LESTER JOHN PORTER

EASLEY — Mr. Lester John Porter, 99, went to meet his adored savior, Jesus Christ, on Oct. 24, 2021, in his home while surrounded by his loving family.

Born on Aug. 5, 1922, Lester was a devoted member of Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley for 91 years. He has faithfully served Jesus throughout his long, beautiful life. He was an avid farmer and handy man until his mid-90s. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1943, where he served as a WWII combat medic of the 30th infantry division. He was a bronze star with valor recipient. Following his service, he worked at Duke Power as a welder and taught welding at

DORIS EMMALINDA TOMPKINS MAULDIN

SIX MILE — Mrs. Doris Emmalinda Tompkins Mauldin, 86, passed away on Friday, Oct. 15, 2021.

Doris was born Aug. 25, 1935, in Pickens County. She was the daughter of the late Avery J. Tompkins and Freddie Mae Seaborn Tompkins and loving wife to the late James Robert Mauldin.

Mrs. Mauldin was of the Baptist faith and a member at Praters Creek Baptist Church. She loved her antiquing and was an avid collector of glassware and furniture. She loved her gardening and landscaping. She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids and cheering for the Clemson Tigers. More importantly, she loved reading scripture and her Lord.

Surviving include a son, Robert Mauldin (Nancy) of Liberty, and a daughter, Angela Winchester (Danny) of Six Mile. Surviving are six loving grandchildren, Kristen Gilstrap, Kayla Hines, Kyle, Alexis and Blake Winchester and Carson Mauldin. Also surviving are five most loving and precious great-grandchildren, Everly, Ember, Lauren, Caroline and Bergen. She leaves behind nieces and nephews who loved her dearly, Lori and Barry Bishop and Tina and Tony Stewart.

Mrs. Mauldin was predeceased by a son, Randy Mauldin; grandson, Clint Winchester; a brother, Wallace

CHARLOTTE TURNER BUTTS

CLEMSON — Charlotte Turner Butts, widow of Leverett Belton Butts Jr., passed away peacefully at home in Clemson on Oct. 2, 2021.

She was born Jan. 13, 1922, in Newnan, Ga., to Henry and Savannah White Turner. She graduated from Newnan High School and, subsequently, from West Georgia College and the University of Georgia. She began her career as a teacher, but soon moved to Atlanta, where she found work as an executive secretary. When America entered World War II, she resigned from her secretarial position to work for the War

CRYSTAL SUE AUSTIN

PICKENS — Crystal Sue Austin, 44, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sept. 28, 2021.

Miss. Austin was born in Nuernberg, Bavaria, Germany, and was the daughter of the late James B. Austin Sr. and Sue L. Austin of Six Mile.

Survivors in addition to her mother are brothers Erick Austin (Daniela) of Navarre, Fla., and James B. Austin Jr. of Six Mile. Also surviving are a number of loving nieces and nephews.

Miss Austin worked a majority of her career at Walgreens and was her mother’s caregiver. She furthered her education in early childhood development. She loved her many nieces and nephews and spent most of her time with family. Most of all, she loved her furry friend Ammo. She enjoyed doing puzzles, going to church, going to the lake and crafting jewelry. She loved adventure and travel. Crystal will be truly missed by her family.

The funeral service was held on Oct. 5 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel. The burial followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Austin family.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

EMORY V. JONES

DACUSVILLE — Emory Valentine Jones, 80, husband of Joy Connelly Jones, went to be with his Lord and Savior

GLENN D. TURNER

CENTRAL — Glenn D. Turner, 88, husband of Eleise Owen Turner, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021.

He was born Oct. 22, 1932, in Ochlocknee, Ga.

Glenn served in the United States Air Force from 1953-55 and later, after serving in management in the hardware business, completed his undergraduate degree from Central Wesleyan College in 1969. He began teaching with the School District of Pickens County in 1970. He was awarded his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision in 1971 from Clemson University. He then received an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Administration from

WILLIAM HAROLD MCJUNKIN

PICKENS — Mr. William Harold McJunkin, 93, passed peacefully on Sept. 17, 2021, at his home.

