FAY HOLLIDAY

PICKENS — Chloe “Fay” Chastain Holliday, 91, died on Sunday, March 19, 2023, at home.

Mrs. Holliday was born on Jan. 23, 1932, in Pickens County, a daughter of the late Arthur “Milton” and Chloe Annie Townes Chastain. She was a 1949 graduate of Easley High School and worked over 13 years in the office of Stone’s Manufacturing Company in the Cherrydale area of Greenville. Mrs. Holliday was a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church for 78 years.

Mrs. Holliday is survived by a daughter, Vonda Fay Holliday of the home; and a brother, Harold Chastain (Frances) of Easley.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Holliday was predeceased by her husband of 51 years (July 6, 1963), Kenneth Cecil Holliday.

Vonda would like to express many special thanks to the members of Holly Springs Baptist Church, family, friends and neighbors for the unselfish way they gave of themselves in the many acts of kindness toward her Mama. May God richly bless each of you for the Christian love you have so greatly shown.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Holly Springs Baptist Church, with Rev. Barry Dilworth and Rev.

FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT CATRON

EASLEY — Franklin Roosevelt Catron, 89 husband of Patricia Russell, passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2023.

Mr. Catron was born on Aug. 22, 1933, in Grundy, Va., to the late John W. and Hattie Catron. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

In addition to his loving wife of 25 years, Mr. Catron is survived by three stepsons, Kessler “KJ” Russell of Richlands, Va., James Russell (Kathryn) of Easley and Joe Russell of Bristol, Va.; five grandchildren, Travis Russell, Amber Brown, Aaron Russell, Houston Huggins III and Chase Russell; and two great-grandchildren, Annley Brown and Gray Russell.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, John W. Catron, Bruce Catron and Bice Catron; and one sister, Pearl McCay.

Palmetto Cremation Service is handling arrangements.

JAMES WORTH  ‘JAY’ PENCE JR.

James “Jay” Worth Pence Jr., 93, a community leader and volunteer for many organizations in the Upstate, died on Thursday, March 2, 2023, at his home in Pickens.

Dr. Pence was born on Dec. 10, 1929, in Staunton, Va. His mother, Louise Whissen Pence, was a high school teacher, and his father, James Worth Pence, was a headmaster at Staunton Military Academy. Dr. Pence attended Davidson College and graduated from the University of Virginia, where he was Phi Beta Kappa and a top debater. He received masters and doctoral degrees at Cornell University.

He was a faculty member at Virginia Military Institute from 1956 to 1966.

In 1966, he joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, where he led the effort to create the Speech Communications Department, serving as the initial interim department chair. He retired as a full professor in 1994.

After Dr. Pence’s retirement, he and his wife, Dorothy, moved to Mrs. Pence’s family home in Pickens and together

RUSSELL B. RIGGINS

PICKENS — Mr. Russell B. Riggins passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of March 1, 2023.

He is eternally healed and in the presence of his Savior and reunited with his daughter, Barbara Holcombe.

Russell was the last surviving child of the late John David and Viola Simmons Riggins. Affectionately known as “Hon,” “Daddy,” “Poppy” and “Uncle Russell,” he loved his family dearly and never failed to tell each of us at every opportunity. Russell had many loving nieces and nephews who he loved dearly. Every Christmas Eve for the last 40 years, he read the story of Jesus’ birth from Luke chapter 2 to his children and all his grands and instilled the importance of a personal

MARIA A. MENDOZA

EASLEY  — María A. Mendoza, 88, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023.

María was born in Cuba, on June 23, 1934, to the late Joaquín García and Ramona Medina. María was a great prayer warrior and loved to sing hymns and read her Bible. She enjoyed reading, crosswords, coloring and watching game shows such as “Jeopardy” and “Exatlón Estados Unidos.”

María is survived by three daughters, Silvia Mendoza (Michael DeMolina), Dámaris Rodríguez (Luis) and Lidia Fernández (Alex); four grandchildren, Valerie Rodríguez Michelena (Matthew), Britney Fernández, Jonathan Fernández and Ryan Rodríguez; one sister, Orfa García; and nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, María was preceded in death by her husband, Celso J. Mendoza; and one brother, Joaquín García.

