Category Archives: Obituaries
Courier Obituaries 1-1-25
ROGER RAY HAYES
PICKENS — Roger Ray Hayes, 78, of Pickens, passed away at home on Saturday, December 21, 2024.
Roger was born in Middlesboro, Ky., to the late Virgil Thomas and Gloria Ann Hayes. He was a member of Secona Baptist Church. Roger retired from Spinx as a District Supervisor and later worked at the North Bend Campground in Virginia. He had a strong work ethic which he instilled in his family. He enjoyed camping but more than anything loved spending time with his family.
Roger is survived by his beloved wife of 50 years Annette Hayes; daughters, Angela Wood (Jeff), Thelma Vandergriff,
Courier Obituaries 12-18-24
EARL W. PATTERSON
EASLEY — Mr. Earl W. Patterson, 76, of Easley, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, surrounded by his family.
Mr. Patterson was born in Brevard, N.C., on July 7, 1948, to the late Bert and Bertha Powell Patterson. He was a member of Pendleton Street Baptist Church. Mr. Patterson enjoyed working on cars, going on fishing and hunting trips, watching NASCAR, collecting coins, reading and watching old westerns, and you could always find him snacking on some candy. He was truly a man with many talents. Mr. Patterson will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Lorena Powell Patterson; four children, Sherry Patterson, Shelia Anderson Newton (Dan), Jackie B. Smith and Shane Patterson (Jenna); nine grandchildren, Desiree Hickey, Dana Sayers, Ashley Cassell, Lindsey Anderson Adams, Brandon Smith (Ashley), Fischer Smith, Makayla Patterson, Mckenzie Patterson and Alexia Cleveland; 12 great-grandchildren, Teya Hickey, Dakota Sayers, Lailah Sayers, Kailey Sayers, Dawson Cassell, Kaydance Cassell, Jonah Cassell, Raven Adams, Oliver Adams, Carter Smith, Cassidy Smith and Roman Patterson; two sisters, Helen Banks and Linda Black; and one brother, Jimmy Patterson.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Patterson was preceded in death by two sisters, Mildred Cisson and Mollie Patterson; and one brother, Bert Patterson Jr.
A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Dec. 18 at Bible Baptist Church in Pickens. The family will receive friends prior to the service at church from 12:45-1:45 p.m.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
BRENDA WILBANKS STEPHENS
SIX MILE — Brenda Wilbanks Stephens, 70, loving wife to the late Glen Allen Stephens Sr., passed away on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at Oconee Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her loving family.
Born March 25, 1954, in Brunswick County, N.C., Brenda was the daughter of the late Jim Wilbanks and Lula Benton
Courier Obituaries 12-11-24
TERRI FOWLER
LIBERTY — With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Terryl Leigh Fowler, cherished wife, mother, daughter, friend and nature lover, who left us on Dec. 3, 2024, at the age of 55.
Born on Dec. 19, 1968, in Easley, she carried the spirit of joy throughout her life, finding joy even amidst the challenges she
Courier Obituaries 12-4-24
HELEN ELIZABETH SINGLETON
SIX MILE — Helen Elizabeth Singleton of Six Mile, wife to Richard (Dick) Harlan Singleton, passed away at age 89 on November 30, 2024.
Helen received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Furman University in 1957. She shared her love of music with many others through a long career in music education. This included teaching in Pickens area elementary schools, private piano lessons in her home, and many years at Six Mile Elementary while simultaneously serving as organist and pianist at First Baptist Church of Pickens, First Baptist Church of Clemson, and Mount Zion United Methodist Church. While
Courier Obituaries 11-27-24
RUTH STEWART
LIBERTY — Ruth Mae Stewart, 94, formerly of Liberty, passed away Nov. 24, 2024, at the Rainey Hospice House.
Born on Oct. 2, 1930, in Easley, she was the widow of William Dyre “Junior” Stewart Jr. and a daughter to the late Guffie and Lillian Davis McCall.
Ruth was a devoted homemaker who found joy in decorating her home for every season and preserving her garden harvests. She was always very generous to provide their garden harvest with everyone.
Ruth’s caring spirit extended beyond her household, as she dedicated her time to serving others and embodying a servant’s heart alongside her late husband. Her selflessness shone through in her role as a caregiver and her involvement in teaching Sunday school, where she shared her love for the Lord and touched the lives of many.
A hard worker in all aspects of her life, Ruth also found joy in the simple pleasures, such as watching wrestling matches and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was an avid Clemson football fan, but enjoyed going to anything her children and grandchildren were involved with. Ruth’s dedication to her family and community will be remembered fondly by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.
Ruth is survived by her loving son, Tony Stewart (Janet); three grandchildren, Bryan Bagwell, Hilary S. Joseph (Elijah) and Natalie S. Barrow (Chad); and four great-grandchildren, Ryan and Reagan Joseph and Lilly and Cason Barrow.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Vikki Bagwell; a sister, Gladys Thomas; and three brothers, Jake, Charles and Kenneth McCall.
A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Memorial Park at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27.
