Forrest Bagwell

 Pickens — Forrest Lee Bagwell, 86 of Pickens, died Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013 at McCall Hospice House of Greenville.

Forrest was born in Easley, a son of the late Forrest Lee and Hazel Atkins Bagwell. He was retired from Union Bleachery in Greenville and was a member of The Pickens Church of God. A veteran of the U.S. Army during World War II, he was an active member of The American Legion, Post 11 in Pickens where he served as chaplain, and Seniors Unlimited of Pickens.

Survivors include a brother, Earley Bagwell of Pickens, and a sister Frances Breazeale and her husband Carl of Fountain Inn. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens with the Rev. Charles Smith and the Rev. Fred Bryant officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens with military honors.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Memorials may be made to The Pickens Church of God, 127 McDaniel Ave, Pickens, SC 29671 or to the charity of one’s choice.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Bagwell family.

David C. Taylor

Six Mile — David Clayton Taylor, 49, husband of Rosalee Reid Taylor of Six Mile, died Tuesday, July 30, 2013.

David was born in Easley, a son of Virgil Lindon and Emma Louise Miller Taylor. He was a graduate of D. W. Daniel High School, class of 1981 and he was a talented musician and singer. On Sundays instead of attending Sunday school, he played and sang for the residents of Heritage Health Care in Six Mile. David was a member of Keowee Baptist Church and was employed with Foothills Machining, Inc.

Survivors include his wife of five and a half years, Rose of the home; his parents, his furry daughter, Lola May, son, Aaron Kendall Taylor (Sundi) of Anderson, daughters, Michelle King Crowe (Kenny) of Easley and Rebecca King Duncan (Shane) of Pickens. Also surviving are his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Marshall and Ruth Reid of Liberty and six grandchildren.

Funeral services were conducted 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 1 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens with the Rev. Bobby Stewart and the Rev. Jimmy Anthony officiating. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Taylor family.

John Cornelius

Liberty — John Arthur Cornelius, 61, of 113 Bradley Drive, died Tuesday at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Sanger, Calif., he was the husband of Judy Gossett Cornelius of the home and a son of the late Cecil and Geraldine White Cornelius. He was of the Pentecostal faith.

Surviving in addition to his wife are two daughters, Tammy Hanham of Fort Smith, Ark. and Shelly Henson of Key West Fla.; a step daughter, Mikki Pirkle of Easley; a brother, Richard Cornelius of North Highlands, Calif.; four grandchildren, Kaetlynn Hudson, Breyhdunn Hudson, Darren Gillespie and Caleb Gillespie; and one great grandchild, Kaidence Hudson.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by two sisters, Sharon Morton and Shirley Hodges.

A Memorial service to honor the life of Mr. Cornelius was held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Ruhamah Baptist Church. The Rev. Bobby Goodwin conducted the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Ruhamah Baptist Church C/O Roy Moore 1610 Red Barn Road Liberty, SC 29657 or Rainey Hospice House 1835 Rogers Road Anderson, SC 29621.

Memorial Messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services are handling arrangements.

Lucy N. Steele

Six Mile — Lucy Newton Steele, of Gap Hill Road, wife of the late Robert E. Steele, died Monday, July 29, 2013.

Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Waymon and Jessie Carnes Newton. Mrs. Steele was a homemaker, wife and mother who enjoyed cooking, gardening and shopping. She was retired from West Point Stevens in Clemson and was a member of Gap Hill Baptist Church.

Surviving are her daughters, Rebecca S. Grant of Kings Mountain, N.C. and Joyce S. Stewart of Six Mile; three grandchildren, Emily Lauren Grant, Ashley Barrett Grant and Robert Michael Stewart; and two brothers, Alden Newton and John Newton both of Pickens.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by three sisters, Helen Brucke, Virginia Kelley and Gertrude Smith; and three brothers, Andrew Newton, Buck Newton and Norris Newton.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, Aug. 1 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the Auditorium Class of Gap Hill Baptist Church, 127 Gap Hill Rd., Six Mile, SC 29682.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Steele family.

 

David Anderson

 Easley — David Lynn Anderson, 60, husband of Sandy Adams Anderson of Easley, died Monday, July 29, 2013.

David was born in Pickens, son of Mrs. Nancy Lee Nealey Anderson of Pickens and the late Alvin Curtis Anderson. He was employed with Northland Cable of Seneca as a cable technician and was a member of Open Arms Community Church of Easley. David formerly served in the National Guard.

