JOANN MEECE HAYES

PICKENS — Mrs. Joann Meece Hayes, beloved wife of retired Pastor Tommy Lewis Hayes, passed peacefully on Feb. 21, 2022, after a lengthy illness.

Mrs. Hayes was born in Pickens County to the late Claude Jefferson Meece and Bertha Aiken Meece. She was a member of Cannon Mountain Baptist Church. Mrs. Hayes was a faithful pastor’s wife for 28 years and loved to sing, teach Sunday school and along with her husband, help those with spiritual needs. She also loved gardening, growing flowers, traveling, trips to Edisto State Park, going to thrift stores, taking photos and feeding the birds.

Mrs. Hayes and Pastor Hayes have three children, Cindy Burgess (Curtis), missionary and pastor to Montana Randy Hayes (Joan), and Amanda Wood (Jon). She is survived also by a sister, Mrs. Bernice Bowen, and was a loving grandmother to Adrianne Owen (Chris), Alyssa Malone (Shaun), Trevor Hayes (Rebecca), Olivia McCoy (Cody) and Garrett Wood; a great-grandmother to Melanie Owen and Zachary Owen, children of Chris and Adrianne Owen; and had one great-grandchild on the way by Shaun and Alyssa Malone.

Mrs. Hayes was preceded in death by four siblings, Christine Hinkle, Polly Singletary, Walter Meece and Bonnie (Tincey) Chapman.

The family would like to thank both Manna Nursing Home staff andhHospice staff at Traditions Health for their kindness and care these last two weeks.

Funeral services were conducted on Feb. 24 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home, with interment following at Holly Springs Baptist Church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Montana Missions, care of Concord Baptist Church at 723 Concord Church Road, Pickens, SC 29671.

The family is currently residing at 366 Hayes Road, Pickens.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

 

ALICE DUNCAN

LIBERTY — Alice Knight Duncan, 65, born on June 24, 1956, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at her home.

She was of the Baptist faith and worked in the textile industry for many years.

She leaves behind her husband of 41 years, Horace “Tubby” Duncan of Liberty; two daughters, Ashley Duncan (Heather) and Staci Duncan, both of Liberty; and five grandchildren, Paisley, Haley, Lucas, Brooklyn and Jonah.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family and was preceded in death by two sisters, Ondrea and Ann; and a brother, Terry.

Everyone who knew Alice knows how much she loved music, loved her family and all her friends. She will forever remain in the heart of the lives she touched.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Duncan will be conducted on Thursday, March 3, at 3 p.m. in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Abbott Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday prior to the service from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the mortuary. A livestream of the service will be available by visiting her obituary at libertymortuary.com.

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

 

RUTH WHETSELL ROLLINS

PICKENS — Ruth Whetsell Rollins, born April 13, 1942, died peacefully in her sleep on Feb. 19, 2022.

This high school beauty queen with beautiful green eyes, certified master gardener, talented chef, blessed with exceptional culinary skills, avid bird watcher, devoted beach lover, parental caretaker and beloved parent, grandparent and friend had the strength of will and the self-confidence and resilience that carried her through life and helped her through her terminal illness.

Ruth’s life was filled with family and friends, including the father of her children, who remained a good friend, and many beloved dogs. She also had the unique distinction of being the first person in the U.S. to own a VW convertible — tomato red, no less. Ruth enjoyed the friendship of many incredible people, past and present, including a close group of lifelong friends known as “the girls.”

She is survived by two children, her son, Paul Rollins Jr. (Elizabeth Fields) of Pickens, and daughter, Beth Rollins Carter (Ben Carter) of Spartanburg; her husband, Paul Rollins Sr.; and three beloved grandchildren, Mitchell Hardee, Bentley Carter and Charlie Rollins.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Betty Whetsell Clanton and Hyatt Davis Whetsell. Her father died when she was in elementary school. She was also predeceased by an older infant sister and a younger adult brother, Hyatt Whetsell Jr.

A memorial service will be held on a later date at Ebenezer Methodist in Bowman. A marker will be placed in the nearby cemetery where her late parents and baby sister are buried.

Ruth chose to be cremated and for her ashes to be scattered at her favorite meditative spots. The family and friends will gather on Edisto Island to remember Ruth, celebrate her life and honor her wishes.

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

 

RAYMOND LEONARD FIELDS

PICKENS — Raymond Leonard Fields, 63, husband of 35 years to Greta Nadine Powell Fields, passed on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at his home.

Mr. Fields was the son of the late Shelbie Jean Mitchell Fields and Raymond Emory Fields.

Raymond was a graduate of Liberty High School, where he held the record for shot put for many years. He was a chemical technician at Oconee Nuclear Station and a chemical technician at Ortec in Easley. His hobbies included fishing, reading books and playing board games like gin rummy, Yahtzee and Mexican Train. He also was on many bowling leagues.

Survivors include his wife and one daughter, Toshia Popp of Liberty; one sister, Sheila Pearson of Augusta, Ga.; three grandchildren, Abel Johnson, Neveah Johnson and Trinity Johnson; and one nephew, Eugene Johnson (Crystal).

A memorial will be held at a later date.

Donations may be made to ASPCA to help save the animals, P.O. Box 96929, Washington, DC 20090-6929

Mountain View Funeral Home is serving the Fields family.

