DAVID EARL GILSTRAP

PICKENS — David Earl Gilstrap, 76, husband of 44 years to Kathy Grant Gilstrap, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, at his residence.

A native of Pickens County, David was born on Nov. 11, 1945, to the late Glenn and Edna Hannah Gilstrap. He retired from Bellsouth with 31 years of service 25 years ago and worked as a reserve deputy with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office for years. David was a long-time member of Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where he worked with the youth and Senior Action group over the years. He enjoyed spending his free time fishing and hunting. Mr. Gilstrap was a South Carolina National Guard veteran.

In addition to his wife Kathy of the home, Mr. Gilstrap is survived by his children, Sheryl Hawk (Ray), Shane Gilstrap, John Boggs (Sherry), Keith Gilstrap (fiancé Jennifer Garner), Kevin Gilstrap and Jeffrey Gilstrap (fiancé Crystal Haynes); his grandchildren; Dorey Bailey, Will Boggs, Neely Boggs, Tyler Boggs, Hazel Gilstrap, Olive Gilstrap, Tillman Gilstrap, Hack Gilstrap, Bradley Nix, Trevor Powell, Blake Powell, Brandon Garner, Lexi Hall and Riley Hall; great-grandchildren; Ava, Carson and Luna Jodon; and his brothers, Wayne Gilstrap (Reba) and Donnie Gilstrap (Nancy).

Mr. Gilstrap was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Kenneth Gilstrap.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital in memory of Mr. Gilstrap, located at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis TN, 38105.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, Feb. 10, in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home at 11 a.m.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Gilstrap family.

 

DONNIE WATSON ‘DUCKY’ TRUE

SIX MILE — Donnie Watson “Ducky” True, 70, loving husband of 22 years to Martha E. True, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2022, at his home.

A native of Wayne County, N.Y., Donnie was born on June 13, 1951, son of the late Shurley Brenton True and Edna May Bishop True. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, drag racing and wresting. He retired from Reliable Sprinkler Co. in Liberty.

Survivors include his wife, Martha, of the home; his children, Donnie, Gary, Roxanne, Melissa, Billie Jo and Tina, all of New York, and Robin of Easley; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren and a special great-granddaughter, Emberly, who made him smile the biggest smile when she would come to visit him; sisters, Susie Smith of New York, Cheryl Grossnickle and Melinda True, both of Maryland; and a brother, Hollis True of Ohio.

In addition to his parents, Mr. True was predeceased by his siblings, Francis Sebring, Carl True and Charles True, all of New York, John True of Ohio and Judy Russell of Pennsylvania.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Donnie’s honor may be made to Crescent Hospice of Anderson, 305 W. Beltline Blvd., Anderson, SC 29625.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the True family.

 

TAMMIE DAY

EASLEY — Tammie Lynn Day, 58, died on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at Fleetwood Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center.

Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of Gracie Johnston Anders and the late Steven Terry King Jr.

She loved to read and watch soap operas.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by two daughters, Adrian Day (David) of Greenville and Hanna Smith (Tre) of Jacksonville, Fla.; two grandchildren, Taylor Proctor and Reece Proctor; a brother, Timothy King of Liberty; and a sister, Sandra Shivers of Easley.

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Stanley King.

No services are planned. To share a memory or leave a message for the family, you may visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

 

SAMMY LEROY NORRIS

NORRIS — Sammy Leroy Norris, 52, husband of the late Paula Marcus, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2022, at Anmed Health Cannon Hospital.

A native of Six Mile, Sammy was born on Feb. 26, 1969, to Willie John Marcus and the late Ovaline Pilgrim Marcus. He was an avid go-cart racer, hunter and fisherman.

Survivors include his father, Willie John Marcus (Tia) of Central; his son, Ethan Marcus of Anderson; and his sister, Connie Brown (Stephen) of Pickens.

Mr. Marcus was predeceased by his wife, Paula Marcus; and his mother, Ovaline Marcus.

Flowers will be accepted.

Visitation was held on Feb. 4 at Camp Creek Baptist Church. Burial took place at Welcome Baptist Church.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Marcus family.

 

FRANK PORTER

PICKENS — Frank Porter, 83, husband of 57 years to Elizabeth Rampey Porter, passed away from this life on Monday, Jan. 31, 2022, at his residence.

A native of Pickens, Frank was born on Oct. 9, 1938, to the late Zero Thomas Porter and Bessie Thelma Powell Porter.

Frank was a graduate of Pickens High School. He attended Clemson University and later graduated from Limestone College with a degree in business. Mr. Porter also served in the United States Air Force in military intelligence as a Russian linguist for four years. Following his honorable discharge, Frank began his career in manufacturing as a logistics planner at Ryobi, where he worked many years before retiring as the manager of the Ryobi credit union. After his retirement, Mr. Porter became co-owner of The Rock House at Aunt Sue’s. Some of Frank’s hobbies included most importantly being a disciple of Jesus, gardening, genealogy, geology, language studies, bibliophile, audiophile, hiking and volunteering at the Literacy Association and Hagood Mill. Mr. Porter also served for many years on the POSAM Board of Young Appalachian Musicians (YAMS). Frank was a lifelong member of Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

In addition to his loving wife, Elizabeth Porter, survivors include his children, Brian Keith Porter of Pickens and Tara Elizabeth Porter (Ed Peterman) of Pickens; his cat, McDuffie; and several nieces and nephews, along with many, many friends.

