BLAINE BRYANT

SIX MILE — Blaine Walker Bryant, 61, of 410 John Holliday Road, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Pickens, he was a son of Debra Durham Bryant and the late Patrick Fred Bryant.

Surviving, in addition to his mother of Six Mile, is a brother, Larry Bryant (Kim); his nephew, Jonathan Bryant (Marie) and their children, Adysen, Autumn, and Ingrid; his niece, Andrea Lollis (Michael) and their children, Gavin and Adam.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janet Bryant.

Blaine led a simple yet fulfilling life, finding joy in the simplest of pleasures. He enjoyed collecting Hot Wheel Cars and random junk.  He also enjoyed drawing.

But most of all, Blaine adored the moments spent with his beloved nieces and

NELL THOMAS

CARROLLTON, Ga. — Mrs. Avenell “Nell” Stephens Thomas, 83 of Carrollton, Ga., passed away on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. She was born in Pickens County on Aug. 8, 1940, to the late Albert Stephens and Hester Rachel Durham Stephens.

Mrs. Thomas was retired from PEDS Hosiery and was a devoted Christian. Her love for the Lord was profound, and her favorite saying was, “Lord willing, I’ll be there.” She was a loving wife, mother and Nana, but her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Thomas loved celebrating birthdays and sending birthday cards to her family and friends. She also had a collection of bunny rabbits.

Survivors include her husband of 62 years, OL Thomas; her son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Christy Thomas; her daughters and sons-in-law, Susan and Anthony Hill and Jean and Hal Knott; her grandchildren, Rick and Chasidy Thomas, Lori and Tanner Roach, Jack Thomas, Chris Thomas, Ben Hill, Rachel Hill, Katie and Christopher Lanier, Amy and Cody Daniel, Rebekah Knott, Thomas and Caroline Knott, Elizabeth Knott and Anna Knott; and her great-grandchildren, Hunter, Cameron, Audrey, Ansley, Caden, Bentley, Bella, McKenna, Tripp and Lily. She is also survived by her sisters, Frances Cromer, Sue Gilstrap, Ruby Duncan and Rosalee Britton. Mrs. Thomas was preceded in death by

JOE BURGESS

EASLEY — Joseph Lee Burgess, husband of Kathy Brazzell Burgess, passed away after a battle with heart and kidney issues on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. He was affectionately known as Coach, JB, Pa Joe, and Pumpkin. He loved his Lord, his family, and his community.  He also loved to make people happy with a good laugh at stories he could tell on himself and others.

He was a 1964 graduate of Pickens High School and played in the first football game in the opening of the original Liberty High School Stadium. After high school, Joe attended The Citadel graduating in 1968.

That same year his coaching career began at Lexington High School as an assistant football coach. He also taught at Pelion High School and served as the athletic director. There, he coached boys

MONNIE LEE BROOME

GREENVILLE — Monnie Lee Broome, 82, of Greenville, passed away Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023.

Monnie was born in Spartanburg, on Aug. 15, 1941 to parents Emmett M. and Ada White Broome.  He was a graduate of Spartanburg High School (1959) where he served as president of his class.  Monnie helped plan class reunions for 60 years where he enjoyed close relationships with many of his classmates. He met the “love of his life,” Jackie Gravely while attending the University of S.C. on athletic scholarship.  He transferred to Wofford College where he participated in football as a scholarship athlete. He graduated in 1964 and continued to be a strong supporter of Wofford throughout his life.

He joined JP Stevens & Company (Greenville) and spent his entire career in the textile industry. In 2014 he retired as Executive Vice President of Human Resources from JPS Industries.

During his career, Monnie was President and Board Member of the Carolina Society for Training and Development, two-time Chairman of the HR Division of SC Textile Manufacturers Association, Board Member of the S.C. Textile Manufacturers Association, Member of Society for Human Resources Management, Chairman of the Regional Educational Association Advisory

MARY C. HAMMOND

PICKENS — Dr. Mary C. Hammond, 85, of Pickens, passed away on Friday, Dec. 15, 2023 after months of declining health.

Born in Greenville, Mary was a well-known physician who loved helping others. Although she loved animals, she loved her family more than anything. Mary received her medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia and operated her own practice in Pickens, as a family medicine doctor. Dr. Hammond was the county staff physician for the local detention centers and Medical Director of Pickens County Behavioral Health Commission. She was a member of the SC Medical Association and former Chief of Staff of Cannon Memorial Hospital. Until her health declined, she was a faithful member of East Pickens Baptist Church.

Mary is survived by her three sons; Stephen, Andrew, Josh; four daughters, Jackie, Laura, Angela, Sarah, 12 grandchildren and eight

LINDA BRACKEN EVATT

EASLEY — Linda Bracken Evatt, wife of the late Carl Thomas Major “Tommy” Evatt, passed away Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023.

She was the daughter of the late T. Cecil and Dorothy Hunter Bracken.

Linda was born in Monroe, Ill., on July 24, 1944. She was a graduate of Easley High School, Class of 1962. She was a

You must be logged in to view this content.