PHYLLIS ANN CHILDRESS BOWERS

EASLEY — Phyllis Ann Childress Bowers, 64, went to be with her Lord and Savior on May 16, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Mrs. Bowers was born in Greenville County and was the daughter of the late Dwight “DD” Douglas Childress and Vera Mae Cobb Childress and loving wife for 39 years to John Lesley Bowers.

Survivors in addition to her husband include a sister-in-law, Beth Swofford Childress; loving niece, Kristin Childress, and nephew, Justin Childress, all living in the United Arab Emirates. Also surviving are very special close cousins, Mildred and Gene Medlin and Jim Medlin.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bowers was predeceased by a brother, Phillip Childress.

Mrs. Bowers was a believer in Christ and longtime member of Gethsemane Baptist Church of Greenville. She loved being a caregiver to people. She had a compassionate heart for people who are hurting. When health would allow, Mrs. Bowers enjoyed cooking and being a homemaker. She graduated from the University of South Carolina Upstate with a degree in computer science. Mrs. Bowers was loved by all and will be missed dearly by her family and friends.

A funeral service was held on May 19 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park, Pickens. Officiating services were Revs. Mike Bowers, Brian Harr and Ron Gatlin.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gethsemane Baptist Church, 107 Gethsemane Drive, Greenville, SC 29611, or to a charity of your choice.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Bowers family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

 

EDWARD GRANT ‘EDDIE’ HUNTER

PICKENS — Edward Grant Hunter, 58, husband of 37 years to Minnie Lee Hunter, passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital.

A native of Pickens County, Eddie was born on Sept. 5, 1963, to the late William Edward Hunter and Betty Elizabeth Chastain Hunter. Eddie worked as assistant manager of Ace Hardware for 17 years and most recently was employed by the city of Pickens water department. He was of the Baptist faith. Eddie enjoyed hunting, gardening, cutting up, helping others, being with family and playing with his granddaughters.

Survivors include his wife, Minnie Lee Hunter of the home; his children, Cherish Waldrop (Lee) of Pickens and Matt Hunter (Greta) of Pickens; his granddaughters, Madison Hunter and Cora Waldrop; and his siblings, Judy Gillespie, Sandy Klippert and Russ Hunter; along with several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hunter was predeceased by his parents and a sister, Kay Gillespie.

Flowers will be accepted, or Memorials can be made in Eddie’s Honor to the Shriners Hospital, located at 950 Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

A memorial service took place on May 20 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home.

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

 

EVELYN HESTER AIKEN

EASLEY — Mrs. Evelyn Margaret Hester Aiken, 80, wife of Marion Ray Aiken, traveled to her final destination, her heavenly home, on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Ernest Theodore Hester and the late Ethel Leon Owens Hester, Mrs. Aiken retired from Alice Manufacturing Company with more than 25 years of service, and following her retirement, she worked at Baptist Easley Hospital for 10 years. She was a member of Easley Bible Methodist Church.

Evelyn loved to bowl and travel with the Masters 225 bowling team, but her greatest love was for her husband and family. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Surviving, in addition to her husband of 64 years, are her two daughters, Pamela Kay Aiken of Abbeville and Sandra Paige Aiken of Easley; four brothers, Guy Nell Hester (Mickey), Bruce Hester, Billy Joe Hester and J.D. Hester, all of Easley; one sister, Ruby Nell Spearman (John) of Easley; five grandchildren, Travis Mitchell (Jennifer), Sommer Brock (Matt), Lynzie Edens, Madison Edens and Cody Mitchell (Taylor); and 10 great-grandchildren, Joshua, Emma, Kadyn, Guy, Will, Titus, Killian, Tinzley, Charlotte and Chipper.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Aiken was predeceased by a son, Tony Ray Aiken; a sister, Mary Ellen Guthrie; three sisters-in-law, Doris Hester, Gwen Hester and Muriel Hester; and two brothers-in-law, Johnny Roper and Truman Guthrie.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, at Easley Bible Methodist Church, 855 Gentry Memorial Highway, Easley, SC 29640. Burial will follow in the Pickens View Wesleyan Church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:45 p.m. Wednesday at the church, prior to the service.

Active pallbearers will be Matt Brock, Guy Brock, Tim Mitchell, Cody Mitchell, Dylan Gilstrap, Cliff Johnson, Stanley James, Will Brock and Titus Saunders.

Escorts of honor will be Ernie Hester, Bill Connors, Mike Hester, Rick Wilson, Jim Wilson, Mitch Hester, Scott Hester and Bobby Roper.

The family is at the home.

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

 

CHAD T. CROOKS

EASLEY — Chadrick Todd Crooks, 47, of Floyd Circle, passed away on Sunday, May 22, 2022.

Born in Greenville County, he was the son of Janice Day of Easley and the late Eddie Wayne Crooks.

Chad attended Pickens High School and Bridgerland Applied Technology College. He was self-employed as a computer analyst. He loved spending time with his children and enjoyed riding his motorcycle.

Surviving in addition to his mother, Janice Day, are his children, who he adored, Olivia Crooks, Jayden Crooks and Isabella Crooks; his grandmother, Willavene Day; and half-brothers, Zachary Crooks, Jesse Crooks and Charlie Crooks.

Chad was predeceased by his father, Eddie Wayne Crooks; a brother, Scott Anthony Crooks; and grandparents, J.B. Day and George and Olivia Crooks.

A graveside service will be at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, at Day Family Cemetery in Easley.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Wednesday from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.

Flowers will be accepted.

The family will be at 154 Floyd Circle, Easley, SC 29640.