A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 6, at Dade South Memorial Park in Miami, Fla.

JACOB ERIC BRIGHT

CENTRAL — Specialist Jacob Eric Bright, U.S. Army National Guard, 22, passed away on Feb. 18, 2023.

Born in Easley, he was the son of Janet Lee Arnold Bright and Eric and Dawn Bright. Jacob was a 2019 graduate of D.W. Daniel High School, where he was member of the wrestling team and active in the JROTC. Even after graduation, he volunteered his time to assist the JROTC at Daniel High School.

He was currently serving his country in the U.S. Army National Guard, mobilized to the National Capital Region, 2-263 Air Defense Artillery Battalion in support of Operation Noble Eagle. Jacob was a member of Greater Life Worship Center, where he was an active member of the youth program and assisted with the media.

He is survived by his parents, Janet Lee Arnold Bright of Greenville and Eric and Dawn Bright of Central; brothers, Matthew A. Bright of Greenville, Jonathan Bright (Kimberly Black) of Central, Aaron Akins (Tiffany Cole) of Central and Daniel Akins (Abby Burton) of Taylors; grandparents, Stanley and Jan Bright and Barbara Schweers; nieces, Aliyah Bright, Raylee Bright and Bayleigh Akins; and a nephew, Bentley Akins.

The family received friends on Feb. 27 at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home in Central.

Funeral services were held on Feb. 28 in the funeral home chapel. Burial with full military honors followed at Cross Roads Baptist Church Cemetery, Easley.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to D.W. Daniel High School JROTC, 140 Blue and Gold Blvd., Central, SC 29630, Attn: Tiffany Cole. Please put on memo line Bright, JROTC.

Visit robinsonfuneralhomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home and Cremations, Central-Clemson Commons.

WALT PAINTER

SUNSET — Walt Painter, 67, passed away after a brief illness on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

Mr. Painter served in the U.S. Army Special Forces Green Berets, was a sergeant in communications, a member of the Golden Knights and cross-trained. He was awarded the Iran Iranian Airborne Paratrooper Jump Wings.

Walt is survived by five children, David, Stacy, Brandon, Kim and Rhonda; 12 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren

KIMBERLY GAIL MORENO

EASLEY — Kimberly Gail Moreno, 56, was called home to be with the Lord, surrounded by her family, on Feb. 9, 2023, after a six-year battle with ALS.

Kim was born on June 14, 1966, the precious daughter of Richard and Linda Merck.

Kim was a loving wife to Richard Moreno for 27 years. Her life was spent as an amazing mother to Riley Victoria Moreno (23) of the home and Reygan Ashlyn Merck (31) of Liberty.

Her favorite thing to do was spending time with her family and watching her granddaughter Carsyn Hutley (5) grow.

Kim had a smile that could light up any room and was the most kind-hearted woman you would ever meet.

Kim is survived by her parents, Richard and Linda Merck; her husband, Richard Moreno; two daughters, Riley Moreno and Reygan Merck; a granddaughter, Carsyn Hutley; a brother, Kip Merck (Shana); a sister, Keila Yoda; two nieces,

LARRY COX

PICKENS — Larry Lee Cox, 61, of Pickens passed away Friday, Feb. 3, 2023, after a long battle with pneumonia at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born Nov. 21, 1961, Larry was a beloved grandfather of five, Matthew Franklin, Kaitlyn Cox, Aubrey Cox, Cayden Buchanan and Carmen Rosa; and father of three, Valarie Cox (Raul Rosa), Joshua Cox (Shannon) and Zachary Mauldin (Jenny).

He is also survived by his father, T.J. “Bud” Cox, and his four siblings, J.W. Cox, Danny Cox, Steve Cox and Lisa Gilstrap.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Annie Cox, and a special friend, Wanda Sutherland.

Larry was a caring man who gave everything he had and would give the shirt off his back to anyone in need before helping himself. Larry was extremely hard working and worked for many years doing sheetrock work and construction. He also spent a few years delivering newspapers. He delivered papers seven days a week, 365 days a year, and would

Rev. Dr. Trenton L. Connelly

Williamston — Rev. Dr. Trenton Lavern Connelly, 81, passed away Jan. 22, 2023.

