True public servant Oliver Nealy passes away at age 85

OLIVER A. NEALY

PICKENS — Oliver A. Nealy, 85, husband of Dianne Essig Nealy, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2021.

Oliver was born in Pickens, a son of the late J.A. “Bunk” and Nathalee Sammons Nealy. He was a 1954 graduate of Pickens High School, where he played on the 1952 state championship football team. After graduation from Toccoa Falls College and his marriage to Dianne, he stayed in Toccoa and took over facilities management of the college and even served as fire chief of the college.

In 1969, the Nealys returned to Pickens and he joined the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office when Sheriff David Stone was

Carolyn Virginia Youngblood Cooper

GREENWOOD — Carolyn Virginia Youngblood Cooper, 88, formerly of Garner Heights Road, widow of Rev. E.A. Cooper, died Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2020, at Bellevue Skilled Nursing Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.

Born in Westminster, she was a daughter of the late Joseph “Buster” and Lila Walt Youngblood. Mrs. Cooper served along the side her husband as he pastored Glassy Mt. Baptist Church in Pickens and East Side Baptist Church in Greenwood for many years. Rev. Cooper founded East Side Christian School, where Mrs. Cooper taught preschool children. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Greenwood.

She is survived by her son, Skeets R. Cooper (Judy) of Pickens; her daughter, Jacqueline Cooper Young (Ken) of

AILEEN L. GILBERT

EASLEY — Aileen L. Gilbert, 86, wife of the late Weldon Gilbert Jr., passed away on Monday, Dec. 21, 2020, at West End Retirement Center.

Mrs. Gilbert is survived by her children, Ricky Gilbert, Dwayne Gilbert, Karon Hickey (Johnny) and Sharon Whitworth (Victor); grandchildren, Michelle Gilstrap (Steve), Logan Hickey, Gil Whitworth (Colby) and Luke Whitworth (Kelsey); great-grandchildren, Bo and Colt Gilstrap and Judah Whitworth; and honorary family, which includes her wonderful caregivers at West End Retirement Center in Easley.

Aileen was a devoted wife and mother who loved her family and above all loved the Lord.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may

ELLA MAE POPHAM HOLLIDAY

PICKENS — Mrs. Ella Mae Popham Holliday, 90, of Pickens, passed away on Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, in Easley.

Mrs. Holliday was born in Pickens County on May 8, 1930, to the late Lewis and Florence Searcy Mauldin. She was twice married, first to the late Lloyd Popham and then to the late Bill Holliday. She spent her life as a seamstress and was a member of Bethany Church of God. Mrs. Holliday was a woman who was loved by all — the epitome of unconditional love. Her faith and family were most important to her, and she was truly the example of a Godly woman and

ANNIE CHRISTINE COX

PICKENS — Annie Christine Cox, 92, wife of the late Alfred L Cox, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, at Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Mrs. Cox was born Dec. 14, 1927, in Oconee County, a daughter of the late Jules Henderson and Ethel Carpenter Henderson.

Annie was a member of Red Hill Baptist Church in Pickens. She was a loyal employee of Sangamo

GLORIA JEAN SMITH

EASLEY — Mrs. Gloria Jean Smith, 87, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020.

Gloria was born in Canyon, Texas, and was the daughter of the late Roy Samuel Franklin and Merle Tucker Franklin and loving wife to Dr. Lowell W. Smith, DDS.

Survivors include her husband of nearly 70 years, Dr. Lowell W. Smith, DDS, Captain (Ret.), United States Public Health Service.; two sons, Randy Smith (Melanie) of Germantown, Md., and Rick Smith of Smithsburg, Md.; three daughters, Patti Floyd (Peter) of Maryland, Cheryl Watson (Neil) of Central and Carol Wright (Rick) of Simpsonville; two brothers, Kerry Franklin of Euless, Texas, and Roy Franklin of Tucson, Ariz.; and two sisters, Carolyn Baker of Fort Collins, Colo., and Sharon Levin of Tucson, Arizona. Gloria leaves behind 13 grandchildren, Daniel Floyd (Sarah), Mark Floyd, Stephen Floyd (Olivia), Jessica Spangenthal (Joel), Hannah Herwig (Max), Jennifer Delianides (Andrew), Ryan Watson (Meghan), Alyssa Rock (Alex), Drew Watson, Marie Baez (Robert), Aubrey Smith (John Hungerford), Chris Olguin and Carson Wright; and 11 precious and loving

FURMAN SHEDD

CENTRAL — Furman Shedd, 82, the son of the late Ollie Lee Shedd and late Lawrence Shedd, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, peacefully at home surrounded by family.

He is now in heaven with his son, Jeffrey Furman Shedd.

Furman was a remarkable person. He retired from Clemson University after working there for 22

MELINDA R. MANLEY

CENTRAL — Melinda Roper Manley, 51, wife of William Richard Manley, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, at St. Francis Hospital in Greenville.

Mendi was born in Easley, a daughter of Bennie and Pat Campbell Roper of Pickens. She was a graduate of Easley High School and was a former respiratory specialist with AnMed Health. She was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church.

Surviving, in addition to her husband and parents, are a son, Jonathan Roper Manley of the home;

ROBERT ALEC SWAYNGHAM

PICKENS — Robert Alec Swayngham, 54, departed this earthly life for his heavenly home on Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

He attended The Crossing Church in Chugiak, Alaska.

Alec was born Dec. 31, 1965 to Joel and Wanda Swayngham. Alec is the beloved husband of his devoted wife, Barbara Bebout Swayngham, who cared for him tirelessly throughout his illness. He adored Barbara, his sweetie, and doted on his dogs, EP and Smitty. Alec’s gentle nature and corny sense of humor will be missed by all who knew him. He was a uniquely kind and longsuffering person, who was loved by all.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by his stepson, Brent Riddle of Pickens; two stepdaughters, Tracy Lovelace of Hillsboro, Ore., and Mandy Riddle of Suwanee, Ga.; a granddaughter, Ashlyn Lovelace; his brother, Travis

STANLEY ROY GREEN

PICKENS — Mr. Stanley Roy Green, 90, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020.

Mr. Green was born in Woodstock, Conn., and was the son of the late Ralph Dexter Green and Ina Elizabeth Buell Green. He was the loving husband of the late Margaret Doreen Jones Green for 39 years, and then loving husband of the late Lois Demming Green for 21 years.

Mr. Green was retired from the United States Air Force and also from Connecticut’s Department of Motor Vehicles. He was a member of Volusia Baptist Church in Deltona, Fla., and the chaplain at the American Legion in Deltona, Fla. Mr. Green was a jokester and loved to tell stories. He was a prolific painter, with hundreds of acrylics on wood to his credit. He came from a large family who loved each other, and he loved them. He was a man who was known for his love of laughter.

Survivors include his children, Susan Green of Pickens, Stephen Green (Nancy) of Las Vegas, Nev., Jeanne Otey (Sidney W.) of Pickens, Margie Green of Cope, Michael Green (Regina) of Neeses and James Green of Deltona, Fla.; 16 loving grandchildren and 16 additional loving and precious great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters, Olive Bineau of Columbus, Ohio, and Mabel Green of Pomfret, Conn.; and