ELVIN KENDRICK RICHARDSON

BULLARD, Texas — Melvin Kendrick Richardson was born Dec. 28, 1934, in Gastonia, N.C., to parents Maude Elizabeth Gibson Richardson and Frank Simpson Richardson and passed away after a battle with Parkinson’s disease on Dec. 25, 2021.

He served in the United States Air Force as a vehicle maintenance officer at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Ala.

Dr. Richardson received a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Clemson University, a master of science in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University, a master of arts in mathematics from the University of Alabama and a doctor of philosophy in engineering mechanics from the University of Alabama.

He was a member of the faculty of the mechanical engineering and agricultural engineering departments at Clemson University. He developed and received a patent for a mechanical okra harvester. He was a registered professional engineer.

Dr. Richardson was president of Engineering Design Inc. and Design Analysis Inc.

His consulting practice included machine design and analysis, accident reconstruction, structural failure analysis and product design.

Memberships included the National Safety Council, the South Carolina State Board of Engineering Examiners, the Society of Automotive Engineering, the American Society of Agricultural Engineering, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, the Cessna Pilots Association and the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

Dr. Richardson was twice mayor of the town of Six Mile, and served on the town council. During his time as mayor, with the cooperation of the town council and people of the community, a fire department was established for the town of Six Mile. He was a volunteer fireman for the town of Six Mile.

Dr. Richardson taught an adult Sunday school class at Lawrence Chapel Methodist Church for several years.

He loved his family and enjoyed many friends. His hobbies included flying his own airplanes and building and flying model airplanes. He also rode his Harley-Davidson with a group of friends. He could always tell an interesting story.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anita Richardson; children, Bill and Sarah Richardson of Tyler, Texas, and Ken Richardson of Charleston; grandchildren, Caleb and Katrina Richardson of Shreveport, La.; Joshua Richardson and Daniel Richardson of Tyler, Texas; and Elise Richardson and Katherine Richardson of Charleston; and a great-granddaughter, Kennedy Richardson of Shreveport, La.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 10:30 a.m. at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler.

In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation, Donation Processing, P. O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014 (michaeljfox.org).

 

VICTOR MADERA JR.

EASLEY — Victor Madera Jr., 28, of Easley, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021.

Born in Rochester, N.Y., he was the son of Doris Gonzalez and Victor Madera Sr.

In addition to his parents, Victor is survived by a son, Victor J. Madera; sisters, Xiomara Madera (Alex Astacio) and Ariana Madera; a brother, Abdier Madera; nieces and nephew, Amelia, Annabella, Luna and Jeyron Astacio; and a beloved family friend and mother to his son, Natasha Mercado.

A private burial will take place in Robinson Memorial Gardens.

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

 

JOYCE CASSELL ALEXANDER

PICKENS — Ms. Joyce Cassell Alexander, 74, of Sunset, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 24, 2021.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late James Troy and Christine Blackston Cassell.

Surviving are a son, Scott, and his wife, Sandra Alexander of Sunset; and a daughter, Presley and her husband, Kevin Lewis of Sunset. Also surviving are five grandchildren, Jaclyn A. Medford, Alex Alexander and his fiancée Kaitlyn Holder, Kelsey, Cassidy and Jacob Lewis; and two great-grandchildren, McKenna and Elijah Medford. Surviving is a brother, Donald Cassell.

Ms. Alexander was predeceased by a brother, James Edward Cassell, and a sister, Doris “Dot” Bowman.

She was retired from Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. and was a longtime employee at Ryobi, where she made many friends. She was proud to be called “Granny Bear” by her grandchildren and had special nicknames for each of her grandchildren, Lacey Jac, Hero, Jazzy Girl, RooRoo and Hummer.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, Dec. 30, at 11 a.m. at Dillard Funeral Home, 2402 Gentry Memorial Highway, Pickens, SC 29671. A visitation will be prior to the service from 10-11 a.m. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park, located at 2410 Gentry Memorial Highway in Pickens.

