James Edward Dobson

Easley — Mr. James Edward “Ed” Dobson, 62, husband of Mary Ann Richards Dobson, died Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2013 at the Magnolias of Easley.

Born in Greenville County, he was the son of Mildred Smith Dobson, of Greenville, and the late James Clinton Dobson. He graduated from Carolina High School and Clemson University. Mr. Dobson was with J. P. Stevens stores as Merchandise Manager for 20 years and retired as Hobby Manager at The Great Escape after 21 years of service. Mr. Dobson was a member of the Easley Lions Club since 1981, served two terms as President, received the Melvin Jones Fellowship and was a Master Key Member.  He was a former member of the Greenville Chapter of the

Patsy B. Reece

Liberty — Patsy Bearden Reece, 66, of 119 Towns End Drive, died Monday, Nov. 25, 2013.

Born in Pickens County, she was the daughter of the late Ernest and Sarah Gravley Bearden. Ms. Reece was a Homemaker.

Surviving are her children, Ronald Reece (Pam) of Liberty and Angie McClain (Ricky Dodgens) of Pickens; four grandchildren, Hope Caldwell, Cody Reece, Jody Reece and Dakota McClain; four great

Joyce Nix

Easley — Linda Joyce Simmons Nix, 67, of Dacusville Highway, wife of the late Billy Fred Nix, died, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013.

Born in Easley, a daughter of the late Paul E. and Thelma Laura Elizabeth Murphy Simmons, Mrs. Nix, along with her late husband, was co-owner of Stone City of Greenville and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Surviving are two sons, Billy C. Nix (Melynda) and Daniel F. Nix (Kristie) all of Easley; a daughter, Kathy Connelly (Daniel) of Easley; two brothers, David E. Simmons (Louise) of Six Mile and Tommy G. Simmons of Easley; two sisters, Mary Ann Porter (Cecil) of Easley and Patsy Raines (Freddy) of Pickens

Jody Amspacher

Liberty — Joseph William “Jody” Amspacher, 74, of 323 W. Front Street, died Monday, Nov. 4, 2013 at his residence.

Born in Fort Sill, Okla. he was a son of the late Dr. William and Connie Peeper Amspacher. He retired from AT&T formerly NCR in Liberty.

Surviving are his wife, Josie Davis Amspacher of the home; a daughter, Riley Amspacher of Liberty; a sister, Connie Briley (James) of Pickens; a brother, Dr. William Amspacher (Nelda) of San Luis Obispo, Calif.; a sister in law, Harriett Ellenburg Gibson of Liberty; and

Betty Sue Chasteen

Fair Play — Betty Sue Ellison Martin Chasteen, 80, wife of James Chasteen, of 915 Shelor Ferry Road, died Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 at Oconee Medical Center.

Born in Greenville County, she was the daughter of the late George and Nina Holcombe Ellison. She was a homemaker and a member of Ole Country Church.

Survivors in addition to her husband include children Debbie Tollison, Kathy Roper, Harold Martin, Denise Martin, all of Greenville, Sherri Albertson (Ed) of Six Mile, and Wayne Martin of Williamston; step-children, Cindy Culbreth of Columbus, N.C., and Lonnie Chasteen of Mauldin; sister, Ethel Moon, of Greenville; 13 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren; five step-grandchildren and six step-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by sister, Eunice Faye Ellison.

A funeral service was held at 2:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 4 from the Chapel of Sandifer Funeral Home. Burial followed at Rock Hill Baptist Church.

Flowers accepted. Condolences may be expressed online by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.

Sandifer Funeral Home is assisting the Chasteen family.

Richard Rollins

Liberty ­— Richard Ferrell Rollins, Sr., 83, of 5 Fowler Street died Monday at McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville.

Born in Greensboro, N.C., he was the son of the late Lendon F. and Alice Pittman Rollins. He served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army. He retired from Platt Saco Lowell in 1991and was a member of Eastside Baptist Church.

Surviving are a daughter, Kim Goodwin and her husband Chris of Ware Shoals; a son, Richard F. “Rick” Rollins, Jr. and his wife Melissa of Stow, Mass.; and two grandsons, Kevin and Gregory Rollins.

In addition to his parents he was predeceased by his first wife, Fay W. Rollins; his second wife Patsy Fowler Rollins; and a sister, Brona Jean Warner.

Memorial services to honor the life of Mr. Rollins were held at 11 a.m. Friday at East Side Baptist Church. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Hospice House of Greenville 1836 West Georgia Road Simpsonville, SC 29680 or Eastside Baptist Church: 920 Anderson Drive Liberty, SC 29657.