He was born in Pickens County, and was the son of the late Henry Eugene (Gene) McJunkin and Ethel Williams McJunkin. Harold was the loving and devoted husband of the late Mary Lee Ellison McJunkin.

Surviving are one brother, Donald McJunkin, and one sister, Nannie Bet Boggs (Tommy) of Pickens, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Mr. McJunkin was predeceased by sisters Azilee Evette, Blanche Tucker and Ellen Boggs; and a brother, B.F. McJunkin.

Mr. McJunkin served in the United States Air Force and worked throughout his life as a carpenter and vegetable and cattle farmer. He was a lifelong resident of Pickens County and member at Pickens First Baptist Church. He was a member of the Pickens County Cattleman’s Association, American Simmental Association and a past commissioner of the Pickens County Soil and Water Conservation District for 10 years.

A funeral service was held on Sept. 21 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel. Burial followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park. Rev. Lee Boggs officiated.

In honor of Mary and Harold’s love of children, memorials may be made to Pickens First Baptist Church Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, 406 E. Main St., Pickens, SC 29671.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the McJunkin family. The families will be at their respective homes.

Online condolences may be sent to dillardfunerals.com.

REX EDWARD CAUTHEN

EASLEY — Mr. Rex Edward Cauthen, 70, went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Sept. 15, 2021.

He was born in Central and grew up in Travelers Rest. He was the son of the late Prince Edward Cauthen and Claudine Etheridge Cauthen. Rex was husband of the late Elaine Allgood Cauthen.

Surviving are a daughter, Mandy (Scott) Roberts of Taylors, a grandson, Brandon Roberts, and a granddaughter, Lexie Roberts. Also surviving are a brother, Hart (Connie) Cauthen of Marietta; a sister, Nancy (Danny) Hawkins of Easley; and a stepsister, Hope (Steve) Lotheridge of Piedmont.

Mr. Cauthen was predeceased by a brother, Mike Cauthen.

Mr. Cauthen was the retired owner/operator of Carolina Storage Buildings in Easley. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and spending time with his grandson. He served his country in the United States Army. Rex was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church, where he volunteered as a shuttle bus driver until his health declined. He was always reaching out to others to help in any way that he could.

A funeral service was held on Sept. 20 at the Dillard Funeral Home chapel, with a visitation

RUTH MERRITT JEFFEAUX

DACUSVILLE — Ruth Merritt Jeffeaux, 80, wife of the late Billy Jeffeaux, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021.

Born in Powdersville, she was the daughter of the late John Clinton and Sarah Lou “Sallie” Trotter Merritt.

Ruth was a member of Woodside Baptist Church. She loved the Lord, her family and her church. Her life was a reflection of her love and dedication to Him, and she honored Him in her actions of always doing and helping others however she could. She was the true meaning of a Godly woman.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth “Beth” Davis (Robert) of Williamston; son, Jimmy Jeffeaux (Theresa) of Greenville; sisters, Lou Ellen Pruitt (Joe) of Easley and Annette Freeman of Greenville; and grandsons, Clint Davis and Al and Matt Jeffeaux.

In addition to her parents and loving husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Ivory Orr, Sarah Lowery Lewellyn and Joyce Merritt Williams; and a brother, Robert “Bobby” Merritt.

A visitation was held Monday, Aug. 30, at Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes Northwest, with the funeral service following in the Northwest Chapel. Burial was at Graceland Cemetery West.

The family appreciated those who attended for following the CDC guidelines on social distancing and wearing a mask.

The family would like to thank Amedisys Hospice especially Bridget and Cindy for their love and care of Ruth.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Woodside Baptist Church, 301 Woodside Ave., Greenville, SC 29611, or to Amedisys Hospice, 250 Commonwealth Drive, Suite 105, Greenville, SC 29615.

FRANK TOWERS RICE SR.

EASLEY — Frank Towers Rice Sr., passed away peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.

He was born on July 2, 1931, to Gladys Hollingsworth Smith Rice and Ibzan Rex Rice.