 

MARTHA LADD GRAY

EASLEY — Martha Jane Ladd Gray, 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Robert Edward Ladd and the late Willie Mae Owens Ladd, Martha retired from Alice Manufacturing Company and was of the Baptist faith. She loved the outdoors, especially gardening. Martha had a true green thumb and took pride in her outstanding tomatoes. She will be missed dearly by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving are her daughter, Allyson “Kay” Gray (Joe Yantz) of Liberty; two brothers, Bobbie Joe Ladd (Ruth Ann) and Ronnie Ladd (Brenda), both of Liberty; a sister, Louise Crowe (B.L.) of Liberty; and her beloved pup, Charliee.

In addition to her parents, Martha was predeceased by her longtime companion, Jackie Lee Stewart; two brothers, Wade Ladd and Jimmy Dale Ladd; and three sisters, Helen McCollum, Geraldine Minnich and Ruth Ann Bryant.

Funeral services were held on March 1 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in the Golden Grove Wesleyan Church cemetery.

The family is at the home of her daughter.

Memorials may be made in memory of Martha to the Pickens County Humane Society, P.O. Box 83, Liberty, SC 29657.

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

 

GRACIE ANDERS

LIBERTY — Gracie Ellen Johnston Anders, 76, died on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at her residence.

Born in Cateechee, she was a daughter of the late Lloyd and Faye Segars Johnston.

She retired from Alice Manufacturing and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are a daughter, Sandra Shivers (John) of the home; a son, Timothy King of Liberty; two sisters, Emily Garren of Six Mile and Millie Owen of Columbus, Ga.; two brothers, Dwight Johnston of Easley and Dale Johnston of Seneca; eight grandchildren, Jason King, Tasha King, Stacy King, Timothy King, Christopher Jackson, Kaylan Jackson, Adrian Day and Hanna Smith; and several great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Michael King and Stanley King; a daughter, Tammie Day; and five brothers, Donald, Doyle, Tommy, Stevie and Dennie Johnston.

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.

 

DOVARD DWIGHT  EDDLEMAN SR.

EASLEY — Dovard Dwight Eddleman Sr., 69, husband of seven years to Sheryl Eddleman, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at his residence.

A native of Greenville County, Dwight was born on May 8, 1952, to the late James and Blanch Eddleman. He worked as a carpenter. Dwight loved to work in the yard, loved to fish and loved spending time with his grandbabies.

Survivors include his wife, Sheryl Eddleman of the home; his children, Marie Barnes (Ricky) of Easley, Bobbie Eddleman of Colorado Springs, Colo., Dwight Eddleman Jr. (Jennifer) of Amarillo, Texas, Jennifer Rainy (Shawn) of Pickens, Destenny DeLorme (Keelan) of Central and Sam Eddleman of Tennessee; his stepchildren, William Swords (Sabina Martinez) of Easley, Carolyn Swords of Easley and Elaine Parks (Kenneth) of Clemson; his siblings, Wilbur Eddleman (Tina) of Greenville, Teresa Foxworth of Woodruff, Freddie Thompson of Pelzer, Donna Higgins of Fountain Inn, Deloris Reeves (Phil) of Easley and David Eddleman of Simpsonville; 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren and 17 nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Eddleman was predeceased by his twin daughters, Crystal and Natasha Eddleman; two brothers, James and Doyle Eddleman; and a sister, Silvia Bunham.

The family will hold a private service.

Mountain View Funeral Home – Pickens Chapel is serving the Eddleman Family.

 

MARY ‘BO’ DAVIS

LIBERTY — Mary Ellen “Bo” Davis, 87, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, at Cottingham Hospice House.

Born in Liberty, she was a daughter of the late Henry Grady and Annie Mae Melton Gillespie.

She was retired from the School District of Richland County, where she worked as an administrative assistant.

Mrs. Davis was a loving mother and truly embraced her role as a pastor’s wife. She was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church.

Surviving are her husband, Rev. Larry Davis of the home; a daughter, Amy Bott (Jeff) of Easley; two grandchildren, Chelsea Knott of Liberty and Kenley Knott of Easley; and a great-granddaughter, Amelia Beau.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Mark Davis; a sister, Rachel Coleman; and four brothers, Norman, Alfred, Carl and James Gillespie.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Davis will be conducted on Friday, March 4, at 3 p.m., at Flat Rock Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

The family will be at their respective homes. To share a memory or leave a message for the family, you may visit libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

“Pete” Collier, 62, died on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022, at AnMed Health Cannon Hospital.

Born in Easley, he was a son of the late Harold and Mary Cobb Collier.

Surviving are two nieces, Sarah Collier of Pickens and Stacy Collier (Tina) of Six Mile, and several great nephews and nieces.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jerry Hal Collier. He was the last survivor of his immediate family.

No services are planned. To leave a message for the family or share a memory with the family, please visit libertymortuary.com.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

 

 

REV. KEITH MALOR WRIGHT

EASLEY — Rev. Keith Wright, 76, husband of Sheree L. Wright of 41 years, passed into eternal glory with Jesus, on Monday, Feb. 21, 2022.

Keith was a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, a Vietnam veteran and served as chaplain of the American Legion South Carolina Post 11. He was a member of the First Assembly of God.

Surviving are his wife; two daughters, Chrissy Eckman (Steve) of Canton, Ga., and Colleen Reinovsky (Justin) of Easley; sisters, Susan Blunt and Madeline Thompson; brother, James Wright; and grandchildren, Benjamin Reinovsky, James Thompson, Ashley Thompson and Emily Thompson.

Rev. Wright was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Ruth Wright, along with a sister, Lynda Cooley.

There will be a funeral service held on Saturday, March 5, at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Assembly of God, 810 Saco Lowell Road, Easley. A private burial will be held at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery.

Online condolences may be left for the family by visiting mountainviewfunerals.com.

Mountain View Funerals and Cremations – Pickens Chapel is serving the Wright family.