Memorial messages will be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services are handling arrangements.

Robert H. Porter

Central — Robert Harrison Porter, 73, of 137 Melanie Lane and husband of Evelyn Martin Porter died Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013 at his home.

Born in Pickens County, he is the son of Mildred Crow Porter of Central and the late Alvin Richard Porter. Robert was a retired employee with West Point Stevens and was a proud member of the NRA. He was a member of the Wren Church of God.

Surviving in addition to his wife and mother are one son, Edrew Harrison (Theresa) Porter of Six Mile; daughter, Melanie Christine (Steve) Murray of Norris; sister, Bonnie Porter of Central; five grandchildren, Robert (Kalyn) Porter, Megan Porter, Andrea Porter, Sloan Carpenter and Kramer Carpenter; a great-grandson, Robert Clark Porter; and an honorary daughter, Terri Carpenter of Norris.

In addition to his father, he was predeceased by a brother, Virgil Porter; and two sisters, Estelle Bolick and Maybelle Perry.

Funeral services were 1 p.m., Thursday in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central with Bishops Dean Webb and Danny Murray officiating. Burial followed in Memory Gardens.

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

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the Porter family.

Rebecca Jean Davis

Liberty — Rebecca Jean Dodgens Davis, 51, of 312 Carolina Dr. Apt. 3, died Wednesday at her residence.

Born in Bad Kruznach, Germany, she was the widow of the late Ronnie Dean Davis and a daughter of Van D. and Shirley Perrine Dodgens of Central. She was a 1980 graduate of D.W. Daniel High School and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving in addition to her parents are a daughter, Caitlyn Davis of the home; a sister, Patricia Dodgens of Norris; and a brother, James Dodgens of Piedmont.

In addition to her husband she was predeceased by a sister Margaret Clark.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mrs. Davis were held at 11 a.m. Saturday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Carmen L. Thompson

Central — Carmen Lynn Hildebrandt Thompson, 46, of 811 Issaqueena Trail died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 at the Rainey Hospice House following a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Born in Minneapolis, Minn. she was the daughter of Charles D. and Jeannette Swanson Hildebrandt of Pflugerville, Texas. She was a graduate of University of Illinois, Chicago and was an employee with Builders First Source in Seneca. She attended Mt. Zion United Methodist Church and was an avid hiker.

Surviving in addition to her parents are two brothers, Michael Hildebrandt of Mt. Prospect, Ill. and David Hildebrandt of Austin, Texas; three nieces, Addison, Hadley and Delaney Hildebrandt; and a nephew, Vincent Lai.

A Celebration of Carmen’s life was 2 p.m., Monday at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, Central.  

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Pickens County Cancer Society, 444 Hampton Ave., Suite B, Pickens, SC 29671 www.pccancer.org.

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

Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home is assisting the Thompson family.

Clyde Galloway

Pickens — William Clyde Galloway, 69, of Concord Church Road, died Thursday, Oct. 31, 2013.

Born in Jackson County, N.C., he was the son of the late Fred and Ruth Owens Galloway. Mr. Galloway was retired from The Singer Company (Ryobi).

Surviving is his wife of the home, Linda Hayes Galloway; five children, Scott Galloway (Kim), Robin Galloway, Chris Collins, Jeremy Holcombe and Tony Butler (Paige) all of Pickens; eight grandchildren, Justin, Megan, Trent, Tanner, Jesus, Kinsley, Carlos and Aubree; a great granddaughter, Chloe; two sisters, Irma Lee Owens and Linda Chapman both of Pickens; and two brothers, Jim Galloway of Tuckasegee, N.C. and Claude Galloway of Pickens.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by two sisters, Novella Worley and Myrtie Galloway and four brothers, Frank Galloway, Oscar Galloway, Archie Galloway and Glen Galloway.

No services are planned.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com.

Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Galloway family.

Rosa Lee Houston

Easley — Mrs. Rosa Lee Finley Houston, 88, wife of the late Milton Thomas Houston, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2013 at Manna Health and Rehab in Pickens.

Born in Pickens County, to the late Delonus and Norma Stevens Finley, Rosa was an active member of Arial United Methodist Church, until her illness, where she was a Sunday School teacher, past president and member of the UMW, choir member and served many meals to the delight of those who came in touch with her. She was a prayer warrior, and a dedicated wife and mother.
Mrs. Houston is survived by a son, J. Bill Houston (Sue); two daughters, Linda H. Hill (Buster) and Ginger H. Dickard (Bryan); a sister, Sarah Garrett (Bird); five grandsons and one granddaughter; 11 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She was also loved dearly by her childhood friend, Flora Brown.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a brother, “Pete” Finley (Alice); and two sisters, Edna Cater (Randolf) and Ressie Reeves (Bud).

