Category Archives: Obituaries
Courier Obituaries 9-2-20
BILLY ‘WAYNE’ BURNS
EASLEY — Billy “Wayne” Burns, 75, of W.T. Wyatt Road, passed away on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, at his home.
Born on July 18, 1945, in Pickens County, he was a son of the late Stiles Dendy Burns and Phoebe Owens Burns.
Mr. Burns worked in the textile industry for 43 years and retired from Wal-Mart in Easley. He was a member of Corinth Baptist Church, enjoyed gardening and was an expert mechanic.
Surviving are his beloved wife of 56 years, Ann Limbaugh Burns; daughters, Laurie Ann James (Steven) and Becki Gilstrap (Mitchell); a son, Josh Burns (Brandi); grandsons, Holland Gilstrap
Former Easley councilman Dub Fortner dies at age 96
William Lewis ‘Dub’ Fortner
EASLEY — William Lewis “Dub” Fortner, 96, beloved husband of the late Margaret Elizabeth Brewer Fortner, passed away on Saturday, Aug. 22, 2020, at his home.
Dub Fortner received his education at Easley High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II for 33 months, part of which was spent overseas. He was discharged with the rank of sergeant. Upon his return home, he was employed with the Easley Police Department. Once again, Dub was called upon to serve his country during the Korean conflict for 15 months. He returned to the Easley Police Department, where he assumed the rank of sergeant in charge of the traffic division. While employed there, he attended numerous classes conducted by Georgia Tech, the FBI and the solicitor. In 1964, he received the Policeman of the Year
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Courier Obituaries 8-19-20
JULIA DUNCAN OWEN
SIX MILE — Julia Duncan Owen, 77 of Six Mile, passed away Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020.
Julia was born and raised in Pickens County to Benjamin and Ruby Duncan on Oct. 3, 1942. Through the years, she was a gifted seamstress, as well as an amazing cook. She owned her own catering business for years, assisting the community with special events.
Julia attended a private Christian high school in Central at what is now Southern Wesleyan University.
A beloved wife and mom, she leaves behind her husband of 43 years, Kenneth Owen; sons, Greg Newton and his wife Lori of Six Mile, Harvey Newton and his wife Judith of Six Mile and Jonathan Newton and his wife Cherry of Winder, Ga.; a daughter, Nancy Beth Newton and partner Susan Wilson of Greenville; three siblings, Wayne Duncan, Louvenia Revan and Jewel Key, all of Easley; 13 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her parents, Julia was predeceased by two brothers, Elford and Jerry Duncan; and
Courier Obituaries 8-12-20
JUANITA SCRUGGS
PICKENS — Juanita 
Cisson Scruggs, 85, wife of the late Edward Scruggs Sr., went home to be with her Lord on Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, at her home.
Born on May 26, 1935, in Easley, she was the daughter of the late Joe Ernest Cisson and Laura Jane Childress Cisson. Juanita was retired from the School District of Pickens County, serving meals to the children of the Upstate. She was a member of Gilead Independent Baptist Church and enjoyed cooking family meals, bird watching and shopping at Hamrick’s.
Surviving are her three children, Jimmy Scruggs (Marie), Joan Turner (Tony) and Kathy Sipe (Sonny); one sister, Grace Owens; three grandchildren, Kristi (Johnny), Lori and
Courier Obituaries 8-5-20
EVELYN KIRK REID
EASLEY — Mrs. Evelyn Kirk Reid, 90, wife of the late Elmer Eddie Reid, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2020.
Born in Greenville County, a daughter of the late Frank Edgar Kirk and the late Pearl Estell Bridges Kirk, Mrs. Reid was a 1947 graduate of Parker High School, retired from Forest Acres Elementary School with 30 years of service and later retired from the Easley Progress. She was a 40-plus-year member of Rock Springs Baptist Church, where she belonged to the Willing Workers Sunday School Class.
Evelyn was a faithful wife, loving mother and grandmother. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Surviving are a son, Don Eddie Reid of Easley; three grandsons, Andrew Reid, Wesley Reid and
Courier Obituaries 7-29-20
BETTY JEAN LESTER
SIX MILE — Mrs. Betty Jean Lester, 81, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, July 19, 2020.
Mrs. Lester was born in English, W. Va., and was the daughter of the late Shirley Robinson and Hattie Keen Robinson. She was the loving wife of 49 years to Harold Lester.
Mrs. Lester was proud of her faith. She enjoyed her church and the people who she witnessed to. She loved people. Mrs. Lester was ordained as a minister and loved to preach and sing. Her current prayer chain reaches all the way across the seas to India. She was a member of Crowe Creek Church of God and loved her family there.
