KIMBERLY GAIL MORENO

EASLEY — Kimberly Gail Moreno, 56, was called home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her family, on Feb. 9, 2023, after a six-year battle with ALS.

Kim was born on June 14, 1966, the precious daughter of Richard and Linda Merck.

Kim was a loving wife to Richard Moreno for 27 years. Her life was spent as an amazing mother to Riley Victoria Moreno (23) of the home and Reygan Ashlyn Merck (31) of Liberty.

Her favorite thing to do was spending time with her family and watching her granddaughter Carsyn Hutley (5) grow.

Kim had a smile that could light up any room and was the most kind-hearted woman you would ever meet.

Kim is survived by her parents, Richard and Linda Merck; her husband, Richard Moreno; two daughters, Riley Moreno and Reygan Merck; a granddaughter, Carsyn Hutley; a brother, Kip Merck (Shana); a sister, Keila Yoda; two nieces, Khaner Fox (Brent) and Keiana Austin (Josh); two nephews, Kameron Merck and Khalil Yoda; and three great nieces, Aubrey Elliott, Azlynn Elliott and Tember Fox.

A private service for family will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the ALS foundation in Kim’s honor at donate.als.org

Palmetto Cremation Service is serving the Moreno Family.

 

EDWARD ALLEN SENN

CLEMSON — We are sad to announce the passing of Allen Senn, 68, on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023.

Allen left us peacefully at Greenville Memorial Hospital following a traumatic fall. Born in Aiken, at age 4 he became a lifelong resident of Clemson and an enthusiastic Tiger fan. Allen was a 1972 graduate of D.W. Daniel High School.

Allen leaves behind his brothers, Trey Senn and Bob Senn; sister-in-law, Lisa Senn; along with many cousins.

He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Louie and Mary Senn.

He loved his family and close friends. We will miss him greatly.

 

HENRY FRANK BIVENS

PICKENS — Henry Frank Bivens passed away at home on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2023.

Henry was born on Sept. 3, 1944, in Pickens, to the late Thomas Luke and Faye Bivens.

Henry attended Pickens High School, where he was a multi-lettered athlete. He then went on to win the ACC men’s golf championship in 1964 with the University of South Carolina golf team. After college, Henry had a successful career as an entrepreneur, developer and contractor. Henry was a lifelong sports fan and avid golfer. He was a fixture at Pickens Country Club golf course, where he played most often with his closest friends. He loved hunting, his family and his tobacco.

He is survived by his four children, Gordon Bivens (Michelle), Anna Bivens Karr, Erin Ferguson and Kate Bivens; five grandchildren, Kendall Ailshie, Scarlet Claire Ward and Grady, Mac and Davison Bivens; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Thomas Luke “Spec” Bivens III (Barbara); and a sister, Barbara Jean Bodine.

A celebration of Henry’s life will be held at Grace United Methodist Church in Pickens on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Dementia Society of America.

 

 

LARRY COX

PICKENS — Larry Lee Cox, 61, of Pickens passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, after a long battle with pneumonia at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born Nov. 21, 1961, Larry was a beloved grandfather of five, Matthew Franklin, Kaitlyn Cox, Aubrey Cox, Cayden Buchanan and Carmen Rosa; and father of three, Valarie Cox (Raul Rosa), Joshua Cox (Shannon) and Zachary Mauldin (Jenny).

He is also survived by his father, T.J. “Bud” Cox, and his four siblings, J.W. Cox, Danny Cox, Steve Cox and Lisa Gilstrap.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Ann Cox; a nephew, Dakota Cox; and a special friend, Wanda Sutherland.

A United States Army veteran, Larry was a caring man who gave everything he had and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need before helping himself. Larry was extremely hard working and worked for many years doing sheetrock work and construction. He also spent a few years delivering newspapers. He delivered papers seven days a week, 365 days a year, and would even go straight out of the hospital to go to work.

Funeral services and burial were held Thursday, Feb. 9, at Golden Grove Wesleyan Church in Liberty.

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

 

RICHARD ALLEN ‘DICK’ MCCALL

MARION, N.C. — Mr. Richard ‘Dick’ Allen McCall Sr., 83, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023.

