The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service. Click below to read obituaries at no cost!

The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service. Click below to read obituaries at no cost!

The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service.

The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service.

The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service.

Lynda B. O’Donald

EASLEY — Mrs. Lynda Baker O’Donald, 72, ex-wife of the late Lenual “Pete” Jerry O’Donald, passed away Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, at her home.

Born in Pickens County, the daughter of the late Warren McFall and Faye Anthony Baker, Mrs. O’Donald was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. Lynda was a loving grandmother and had a passionate love for her beloved dog and companion, Rocky.

The Pickens County Courier runs In-County Obituaries free of charge. Please ask your funeral home about this service.

Debra W. Archer

Central — Debra Ann Walker Archer, 59, formerly of Jamaica Plains, Mass., died Monday, Sept. 5, 2016, at her home following a lengthy illness surrounded by family.

Born in Boston, Mass., she was the daughter of the late Stanley Walker and Juanita Wiggins Cleaves. She was a deli clerk with Publix in Clemson.

Margaret F. Keenan

Easley — Margaret Fossett “Fluffy” Keenan, 66, of Briarwood Road, passed away Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016.

Born in Pelzer, she was the daughter of the late James and Ruby Galloway Fossett.

Margaret was retired from Organics and More in Greenville. She was a member of the Eastern Star Chapter No. 200, WOTM, The Red Hat Society and The Pickens County Shrine Club Ladies Auxiliary. She loved her family, friends, fishing, camping and crocheting.

Surviving are her husband of 51 years, Wayne Keenan; two sons, Paul Keenan (Pam) and Terry Keenan (Kristal) all of Easley; four grandchildren, Robert Keenan (Erin), Ashley Keenan, Chris Keenan (Heather) and Tiffany Keenan; four great grandchildren, Larson, Dalton, Rylie and Alaina; and two sisters, Barbara Springfield of Greenville and Phyllis Davis of Piedmont.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a daughter, Candi Keenan; and sister, Connie Fossett.

A service to celebrate Margaret’s life will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with burial to follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The American Cancer Society, 154 Milestone Way, Greenville, SC 29615.

The family will be at the home.

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

Carl W. Hughes

Liberty — Mr. Carl Winfred Hughes, 88, husband of the late Una Willis Hughes, passed away Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at Richard M. Campbell Veterans Nursing Home.

Born in Pickens County, a son of the late Sam and Emma Dodson Hughes, Mr. Hughes retired from Ryobi and was a member of Bethany Church of God. He was a U.S. Army Veteran.

Surviving are a daughter, Kathy Hawkins of Liberty; a granddaughter, Kim Rhodes of Liberty; a brother, Rev. Colie Hughes of Pickens; and two great-grandchildren, Grant and Addison Rhodes. In addition to his wife and parents, Mr. Hughes was predeceased by four brothers, Elzie, Elmer, Ellis and Ray; five sisters, Zessie, Margaret, Mary, Martha and Earla; and his son-in-law, David Hawkins.

Funeral services were on Monday, Sept. 5, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with the Rev. Colie Hughes officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

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

Michael J. Saavedra,

SSG SCARNG

Central — SSG Michael J. Saavedra, 36, of Central, husband of Alison (Laarkamp-Tobel) Saavedra, died Saturday, September 3, 2016 in Cookeville, TN.

Born in Albuquerque, N.M., he is the son of Michael H. and Donna J. Saavedra of Central. He was assigned to the 263rd AAMDC of the S.C. Army National Guard in Anderson. He served two deployments to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne in 2003 and the 3rd Infantry Division in 2005. He was a marksman with a love for motorcycles and cooking.

Surviving in addition to his wife and parents are his daughter, Isabella Saavedra of Seneca; the mother of his daughter, Kristi Jaeger of Seneca; grandmother, Delores Miles of Maryland; parents-in-law, Terry Tobel and Mary Ann Laarkamp of Tennessee; brother-in-law, Casey Laarkamp-Tobel of Tennessee; stepsister, Emily (Michael) Zagar of Central; and four nieces and nephews; along with many other family members and friends.

