Category Archives: Obituaries
Courier Obituaries 1-23-13
ELLEN YESTER
LIBERTY — Ellen Elizabeth Greene Yester, 88, died Jan. 13, 2013 at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Mrs. Yester was born in Liberty and graduated from Liberty High School and Draughon’s Business College. She was the daughter of the late Alfred and Rosa Pressley Greene and was the last surviving member of 11 children. Before her retirement, she had a career in the electronics industry. She was known to all as a caring lady who always put the needs of family, friends, and strangers above her own.
She is survived by one son, James C. Yester, Jr., and former daughter-in-law, Betty Yester; two grandchildren, Elizabeth McClary (Anson), and James C. Yester III (Mary); and eight great-grandchildren, Toney Barrett, Jessica Yester, Anson McClary, Jr., Alex McClary, David Yester, Cassandra Yester, Savannah Yester, and Cheyenne Yester. Special acknowledgment is given to close and helpful family members, Randall Harrison (Linda), Jo Harrison, and many other family members, friends, and neighbors.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown. Burial followed in Greenlawn Memorial Park.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhome.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Courier Obituaries for 12-12-12
Dennis Harold Hawkins
Liberty — Dennis Harold Hawkins, 58, of 19 Park Plaza, died peacefully Monday, Dec. 3, 2012 at his residence.
Born in Easley, he was a son of the late Dennis H. and Ruby L. Richards Hawkins. He was of the Baptist faith.
Surviving are a sister, Ruby Jean Isler of Liberty; a brother, Buddy O. Tipton of Easley; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Van Doren Tipton.
A memorial service for Mr. Hawkins was held Thursday at 1 p.m. at Eastside Baptist Church.
Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www.libertymortuary.com In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice. Liberty Mortuary and Cremation Services are handling arrangements.
Courier Obituaries for 10-17-12
Sylvia Benjamin
Central — Sylvia Lillie Youngblood Bolding Benjamin, 71, of Central died Monday, Oct. 8, 2012 at The Laurels of Hendersonville.
Sylvia was born in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Samuel Odell and Lois Merck Youngblood. She was a member of Mt. Olivet Wesleyan Church and was retired from Easley Nursing Center as an occupational therapist and certified nursing assistant. Sylvia had many loves including horseback riding, children, and taking care of old people.
Sylvia was twice married, first to the late Ernest Bolding and then to the late Joel Benjamin.
Survivors include her step-daughter Gwen Benjamin of Greenville, brothers and sisters, Lucille Kelley of Liberty, Ernest Youngblood of Six Mile, Felton Youngblood of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., Shirley Stubblefield of Six Mile, and Susan Alexander also of Six Mile.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Sylvia was preceded in death by a sister, Syble Jones.
Funeral services were Thursday, Oct 11 at 2:30 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home. Burial followed at Hillcrest Memorial Park and Gardens, Garden of St. Peter.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Benjamin family.
Alvin S. Harrison
Easley — Alvin Stokes Harrison, 82, of 103 McCollum Street, husband of the late Genethel Macie Thomas Harrison, died Monday, Oct. 8, 2012 at his home.
Born in Brevard, N.C., a son of the late Earl Cranston and Hattie Harren Harrison, Mr. Harrison retired from Michelin North America and was a member of Easley Church of God. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Surviving are two sons, Butch Harrison (and friend, Karen) and Michael Harrison (Naomi), all of Easley; two daughters, Lisa Adams (Bobby) and Pam Smith (Greg), all of Easley; seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were 2 p.m. Friday at Easley Church of God with the Rev. Dr. David Sustar officiating. Burial followed in Hillcrest Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Easley Church of God, P.O. Box 443, Easley, SC 29641.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road which is assisting the family.
Obituaries for week of Oct. 3, 2012
JoAnn Hughes Looper
Easley — Mrs. JoAnn Hughes Looper, 80, of Easley, wife of the late Rev. Wallace Looper, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2012 at St. Francis Hospital.
Born Dec. 3, 1931 in Greenville County, she was a daughter of the late James and Dora Cassell Hughes. She was a former sales clerk with Garrett’s and was a 25 year volunteer at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Mrs. Looper was a longtime member for Morningstar Independent Baptist Church.
She is survived by her son, Randy W. Looper of Greenville; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; sisters, Barbara Martin and Ina Pegram, special nieces, Gail Anthony and Dianne Newton; special “soul sisters”, Carolyn Cooper, Martha Hughes, Sara Jane Rice, Reba Ellenburg and Ginger Smith.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her son, Rick E. Looper, brothers, Claude Hughes, Hubert Hughes, Bob Hughes and James W. Hughes; sisters, Ruth Hughes, Lorene Conwell, Lola Wooten, and Esther Stiffler.
A celebration of life service was conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road. Burial was private.
Escorts of honor were the members of Morningstar Independent Baptist Church and Baptist Easley Volunteers.
Memorial contributions may be made to Morningstar Independent Baptist Church, PO Box 1155, Pickens, SC 29671.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.
Courier Obits 9-26-12
Joyce T. Chambers
Easley — Joyce Opal Teat Chambers, 77, 314 Cedar Circle, wife of the late James Marion Chambers, Sr., died Monday, Sept. 17, 2012 at her home.
Born in Central, she was the daughter of the late John Henry Teat and Mary Elizabeth Elliot Teat. Mrs. Chambers was a homemaker.
Surviving are her children, Joan C. Czarnick (Donnie) of Easley, James M. “Butch” Chambers, Jr. (Kim) of Liberty, John W. Chambers (Penny) of Greenbrier, Ark. and Randel McCall (Ashley) of Easley; 13 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren; a brother, Bill Teat (Alma) of Easley; and a sister-in-law, Doris Teat of Easley.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by a daughter, Jan C. Landreth and a brother, Jack Elliot Teat.