Richard was born in Hendersonville, N.C., on April 21, 1939, to the late Joseph Butler and Rebecca “Bessie” Teague McCall. He was an avid reader, an intense fisherman and a devoted Carolina football fan. Richard had been sober for 40 years and spent time as a mentor and sponsor for others in AA. He owned his own brick masonry business and spent the last years before retirement as a bus driver for the School District of Pickens County. Above all else, he loved his family and was a loving husband and father and devoted Papa.

Mr. McCall is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Mary Anne Gillespie McCall; three sons, Richard McCall Jr. (Donna), Gary McCall (Melissa) and Joseph McCall (Tiffany); two daughters, Rose Tapp and Kathy Nuckolls; two sisters, Faye Rogers and Linda Ferguson; one brother, Leroy McCall (Patty); 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Dick was preceded in death by one daughter, Patricia Griffith; one sister, Louella Watts; and two brothers, Y.J. McCall and William “Bill” McCall.

A service to honor the life of Richard was held on Feb. 11 in the mausoleum at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Flowers are accepted.

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

 

BILL SICKMAN

EASLEY — William “Bill” James Sickman, 71, of Powdersville, went peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, surrounded by his family, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023.

Born in Chester, Pa., he was the husband of almost 50 years to Carol Walker Sickman, father to his two favorite daughters, Stacey and Jamie, and a son of the late William Howard and Dorothy Harris Sickman.

Bill, as he was known by all, developed passions for music, cooking, hunting and service to others early in life. He received his first trumpet at the age of five and spent his life using his talent bringing joy to others while serving in his church. The commitment and dedication to excellence in the trumpet was evident in everything he pursued. He was a longtime self-employed insurance agent, always going above and beyond for his clients and proudly serving them with honesty and integrity. In his own words, his greatest joy, however, came from becoming a restauranteur with his two daughters when they opened Inky’s Authentic Philadelphia Cheesesteaks and Hoagies in Easley in 2015. Bill’s love for family, service and cooking combined to help create a neighborhood spot where he relished serving his community, regaling his guests with stories and making sure every person he came into contact with left with a smile on their face. Everyone who truly knew Bill knew that with him they were guaranteed three things — a loving family man, a hard worker and a snappy one liner that was almost always appropriate for the situation. He was a gun enthusiast, enjoyed hunting and was an avid supporter of veterans, children’s charities and anything his four grandchildren did. He and his wife attended Jones Avenue Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are two daughters, Stacey Desrosiers (D.J.) of Six Mile and Jamie Niespodziani (Adam) of Easley; a brother, Lawrence Sickman of Florida; and four grandchildren, David, Madalyn, Rosalyn and Julia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Barbara Basner.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lazy Lab Hunt Club LLC, which provides outdoor therapeutic excursions for our nation’s veterans and active-duty personnel, by visiting lazylabhc.org.

A celebration of life service to honor the life of Mr. William J. Sickman was held on Feb. 13 in the Liberty Mortuary chapel.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services are handling arrangements.

 

HARRIET K. GILES

EASLEY — Harriet Elizabeth Kitchin Giles, 82, passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2023, surrounded by her family and friends, following an extended illness.

Born in Greenville, on Aug. 12, 1940, she was the widow of Hollie R. Giles Jr. and daughter of Dr. Jesse Walton and Marjorie Nelmes Kitchin of Liberty.

She was an RN for Easley Baptist Hospital, now Prisma Easley, where she retired after 42 years of dedicated service, and was a member of Easley Church of God.

Surviving are a son, Scott (Angel) Giles of Easley; three grandchildren, Cole Crawford, Cameron and Cason Giles; one great-grandchild, Grayson Crawford; one nephew, Walton (Janice) Roberts; two nieces, Sharri (John) Parks and Midge Roberts; five great-nieces, Anna and Jessica Parks, Jesi Hooper and Ivey and Erica Bolding; four cousins, Rick Nelmes and family of Pickens, and Mike Shoemaker, Midge Yergen and Susie Magana and families of Washington state.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, Hollie R. Giles; three sisters, Cynthia S., Linda K. Kitchin and Roberta K. Roberts; a nephew, Eric Bolding; and her cherished friend of 70 years, Marlene “Marly” Rodgers.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 9 in the chapel at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown.  Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

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

The family will be at the home of Scott and Angel Giles.

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

 

MARY S. BROWNING

EASLEY — Mary S. Browning, 59, loving wife of 11 years to Jason Browning, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at her home.

A native of Pickens County, Mary was born on Oct. 4, 1963, the daughter of the late Frances McJunkin. Mary loved her family dearly, especially her children and grandchildren. She also loved her precious dog, Dior.