Survivors include her son, Mike Lester of Simpsonville; brothers, Stanley Robinson of Canyonville, Ore., and Dannie Addair of Ashtabula, Ohio; and sisters, Janice Burgoon of Jefferson, Ohio, Sandy Long of Cleveland, Ohio, Sheila Addair of Cleveland, Ohio, and Marilyn
Former State House District 4 Rep. Teddy Trotter passes away
PICKENS — Former state representative, the Honorable Teddy Norman Trotter, died early
TROTTER
Wednesday morning, July 15, 2020.
Mr. Trotter was born in Pickens County, a son of the late Ocie and Sally Hayes Trotter. A farmer at heart, Teddy owned and operated Trotter’s Strawberry Farm, as well as Teddy’s Gas & Fuel in downtown Pickens.
He served as state representative in Pickens County from 1993-2004, where he served on the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee and later on the House Ways and Means Committee. Mr. Trotter was a member of Griffin Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lisa Durham Trotter; two daughters, Lynzie B. Trotter (Christopher Kelley) of Greenville and Lexis R. Trotter of Pickens; a son, Tyler Ocie Trotter (Heather) of Pickens; a granddaughter, Kenlie Rae Trotter; and a grandson, Ezra Hampton Trotter. Also surviving is a sister, Mickie Morse of Greenville.
In addition to his parents, Teddy was preceded in death by his brother, Tommy Trotter.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the Trotter family by visiting dillardfunerals.com.
Those desiring may make memorials to cadasilfoundation.org.
A private service will be held at a later date.
Courier Obituaries 7-22-20
DON LEMOIN WINCHESTER
EASLEY — Donald “Don” Lemoin Winchester, 86, widower of Ann Dalton Winchester, passed away 
on Saturday, July 18, 2020.
Born in Six Mile, he was the son of the late Willoughby “Good” and June Abercrombie Winchester.
Mr. Winchester served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement, Don spent more than 35 years as a dedicated employee of Ace Hardware, where he managed both the Pickens and Powdersville stores. He was an active member of Rock Springs Baptist Church.
He is survived by a daughter, Miriam Payne, and her husband, Jeff; son, Chip Winchester, and his wife, Lulu; granddaughter, Jordan Payne, and her wife, Yeoman; grandson, Jed Payne, and his wife, Kaeli; granddaughter, Kaleigh Winchester; great-grandson, Quin Payne; great-granddaughter, Elliot Payne; and sister, Bert Clark.
Mr. Winchester was proud to be called “Popeye” by his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved spending time with his family. He enjoyed keeping busy, spending time outside and tending to his yard. He excelled at cooking. Mr. Winchester received great joy from serving others and was
Courier Obituaries 7-15-20
DIANE MARIE ARMSTRONG
SIX MILE — Diane Marie Armstrong passed on Saturday, July 11, 2020, in her 59th year.
Mrs. Armstrong was the daughter of the late Samuel Merashoff and Frances Verceo Merashoff. Born
in Bentleyville, Pa., she was the loving wife to husband Myrl Ray Armstrong and mother to Becky Armstrong from Cleveland, Ohio.
In addition, she is survived by her grandchild, Brian Emmanuel Vega, and many loving nieces and nephews. Diane is also survived by sisters, Frances Moses of Reno, Nev., Patty Szczyt (Thomas) of Cleveland, Ohio, Janet Benak of Cleveland, Ohio, and Paula Rock (Donald) of Glasgow, W. Va.; and brother, Samuel Merashoff of Cleveland, Ohio.
Mrs. Armstrong was predeceased by a son, Rondell Ray Armstrong, and a grandchild, Luis Emmanuel Vega Jr..
Diane will always be known by her caring nature toward others. When you saw her in her workplace, she would always ask how your family was doing and what they were up to. She loved her family and had many, many
Courier Obituaries 7-8-20
WILLIAM JAMES ABLES
SENECA — William James Ables, born on July 29, 1940, to the late Olen Grandbery Ables and 
Keifer Whitfield Ables of Oconee County, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, June 26, 2020.
Mr. Ables was retired from Duke Energy after 29 years.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Ables; a daughter, Sheri Ables; two sons, Jamie Ables and Wesley Ables (Zephlin Griffin); a sister, Dot Macijewski; a brother, Lane Ables; and a grandson, Grayson Levi.
A graveside service was held at Oconee Memorial Park on June 30.
The family is at the home of Sheri Ables.
Keowee Funeral Services is assisting the family.
JAMES COLIE STANCIL
PICKENS — Colie Stancil, 86, loving father, and loving husband of Ella Mae Hunter Stancil, passed