He was predeceased by his mother, Linda Miles Saavedra; grandfather, Ed Miles; and grandparents, Molly and Henry Saavedra.

Graveside services with full military honors will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 10, at M.J. “Dolly” Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Upstate Warrior Solutions or Wounded Warrior Project.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at the funeral home.

Deryl Stokes

Easley — Wayne Deryl Stokes, 72, husband of the late Pat Brewer Stokes, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, Sept. 5, 2016.

Deryl was born in Pickens County to the late Ernest and Alma Suddeth Stokes. He was retired from General Electric in Greenville and was a member of Jones Avenue Baptist Church. Deryl was a member of Bates Lodge No. 189 A.F.M.

Survivors include his son, Ernie Stokes, his granddaughter, Courtney Stokes, and his great granddaughter, Skylee Galloway, all of Easley. Also surviving are sisters, Betty O’Shields and Jean Taylor, and brothers, Joe Stokes (Elaine) and Ricky Stokes (Karen), all of Easley. He is also survived by a very special friend, Judy McAlister of Liberty.

In addition to his parents and his wife, Deryl was preceded in death by sisters, Pearl Stokes Nalley and Wanda Lee Stokes Edens, and by a brother, John (Buck) Stokes.

The family will receive friends at Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens on Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday in the funeral home chapel with Dr. Roger Couch officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

The family is at the home.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Stokes family.

Charles M. Greene

SIX MILE — Charles M. Greene, 85, of 118 Gap Hill Lane., Six Mile, and formerly of 128 Tanglewood Heights, Brevard, N.C., died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016, at his home.

He was married to the late Pansy Ferguson Greene.

Mr. Greene was born in Pickens County and was the son of the late William Theodore and Ida Mae Greene. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mitchell and Meredith Greene of Easley; daughter and son-in–law, Sandra and David McNeill of Brevard, N.C.; brother, Donald Greene of Atlanta; grandchildren, Allen, Nathan and Makayla McNeill and Scottie and Charlie Greene, and several wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pansy Ferguson Greene, and brothers, James Edward Greene and William David Greene.

Mr. Greene served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Yorktown from February 1951 until February 1955. He was employed by EI DuPont until his retirement in April 1992. Mr. Greene also owned and operated the Dairy Queen in Brevard in the 1960s and early ‘70s.

The family would like to extend a special appreciation to Greta Ferguson and Teresa Smith, who provided loving care to Mr. Greene. We would also like to thank Gentiva Hospice for their compassionate care.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. at Mountain View Baptist Church in Six Mile. The family will receive friends prior to the service, beginning at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family would ask that memorials be made to the Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 336 Mt. View Church Road, Six Mile, SC 29682, or Meals on Wheels of Pickens County, 704 S. Pendleton St., Easley, SC 29640.

Judy Smith

LIBERTY — Judy Gillespie Smith, 70, widow of Jerry Ernest Smith Sr., of 450 Roanoke Road, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at St. Francis Hospital Downtown.

Born in Easley, she was a daughter of the late Hilliard and Burnice Waldrop Gillespie. She retired from the School District of Pickens County, where she worked in the cafeteria.

Mrs. Smith loved to cook, and she enjoyed teaching her grandchildren how to follow in her footsteps in the kitchen.

Surviving are a daughter, Bridget Smith of the home; two sons, Ernie Smith of Liberty and Lance Smith (Shannon) of Easley; two sisters, Reba Gilstrap and Karen Griffin (Kenneth), all of Easley; a brother, Gary Gillespie of Easley; seven grandchildren, Tiffany Smith, Brooklyn Pilgrim, Colie, Carter, Emery and Marley Smith, and Chevana Anderson; and one great-grandson, Grady Stewart.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice Gerlach and Barbara Robinson, and two brothers, Randy and Billy Gillespie.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Smith were held Saturday, Sept. 3, at Jones Avenue Baptist Church. Burial followed at Westview Cemetery in Easley.

The family will be at the home. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Robert Earl Smith Sr.

Central — Robert Earl “Bob” Smith, 86, of Central passed away on Aug. 31, 2016, at Hospice of the Foothills in Seneca.