Survivors include her husband, Jason Browning of the home; her children, Jennifer Lackey (Donnie) of Six Mile, Thomas Swafford (Fallon) of Easley, Jeremy Hayes (Kayla) of Anderson and Donna Browning of Marietta; her grandchildren, Chris, Josh, Jeffrey, Grayson and Judah; her great-grandson, Baby Thomas; a brother, Otis Summers (Judy); two sisters, Linda Morgan and Alice Smith; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and loving family members.

In addition to her mother, Mrs. Browning was predeceased by a granddaughter, Jamie Lackey; a grandson, Donnie Lackey III; a sister, Janice Sparks; and a brother, Thomas Summers.

Visitation was held on Friday, Feb. 10, in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens, with a memorial service following.

Flowers will be accepted.

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

 

TONY DALE SEARCY

SUNSET — Tony Dale Searcy, 53, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

A native of Pickens County, Tony was born on Jan. 22, 1970, the son of the late Billy James Searcy Sr. and Annie Searcy.

Visitation was held on Feb. 13 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens, with a memorial service following.

Flowers will be accepted.

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

 

DEE HEYWARD HOLDER

PICKENS — Mr. Dee Heyward Holder, 68, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, at his home.

Dee was born in Pickens on Dec. 20, 1954, to the late Dee Preston and Mary Sloan Holder. He was a member of Blue Ridge View Baptist Church, but had been attending Pickens View Wesleyan Church. Dee worked at JM Mold South for more than 20 years and retired from Imperial Die Casting. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed golfing, fishing and woodworking. Dee was the “Neighborhood Husband” of Club Ridge and would always lend a helping hand to others. Above all else, he loved his family and spending time with them, especially taking his wife, Debbie, on trips.

Mr. Holder is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Debbie Batson Holder; two sons, Clayton Holder (Carrie) and Ronnie Lee Holder; one daughter, Deedra Yoder (Danell); 10 grandchildren, Tyler Holder, “Jake” Holder, Luke Holder, Evan Holder, Mason Holder, Joanna Holder, Rachel Holder, Dawson Yoder, Zeke Holder and Dezlyn Yoder; and four siblings, Joan Marchbanks (Tony), Debbie Black, Vickie Edwards and Doug Holder.

In addition to his parents, Dee was preceded in death by one son, Jason Holder.

The family would like to give special thanks to Danielle Black Taylor, for her selfless love and extended medical care for her Uncle Dee.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 14 at Pickens View Wesleyan Church. Entombment will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park at a later time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Pickens View Wesleyan Church, 744 Bethlehem Ridge Road, Pickens, SC 29671 or call (864) 878-2324.

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

 

ELIZABETH MARTIN PHILLIPS

CLEMSON — Elizabeth Olivia Martin Phillips, 91, of Clemson Downs, former lifelong resident of Central, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at Clemson Downs.

Born in Central, she was the widow of Clarence C. Phillips Jr. and a daughter of the late William Henry and Jessie Mae Roper Martin.

Mrs. Phillips worked for the town of Central for many years, as well as Cannon Memorial Hospital and Oconee Memorial Hospital. She later worked at Six Mile Elementary School with the afterschool program. She was a member of the Eastern Star, Central Garden Club and the Red Hat Society. Mrs. Phillips was a volunteer as well around the Central area, such as Clemson Downs and the Helping Hands of Clemson Children’s Home. She was a member of East Clemson Baptist Church.

Surviving are a daughter, Miriam P. Butler (Charles) of Seneca; a son, Dan H. Phillips (Cynthia) of Anderson; three grandchildren, Cooper Butler (Annalise), Lea Butler Clanton (William) and Kristoper Watkins (Arisa); seven great-grandchildren, Charles Butler, Sloan Butler, Charlotte Clanton, Preston Clanton, Kara Poteet, Emma Watkins and Ryker Watkins; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was the last surviving member of her immediate family, and in addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by seven brothers, Kenneth, William, Thurston, Leland, Glen, Joe and Johnnie Martin.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to her very special friends, Miriam and Kim Bagwell, as well as her many caregivers at Clemson Downs.

Graveside services for Mrs. Phillips were held on Feb. 10 at Memory Gardens.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621 or Helping Hands of Clemson, PO Box 561, Clemson, SC 29633.