Mr. Porter was predeceased by his parents and his sister Carol Tennyson, of Virginia.

A celebration of Mr. Porter’s life will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of Mr. Porter may be made to Porter’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 152 E. Preston McDaniel Road, Pickens, SC 29671.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Porter family.

 

ROBERT WAYNE WOODRING

PICKENS — Robert Wayne Woodring, 68, husband of 46 years to Bertha Woodring, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022, at his residence.

Wayne attended Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Pickens and was a volunteer fireman at the Liberty Fire Department for many years.

Mr. Woodring is survived by his daughter, Sherri Trantham (Allen), and his son, Brian Scott Woodring of Pickens; grandchildren, Amberly and Anthony Trantham of Pickens; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents, Robert “Bob” Woodring and Ethel Simmons Woodring.

Flowers will be accepted.

A memorial service was held on Feb. 7 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home.

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Woodring Family.

 

JIMMY JOHNSON

LIBERTY – James Allen “Jimmy” Johnson, 55, of Flat Rock Road, died Sunday, February 6, 2022 at his residence. Born in Pickens, he was a son of the late Bobby Rubin Johnson, Sr. and Patricia Ann Edwards Johnson. He was employed with Ozone Collision Center. Jimmy was an avid outdoorsman and loved deer hunting and fishing. He was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are two brothers, Bobby R. Johnson, Jr. and Ricky Johnson both of Liberty.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a brother, Brian Johnson.

No services are planned at this time.

Online Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

 

GEORGE KESSLER

SIX MILE — Dr. George Donald Kessler, 79, died on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022, at Linley Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Phoenicia, N.Y., he was a son of the late Isabella Lane Kessler.

He was a graduate of the University of Georgia, where he received his doctorate in forestry. He spent his entire career at Clemson University in Extension Forestry. He was a longtime member of Six Mile Baptist Church, where he served in numerous roles, including Sunday school teacher, treasurer and deacon. He loved his family, his church and his church family like his own family, but most of all he loved his Lord and Savior.

Dr. Kessler along with his wife operated Hilltop Christmas Tree Farm, which they started in 1971. Throughout his adult life, he was heavily involved with the Boy Scouts of America, where he served as a Scout Master for Troop 134. He was also a longtime member of the Six Mile Lions Club.

Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Marsha W. Kessler; three daughters, Joanna Tinsley (John) of Pendleton, Katharine Gray (Mike) of Roanoke, Va., and Jennifer Dobson (Greg) of Anderson; a son, Jonathan Kessler of Warm Springs, Ga.; eight grandchildren, Clayton Tinsley, Ben Tinsley (Lauren), Hayden Gray, Sarah Gray, Lily Kessler, Grady Dobson, Abby Dobson and Rose Kessler; and a brother, Larry Kessler (Carol) of Milford, N.Y.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by a brother, Ken Nollner.

Funeral services to honor the life of Dr. Kessler will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel, conducted by Rev. Dr. Ray Longenecker. The family will receive friends prior to the service on Saturday from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the mortuary. Burial will be private. A livestream of the service will be available by visiting his obituary page at libertymortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Six Mile Baptist Church, P.O. Box 134, Six Mile, SC 29682.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

 

MARY EVELYN SLOAN HOLDER MORROW

Pickens  — Mrs. Mary Evelyn Sloan Holder Morrow, age 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 6, 2022. Mrs. Morrow was born in Oconee County and was the daughter of the late Phillip Sloan and Bernice Haynes Sloan Willis and wife to the late Dee Preston Holder and Ed Morrow.

Survivors include sons Dee Holder (Debbie) of Pickens, South Carolina and John Douglas Holder of Fairplay, South Carolina and daughters Joan Marchbanks (Tony) of Six Mile, South Carolina, Deborah Black and Vickie Edwards both of Pickens, South Carolina. Surviving are eleven precious grandchildren: Jesse, Tonya, Ricky, Tony Shane, Clayton, Ronnie Lee, Deedra, Deborah, Wendy, Danielle and Matthew along with around 26 most loving and precious great grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister Helen Holder (Leonard) of Six Mile, South Carolina.

Mrs. Morrow was predeceased by two husbands Dee Preston Holder and Ed Morrow along with a grandson Jason Eric Holder, brothers Ransome Reed, Buck Reed and a sister Joyce Reed Mathis.

Mrs. Morrow was a wonderful mother and will be deeply missed by her large and extended family. She was mama, granny, nana, babe and sister(Dink) and much more to all of her family. She enjoyed gardening, going to the beach, walking and caring for all her family. Evelyn, as she was known by most was loved by all. She lived life strong and conservative. More than anything she loved reading God’s word and attending church. She was such a precious jewel and has gone to heaven. She is gone but will never be forgotten.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, February 9 at 3:15 PM at Dillard Funeral Home Chapel 2402 Gentry Memorial Hwy Pickens, South Carolina 29671 with a visitation that same day starting at 1 p.m. to 3:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will follow the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Pickens, South Carolina.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Holder Morrow family.

Online condolences may be sent to www.dillardfunerals.com.