Towers was a lifelong resident of Greenville, with a few short stints in other places. He attended Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., and Georgia Tech. He was on the wrestling team and a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He developed lifelong friendships there, and they continued to gather as often as they could through the years.

While at Georgia Tech, Towers attended Marine Officer Basic School. He spent summers at Parris Island, Quantico, Va., and Fort Sill, Okla. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in June 1952. When he graduated in 1953, Towers began active duty, serving in the Mediterranean and at Camp Lejeune. In 1965, he took command of the 57th Rifle Co., serving reserve duty. With 130 men under his command, he continued through the Vietnam era. He was a holder of the National Defense, Organized Reserve and European Occupation Ribbons. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. One of his favorite sayings was “Not as mean, not as lean, but always a Marine! Semper Fi.”

Towers met the love of his life, Betty Claire Fontaine, on a blind date set up by her great-aunt and his mother. After a long-distance courtship while she was at Mary Baldwin, they married on June 25, 1955, in Houston, Texas. They spent the next 63 years together. They lived in Surf City, N.C., Carlisle, S.C., and Pensacola, Fla., before returning to Greenville. For Towers, his family was most important. He attended every sporting event and school/church activity that he could, and he was always willing to help and mentor. In his later years, family dinner on Sunday nights was what he looked forward to all week. He loved his lima beans, Duke’s mayonnaise and a cold Guinness. He always had a good story or a joke, and his smile was contagious. After Claire’s funeral, he was sitting, watching his children and grandchildren as they talked, laughed and played Monopoly together. When asked what he was thinking, he quickly said, “Just how lucky I am.”

MARGARET ANN MCCALL

PICKENS — Margaret Ann McCall Coffman of Pickens transcended this life on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021, peacefully in her sleep.

The wife of Ralph Lee Coffman, Margaret was born Jan. 7, 1940, in Cashiers, N.C., to Shearron “Fess” McCall and his wife, Monica (Rochester). The youngest of 11, she was orphaned at the tender age of two and adopted by her sister, Winnie Lee Nix, and husband, Grover Nix, living in Pickens.

After graduating Pickens High School at the top of her class, Margaret married the late F. Don Durham and raised four children in Germany, Pickens and Melbourne, Fla. (Don, Lee Anne, “Mali” Susan Amalia, and Chris). Later, to pursue her passion for learning and life, she graduated with highest honors from Clemson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting. Margaret was a

DAVID J. MOODY

LIBERTY — Mr. David J. Moody, 86, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Aug. 25, 2021.

David was born in Harriman, Tenn., and was the son of the late Herschel S. Moody and Evelyn P. Moody. He was a loving and dedicated husband to Jeanette Riggs Moody for 64 years.

Survivors include his wife, Jeanette Riggs Moody of Liberty; sons, David J. Moody II of Spartanburg and Scott E. Moody of Easley; a daughter, Kimberly M. Alexander of Liberty; six grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Mr. Moody was the oldest of five boys and had twin sisters. He went directly from high school to enlist into the U.S. Navy. He served in the Korean War. After his military

BARBARA JEAN HOLCOMBE

SUNSET — Barbara Jean Holcombe, “Gram,” 67, went home to be with her Savior on Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

She was born Sept. 11, 1953, to Russell and Sylvia Riggins of Midway.

She is survived by her husband, David Furman Holcombe, to whom she was married on Dec. 21, 1972.

Also surviving are her father and mother; sister, Reda (Donnie) Collins of Pickens; sister, Jan Kueber of Easley; niece, Jessica (Jeremy) Gilstrap of Easley; her “grands” James Gilstrap, Russ (Sarah Catherine) Kueber, Abbie Kueber; Jonston Gilstrap and Shelby Kueber; the newest “grand,” Russell Baylor Kueber; and many beloved cousins.

Barbara was a longtime resident of Eastatoe Valley, where she and David kept a beautiful, loving home for her youngest sister and all of her “grands” to visit and stay for days.

She graduated from North Greenville and Limestone colleges. She worked at BASF in Central for many years prior to going to Duke Power’s Oconee Nuclear Station, where she retired in 1988.

Barbara was a strong, independent woman. She loved to cook, garden, sew and fix any and every thing. The only