Funeral services were 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, with the Rev. Dr. Stuart Houston and Pastor Roger Gwinn officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

The family would like to thank the precious staff of the Willows of Easley, Manna Health and Rehab in Pickens and also many friends and family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Arial United Methodist Church, 829 Gentry Memorial Highway, Easley, SC 29640.

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

Donald Johnston

Westminster — Donald Talmadge Johnston, 77, of 106 North Hampton Street, died Friday, Nov. 1, 2013 at his home.

Born in Norris he was a son of the late Lloyd and Faye Segars Johnston. He retired from D.J. Pools and had previously worked in textiles. He was an avid fisherman and of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are his wife, Mary B. Johnston; three daughters, Kay Hall, Sheila Butts, and Jackie Webb; four sons, Bobby and Rickey Johnston, and Fred and Larry Lyon; three sisters, Emily Garren, Gracie Anders, and Millie Owen; two brothers, Dwight and Dale Johnston; 20 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two daughters, Melody and Mona Lisa Johnston, and three brothers, Buck, Tommy, and Dub Johnston.

Funeral services to honor the life of Mr. Johnston were 2 p.m. Sunday in the Liberty Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be at Kings Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com. Liberty Mortuary is handling arrangements.

Mildred T. McNeely

Liberty — Mrs. Mildred Thomason McNeely, 85, wife of the late Leon Edgeworth McNeely, died Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 at Baptist Easley Hospital.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Justus Reeves and Essie Sargent Thomason, Mrs. McNeely retired from Alice Manufacturing Company with 52 years of service, and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are a daughter, Pamela Davis (Ronnie) of Liberty; three sisters, Frances Johnson, of Easley, Margie Gosnell, of Greenwood, and Lola Eades, of Easley; three grandchildren, Kristy Quinney, Christopher Moore, and Lanie Davis; and three great-grandchildren, Tyler Bryson, Jamie Bryson, and Dreek Robinson.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. McNeely was predeceased by a brother, Donald Thomason.

Graveside services were 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2 at 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.

 Vivian Black

Easley — Mrs. Vivian Johnson Black, 84, wife of the late Andrew Jackson “Bill” Black, died Saturday, Nov. 2, 2013.

Born on July 24, 1929, to the late Albert Franklin Johnson and Mettie Finley Johnson Ball, Mrs. Black was a graduate of Liberty High School. She was a devout Christian, a steadfast servant of her Lord, faithful to her time of personal devotions, prayer and reading her Bible. Vivian was also a skillful seamstress and an excellent cook, but most of all she was a loving mother.

Mrs. Black is survived by a son, Andrew J. Black, Jr. (Leona), of Overland Park, Kan.; four daughters, Linda Smiddy (Tennie), of Chattanooga, Tenn., Kathy Childs, of the Home, Joyce Kelley (Ben), of Pickens, and Faith Hawn (Doug), of Easley; two brothers, Doyle and Olin Johnson, both of Easley; a sister, Dorothy Sink, of Liberty; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by one granddaughter, Lori Smiddy Davis.
A celebration of life was held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed at Mount Calvary Church cemetery.

The family wishes to thank Hospice Care of South Carolina, and faithful, loving caregivers, Angie Simmons, Faith, Kathy, and Kami.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice Care of South Carolina, 900 East Main Street Suite E, Easley, SC 29640.

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

Ben H. Martin, Jr.

 Easley — Ben Hamilton Martin, Jr., was born Aug. 10, 1928 to the late Ben Hamilton and Mary Owens Martin.

He graduated from Easley High School in 1945 and graduated from the Citadel in 1949 with a degree in Civil Engineering where he was a member of The Summerall Guards. Mr. Martin was an army veteran having served as Captain in the US Army from 1951-1953. He also served from September 1961 until March 1962. Mr. Martin was owner of Pickens County Concrete Company. He was a Licensed Civil Engineer and designed many bridges and also built bridges for the SC Highway Department. Mr. Martin was a former Boy Scout leader of a troop in Charleston and also Troop 37 in Easley. He was a lifelong member of Easley Presbyterian Church where he has been very active. He was a former Sunday School teacher, youth leader, Deacon, Elder and Trustee. Mr. Martin belonged to the Men’s Bible Study Group. He had been a member of the Easley Rotary Club since 1957 and also was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Samiel Jones Martin; a daughter, Ellen M. Musco (Gabe); three sons, Charles Martin, Robert Martin and Ben H. Martin, III (Rachel); seven grandchildren, Julia Fielding, Alesha Martin, Kelly Paluska, Sammy Martin, Lessie Musco, Ivan Martin and Ida Lynne Martin; and a sister, Dolly Harris.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Martin was predeceased by a sister, Mary Jean Parrish.