Survivors include his wife, Sandy, of the home, his mother, Nancy, of Pickens, his son, Ron Anderson (Miranda) of Taylors, grandchildren, Rebekah, Ronnie, and Rachel Anderson, and his sister, Norma Dodgens (Stewart) of Pickens.

A memorial service was 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens. The Rev. Jerry Tate officiated.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by viewing www.DillardFunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, friends have started a fund at SunTrust Bank in Easley to help defray David’s medical expenses.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Anderson family.

Sonja B. Hall

Pumpkintown — Sonja Burgess Hall died peacefully in her home on Tuesday, July 30, 2013.

Mrs. Hall was born and raised in Pumpkintown. She was a devoted military wife to her late husband, Clarence Rollin Hall. Mrs. Hall never met a stranger and was a trusted confidant to those she loved and a genuine companion to everyone she knew.

Mrs. Hall is survived by a son, Thomas Ryan Hall (Angie) from Asheville, N.C. and five grandchildren. Her grandchildren are Andrew (Katie) and Caroline from Lexington, Ky., Jennifer from Brooklyn, N.Y. and Zachery and Joshua from Asheville, N.C. They were the joy of her life.

She was preceded in death by a son, Anthony Rollin Hall and her parents, Quince and Ada Burgess.

Graveside services were held on Friday, Aug. 2 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Fred Sanford and the Rev. Steve Hardin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 620 Pleasant Grove Road, Pickens, SC 29671 or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services, P.O. Box 4072, Pittsfield, MA 01202 www.leukemia-lymphoma.org.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Hall family.

Bruce Gibson Traber

Liberty — Bruce Gibson Traber, 81, very well-known throughout Pickens County as the “Electrolux vacuum cleaner man” due to his ability to repair or remake Electrolux and other types of vacuum cleaners, died peacefully July 30 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

He had battled Alzheimer’s disease over the last eight years. He loved Pickens County and the town of Liberty, where his father had been the Southern Railroad depot agent for 57 years. He was the ninth of 11 children of Henry and Cora Gibson Traber and was born in Cornelia, Ga., on July 9, 1932. He had spent many years caring for his wife, Lorene Bolding Traber, who died in 2003 from Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Bruce valued his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren as well as his brothers and sisters. His family includes one daughter, Linda Lorene Traber Carbaugh and husband Chris of Liberty; three grandchildren: Natalie McCarley Carbaugh McSharry and husband Chris of Liberty; three grandchildren: Natalie McCarley Carbaugh McSharry and husband Patrick of Pendleton; Cory Traber Carbaugh and wife Zhenia Manjosova of Crestline, Calif.; and Ethan Bolding Carbaugh and wife Kallan Smith of Savannah, Ga. He was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren; the McSharrys’ – Mary, Emma, Abigail, Owen, Lily, and Lucy: and the Carbaughs; Anabel, Nicolai, and Cash. Also surviving are two brothers and two sisters: Robert Traber and wife Ruth of Liberty; Marvin Traber of Mauldin; Clara Holliday of Atlanta, Ga.; and Dorothy Watts and husband Fred of Pendleton. His Calumet Baptist Church family was very important to him as were his neighbors and friends of many years.

Mr. Traber desired to have a family remembrance to be held when all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren could attend. It will be held at a later date. He was grateful to the caring staff of Hospice of the Upstate where memorials can be made: Hospice of the Upstate; 1835 Rogers Road; Anderson, S.C. 29621

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Traber family.

Lucille P. Simmons

Pickens — Lucille Parsons Simmons died Friday, Aug. 2, 2013 at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Lucille was born in Pickens, May 2, 1928 to the late Sherman and Minnie Parsons. Lucille loved to see things grow and was the best cook ever. She was truly a homemaker at heart.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Garland Simmons and one son, Bobby Simmons (Lynn) all of Easley.

Graveside services were 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 4 at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens with the Rev. Rick Hayes officiating.

A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Simmons family.

Susan Thompson

Pickens — Mrs. Susan Thompson, 73, of Pickens, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 31, 2013.

She is survived by her daughters; Susan (Frank) Gilstrap, Diane Hendricks, and Carol Bell, all of Pickens; a son, Bennett Thompson Jr.; brothers, Jimmy Connelly, David Connelly, Daniel Connelly, and Curtis Connelly; a sister, Sandra Tate of Greenville; a granddaughter, Alice Duncan; two grandsons, Robert Bell and Randall Bell; six great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter.