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

 

RICHARD EARL ‘RICH’ NORMAN

EASLEY — Richard Earl “Rich” Norman, 54, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022.

Born in Clearfield, Pa., he was the son of Daniel Richard and Karen Brink Norman.

Rich loved fishing and was a talented musician, with his instrument of choice being the guitar. He was an operator with GE for 22 years and a member of the Toyota Off Road Club.

In addition to his parents, Richard is survived by a brother, Bryan Woods (Jennifer); and nieces and nephews, Cruize, Blayze, Porsche and Quentin.

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

 

 

MICHAEL BARTON ‘MIKE’ RICHARDS

 

PICKENS — Michael “Mike” Barton Richards, 68, passed away on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, at his home.

A native of Greenville County, Mike was born on May 10, 1954, son of the late Furman Eugene Richards and Mary Bess Barton Richards. Mr. Richards was a graduate of Parker High School in 1972 and a member of the RED HORSE unit of the United States Air Force. He enjoyed playing golf and Clemson University sports.

Survivors include his son, Michael Barton Richards Jr. of Pickens; and his daughter, Rebekah Pauline Richards of Fayette, Ala.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Richards was predeceased by two brothers, Sam Thomason and Gene Richards.

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

 

JOANN CAROLYN BATES

LIBERTY — Joann Carolyn Bates, 78, loving wife of 62 years to Pastor H. Kenneth Bates, passed away on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at her home.

A native of Pickens County, Joann was born on July 30, 1943, the daughter of the late Horace Duncan and Elizabeth Simmons Duncan.

Survivors include her husband, H Kenneth Bates of the home; her children, Janet Weir (Dan) of Six Mile, Melissa Bates of Liberty, Bryon Bates (Kelli) of Norris and Chad Bates (Jennifer) of Sunset; 10 grandchildren, Anna, Candi, Codey, Addison, Malary, Matthew, Silas, Adam, Clover and Elizabeth; nine great-grandchildren; and brothers, Gary Duncan and Horace “Tubby” Duncan, both of Liberty.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bates was predeceased by her daughter, Cynthia Breazeale; a sister, Doris Owen; and three brothers, Tony Duncan, Gerald Duncan and Jessie Duncan.

Visitation was held on May 23 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home, with funeral services following. Burial took place following the service at Pine Grove Baptist Church in Sunset.

Flowers will be accepted.

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

 

 

GEROLD COPE MILLER

 

EASLEY — Gerold Cope Miller, 87, husband of 61 years to the late Jo Ann (Crowe) Miller, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at his residence.

A native of Norris, Mr. Miller was born on April 27, 1935, to the late Grady Lewis Miller and Florence Irene Cope Miller.

Gerold coached numerous young men in football through the Easley YMCA. Mr. Miller served in the United States Army National Guard for 28 years and was a member of the American Legion Post 52. Mr. Miller was a faithful member of Potters Clay Fellowship in Easley. He was also a loving husband, father and papa.

Survivors include his children, Tammy Miller Morris White (David) of Sunset and Bradley Miller (Edith) of Easley; his grandchildren, Heather Morris (Chad) of Easley, Charley Miller of Easley, Evington Miller of Easley and D.J. Miller of Easley; and his siblings, Grady Lou Bishop (Billy) of Easley, Wayne Miller of Easley and David Miller of Hendersonville, N.C.; along with multiple nieces and nephews.

In addition to his loving wife, Jo Ann, Mr. Miller was predeceased by his parents, a brother, Doug Miller, and a sister-in-law, Margaret Miller.

Memorials can be made in Mr. Miller’s honor to Potters Clay Fellowship, located at 142 Grace Drive, Easley, SC 29640.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 1, in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home from 5-7 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 2, at Potters Clay Fellowship at 11 a.m. Burial will take place at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery after the service at 2 p.m.

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

 

SYBLE WALDROP HOLCOMBE

EASLEY — Mrs. Betty “Syble” Waldrop Holcombe, 94, wife of the late Joseph Ralph Holcombe of Adger Road, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022, at her home.

Born in Pickens County, she was a daughter of the late William Clyde and Susie Erobinson Brown Waldrop.

Syble raised Yorkie puppies and boarded and groomed dogs. She was a most beloved and sweetest mother, nanny and friend to all who knew her. She always found the good in everyone. She was the ultimate example of a Christian lady.

She is survived by a son, Wayne Holcombe (Lavern) of Easley; six grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Holcombe was predeceased by two sons, Danny Holcombe and Joseph “Tony” Holcombe; three brothers, John Voight Waldrop, W.D. Waldrop and William Clyde Waldrop Jr.; five sisters, Annie Mae Satterfield, H. Ophelia Ellenburg, Doephia Arbutus Waldrop, Francis Juanita Nealey and Elma Marie Harris; and two great-grandsons.

Graveside services were held on May 23 at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made in memory of Syble to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

 

BOBBIE JO WIKE

EASLEY — Mrs. Bobbie Jo Hickman Wike, 80, wife of the late Wayne Wike, passed away on Friday, May 20, 2022.

Born in Coffee County, Ala., the daughter of the late James Hillary Hickman and the late Verlon June Johnson Hickman, Mrs. Wike was a graduate of Enterprise High School and was a buyer for International Vitamin Corporation. She was a member of Arial Baptist Church.

Bobbie Jo was very active and loved to work, but her greatest love was to take care of her family. She will be dearly missed by all who loved and knew her.

Surviving are a son, James Richard Wike of Easley; her special cousins, Jerri Hickman Kandle and John Edwin Hickman (Barbara), both of Enterprise, Ala.; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Wike was predeceased by a son, Stephen Wayne Wike.

A private graveside service will be held at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Easley.

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