A native of Pickens, son of the late Ivy Lee and Addie Simmons Connelly, Mr. Connelly attended North Greenville College, where he received his associate degree in 1963, Furman University, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1965, New Orleans Baptist Seminary, receiving his Th.M. degree in 1969, and Luther Rice Seminary. receiving his D.Min. degree in 1981.

He ministered at West Union Baptist in West Union, Poe Baptist Church in Greenville, Clearview Baptist Church in Travelers Rest, Cashiers Baptist Church in Cashiers, N.C., Northwood Baptist Church in Greer, Westside Baptist Church in Union and Praters Creek Baptist Church in Pickens. He was a retired Baptist minister and a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church.  It is his greatest desire that everyone who reads this obituary will also know Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior so that we can all be united together in Heaven eternally.

Surviving are his wife, Kay Cox Connelly of the home; two sons, Michael Lee Connelly (Joy) of Spartanburg and Steven Mark Connelly (Tamara) of Taylors; a daughter, Linda Connelly Matthews (Mark) of Lyman; a stepson, Daniel Fowler (Taylor) of Williamston; a stepdaughter, Dana Crawford of Pelzer; a brother, Rev. Randall Jack Connelly (Violet) of

JAMES D. ‘JIM’ MULLINS

PICKENS — Mr. James D. “Jim” Mullins, 87, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, at his home.

JD was born in Pound, Va., on Feb. 17, 1935, to the late Chester and Ora Riggs Mullins. He was a man of many talents and was a medic in the Air Force while serving in Korea, a teacher at Easley Christian School, owned Mullins Masonry and was a Sunday School teacher at Jones Avenue Baptist Church. Above all else, he loved his Lord and his family and was known for cooking the best pancakes and grits.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Brenda Mullins; five children, Becky Bridgewater, Charla Compton (Charles), Mark Mullins (Rani), Debbie Sessin and Tiffany Lister (Joel); three bonus kids, Suzanne Bolding, Marie Bolding-Tyre (Dale) and Dena Recio (Ben); 19 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren; one sister, Tish Thompson; one brother, Larry Mullins; and a very special fur-baby, Papa’s Puppy Greta.

In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two daughters, Helen Heller and Kimberly Snedden; and six brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 18, at Jones Avenue Baptist Church.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2-3:15 p.m.

Burial will take place at Mullins Family Cemetery in Pound, Va., on Friday, Jan. 20.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Victory Bible Camp, 64741 Victory Road, Sutton-Alpine, AK

KENNETH GARY PARSONS

EASLEY — SRA Kenneth Gary Parsons, 37, loving and devoted husband since 2014 to Taylor Parsons, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023, at his home.

Kenneth was born on Jan. 29, 1985, in Easley, to Gary and Po Parsons. He was an avid Clemson football fan or anything sports related. Kenneth was a 3A state high jump champion in 2003. He was an Air Force veteran, serving as Flying Crew Chief 437 AGS on C-17 sircrafts. He was a member of Arial Baptist Church, and his great faith in God and family was shown until the very end. Kenneth was a loving husband and father who was always willing to sacrifice for his family. He was a highly respected, hardworking man, who above all else loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them.

In addition to his loving wife of eight years and his parents, Kenneth is survived by one daughter, born in 2016, Madelyn Parsons; one sister, Young Loyd (Robert); one niece, Brinkley Loyd; two nephews, Wilson Loyd and Beckett Loyd; his mother-in-law, Tianna Jackson; grandmother, Eloise Parsons; and his best friend, Marion Dukes.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his grandfather, Fred Parsons.

Funeral services were held on Jan. 8 at Arial Baptist Church. Interment followed the service at Hillcrest Memorial Park in Pickens.

The family members are at their respective homes.

Online condolences may be expressed by visiting dillardfunerals.com. Dillard Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

NANCY HUDGENS

LIBERTY — Nancy Cann Hudgens, 78, of Chastain Road, died on Monday, Jan. 2, 2023, at her residence.

Born in Anderson, she was the widow of Doyle Rudolph Hudgens and a daughter of the late James Clinton and Rosa Owen Cann. She had previously retired from