Mrs. Thompson is predeceased by her parents; the Rev. Clarence and Zelda Connelly; her beloved husband, Bennett Thompson; a brother, Junior Connelly; a sister, Jean Gilstrap; and two grandchildren, Jennifer Welborn and Daryl Welborn.

The Funeral Service was Monday, Aug 5 at 2 p.m. at Mount Bethel United Methodist Church.  Interment followed at Hillcrest Cemetery.

The Palmetto Mortuary of South Carolina is assisting the Thompson family.

Jeanette H. Adams

Easley — Jeanette Harvey Adams, 81, wife of Berry Eugene Adams, died Sunday, August 4, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital, Greenville where she was surrounded by her family.

Born July 1, 1932 in Lyman, Mrs. Adams was a daughter of the late Vernon Robert and Merle Gwinn Harvey. She graduated from WLT High School in Lyman. Mrs. Adams was a blessing and a friend to all who knew her.  She was an active member in her community serving as a volunteer at Baptist Easley Hospital for 20 years. Mrs. Adams was a longtime member at Easley First Baptist Church, where she was active in the Women’s Missionary Union. A member of the Ladies Golf Association at Smithfields Country Club, she was an avid golfer, making two holes in one during her lifetime. She was very active and loved being outdoors and gardening. She especially enjoyed taking barefoot walks on the beach while vacationing at her summer home in Surfside Beach.

Surviving in addition to her husband of 61 years, are a daughter, Julie Adams Cleveland (Johnny) of Easley; a son, Robert Eugene Adams (Laura) of Lyman; four grandchildren, John Baker Cleveland III, Virginia Anne Cleveland, Megan Jeanette Adams, and Bailey Christine Adams; two sisters, Gayle Harvey Clement (Marshall) and Patsy Harvey Jackson; a brother, James Vernon “Jimmy” Harvey (Jean); and numerous special cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister, Doris Jean Harvey Bartlett.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel at First Baptist Church in Easley with the Rev. Dr. John Adams officiating. Entombment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends in the church narthex from 12:45 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service.

The family wishes to thank the compassionate staff of St. Francis Downtown Hospital ICU/CCU in Greenville and The Foothills Retirement Community (Rehab Wing) in Easley who lovingly cared for her during her last few months.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Future Generations, 300 East 1^st Avenue, Easley, SC 29640, or the charity of one’s choice.

The family is at the home, 108 Canterbury Drive, Easley, S.C. 29642.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.

Earl Olin Stephens

Easley — Earl Olin Stephens died peacefully early Sunday morning, Aug. 4, 2013. He retired from Ryobi Motor Products and was an avid wood worker. He was the son of the late Olin and Leola Garrett Stephens. He was married to his loving wife Hope Nix Stephens for 39 years.

Mr. Stephens is survived by his wife, Hope of Easley; a brother, Jim Ed Stephens (Bonnie) of Martinsburg, W.Va.; two sisters, Violet Gilstrap of Pickens; Ann Rackley (Clyde) of Easley, and numerous nieces and nephews as well as sisters in law and brothers in law.

He was predeceased by a sister, Katie Swafford.

Graveside services were held at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Easley Tuesday Aug. 6 at 12 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Country Santa P.O. Box 856 Pickens, SC  29671.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Stephens family.

Ruby Kathryn Sutherland

Pickens — Ruby Kathryn Sutherland, 70, of Pickens, died on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2013.

She is survived by her sons and daughters; Ricky Sutherland, David Hardison, Sharon Sutherland, Robbie (Jennifer) Sutherland, and Benji (Kristy) Sutherland; her siblings, Ruth Kelly, Diane Willard, Wayne Grubb, Linda David, and Jimmy Scarce; 32 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren.

She is predeceased by her parents, William and Virginia Grubb; two sons, William Sutherland and Michael Hardison, and a daughter, Brenda Sutherland.

The funeral service was held on Tuesday, Aug. 6 at 2 p.m. at Landmark Baptist Church Easley. Interment followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park Pickens.

The Pallbearers for the service were Jay Willard, David Hardison, PJ Sutherland, Dean Sutherland, Salvador Ortiz, Larry Kelly, and John Michael Smith. 

The family wishes to offer their sincerest thank you to the wonderful, caring staff at Providence Care.

Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.thepalmettomortuary.com.

The Palmetto Mortuary of South Carolina is assisting the Sutherland family.