Memorial services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Easley Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Bill Seel and the Rev. Christy Gravely officiating.

Private committal services will take place at Robinson Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends in the parlor of the church immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Easley Presbyterian Church, 200 South First Street, Easley, SC 29640 or to Baptist Easley Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1988, Easley, SC 29641.

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

Barry Keith Hamlin

 Gloucester, Va. —Barry Keith Hamlin, 57, died at his home in Gloucester, Va. on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013.

He was born in Greenville and had served in the U.S. Coast Guard and was a member of Newington Baptist Church. He retired from Sanders Nursing Home in 2003 as administrator of assisted living.

He will be remembered for his sense of humor, his stories, and practical jokes.

He is survived by his wife, Joanne Hamlin, daughter Amanda Adams and her husband Douglas Leon, his parents Curtis and Claris Brackens Hamlin of Easley, his sister Phyllis Hamlin Peterson and her husband Gary of Orangeburg, and his grandchildren, John, Beau, Eliana, Violet, and Deacon.

The family will receive friends at Newington Baptist Church from 1 to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30 with services starting at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Palmer Fuller

Liberty — Palmer Young Fuller, 88, of 537 Golden Creek Road died peacefully Sunday evening at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson.

Born in Woodruff, he was a son of the late Luther Young and Mattie Brissey Fuller. He was retired from Dan River Mills He enjoyed dancing and was an avid outdoorsman. He was a Mason and was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are three daughters, Norma Fuller of Easley, Mattie Center (Charles) of Liberty and Pam Aiken (Dale) of Pickens; a son, Michael Fuller (Melissa) of Liberty; 12 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 65 years, the late Maxie Sanders Fuller; a son, Houston Fuller; a sister Mildred Childress; and three brothers, William, Pete

Itau Fowler Ellison

Easley — Mrs. Itau Fowler Ellison, 87, wife of the late Homer Charles Ellison, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2013 at her home.

Born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Thomas Julius and Maude Maybell Pilgrim, Mrs. Ellison retired from Woven Electronics and was a member of Zion United Methodist Church, where she was active in the church and belonged to United Ministries.

Surviving are a son, Roy Charles Ellison (Kathy) of Easley; a daughter, Joyce Elaine Ellison of Easley; two grandchildren, Joshua Ellison and Amanda Bennefield (Clint); three great-grandchildren, Tyler Musselman, and Reagan and Jackson Bennefield; and her extended family, Jane and Tessa O’Rourke, and Dylan and Braden Mills.

Joey Waldrop

Pickens -— Mr. Joel “Joey” Wayne Waldrop, Jr., 48, husband of Teresa L.S. Waldrop, died Saturday, Oct. 5, 2013 at Duke University Hospital, Durham, N.C.

Born in Pickens County, a son of Joel Wayne Waldrop, Sr. and Miriam Watson Waldrop, Mr. Waldrop was a graduate of Pickens High School and Tri-County Technical College, where he earned his associate degree. He was employed with BMW and previously worked with the Department of Defense in England and Australia. Joey was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church. In all that he had accomplished in life, being a Daddy, showing his love for his family, and being a living example of a Godly man were his first priorities.

Anniell R. Bevis

Clemson — Anniell Rudisill Bevis, 84, of 218 Duke Street and widow of John Henry Bevis, Jr. died Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013 at her home.

Born in Columbia she was a daughter of the late William B. and Annie Niell Rudisill.  Mrs. Bevis a homemaker, volunteer at Helping Hands and a member and volunteer with St. Andrew Catholic Church.

Surviving are four sons, John Henry “Jay” (Janis) Bevis of Valdese, N.C., William R. “Billy” (Lek) Bevis of Clemson, David “Ginger” Bevis, Goose Creek, and James (Perrin) Bevis of Clemson; four daughters, Beth (Mark) Jordan of Clemson, Barbara (Phill) Pearson of Greenville, Jeanne (Bill) Smart of