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

 

STANLEY COLLINS

EASLEY — Stanley Collins, 54, loving husband of 28 years to Virginia Collins, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at his home.

Born on Oct. 24, 1968, in Greenville County, Stanley was the son of Doris Redding Collins and the late William Grady Collins.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia Collins of the home; his mother, Doris Collins; his children, Austin Collins of Easley, Christopher Whitaker of Liberty and Brittany Moss of Easley; grandchildren, J.T. Shead and Faith Moss ,both of Easley; siblings, William Collins, Millissa Collins and Henry Collins; nieces and nephews, Brittine Morris, Tellina Collins, Brayden Collins and Chandler Collins; and great-nieces and great-nephews, Aiyana Morris, Braxton Morris, Samuel Morris and Brian Morris Jr.

Mr. Collins was predeceased by his father, William Grady Collins.

The family received friends on Feb. 14 in the chapel of Mountain View Funeral Home in Pickens. In lieu of flowers, donations to the family will be accepted.

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

 

JEAN CANTRELL

LIBERTY — Jean McCloud Cantrell, 80, died on Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2023, at Prisma Health-Baptist Easley.

Born in Keyser, W. Va., she was a daughter of the late Bryan and Mary Delawder McCloud.

She was a member of Calumet Baptist Church and retired from Anchor Swann with 20 years of service.

Surviving are her husband of 59 years, Frank Cantrell of the home; a daughter, Sabrina Patterson of Liberty; a granddaughter, Heather Rose Turner of Greenville; three sisters, Barbara Holley (Harold) of Gerrardstown, W. Va., June Long (Robert) of Keyser, W. Va., and Betty Laffin of Baltimore, Md.; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by five brothers, Dennis, John, Thomas, William and James.

Graveside services to honor Mrs. Cantrell’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 27, at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery.

Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Calumet Baptist Church, 400 S. Peachtree St., Liberty SC 29657.

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

 

DANNY RAY PILGRIM

Six Mile — Danny Ray Pilgrim, 64, of Six Mile, died Sunday, Feb. 12, 2023, at Prisma Health-Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Central, he was a son of  Christine Maxey Pilgrim and the late David Edrew Pilgrim.

He was an excellent carpenter and affectionately known by his family and friends as a shade tree mechanic.

Surviving, in addition to his mother of Central, are a daughter, Caroline Danielle Smithson (Neil) of Bradenton, Fla.; two stepsons, Cory Belcher (Tracy) of Pickens and Tyler Belcher of Pickens; three grandchildren, Natalie, Alivia and Matthew; five brothers, Leroy Pilgrim, Jimmy Pilgrim, Keith Pilgrim, Greg Pilgrim and Brent Pilgrim; and four sisters, Eydie Robinson, Nancy Greer, Laura Holder and Cheree Aiken.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Edrew Pilgrim.

Funeral services to honor Danny’s life will be conducted at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Burial will be at Liberty Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

To share a memory or leave a condolence for the family, please visit libertymortuary.com.

 

Gail Crowe Bell

Easley — Gail Crowe Bell, a nurse, wife, mom and caretaker, passed away on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023, unexpectedly at St. Francis Hospital Downtown.

Born in Greenville, but raised in Liberty, she was a daughter of the late Lowell Crowe and Armeldia Atkinson Crowe Davis.

Gail worked many years as a nurse at St. Francis Hospital and was a member of Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church.

She was a connoisseur of birthday cake and ice cream, even when there wasn’t a birthday to be celebrated. She loved fishing, inappropriate humor if it embarrassed her children, spending time with friends, and those late-night infomercials she couldn’t resist.

Her faith and belief in God was strong, and she instilled that in all her children, shared it with everyone she met and was why we can be happy today knowing she is with the greatest caretaker of all. She will be missed by everyone who knew her and every life she touched.

Gail is survived by the love of her life, Gary Bell; two daughters, Shelli Gantt Fleming (Jason) of Lowndesville and Catrena Cartee (Jeff) of Greenville; two sons, Robbie Vaughn (Christie) of Liberty and Travis Bell (Kate) of Easley; and 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren who she was so very proud of and always brought a smile to her face.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, James Robert Crowe.

Memorial services to honor Gail’s life will be conducted at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, in the Liberty Mortuary chapel. Visitation will be prior to the service from 1:30-2:30 p.m. at the mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church, Building Fund, 101 Pisgah Road, Easley SC 29642.

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