A memorial service was Saturday, Sept 22 at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens.
The family would like to thank Interim HealthCare Hospice and Mrs. Chambers’ caregiver, Cindy, for their compassion and exceptional care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Interim HealthCare Hospice, 155 Deacon Tiller Ct., Duncan, SC 29334.
Online condolences may be expressed by visiting DillardFunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Chambers family.
Courier Obituaries 9-19-12
Mary “Sue” Tinsley
Pickens — Mary “Sue” Oliver Tinsley, 77, of Redeemer Health and Rehab, 138 Rosemond Street, and wife of the late Tommy R. Tinsley, died Tuesday Sept. 11, 2012.
Mrs. Tinsley was born in Pickens, the daughter of the late Norman and Minnie Whitmire Oliver. She retired as a clerk in Pickens County Family Court and was a member of Grace United Methodist Church.
Surviving are her sons, Steve Tinsley and his wife, Sandi and Whit Tinsley and his wife, Sheila, all of Pickens; grandchildren, Travis Tinsley and his wife, Shelley, Brittani Tinsley, Austin Tinsley and Jacob Tinsley.
Graveside services and burial were 1 p.m. Thursday in Robinson Memorial Gardens.
Obituaries for the week of September 12
Frances McJunkin
Easley — Frances Wilson Corn McJunkin, 81, widow of Clyde C. Corn and Howard P. McJunkin, died Aug. 29, 2012, at Greenville Memorial Hospital.
Born in Pickens County, to the late Walter and Florence Gunter Wilson, Mrs. McJunkin was a weaver at the Monaghan and Poe mills for most of her life. Frances was a hard worker who enjoyed keeping up the appearance of her yard every day. She loved her family and spent much time keeping in touch with everyone.
Surviving are three sisters, Martha Aiken, of Detroit, Mich., Betty Davis (Rufus W.), of Piedmont, and Ruth Wilson, of Easley.
In addition to her husbands and parents, she was pre-deceased by three brothers, Sam, Billy, and Junior Wilson; and three sisters, Mary Finley, Bessie Mae Welborn, and Ina Wilson Nix.
Graveside Services were 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Obituaries for the week of September 5
Lois Baus Beckett
Easley — Mrs. Lois Baus Beckett, 80, of 158 Pine Mountain Dr, wife of the late William R. Beckett died Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012 at Baptist Easley Hospital.
Born May 4, 1932 in Ewing Township, N.J., she was a daughter of the late Elmer and Margaret Andrews Baus. Mrs. Beckett was a retired clerk for the township of Hamilton, N.J., was a member of the Moving Forward Group and a member of Easley Church of God. She loved her family and lived life to the fullest.
She is survived by her sons, Robert Beckett (Debbie) of Eatonville, Wash. and William Beckett, Jr. of Easley; daughter, Karen Lowdermilk, of Easley; sister, Jane Choma; step-brother, James Donnelly; grandchildren, John Lowdermilk, Jr, Deanna Mann, Melissa Pelletier, Amanda Corwin, Samantha Beckett and Kyle Neumann; great-grandchildren, Caleb Lowdermilk, Tate Lowdermilk, Mattison Tenry, Brenner Tenry, Adalyn Mann and Jean-O Pelletier.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by her dear friend, Cleo Watson.
Funeral services were conducted at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4 in the chapel of Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road. Burial followed in Robinson Memorial Gardens.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road, which is assisting the family.
COURIER OBITS
Sylvia Sue Hancock Arledge
Easley — Sylvia Sue Arledge, 70, of Easley, wife of Melbourne J. Arledge, Sr., died Monday, Aug. 20, 2012.
Born in Athens, Ga., she was a daughter of the late W.A and Nelle Pritchard Hancock. Sylvia was a loving and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was well known for her quick wit and fantastic sense of humor.
Surviving, in addition to her husband of 43 years, are two sons, Melbourne J. Arledge, Jr., and wife, Katrina, of Eagle River, Ala., and Sean T. Arledge and wife, Sarah, of Simpsonville; a daughter, Shannon A. Peters and husband, Tim, of Greer; one brother, W.A. Hancock Jr, of Greer; one sister, Carmen Podlasek and her husband, Janusz; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Dianne Nelson.
Memorial service was held Saturday, Aug. 25, at 5 p.m. at Holy Cross Episcopal Church, 205 E. College Street, Simpsonville, SC 29641.
Memorials may be made to The Sylvia H. Arledge Fund, care of Shannon Peters, 309 Sprucewood Court, Greer, SC, 29651.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Robinson Funeral Home-Downtown, which is assisting the family.
Obituaries for the week of August 22
Hope Marie Jenkins
Pickens — Hope Marie Jenkins, 46, of Pickens, died Tuesday Aug. 14, 2012 at her home.
Hope was born in Pickens County, daughter of Eula Mae Powell Grice, and the late Willie A. Grice. She was employed as a cook at The Village Inn Restaurant in Pickens and she was a Baptist.
Survivors include her mother Eula Mae Grice of Easley, sons Zachary Jenkins of Greenville, and Cody Jenkins of Simi Valley, Calif., sisters Brenda Grammas (Clarence), Juanita Revis (Junior), Patricia Porter (Dale), and Frankie Owens all of Liberty.
In addition to her father, Hope was preceded in death by a son Christopher Jenkins and sister Willie Mae “Betty” Owens.
Funeral services were conducted 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16 in the chapel of Dillard Funeral Home in Pickens. Burial followed at Red Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
A message of condolence may be expressed to the family by visiting www.DillardFunerals.com.
Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the Jenkins family.