The family would like to take this time to thank the many staff at The Haven and Interim Hospice for the great care they gave mama.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Alexander family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

 

DORIS ALENE COCHRAN KELSEY

PICKENS — Mrs. Doris Alene Cochran Kelsey, 97, widow of the late James L. Kelsey, passed away on Dec. 24, 2021.

She was born to the late John A. Cochran and Ruby Hart Cochran in Murphysboro, Ill.

She worked for several years as an elementary school teacher for the School District of Pickens County. She was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Church from its beginning, where she served for several years as a Sunday school teacher. Mrs. Kelsey was a great wife, mother and mammom and will be well remembered and missed. Her family brought her great joy.

Surviving her are a son, Patrick Kelsey (Janice) of Pickens; daughter, Beth K. Roy (Bob) of Greer; grandchildren, Dot Lightner (Mark) of Spartanburg, Jimmy Kelsey (Iwa) of Travelers Rest, Laurie Gregory (Chris) of Greenville, Sarah Taylor of Easley and John Kelsey (Dalton) of Greenville. Surviving are great-grandchildren Kelsey Green, Rachel and Abby Lightner, Jack, Edie and Claire Kelsey, Alex and Andrew Taylor and Jonas and Josie Kelsey. Also surviving are a brother, Robert Cochran (Ann) of Pickens and a number of loving nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Kelsey was predeceased by one brother, Myron L. Cochran, and one sister, Mary E. Kelsey.

A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 2 p.m. at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 558 Hampton Ave., Pickens, SC 29671. Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, P.O. Box 61420, Staten Island, NY 10306 or call 800-223-2732.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Kelsey family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

 

RONNIE LEE MAULDIN

EASLEY — Ronnie Lee Mauldin, 71, son of the late James Arthur and Annie Mae Stargel Mauldin, passed away on Monday, Dec. 27, 2021, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

A native of Pickens County, Mr. Mauldin was born on Nov. 29, 1950. Ronnie loved gospel music, going to the beach, watching TV and playing bingo.

Mr. Mauldin is survived by numerous nieces and nephews; a sister-in-law, Fannie Bell Mauldin; and a close friend, Michael Swafford.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Mauldin was predeceased by his three brothers, Marvin Mauldin, Bobby Mauldin and James Aubrey Mauldin; along with two sisters, Eloise Chapman and Doris Ellenburg.

No services are scheduled at this time.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Mauldin Family.

 

 

WAYNE PRESTON COUCH

 

GREENVILLE — Wayne Preston Couch, 81, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, at Prisma Health Baptist Hospital in Easley.

Born in Liberty, he was the son of the late Ivy Columbus Loy Couch and Couzzie Ann Nix. Wayne was a veteran of the United States Air Force.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Davis Couch; daughters, Elizabeth Ann Count Tony (Jerry) of Pickens and Robyn Michelle Couch Mann (Ken) of Liberty; son, Larry Michael (“Boogie”) Couch of Seneca; grandchildren, Sydney Mann and Jeremy and Jared Toney; and sisters, Mamie Talley of Easley, Adnal Bates and Brenda Baker of Pickens, and Sarah Elizabeth “Lib” Couch, Bethal Grace Couch and Vivian Jones (Thomas) of Liberty.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents; a sister, Jo Ann Davis; and son, Wayne Preston (“Bubba”) Couch Jr.

A memorial service was held on Dec. 28 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Couch Family.

 

SHIRLEY BURTON

EASLEY — Mrs. Shirley Jean Coleman Burton, 73, wife of the late Jimmy Carroll Burton Sr., went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021.

