of Easley; six grandchildren, Deidra Morgan (Dale), Carol Beth Bush (Kale), Natasha Jennings (Randall), Erica Moeller (Eric), Ethan Grant (Jade) and Elaine Wilson; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Visitation was held on Nov. 30 at Roanoke Baptist Church, with the funeral service following in the church sanctuary. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mr. Wilson was predeceased by his parents; one sister, Patricia Whitmire; and four brothers, Mel Wilson, Rudy Wilson, Randy Wilson and Bobby Wilson.

The family will be at the home of his daughter, Cindy Bagwell. Flowers will be accepted. Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Wilson family.

 

GLADYS RUTH KING JOHNSON

EASLEY — Gladys Ruth King Johnson, 94, wife of the late J.L. Johnson, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, at her home.

Gladys was a retired nurse, graduating from Greenville School of Nursing at the age of 49.  She retired after 20 years of service.  She was also a licensed interior decorator. Gladys was a member of Geer Memorial Baptist Church in Easley.

She is survived by her son, Jim Johnson (Kathy) of Easley; grandchildren, Jeff B. Johnson (Lisa) of Grand Rapids Mich., and Nikki J. Chastain (Mark) of Anderson; seven grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; and three special friends, Lauren Hall, Inez Hendricks and Furman Holder.

She was predeceased by her husband; parents, George Preston King and Addie Rosella King; six brothers and one sister.

A graveside service will be private at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Johnson family.