Liberty Mortuary is handling arrange
MICHAEL BRUCE DOVER
LIBERTY — It is with heavy hearts that we announce the untimely passing of Michael Bruce Dover on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at his residence.
Born on Dec. 8, 1956, in Easley, to the late Horace E. and Iris McKinney Dover, he was the last surviving member of his immediate family. Mike was a proud U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam era in Germany as a mechanic. He
Courier Obituaries 11-20-24
GRACE NIX MEECE
LIBERTY — Grace Nix Meece, 81, loving wife to George Meece, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, at her home.
Born Aug. 13, 1943, in Pickens County, Grace was the daughter of the late Charlie T. Powell and Edith Brown Powell. Mrs. Meece enjoyed traveling and especially liked going to the beach. She enjoyed fishing and crocheting. She loved her friends and family dearly.
Survivors include her husband, George Meece of Liberty; daughter, Gail Browning (Roger) of Liberty; loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Nancy Senter, Patricia Morgan (Jeff) and Lillian
Courier Obituaries 11-13-24
BILLY JOE MEECE
PICKENS — Billy Joe Meece, 82, loving husband of 60 years to the late Eva Mull Meece, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.
Born May 24, 1942, in Rosman, N.C., Billy was the son of the late Rev. Jesse Meece and Reba Raines Meece. Mr. Meece was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church in Pickens. He worked in textiles for 40 years. After retiring from Kent Manufacturing, he worked part-time at Dillard’s Funeral Home for 10 years. Billy never met a stranger and enjoyed talking to everyone he met. He had a great talent for
Courier Obituaries 11-6-24
KYLE THORNALL
EASLEY — Kyle Thornall, 37, of Easley, passed away Oct. 25, 2024. He was born in Summerville on Nov. 28, 1986.
Those who had the pleasure of knowing Kyle can attest that his sense of humor was so contagious. It should have come with a warning label. His jokes and smile could make you laugh endlessly, paired with a man who would give you the shirt off his back.
Kyle, a successful business owner in the Easley and Greenville area, could sell anything and was always ready for the next big thing. A good friend of Kyle’s said it best, “Kyle lived in the moment and was one
JANE KING
HONEA PATH — Mrs. Jane Baker King, 90, passed away Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, at her home in Honea Path.
Born in Easley, Mrs. King was the daughter of the late Clarence and Annie Edens Baker. She retired as administrative assistant from Tri-State Fire Protection in 2009. Mrs. King was a member of Columbia Baptist Church, Princeton.
Mrs. King is survived by two daughters, Alta Kayse of Honea Path and Kim Davis (Larry) of Alto, Texas; four grandchildren, Sean Kayse (Cara), Seth Davis (Kasandra), Adam Davis and Reid Prichard
Courier Obituaries 10-23-24
Jack Dupree Tinsley
Liberty — Mr. Jack Dupree Tinsley, 98, husband of the late Carla Jean Crane Tinsley, went to be with his Lord and Savior Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024.
Born in Easley on Aug. 15, 1926, he was a son of the late David Austin Tinsley Sr. and the late Aileen Ellison Tinsley. He was a 1944 graduate of Easley High School. He worked for Cassells 5 and Dime store and later worked as president of Tinsley Crane Chevrolet for 54 years. Mr. Tinsley was a lifetime member of Easley First Baptist Church and also a member of the Lions Club. He loved farming and even piloted his own plane. He also proudly served with the U.S. Merchant Marine. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather.
Surviving are his two daughters, Jeannie Tinsley Gilstrap of Easley and Pree Hamilton (Moseley) of Liberty; four grandchildren, Jacqueline Elyse Ott, Daena Ott Hough (Russell), Heather Ott Garry (Mike) and Phillip C. Ott (Susan); six great-grandchildren, Meagan Tinsley Wells (Jesse), Finn and Poppy Garry and Victoria, Matthew and Hannah O’Donnell; three great-great-grandchildren, Jeremy, Violet and Callie; and his caretaker and special friend, Barbara Robinson.
In addition to his parents and his loving wife of 77 years, Mr. Tinsley was predeceased by his brothers, David Austin “Booter” Tinsley Jr., Charles Tinsley, Tommy Tinsley, Ellison Tinsley and Dick Tinsley.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 3:30 p.m. in the Hillcrest Memorial Park Mausoleum 1 in Pickens.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30-3 p.m. at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, Easley.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pickens County Humane Society, P.O. Box 83, Liberty, SC 29657, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to the Shriners Children’s Hospital, 950 W Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.
Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home and Crematory-Downtown, Easley.
RONALD VERNON LINGEFELT JR.
EASLEY — Ronald Vernon Lingefelt Jr., 70, went home to be with his Savior and Lord Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024.
Ronnie, as he was known to his friends and family, was born on July 6, 1954 in Anderson, to Ronald Vernon and Nellie Sue Lingefelt.
Ronnie was a loving and devoted son, brother, father and “Poppy” (his favorite title).
He thoroughly enjoyed fishing and being on the lake, but the times he cherished most were the