Born in Hendersonville, N.C., a daughter of the late Jack Coleman and the late Mable Thomas Coleman, Mrs. Burton retired from the School District of Pickens County and was a member of Peters Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving are a sister, Dorothy Phillips of Hendersonville; a daughter-in-law, Donna Burton; a son-in-law, Michael Galloway; grandchildren, Jamie Burton, Maria Burton, Travis Hoffman (Libby), Shawn Galloway and Erica Brown; and six great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Burton was predeceased by a son, Jimmy C. Burton Jr.; two daughters, Anissa Ann Galloway and Darlene Burton; and a grandson, Michael Burton.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, Dec. 31, at 2 p.m., in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial will follow at Robinson Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:45 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Shirley to Amedisys Hospice of Greenville, 250 Commonwealth Drive, Suite 105, Greenville, SC 29615.

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

 

WALKER CREED BROWN

WILLIAMSTON — Walker Creed Brown, infant son of Joshua Brown and Lacey Staton Brown, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Walker is survived by his brother, Landen Brown; his sister, Shelby Brown; maternal grandparents, Mike Staton (Julia) and Angie Mathis (Steve); and paternal grandparents, Cathy Brown and Harold Brown.

He was predeceased by his great-grandparents, Shelby Crowe, Jane Staton and Arnold Staton.

A memorial service for Walker was held on Dec. 22 in the sanctuary of Holly Springs Baptist Church.

Flowers will be accepted.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Brown family.

 

THALIA DODGENS COOPER

PICKENS — Ms. Thalia Dodgens Cooper, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Dec. 19, 2021.

Ms. Cooper was born in Pickens County and was the daughter of the late Jesse Lee Dodgens and Mallie Crenshaw Dodgens.

Survivors include a son, Donald Swanson (Marie) of Six Mile; three daughters, Sandra Thomasson of Easley, Deborah Mann of Liberty and Teresa Banks of Pickens; and three step-daughters, Jere Chappel, Patsy Cannon and Jo Holcombe. Also surviving are two sisters, Ruby Galloway (Floyd) and Barbara Hunter, both of Easley; 16 beautiful and loving grandchildren, Jonathan, Don, Dana, Jennifer, Darla, Amber, Isaac, Olaya, Keith, Mandy, Ashley, Joshua, Scotty, Elisha, April and Candice; and 41 most precious great-grandchildren.

Ms. Cooper was predeceased by a son, Melvin Swanson; a daughter, Renee Trotter; a brother, Jesse Dodgens Jr.; a son-in-law, Derrill Mann; a brother-in-law, Charles Hunter; stepsons, Ben Trotter and Stanley Trotter; and a stepdaughter, Martha McCall.

Ms. Cooper worked in the textile industry and continued to love to sew in retirement. She was of the Church of God faith and last attended Pickens Church of God. She read her Bible, loved listening to gospel music and loved the church that she last attended. Ms. Cooper was a great cook. She was known for her butter nut cake and her banana pudding. She even knew how to pickle green beans, a favorite among the grandkids.

A funeral service was held on Dec. 27 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Pickens Church of God, 127 McDaniel Ave., Pickens, SC 29671 or by callin (864) 507-3307.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com

 

CHARLES A. GRANGER

ANDERSON — Charles A. Granger, 61, son of the late Johnny L. and Charlotte D. Granger, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021, at the Rainey Hospice House of Anderson.

A native of Greenville, Charles was born on March 3, 1960. He loved spending time with his family, watching football games and attending his church when he was able. Charles was retired from Thrift Brothers Inc. and was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Easley.

In addition to his daughter, Kayla Granger of Liberty, Charles is survived by his siblings, Brenda Rogers (Ron), Darlene Morgan (Roger), Hazel Bryant and Tim Granger (Louise).

Mr. Granger was predeceased by his parents, grandparents, Doyle and Ida Granger and Paul and Jewel Deal; brothers, Bobby Granger and Danny Granger; a niece, Kelsey Granger; a nephew, Scott Moore; a sister-in-law, Paula Granger; and his brother-in-law, Donald Bryant.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Mr. Granger’s honor to the Rainey Hospice House of Anderson.

A graveside service was held on Dec. 27 at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church cemetery, located at 101 Pisgah Road, Easley SC, 29642.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Granger family.