Born in Irwinville, Ga., he was the son of the late Elbert Smith and Willie Mae Franklin Smith. Mr. Smith was retired from Duke Power, a United States Army veteran and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was predeceased by a son, Robert Earl Smith Jr.

Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Sylvia Smith; a brother, Frank Smith (Helen) of Winder, Ga.; two daughters, Linda (David) Binnicker of Six Mile and Gail DeLorey of Leesburg, Fla.; three grandchildren, Martha (Grover) Cleveland of Goose Creek, John Binnicker of Six Mile, and Dr. Cynthia L. Smoak of Easley; and two great-grandchildren, DJ and Joey Binnicker.

Visitation was held Sept. 2, with a memorial service following at Keowee Baptist Church in Six Mile. Pastors Glenn Walker and Bobby Stewart presided.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Association, 4124 Clemson Blvd, Suite L, Anderson, SC 29621, or Hospice of the Foothills, 390 Keowee School Road, Seneca, SC 29672.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

SYLVIA BAILEY GENTRY

PICKENS — Sylvia Nell Bailey Gentry, 79, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at her home.

Born in Tuscaloosa County, Ala., on Aug. 18, 1937, she was the daughter of the late Herbert Parks and Ella Mae Russell Bailey. Mrs. Gentry attended Southern Wesleyan University and was retired from teaching at Tamassee Elementary School in Oconee. She was a member of Pickens View Wesleyan Church, where she was a former music director and Sunday school teacher.

Surviving are her husband of 58 years, the Rev. Foster Dean Gentry Sr.; two sons, Foster Dean Gentry Jr. and his wife, Deana, and Steven Herbert Gentry; one brother, Theodore V. Bailey and his wife, Ann; and three grandchildren, Ross Gentry, Gabriella Gentry and Samuel Gentry.

Funeral services were held on Sunday, Sept. 4, at Pickens View Wesleyan Church, with burial following at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Gentry family.

DAVID DWIGHT EVETTE

PICKENS — David Dwight Evette, 75, passed away on Friday, Sept. 2, 2016, at St. Francis Downtown.

Born in Pickens County on June 19, 1941, he was the son of the late Lloyd Dwight and Irene Riggins Evette. He was retired from General Electric Gas Turbines and was a member of Gilead Baptist Church of Pickens.

Surviving are his wife of 32 years, Doris A. Evette; one daughter, Ann Smith (Steve); three sons, Robert Chastain (Cheryl), Andy Chastain (Deborah), and Bill Chastain (Nancy); three sisters, Leola Pace (Grover), Genevieve Farrell, and Pauline Ellenburg; eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

The ministers officiating the service were the Rev. Jimmy Burrell, the Rev. Will Finley and the Rev. Robert Fowler. Pallbearers included Lee Perkins, Blake Chastain, Caleb Chastain, Jonathan Chastain, Timmy Harris and Terry Duckworth. Honorary pallbearers included The Re-Union Boys: Carl Lewis, Evan Chastain, Roger Breazeale, Doug Cassell, Mark Hayes and Tony Gillespie.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. at Gilead Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Evette family.

Robert Leon “R.L.” Talley

Sunset — R.L. “Mountain Man” Talley passed from this earth on Friday, Aug. 26, to rest on the mountain top.

Born in Pickens, he was a son of Clara Belle McCall Bradley and the late Frank Talley. He departed this world along with his wife of 33 years, Louise Talley.

Surviving are a daughter, Melissa Stewart of Mauldin; a son, Rodney Talley of Central; two sisters, Louise Whitmire of Pickens and Ruth Reid of Pickens; four brothers, John Talley of Sunset and Chester, Sylvester and Clyde Dryman, all of Pickens; also surviving are two grandchildren, Raven Talley of Central and Mazey Stewart of Mauldin.

R.L. was retired from Crenshaw Paving. He was an incredibly hard working, humble and gentle soul. He will be forever missed.

A celebration of life to honor our beloved Mountain Man will be held on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. at 123 Hidden Hills, Marietta, SC 29661. Dress is casual.

Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.